LETS GET OFF TO A GREAT START

In sport, those who get off to a good start usually continue on in the same vein.  Eg Leyton Hewitt 7-6 in first set of the 2001 US Open Final against Sampras and Essendon in the 2000 AFLGrand Final against Melbourne. 

It’s the same in presentations.  Get off to a good start, your confidence rises, you win the audience and you set the pattern for the presentation. 

The following are ways to get off to a good start: 

Prior to Presentation 

Prepare and know the speech well.  Competence leads to confidence. 

Check that the venue has all the equipment you need and that it works.  Check this hours before rather than minutes before.  Don’t rely on other people to check.

Re-check equipment and set yourself up 15 minutes before. 

Humm a song to yourself so the first words utterred sound pleasant to you.  This will give you an extra shot of confidence.

Stand where you will be presenting from and ask someone to check that the audience will be able to hear and see you OK and for you to know that there are no lights shining in your eyes etc.

Hand out your card &/or your brochure yourself to members of the audience as they arrive.  Members of the audience will have an opportunity of meeting you which will increase their trust of you.  You are then in a position to mention audience member’s names during your presentation which will strengthen your relationship with the audience.  It’s easier to speak in front of friends rather than strangers.

Humm a song to yourself as close as possible to speechtime.  This will make your voice sound pleasant and strong and will provide you with a shot of confidence.  (humm one song a day to increase the strength of your voice)

Prior to being introduced try to obtain a position or wait in a position close to where you will be presenting from.  By being able to look out at your audience for a period prior to your presentation, you will acclimatise.  If you are going to suffer from stagefright it’s better if this happens prior to you being introduced.

Memorise your opening, word for word.

Prior to First Word of Presentation Uttered

Remember the audience’s perspective.  They haven’t been instructed to barrack for you because you are terrified, they have been told that you are the expert.  You are in control, they are relying on you – not vice versa, they want you to inspire confidence.

Be ready to shake the MC’s hand prior to the finish of the MC’s introduction (unless you want a lot of applause making your way to the lectern). 

Don’t be rushed, take your stance before uttering a word.  This is much more dignified than rushing into the start of your speech.  This means to take the comfortable stance you have experimented with, at the same time placing your notes (numbered pages / cards if more than one) on the lectern.  The stance should have a firm, unwavering lower hEalf of the body rather than twitching, moving feet and knees.  You should be standing tall.  If you are very nervous do all the above anyway, it’s better to look confident and speak nervously than to look nervous and speak nervously.  Emulate how a confident person would stand.

Pause after taking your stance to command attention and authority. 

Obtain eye contact with one person on one side of the room, pause and at the time of obtaining eye contact with a second person on the other side of the room, then commence your opening.
 

First Words of Presentation

A strong opening is vital.  The opening sentences should be memorised word for word.   

If you know all of your equipment is ready and working and the opening goes exactly to plan this will reduce your nerves, lift your confidence and create a solid platform for the rest of your speech / presentation. 

If you need the audience’s approval, incorporate something into your opening which involves them, thereby breaking the ice for you.  This will help settle you down. 

A perfect opening is vital.

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