Garr Reynolds has a few interesting content sections on his site, fully devoted to design, marketing, branding, effective communications skills and also covering Presentation Design and Delivery skills.
Photo credit: Robin Good
If you are PowerPoint novice, Garr's advice on how to handle the actual delivery of a presentation in front of an audience can be extremely helpful.
Though you may be used to finding other presenters are not doing exactly what Garr is suggesting, how many of those presenters do you really want to model yourself after?
Garr's advice goes to the bottom of the matter when it comes to deliver effective presentations: being clear, engaging, while having a true direct conversation with the audience.
Here is the cream out of his 10-point recipe on effective presentation delivery:
Top Ten Delivery Tips Preparation Tips Slide Tips
1. Show your passion
If I had only one tip to give, it would be to be passionate about your topic and let that enthusiasm come out. Yes, you need great content. Yes, you need professional, well designed visuals. But it is all for naught if you do not have a deep, heartfelt belief in your topic. The biggest item that separates mediocre presenters from world class ones is the ability to connect with an audience in an honest and exciting way. Don't hold back. Be confident. And let your passion for your topic come out for all to see.
2. Start strong
You've heard it before: First impressions are powerful. Believe it. The first 2-3 minutes of the presentation are the most important. The audience wants to like you and they will give you a few minutes at the beginning to engage them -- don't miss the opportunity. Most presenters fail here because they ramble on too long about superfluous background information or their personal/professional history, etc.
3. Keep it short
Humans have short attention spans when it comes to passively sitting and listening to a speaker. Audience attention is greatest at the opening and then again when you say something like "In conclusion...." This is just the human condition, especially so for the busy (often tired) knowledge worker of today. So, if you have 30 minutes for your talk, finish in 25 minutes. It is better to have the audience wanting more (of you) than to feel that they have had more than enough. Professional entertainers know this very well.
4. Move away from the podium
Get closer to your audience by moving away from or in front of the podium. The podium is a barrier between you and the audience, but the goal of our presentation is to connect with the audience. Removing physical barriers between you and the audience will help you build rapport and make a connection.
To get the rest of Garr's great advice, check out his full micro-guide to effective presentation delivery.
Recommended.
