| Here are my 7 tips for polishing your | | | | vital to sink in. Even the most quick-witted |
| presentations and giving maximum value to your | | | | amongst us welcomes the opportunity to |
| audience: | | | | mentally catch up and really appreciate a point |
| 1. Involve the audience by asking them questions | | | | before you move on. |
| and for their own stories and experiences to | | | | 5. Use plenty of visuals, whether that be |
| support what you are saying. However, only ask | | | | PowerPoint, props or visual imagery. Being able to |
| a question if you know they will get the answer | | | | see or imagine something brings it alive in a fresh |
| right! You are not there to test them and a series | | | | and powerful way. |
| of wrong answers will take you off-track and | | | | 6. You will probably need to speak more slowly, |
| begin to irritate. | | | | more clearly and more loudly than you would |
| 2. Talk for about 15 minutes at most without | | | | naturally. A normal conversational pace can come |
| audience participation, or you will lose their | | | | across as a gabble in a presentation. |
| attention. People always start to perk up if they | | | | 7. And most importantly of all - look as though |
| think they may be asked for a contribution! | | | | you are enjoying yourself! Moods and emotions |
| 3. Use plenty of anecdotes and human interest to | | | | are catching, and if you look as though you are |
| engage your audience's imagination. Human beings | | | | happy to be there, talking to them, your audience |
| love stories and they will be more inspired to think | | | | will be more responsive. |
| about what you are saying. | | | | Enjoy putting these tips into practice and you will |
| 4. Don't be afraid to repeat important points | | | | become a popular presenter! |
| several times or to allow a pause for something | | | | |