In this edition: 3 tips to smash your next presentation | Download the freebie on speaking tools | Tip of the week on power pose.
Hey Reader
How’s the week been?
A very common question I get asked is about making impactful presentations.
Many of us want to be powerful presenters but don’t know how.
This week, I have 2 strong ways you can do that:
1. 3 powerful tips you can apply
2. Free download of speaking tool that you can use right away
So let’s dive right in!
3 powerful ways to ace your next presentation
Non-boring presentations are always welcome – and memorable too!
Droning on in a monotone is a perfect recipe for disaster.
A well-presented speech benefits you by:
- Making you memorable
- Making your message stand out
- Setting you up for future opportunities
- Projects you as a leader
With all these super benefits to becoming a great presenter, how can you miss reading the rest!
Tip #1: Start strong
I am not saying that you start with a magic trick. But if you begin with the same dull greeting that everyone expects, how will you stand out!
A strong beginning:
- Brings everyone mentally to the meeting
- Sets a confident tone to your presentation
- Subverts expectations and makes your audience sit up
I recently got a client – a VP level executive who speaks with global team members – to try this. Instead of starting with his introduction, he tried out a 2-line anecdote instead. Or started with a question that immediately led to audience engagement.
And the kind of response he got further boosted his own confidence level during presentations!
PS: Read till the end for a list of speaking tools you can use right away!
Tip #2: Don’t hide behind slides
Would you sit behind a door in an offline meeting? So don’t start your virtual meetings with the slide on the screen.
In fact, even if you present offline, talk to your audience before your projector comes on.
YOU are the hero of your presentation! So get in front of people first.
It helps:
- Make a connection
- Share the context first
- Talk to your audience directly
When I work with my clients, most of them want to start screen share and then begin talking. It takes a bit of getting used to to reverse the process.
Keep this in mind the next time. Add it to your checklist of things to remember. Become the hero of your own presentation.
Tip #3: Manage Transitions
Imagine a vague introduction that you made hiding behind your slides.
And then there is a deluge of slides one after the other.
The audience knows that you have about 10-15 minutes.
But they have no clue how far along you are at a given point.
This is a perfect way to lose audience attention.
Transitions are super important in letting your audience “hear” the flow of your points.
- Transitions act as signposts in your presentation
- They verbally reinforce the structure of your speech
- They help your audience keep track of your points
You can use tools like summarising to help the audience stay with you
(Check out the free download in this email to learn more)
Presentations are a key part of our jobs – through which we connect with people and make an impression that’ll take us higher in our career.
SUPER TIP OF THE WEEK
Use power pose before a presentation. In fact, being mindful of your body language – change slouching to sitting up straight is always a confidence booster.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
To help you start making impactful presentations right away, download 12 speaking tools you can choose from to become a better communicator.
Combined with the structure frameworks you already have from last time, this can do wonders for your communication!
SNEAK PEAK INTO NEXT WEEK
So what’s coming up in the next edition? 3 step process to assess your communication skills on your own. Super tip on breathing right and yet another useful resource on communication.
YOUR TURN…
Starting next week, I’ll be answering one specific question that comes from you about any communication challenge that you might have. I’ll share tips and point you to the right resources that can help you learn more. So hit reply and ask away!
Also, What did you think about this newsletter? What did you like? What can I do better? Your suggestions and comments are welcome, always !
Cheers,
Suman
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Whenever you are ready:
How to write an effective elevator pitch: Do you struggle to make a great first impression? How would you like a one-line template that’ll help you introduce yourself – confidently and memorably every single time? Just 2o minutes can help you plan and write your elevator pitch!
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