getting ready to break a leg
When it comes to giving presentations – whether at conferences, in a sales pitch, or in an employee meeting – planning and preparation are key. But so is practice, and that’s where many people get a big fail.
Far too few people actually put in the work to plan and prepare presentations. But when those that do neglect to actually practice their presentation –in its entirety, more than once, out loud, and with time to make changes to strengthen the weak spots – then they’ve wasted a lot of their time.
You want your audience to be applauding at the end of your presentation because you did a great job, not because you’ve finally finished speaking. And most of us don’t get someone holding a sign to indicate where we’re looking for audience adulation. So, here are my top five tips for maximizing your presentation practice and performance so you get the adoration and ovation you deserve:
1) Script it!
While it’s time consuming to write out a script for a presentation, it’s worth it for a couple of reasons: first, it forces you to really think through what you want to say and why; and second, it gives you a much clearer idea of how much time your presentation will take to deliver. If you script in bullet points it becomes much harder to think about flow and timing.
Every presentation I’ve given in the last three years has been fully scripted. I haven’t memorized the scripts, but I’ve spent a lot of time practicing with them, getting really familiar with the content and messages I want to deliver, and making sure my content will give my audience what they’re looking for.
2) Say it!
While I script, I speak what I’m writing out loud. It’s amazing how words and phrases sound different in your head versus from your mouth. Speaking aloud also helps you to determine the clarity of what you are saying and whether your transitions work from one point to the next. Once I feel comfortable with where a script stands, I deliver the whole thing (aloud, again) standing in front of a mirror. I stand up (with no pen in reach) because it helps me to avoid my rabid desire to edit continuously. It also forces me to deliver the whole presentation, at a pace consistent with the real thing, so I can get a clear sense of how much time it takes to get through it. Depending on whether I need to cut or beef up my content, I will work at this stage for a while, and will often run through a presentation five or six times before I’m ready for the next step.
3) Video it!
A few years ago, I was video-taped in a crisis communication simulation workshop, giving a statement to a group of pretend-journalists. Wearing three inch heels, I rocked back and forth as I delivered my on camera interview. While a mortifying experience that still makes me cringe, I learned two good lessons: first, I will never wear three inch heels in a work situation again. But more importantly, whatever my footwear, I will be sure to plant my feet should-width apart when standing still and speaking.
Most of us have cameras on our computers so set yourself up by standing far enough away from it that you can see from about your waist upwards. This will put enough of you in the frame to make it possible to see any weird hand gestures you make, or other distracting movements you are unaware of.
Video can be painful but so very helpful, and it’s not like I’m suggesting you post your presentation practice sessions on YouTube. What video does is help you see where the strengths and weaknesses lie, in both your content and delivery. Better to see your opportunities for improvement ahead of time, then hearing about them in your presentation evaluations.
4) Revise it!
Sometimes, ideas work on paper, but not in delivery. You’ll hear what works and what doesn’t as you say your presentation out loud and see it in your video. Some content will need to go or be moved around. Don’t fall in love with your script and don’t be scared to revise. Once you’ve done this, repeat the saying and video-taping steps, to get comfortable with your changes and even more familiar with your content. Just bear in mind, enough can be enough eventually, so stop when you find your editing is starting to involve big changes to content. You should be beyond that phase if you’ve planned and prepared appropriately. Step back and take a break. It’s amazing how perspective shifts with time and space.
5) Go for it!
When the time comes for your live performance, you’ll be nervous. And you should be. If you go into presentations without feeling a bit anxious, your ego may be setting you up for a fall. If you’ve planned, prepared and practiced, you’re ready. Just don’t forget to
- Remove all things jingly-jangly from your pockets before you start (keys, loose change, etc.).
- Make sure you have a bottle of water; you’ll get thirsty in the spotlight.
- Maintain eye contact with people in the audience at all times. Yes, that means you can’t read your slides.
- Smile. You’ll appear friendly and approachable (even if you’re not).
- Breathe deeply a few times before you start. Just not into your mic. People will think you’re weird if you do that.
- Remember… you’re the subject matter expert and people are there to listen to what you have to say. So enjoy the moment!
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