Upgrade your Presenting Skills December 2020

Now that the pandemic has disrupted the entire world, some things become more urgent than others and being well-spoken and engaging is definitely one of them. Preparing now to transition post-pandemic is strategic and smart.
We know that being commanding in public is a skill that anyone can learn and also, that everyone has something of value to say.

That’s why we focus on:

• What not to say, either live or on/camera
  Don’t make the mistake of issuing a disclaimer, such as “Hopefully you’ll find this interesting” or “I’ve got a slight cold…I’ll try to speak up.” Never give the audience reason to find fault with you before you even begin! Also, avoid the tired old “Good morning ladies and gentlemen, it’s an honor to be with you today.” Instead, we teach creative ways to get started that hook the audience from the start. We also cover what to wear for on/camera (nothing busy, no all-white) and what shoes are best for live events.
• Managing your performance nerves

  Mark Twain famously observed “There are two kinds of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.” We agree. That’s why we have a 3-pronged approach to dealing with stage fright, including physical (limit caffeine, for instance and avoid sugary foods) mental (relaxation/visualization) and emotional (mantra) to help manage the inevitable adrenaline rush that comes with presenting.

• Making the most of your time in the spotlight
  Instead of thinking “I just want to get through this and be done” how about “Now that I know how to prepare, I can enjoy the new feeling of confidence in myself.” Because that’s what you’ll earn when you learn the simple steps to get yourself ready for any event. When you’ve worked through the mechanics of it, such as time of day, number in the audience, are they there by choice or not, what’s the gender breakdown, the age range…then you are able to make much more informed choices about how to best convey your message to them. Will props or music help? Charts, images and video of use? When you can engage and then entertain, then you can educate. It’s a perfect equation and one that gets consistently excellent results.