| Good presentation skills and public speaking begin | | | | for you. |
| with preparation. Like any other written or visual | | | | Personally, I usually write everything down that I |
| communication the key here is to prepare, | | | | will be saying, and highlight the key points I want |
| prepare, prepare. | | | | to make sure not to miss, with a yellow |
| There are a lot of good books available. It is a | | | | highlighter; then I just glance at the overall |
| good idea to join a public speaking practice group | | | | content as I move from one sub-headings to the |
| like the International Toastmasters for example. | | | | next. So I end up with 1 card for each of my 3 |
| Doing it is the best way to learn. | | | | sub-headings. |
| Here are three keys to preparing your | | | | Do not read from your card. Highlight the |
| presentations and public speeches which I find | | | | important words that will trigger your memory to |
| have worked best for me. | | | | speak to your audience. |
| 1. Identify and organize what you will be | | | | Then practice your delivery beforehand as many |
| presenting on a sheet of paper. | | | | times as you need to, timing the whole to fit |
| 2. Break it down into 3 major headings with 3 | | | | within your 45 minutes (or whatever the case |
| sub-headings under each. | | | | may be). If you are going to use transparencies |
| 3. Write the content of your sub-headings then | | | | or power-point, make sure to use them in your |
| edit to fit on 3x5 or 4x6 cards as needed. | | | | practice run also. You might need to trade a |
| 1. Identify and organize what you are presenting | | | | couple of minutes of your verbal content for the |
| on a sheet of paper: | | | | handling of the equipment. |
| Identify your topic and give it a name, a title, ex.: | | | | When you do the real thing, simply follow your |
| Four Steps to Good Presentation Skills and public | | | | cards, moving each one to the back as you |
| Speaking. | | | | deliver your material. Don't focus only on the |
| Identify the time frame you will have for your | | | | cards, use the cards to keep you on track. Look |
| presentation or speech -- let's use 45 minutes for | | | | at your audience, scanning through every one |
| easy sub-dividing. | | | | from left to right, front to back. Don't stare in |
| 2. Break it down into 3 major headings with 3 | | | | one area longer than in another, unless you are |
| sub-headings under each: | | | | answering a specific person's question. |
| Your 45 minutes will give you 15 minutes for each | | | | There are many good books on presentations, |
| of your 3 major topic headings. | | | | with samples. A good one is Leading Workshops, |
| So under each of the 3 major headings and 3 | | | | Seminars, and Training Sessions; by Helen Angus, |
| sub-headings write what you want to tell your | | | | Self-Counsel Press, which includes models of room |
| audience to fit within the 15 minutes for each | | | | arrangements and other technical information on |
| major headings. | | | | equipment, etc. |
| For example, your three major headings will be | | | | Often our competition can be a good source of |
| sub-titles and will only take a few seconds to | | | | the latest examples of what's in at the time. |
| mention as you move to your sub-headings | | | | Check out what the top companies are doing, and |
| content. | | | | better it! For example financial institutions who |
| Then your 3 sub-headings will have the actual | | | | give free seminars on their service offerings are |
| content that you want to deliver to your | | | | a good place to get ideas on presentation skills, |
| audience. Time these to be about 4-5 minutes | | | | while getting some education on financial |
| each (3 x 5=15 minutes). | | | | investment! |
| 3. Write the content of your sub-headings, then | | | | Give free seminars to friends, co-workers and |
| edit to fit on 3x5 or 4x6 cards as needed: | | | | family members to sharpen your presentation |
| Once you have this organized, re-write them on | | | | skills and public speaking. Tape yourself and listen |
| your cards. You might have 1 card per 3 | | | | or watch yourself back, making notes of habits |
| sub-headings if you only use key words that you | | | | you might want to omit or change, etc. |
| will elaborate verbally. | | | | Always be prepared, you never know when you |
| Or you might need 3 cards, 1 for each | | | | might be asked to do a presentation at work, at |
| sub-headings, if you write more information to | | | | church or in a community group! |
| guide your verbal delivery. Do what works best | | | | |