One thing I'd recommending is to try Toastmaster, particularly if you have no prior public speaking experience. It can be a positive, useful place to practice.
As an academic I have given numerous presentations over the last few decades, and I agree with you about nearly everything. My suggestions additions/changes would be as follows:
For #1: Always have a Plan B. The wifi may not work, or the audio doesn’t connect to your laptop,etc. Bring full-sized prints of your slides to share in this case, but only this case. I provide a color trifold handout of key points at the end of my sessions. The trifold design makes it stand out as more professional than other presenters, and you can use the back panel for your bio and contact info for personal branding. You can include a QR code to download the presentation file.
For #4: I find practicing out loud to be better than visualization, as you get a feel for the rhythm and timing of the presentation. Set a timer for 5 minutes less than your allotted time to allow for questions (or nervous rambling).
For #6 (Start with a joke): This does not work for all people, as not all people are comfortable enough, or have the ability to pull this off. IMHO, it is better to start out by saying, “Please feel free to raise your hand during the presentations, as I welcome your input and ideas.” I find this works quite well. After all, this informs the audience you are both there to teach AND learn, which makes them feel like they are on even ground.
For #7 (Do something with your hands) Firstly, laser pointers are toys for cat owners. Audiences hate them, as they shake too much. Get a telescoping stick to point, or just walk up to the screen and use your hand. However, I rarely find the need to do this, as the slides should never be complex enough to require pointing out specifics. (Details can be included in an accompanying paper as a hand out at the end. (NEVER give the slides/handouts at the beginning, as given the choice between reading or listening, most people choose to read. So, you have only empowered your audience to ignore you, which is counter-productive.)
Secondly, while I am sometimes guilty of this, don’t hold your hands behind your back when taking questions; hold them together in front. Hands behind the back sends a subconscious message that you are hiding something.
Sorry to dump all this on you, as your post was actually quite informative. It is just that I have both presented for decades, and taught public speaking for years, so I have opinions on the topic. I would have written this up on my own ‘Stack and given you a shoutout, but it is way off topic there.
Some great points here. At the end of the day it’s about adapting a style that works for you and your audience in the context that you’re presenting.
I like your point about holding your hands behind your back making it look like you’re hiding something.
On paper handouts, I don’t tend to print anything these days. You’re right that relying on WI-FI is not a good idea so having it on a local file on your laptop is always good and emailed to yourself can be good backup too so you can always forward it to others including the organiser on the day.
Love this!
Thanks Roland
One thing I'd recommending is to try Toastmaster, particularly if you have no prior public speaking experience. It can be a positive, useful place to practice.
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Thanks Mark. Will check that out.
The actual name is Toastmasters. I was a member for 10 years.
Thank you so much for the mention and including my article.... and great tips for presentations!
No worries Gary.
As an academic I have given numerous presentations over the last few decades, and I agree with you about nearly everything. My suggestions additions/changes would be as follows:
For #1: Always have a Plan B. The wifi may not work, or the audio doesn’t connect to your laptop,etc. Bring full-sized prints of your slides to share in this case, but only this case. I provide a color trifold handout of key points at the end of my sessions. The trifold design makes it stand out as more professional than other presenters, and you can use the back panel for your bio and contact info for personal branding. You can include a QR code to download the presentation file.
For #4: I find practicing out loud to be better than visualization, as you get a feel for the rhythm and timing of the presentation. Set a timer for 5 minutes less than your allotted time to allow for questions (or nervous rambling).
For #6 (Start with a joke): This does not work for all people, as not all people are comfortable enough, or have the ability to pull this off. IMHO, it is better to start out by saying, “Please feel free to raise your hand during the presentations, as I welcome your input and ideas.” I find this works quite well. After all, this informs the audience you are both there to teach AND learn, which makes them feel like they are on even ground.
For #7 (Do something with your hands) Firstly, laser pointers are toys for cat owners. Audiences hate them, as they shake too much. Get a telescoping stick to point, or just walk up to the screen and use your hand. However, I rarely find the need to do this, as the slides should never be complex enough to require pointing out specifics. (Details can be included in an accompanying paper as a hand out at the end. (NEVER give the slides/handouts at the beginning, as given the choice between reading or listening, most people choose to read. So, you have only empowered your audience to ignore you, which is counter-productive.)
Secondly, while I am sometimes guilty of this, don’t hold your hands behind your back when taking questions; hold them together in front. Hands behind the back sends a subconscious message that you are hiding something.
Sorry to dump all this on you, as your post was actually quite informative. It is just that I have both presented for decades, and taught public speaking for years, so I have opinions on the topic. I would have written this up on my own ‘Stack and given you a shoutout, but it is way off topic there.
This is brilliant Steve.
Some great points here. At the end of the day it’s about adapting a style that works for you and your audience in the context that you’re presenting.
I like your point about holding your hands behind your back making it look like you’re hiding something.
On paper handouts, I don’t tend to print anything these days. You’re right that relying on WI-FI is not a good idea so having it on a local file on your laptop is always good and emailed to yourself can be good backup too so you can always forward it to others including the organiser on the day.