Give A Killer Speech…And, Connect Authentically!

It’s hard to imagine success in business without being able to give a memorable presentation. Unfortunately, most of us think we’re born without the presentation gene. In reality, when we learn to be ourselves, our presentations are powerful, actionable and can propel us to our own next level.

If you’re used to standing there for a fifty minute luncheon presentation, glued to the floor, with a 90-slide presentation with a dozen bullets and sub-bullets and a book of text on each slide… this is for you. There’s such a better way.

Connecting with an audience, communicating your vision and passion for a subject, can be a beautiful experience. It’s also a rare opportunity to make an impression that might impact your future. It can either be a gateway or a roadblock to professional growth; the choice is completely up to you.

After more than 250 presentations of my own, and another 200-300 training sessions for client speakers, I have tips that can make your program meaningful for your audience and valuable for you.

What I’ve learned, in short, is that it’s all about being present. Here are Six Solutions for Delivering a Great Presentation:

#1. What’s the real message? Start with your main point of view. This is opinion, not fact, and clearly opens the possibility for dissension--- and agreement. Then use our Polish the Diamond™ as a structure to get down what’s in it for them, three main points, with stories that connect them, and a call to action that brings it back to the audience. Build a storyboard around that, one slide per thought. Keep the number of slides down, allowing only 2-3 minutes per slide. Rule of thumb; 45 minutes, 15-21 slides. No more.

#2. Use a meaningful, substance based personal metaphor. As a speaker, you will never be fully present unless something that matters to you is an integral part of your presentation. Examples:

A CEO of a national CPA firm wanted to give a speech to challenge his tax partners, helping them realize they were no longer the one and only meaningful contributors to the firm. As we stood in his office, I saw a number of small photos of him as a marathon runner. We created a metaphor around “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” to focus on the year long contribution they had to make if they were to retain their star status.

When faced with a client who had 122 slides for a 45 minute presentation regarding the Role of the SEC’s Blue Ribbon Panel Commission on the Independent Auditor, I knew we could only cut it down and get to the meat by finding a metaphor that “fit” him. He loved playing the guitar and singing folk songs with his kids. One of their favorites - "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

#3. Keep them involved. If you have 45 minutes, you need at least nine points where the audience is engaged and actively participating. This can be talking in groups of two or three, a question to the whole group, or by show of hands. Build this in to your slides and to the flow of the timing.

#4. Be accessible. Don’t stand behind a podium. Use a wireless mic if needed. Get close to the audience and move from place to place while maintaining eye contact, but only from time to time. Do not bounce around like a ping-pong ball or go back and forth across the stage like an ice skater. If you are really involving the group, consider a hand held mic so they can actually participate in the dialogue, and you feel like a star calling on them.

#5. Understand. Language counts. Words matter. Presence brings it all home. Use alliteration to make messages memorable, picture painting words to keep things visual. Pause for effect and emphasis. Practice being comfortable with silence for two or three seconds. It’s the most dramatic way to make a point. Avoid ahs and other fillers of uncomfortable silence; they’re annoying and detract from your presence.

#6. Be real.
Make eye contact. But only for a few seconds per person. Too short and you’ll fail to engage; too long and it becomes uncomfortable. Don’t bounce your eyes around constantly.

Use hand gestures. Hands up. Every time you have hands above your waist and outstretched, you’re inviting your listeners to be with you. They’re engaged and interested. When you’re arms are down, keep your hands at your sides. Don’t fidget, hold onto things, or put your hands in front of you, behind you, or in your pockets. Avoid nervous habits.

Stand in ways where your presence enhances their view. Don’t step in front of the screen or block it from view, except for the occasional walk-across. Gesture with your hand, but don’t touch the screen. Don’t use a pointer unless you must.

Remember, none of us were born with this ability; it takes practice. Videotape yourself presenting to an empty conference room or get someone with experience to watch you and provide feedback. If your company hires a speech coach for executives and up-and-comers, get in on it.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Finding your own style where you feel comfortable comes with experience. It may take a few years, but it’s worth it. Nothing can raise your confidence--- and, because of that, your audience connection--like being able to give a killer speech.

If you have an important presentation coming up, give us a call or send an email. Our coaching on the Polish The Diamond system may be exactly what you need. And, once you’ve learned the system, you’ll never need our speed coaching again! Guaranteed.

View Polish the Diamond™ system.