There is a huge difference between a presentation that is just okay and one that really engages and connects with an audience and moves them to action. Over the years I have learned and taught hundreds of presentation techniques and I am always on the lookout to further develop my skills by studying with other speakers.
One such speaker I had the privilege of learning from was Patricia Fripp. Fripp (as she likes to be called) is an award-winning keynote speaker, business presentation expert, sales presentation skills trainer and in-demand speech coach. She has been named by Meetings & Conventions magazine as "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America." At a conference last year I watched as she put several presentations under the microscope and offered advice for how to make a good presentation great.
What Fripp taught is too good not to share so here is an overview of what she covered:
- You get paid for what you know; you get paid well for what you know if you speak about it. Speaking is the number one skill that is guaranteed to position you ahead of the competition. It's in your interest to get good at it!
- Record every speech you do then have it transcribed so that you can hear exactly what is coming out of your mouth and refine it each time.
- Putting together a good presentation is not magic; it's technique. You have to master technique before you can abandon it. Don't rely on inspiration; learn how and practice to get good at it so that you are great every time you speak.
- The creative process is messy (PowerPoint is too tidy!); it is difficult to be creative in isolation so get input from others as to how you can make your presentation great.
- The first 30 seconds and the last 30 seconds have the most impact; work on these and learn them so that you have a powerful start and finish.
- If you want to own the room, don't talk to the room, talk to one person one hundred times.
- Be aware of self-deprecating humour – don't knock yourself too much!
- Instead of opening with 'Did you know…?' try something like 'Would it surprise/shock/horrify/amaze you to know…?' This brings more emotion into the question.
- Instead of opening with 'Have you ever…?' try 'How often have you…?' The first question indicates the past; the second question indicates that it is an ongoing problem.
- Instead of saying 'I'm going to talk about…' try 'You are about to learn…' This will make it audience focused.
- Speak in short phrases; when drafting your speech write them down the page rather than across.
- How you stand represents the stability of your ideas and the stability of what you represent; therefore, stand solid in your centre rather than moving about. Standing still is non-verbally underlining what you've said.
- When you pause, freeze your gesture as well for more impact. If you drop your gesture you lose the power out of the words you just said.
- Be specific with your word choice; non-specific words dilute the impact of your credibility.
- Orchestrate the presentation; don't wear your audience out by starting at 100% energy; try starting at 80% and add variety as you go.
- When telling a story rather than report on it, tell it in dialogue as the character; it will make it more real and add interest.
- Make friends with the stage; get to know the space you'll be presenting in before the event.
- Be your own warm up act; meet people beforehand so you can get to know them and build rapport before your presentation as well as glean information to help make your presentation more relevant to your audience.
The tips above are just some of the many I noted as I watched Fripp in action. Many of them weren't new to me and may not be new to you either, but I found that Fripp has an incredible way of explaining and illustrating her points that helped me see things in a new light. I witnessed her transform the opening lines of people's presentations with a simple tweak of the words or phrasing. I also admired her delivery style; her powerful use of pause has the audience hanging on her every word!
So try some of these tips for your own presentations; you too could have the audience hanging on your every word and take your presentations from good to great!
Mel Sherwood empowers ambitious entrepreneurs and business professionals to communicate with more confidence, credibility and conviction. She is a multi-award winning speaker, trainer and coach and the founder of Grow Your Potential, a company passionate about providing the seeds to speaking success.
Mel's background includes over 20 years' experience in public, private and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom and she has also worked as an actor, presenter and singer. To find out more about Mel's inspiring talks, masterclasses and coaching programmes go to www.grow-your-potential.com or follow Mel on Twitter @Grow_Potential
