1. Be prepared
Fail to plan and plan to fail. So many speakers who know their content make the mistake of thinking that that will be enough. In today's society people often arrive at a presentation and before you have even started to speak they begin to make judgements. They tick the boxes on:
What's the venue like?
Are the seats comfortable?
Who has the speaker attracted to them?
What does the room look like?
Is there anything interesting to look at?
People haven't come to HEAR you they have come for an experience. The experience starts the moment they enter the building. There will be some things that you will have no control over, but with other things you will.
Know what energetic state you want your audience to be in and then create a foyer that helps them get there.
Large blown-up testimonials and some photos of you in action are a good place to start.2. Warm up your instrument
You would never consider going for a run without starting with a wall or a jog. The same goes with your voice. Your presentation is something you must be warmed up for. Particularly in:
Mind - You must divorce yourself of the organizing at least 30 minutes before doors open. It would be best to have an assistant to look after everyone and everything.
Some people like to quieten their mind by listening to music, some like to read notes or look at bullet points, others like to get them selves hyped. Find what puts you in the game state and do it.
Voice - tongue twisters, Tongue rolls, and vocal warm ups ( you can get tapes and books with them in) . It's important that you do these. A lazy tongue will affect your articulation and your vocal aesthetic.
Body - Jumping up and down on the spot. Twists and hanging from your waist are good ways to get your body in the right place.
Spirit - What are you here to say? Some people believe that it is no co-incidence who is in the audience to hear you. If you had a divine message what would it be? Get in touch with your own sense of trust that all will go very well.
3. Chase the Demon
The demon in questions is NERVES. Be clear whether you really are nervous or are you merely excited. Sometimes the difference is only recognizing where you are at. After all, to be able to speak in front of a live audience puts you in the top 1% of the world which can be very exciting.
Sometimes though, nerves can be debilitating and that's when it becomes the 'DEMON'.
The best way to chase the demon is to recognize it. Think about it. If you are talking to someone and they ignore you, you talk louder. The same happens with your nerves. If you ignore your nerves they will become stronger.
On the other hand, to reduce them put your attention on them. Simply get in a quiet place and ask where you are feeling the nerves in your body. I know this may sound strange but when you have done that, thank them and tell them you are safe. When you do that, they may move but keep chasing them each time calmly thanking them. Before you know it, they will subside.
4. Time
No what time you have on each point and stick to it. It has been said that people who talk too long without getting to a point are less effective.
You should change the focus of your audience every 10 minutes, be it a group discussion, talk to the person beside you, power point, some music. The more you keep them interested the more engaged they will be.
5. Nowhere to hide
Before you go in, try and get some time on stage to walk around and OWN the space. DO NOT LET THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE ON STAGE BE WHEN YOU START.
Walk around and test your voice, hitting the back of the room. Look at the empty seats and imagine them full, practice connecting with every row.
Make sure you are placed closer to the audience; it will make you appear more confident, open and trustworthy.
IF you are using power point or projection, have it off to the left of you, and not in the middle.
Test mics and anything technical.
6. Next question please
If you are going to take questions then make sure you have an answer or have a contingency that will not make you look silly.
7. Start with the end in mind
It is said that a beginning and an ending is all that an audience remembers. Make sure yours is strong. Have a good idea of when you are going to wind up, and lead the audience to the place that you wanted. A good presenter asks a question at the start of the presentation, and by the end can answer it leaving the audience with a sense of completion.
