Presentations

When it comes to giving presentations, who doesn't feel nervous?

For a lot of people, public speaking doesn't come naturally. When we are asked to give a talk in front of a crowd, it is easy to become anxious, sweaty and panicky. The only way we can dispel our jitters before giving any presentation is to be simply be prepared.

Keep track of your points 

You remember those book reports and public debates you had to do in school, something you thought your teachers made you do just because they ran out of ideas? Well, they had a reason for doing so. Being able to give good presentations not only boosts self-confidence, it prepares you for the eventual time when you have to do them in front of a crowd at work, at a conference, or when you need to give a seminar in the field you work for.  

Luckily for us these days, there are several ways to rehearse before a big presentation. The old-school way is obviously to get notecards and jot down helpful mnemonics while the modern approach is to note them on your phone. By keeping track of your points, your presentation will go smoother.

Prepare with a friend for moral support
Whether you are doing a group presentation or going it solo, it is wise to get a partner to listen to you. This way, you can get feedback on how you are doing in terms of voice projection,  your level of confidence and he or she can tell you if you are not making any sense or when you are starting to go off track. You may be tasked with difficult questions during the Q & A session after you give your presentation and if this is the case, your friend can provide needed moral support.

Imagine your audience in a different light 
Sometimes your presentation just doesn't go as planned and you have to improvise on the spot. Or maybe you forgot the point you were trying to make in the first place! If this is the case, try to imagine your audience as someone who is undressed or perhaps imagine them as an insect. This will calm your fears as you look into the target audience and continue the rest of your talk. Imagining your audience in a different light puts things into perspective as well.

Know the details of your presentation
Ensure that you know the details of your presentation, including the number of people attending, the types of questions you might need to address and the names of important details beforehand. The more you know about your presentation beforehand, the less nervous you will be about it.

Similar to cooking a meal, giving a presentation comes with practise. The more you work on your delivery, the easier it will come to you. Some final notes are that you should only use media to enhance your work, create a strong and meaningful message, weave a compelling story using a mixture of both emotion and logic, and make sure there is a general focus to your work.