Speaking Tips ― Giving Effective Presentations

The following tips help make presentations effective regardless of the audience.

Persuade your audience. Remember your primary goal in most instances is to alert your listeners to a problem and to motivate them to take action.

Use statistics sparingly. Round off numbers to make them easier to comprehend. For example, use "close to half" instead of 48.5%, or "about 4 out of 5" instead of 81.9%.

Make your presentation personal. Use examples and anecdotes from your own experience to illustrate the facts you present. People are more persuaded by experiences than by statistics.

Present a local or statewide perspective if possible. A problem that hits close to home is more compelling than one that might not affect your audience.

Answer questions briefly and concisely. You don't have to know everything about the issue to make an effective presentation. If you do not know the answer, offer to find it and get back to the questioner.

Show sensitivity to the interests of your audience. Think about how this audience will respond to what you are saying. If you show sensitivity to the interests of your listeners, you are much more effective. Audience members will want to know how the topic you are discussing affects, or could affect, them personally.

Encourage your audience to become active on the issue. Urge them to inform others and take positive action to address the problem. To encourage, implement and stimulate interest, work with them to think of one or two simple activities they can implement.

Here are 6 more reminders:

Speak up! Talk a little louder than you think you should. Most people speak too softly and sounds like they are mumbling. Speaking up also makes you feel less nervous.

Use illustrations. Force the audience to visualize. The listeners' mind are hungry for pictures. Give them something to "see."

Use "'person' stories when possible. The audience perks up for phrases like, "The other day I . . ." "I have found from my own experience . . ." "A colleague of mine once told me . . ."

Pause occasionally. Pauses are perhaps the most effective technique for regaining the attention of the audience. Most speakers neglect this powerful tool because the silence is deafening to them―but, the pause is welcomed by your audience. Try it and you'll see all eyes looking back at you for your next statement.

Save handouts until after your presentation. If you give people materials at the beginning of your talk, they will read them instead of paying attention to you. Some may leave if your paper comprehensively addresses everything o planned to say.

Throw in some rhetorical questions. "What would you think if . . . ?" "How many of you have considered . . . ?" The effect usually forces people to respond mentally, keeping them on track with you.