You have a big day ahead, you have an idea you wish to sell, or you have stories you wish to tell. Maybe that promotion is a step closer, maybe you have a point to prove, that person whose attention you have been seeking is forced to give it to you..for a about twenty minutes, or maybe, it is a pat on the back from the boss or someone you greatly admire, is what you are going for. However, there is one little but not so little problem, public speaking brings out the dread in you, your knees gets weak and your palms get sweaty, on the surface you look calm and ready but you are not……….. unless you were fortunate enough to have found this article. Here are 15 tips on improving your powerpoint presentation skills of which we are confident that if you follow, you will be all set for your big day.
#1. Practice
You can practice your presentation to the point were you will actually feel confident that it will go well. Your confidence will connect you to your audience and instinctively, you will be in a better state to make good decisions about jokes, or how to word things that will resonate better.
#2. Do anything that will channel nervous energy to a more dominant one
Oh boy there are all kinds of remedies for his one, I heard somewhere that squeezing your buttocks helps to channel nervous energy elsewhere..that one did not work as well for me, but another suggestion is to adopt an arrogant posture and demeanor and to stand with authority. Some use props like music. Hip Hop music can work well for some in inducing an emotional state which is the opposite of a nervous wreck.
#3. Project your voice
Shout! Ok not at your audience but it is good to shout before making a presentation because hearing your voice at its highest pitch will remind you that your voice needs to fill up the room for the benefit of those sitting not so close to you and may be taking notes of what you are saying.
#4. Know your stage
If at all possible, try and enter the room you will be doing your presentation and take it in. Imagine yourself doing well and your voice filling up the room. It also makes the room familiar on the day and give you the added confidence of knowing that you have been there and checked the place out, made any changes you could make, and visualized it all going well.
#5. Poise
How you stand, can help with your delivery. During your presentation you command all attention, you are the power at that point that is probably why Microsoft called the application powerpoint ok I just made that up but please do stand with authority, avoid excessive hand gestures as these could be distracting, and also any piece of jewelry that may steal some attention away from what it is you are actually saying.
#6. Make it interactive
Ask the audience to share experiences that support the point you are trying to make, or ask them questions as you go along. Getting the audience involved keeps them attentive and alert, and you also makes you seem to be more in control, than if you were giving one long monologue and everyone else was staring into the abys.
#7. 10/30/20
It has been said that a Powerpoint presentation slide, should have no more than 10 slides, should not last longer than 20 mins and text should be at least a 30 point font. The idea behind this is that it is imperative to say what it is you want to say in the most efficient way, and avoiding long-winded explanations that will make you loose the audience by the time you are done.
#8. Anticipate questions that will be asked to you
This is important, and I will add that you should prepare answers for these anticipated questions because its gives you the psychological edge of being more prepared and feeling more prepared.
#9. Make eye contact
This is very important. Keeping eye contact makes you seem more sincere and passionate. Also it helps you to answer questions on the spot.
#10. Slow down
Take the time to say what it is you want to say in a slow methodical manner. The reason is that people may be taking notes of what it is you have to say, so they need a little bit of writing time, and also, it is hard to introduce new ideas and concepts when speaking at a very fast pace.