Identify
your purpose.
Decide
what you want your audience to believe, remember, or do when you finish.
Aim
all parts of your talk toward your purpose.
Organize
the introduction.
Get
the audience involved.
Capture
attention by opening with a promise, story, startling fact, question,
quotation, relevant problem, or self-effacing story.
Establish
your credibility by identifying your position, expertise, knowledge, or
qualifications.
Organize
the introduction.
Introduce
your topic.
Preview
the main points
Organize
the body.
Develop
two to four main points. Streamline your topic and summarize its principal
parts.
Arrange
the points logically: chronologically, from most important to least important,
by comparison and contrast, or by some other strategy.
Organize
the body.
Prepare
transitions.
Use
bridge statements between major parts (Ive just discussed three reasons
for X; now I want to move to Y).
Use
verbal signposts (however, for example, etc.).
Have
extra material ready.
Be
prepared with more information and visuals if needed.
Organize
the conclusion.
Review
your main points.
Provide
a final focus. Tell your listeners how they can use this information, why you
have spoken, or what you want them to do.
Plan
a graceful exit.
1.
A
promise
By the end of
this presentation, you will be able to . . . .
2. Drama
Tell a moving
story; describe a serious problem.
3. Eye contact
4. Movement
Leave the lectern area. Move toward the
audience.
5. Questions
Ask for a show of hands. Use rhetorical
questions.
6. Demonstrations
Include a member of the audience.
7. Samples/gimmicks
Award prizes to volunteer participants; pass
out samples.
8.
Visuals Use a variety of visuals.
9. Self-interest
Audience wants to know Whats in it for me?
Select
the medium.
Consider
the size of the audience and the degree of formality desired.
Consider
cost, ease of preparation, and potential effectiveness.
Highlight
the main ideas.
Focus
on major concepts only.
Avoid
overkill. Showing too many graphics reduces effectiveness.
Keep
all visuals simple.
Ensure
visibility.
Use
large type for transparencies and slides.
Position
the screen high enough to be seen.
Be
sure all audience members can see.
Enhance
comprehension.
Give
the audience a moment to study a visual before discussing it.
Paraphrase
its verbal message; dont read it.
Practice
using your visual aids.
Rehearse
your talk, perfecting the handling of your visual aids.
Practice
talking to the audience and not to the visual.
Overhead
Projector
Cost:
Low
Audience
size: 2-200
Formality
level: Formal or informal
Flipchart
Cost:
Low
Audience
size: 2-200
Formality
level: Informal
Write-and-wipe
Board
Cost:
Medium
Audience
size: 2-200
Formality
level: Informal
Slide
Projector
Cost:
Medium
Audience
size: 2-500
Formality
level: Formal
Computer
Presentation Slides
Cost:
Low
Audience
size: 2-200
Formality
level: Formal or informal
Handouts
Cost:
Varies
Audience
size: Unlimited
Formality
level: Formal or informal
Stomach
butterflies
Pounding
heart
Shortage
of breath
Sweaty
palms
Dry throat
Unsteady
voice
Trembling
hands
Wobbly
knees
Tied
tongue
Select
a familiar, relevant topic. Prepare 150 percent.
Use
positive self-talk.
Convert
your fear into anticipation and enthusiasm.
Shift
the focus from yourself to your visuals.
Give
yourself permission to make an occasional mistake.
Ignore
stumbles; keep going. Dont apologize.
Make
the listeners your partners. Get them involved.
Just
before you speak, practice deep breathing.
Making
Calls
Plan a
mini agenda.
Use a
three-point introduction:
1. Your name
2. Your affiliation
3. A brief explanation of why you are calling.
Be
cheerful and accurate.
Bring it
to a close.
Avoid
telephone tag.
Leave
complete voice-mail messages.
Receiving Calls
Identify
yourself immediately.
Be
responsive and helpful.
Be
cautious when answering calls for others.
Take
messages carefully.
Explain
when transferring calls.