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Fred Showker shares the secrets of the pros for making your group's meeting, presentation or seminar a huge success
See previous: Leveraging UG Presentations and Speakers
One thing I've learned through seventeen years in the user group community is people are people, and some user group presenters at meetings position themselves to fail before they even step up to the pulpit. Others come prepared, but blow-it during the presentation. These tips will help you deliver presentations with confidence and credibility.
While attending a "National Speakers Association" convention, I had many opportunities to chat with and learn from some of the best and highest paid speakers in the industry. Their secret was to basically exude confidence and credibility -- and make sure the audience is attentive to your every word. In almost all facets of life, you'll find that presentation is (almost) everything.
In the case of your user group, you may think you know your audience, but make sure. Who are they? What do they expect from you? What value do you provide? Get into character and tailor your comments or discussion specifically to your audience. Break the profile of the audience into four or five major categories, then make sure you've included at least one element in the talk which directly addresses THAT segment of your audience. Let no one leave without something they can take along.
Position the personality of your presentation for the target audience. Obviously childish effects should be reserved for childish audiences. I've often endured UG presentations where I had to wonder if they thought I was in the third grade.
I know, you'll laugh. But one well known speaker once told me "If you're the best looking guy in the crowd, you'll get the respect you deserve." Well, I'm not going to call that the final gospel, but it could make a difference. The idea is not to show up in dirty jeans, oversized shirts, sweats or the likes. Many computer gurus pride themselves in looking geeky. Once you step up to the podium however, things change. You don't have to wear a Gucci suit. Just look the part of one considered an 'expert' on the topic you are speaking about. Also be sure to know your audience (Tip #1 above) and dress accordingly. Most authorities tell you to plan to dress one notch above your audience. In a traditional environment, dress on the conservative side.
I was presenting at the Department of Defense in Washington for a publishing conference, and another presenter really impressed everyone there. The developer was presenting a new, emerging technology. She wore leather slacks and a short black leather jacket accented with bright color scarves. Her image seemed to reinforce the concepts of the new technology. The audience felt they were seeing future technology as well as hearing about it.
Our self-image is revealed in the way we carry ourselves. Think before slouching at the podium, sitting on the table, or generally slacking off. A natural alignment of the body facilitates grace. I'm not talking about the old "shoulders back, chin up" approach. If you lean on something it looks like you're tired, or don't care. Stand up, space your feet about 2 feet apart, and directly face the audience. This natural stature exudes professionalism and at the same time expands the air space in your chest for increased tonality and voice projection.
Too many times amateur speakers will try to use too long sentences. While trying to sound authoritative they spoil the delivery -- because longish bursts cause your air to diminish, and your enunciation to drop off. Using your full voice communicates confidence. Many experts claim that speech is conveyed 7% by words, 38% by tonality and 55% by body language. I don't know if all that's true, but if you adopt my rule of thumb, you'll be more effective: Speak clearly enough and loud enough that if the microphone breaks, you can still be heard.
Take up space -- expand your range of motion. Move around the speaker space provided. The use of hand gestures is actually an art that takes some manner of rehearsal and experience. All of your motions will convey strong body language. Be careful to portray strength. Keep the hands in front of you, and above the waist. Point out emphasis points on the screen, not with a pointing finger, but with the whole hand. When you ask the audience a question, use the whole hand, palm up. When you make a point or wish to emphasize a point, use the whole arm with closed fist. It may seem strange to you, but to someone twenty or more feet away it will translate into confidence and credibility. Above all, don't stand frozen behind the podium.
This goes without saying. Be the master of your topic, learn everything you can and know your material fully. You may be surprised to learn that many executives these days are enlisting the help of a business coach as a collaborative partner and sounding board for management. They realize they must be dynamic and persuasive at meetings. Use only major key words and phrases in slides. If the slide reads as a complete sentence, then the audience will be reading it rather than listening to you. Slides should be paced with phrases, not paragraphs. Each slide should reinforce -- either with a few carefully chosen words, or a single dynamic image -- a specific point or phrase. I usually pace my presentations at around 90 different slides for an hour talk. That's at least 1.5 slides per minute. If it's a short talk, I shoot for two slides per minute. I sat through an excruciating presentation at Macworld where there were only 15 slides for the entire 45 minute talk. Miserable. Snore.
As I said before, details, facts and figures about your topic are all very important. But if you want to win over an audience you also need to be human. You need to relate. Communicate your passion for the topic -- and if need be your emotions. You'll find it helps the audience relate to you and therefore share your passion.
Smile, and exude charisma. Over-deliver by providing more than the audience expects. Control the content and the delivery with confidence. Be confident in who you are. Your audience will follow you.
Fred Showker, Editor/Publisher UG Net News
Fred Showker is co-editor of "MUG Info Manager," the User Group Network News service, and a founding Apple User Group Advisory Board (UGAB) member. He was an original founder of the User Group Forum on AppleLink Personal Edition which became America Online in 1988 ... read more
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