How to give presentations with confidence

Think about it... in the same way that a good restaurant meal would have a good chef, a tempting menu and hungry participants, a presentation should also entail the same characteristics, namely a good and competent presenter, an appealing topic and an audience who is willing to learn.

You will often hear people say that presentation skills are important. However, how often have you heard people explaining why they are important and how often have you been given explanations on why they can be difficult to put together and execute?

Effective presentation skills are crucial to getting your message across and nearly every business transaction will involve the aspect of presenting. Giving a presentation in your company is a great opportunity and it immediately positions you as an authoritative figure and frontrunner in your area of expertise. So why do we often find ourselves with sweaty palms and pounding hearts when we are stepping up to a microphone about to give a speech?

The problem with presentations

Glossophobia means the fear of public speaking. According to a survey that was conducted by the National Public Radio in America, 43% of people said their greatest fear in life is public speaking. The people who completed the survey even stated that they feared public speaking more than death!

Although this may seem extreme, it is no secret that most of us hate public speaking and just the thought of giving a presentation is enough to leave you with feelings of anxiety and hesitation.

Jerry Seinfeld, a stand-up comedian, actor and writer joked that "people who go to a funeral are better off in the casket than doing the eulogy!" It is my opinion that everyone gets nervous giving a presentation. Mark Twain, a writer and humorist declared: "There are only two types of speakers in the world, the nervous and the liars."

So when in doubt, fake it! Fake it till you make it! According to Alyssa Gregory, a business writer, the interesting thing about faking confidence is that eventually you will not need to anymore. You can train yourself to think positively and act in a certain way until one day it will become automatic.

However, it is important to understand where your nerves are coming from and how to control them. With specialised training, like the 'Business Presentation Skills' Workshop and PowerPoint courses offered by companies such as Front Foot Strategic Consulting, it is possible to communicate and deliver outstanding presentations with increased poise and professionalism.

Make a distinction between true fear and room fear

'True fear' leaves you paralysed and unable to move, and 'room fear' is the discomfort you feel when entering a specific setting. Often, when giving a presentation, people are faced with room fear. The discomfort and anxiety you feel when you are about to speak in public is never pleasant; however, it can be overcome.

Alan Radding, a business writer states that presentations should be built around a handful of key elements in order for them to be successful. These include:

• Focus - Understand the main goal of your presentation and the message you want to send
  
• Audience - Know who your audience is and know their expectations
  
• Authority - Apply your credibility and sincerity on the topic
  
• Validation - Give references and acknowledgement in order to reinforce your message
  
• Experience - Cite past experiences, case studies or testimonials that illustrate the point you are presenting
  
• Interaction - Involve your audience in the presentation
  
• Graphics - include pictures, tables and diagrams to strengthen your message

The elements listed above, as well as good content and a worthwhile message are no doubt crucial to delivering an effective presentation; however, I feel that the most important element of a presentation is you! You are going to be the person who everyone is focusing on and you are going to be the one delivering the message. The way you talk, the way you present yourself, your body language and overall mannerism are all important. How your message is going to be received is up to you!