Photo by: Pavel Danilyuk via Canva
What is it about a speaker that makes us say “wow?” When I think of the speakers I’ve seen over the years that have “wowed” me, I realize they all have one thing in common—polished presentation skills.
Although it can take years of practice to become a dynamic speaker, there are several “tricks of the trade” you can practice to help improve your presentations. But unless you are a naturally gifted speaker, these skills require conscious effort each time you stand before an audience. Even after years of facilitating workshops and speaking in front of groups, I run through a mental checklist each time I speak:
- 1. Am I making eye contact?
- 2. Are my gestures appropriate and convincing?
- 3. Is my stance balanced?
- 4. Am I using speech fillers?
Below are some of my favorite presentation improvement tips. Some of these techniques may seem obvious, but they’re often neglected or forgotten, especially when under pressure.
Make Random Eye Contact
It’s the most powerful means of conveying non-verbal messages and the single most important aspect of connecting with an audience. Scan the entire room and allow your gaze to rest on one person for approximately two seconds before you “scan and lock” again. Try to create a casual flow from front to back, side to side. Eye contact makes your audience feel included and acknowledged.
Smile
A smile is the first thing that disappears when you are nervous. But smiling is a great method to break the ice and put your audience at ease. Pay close attention to the degree to which you smile (or don’t) when you’re nervous.
Use Gestures for Emphasis
A gesture is a hand movement that is as much a part of language as speech! The bigger the audience, the bigger the gestures need to be. Try to scale your gestures to match the size of your audience. Gestures need to start at the shoulder and stay above the waist, so everyone can see them. Low gestures can draw the audience down and away from your face, and then they become distracting. Penguins can be cute, but they’re not good presenters!
Assume the “Ready Position”
Place your feet hip-width apart to create a solid base. Position your weight over the balls of the feet and relax your knees. Finally, rest your arms at your sides. Resist the urge to fidget!
Move with Purpose
Focus on someone in your audience. Move toward that person as you are speaking and maintain eye contact. Stop in the “ready position” and stay in one spot for a while. Don’t move too soon or you’ll look like you’re pacing. From here, you can focus on several people, one at a time, for three to six seconds each. (Three to six seconds translate into one complete thought or sentence per person.)
Make Listening Easy
By incorporating silent spaces between thoughts, you give listeners time to absorb the idea you just stated. Best of all, it gives you an opportunity to breathe.
Reduce Filler Words
Become aware of your filler words (uh, um, you know, etc.) and replace them with a simple pause. Review recordings of your own speech—like voice memos, meeting replays, or presentation practice—to identify the filler words you tend to use.
Avoid Keeping Both Hands in Your Pockets
If your hands are in your pockets, it can signal that you’re disengaged or not ready to contribute. It’s like saying, “I can’t give you a hand.” Keep your hands free for natural gestures and show your openness to communicate.
What are some of your favorite tools and techniques to polish your presentation skills?
For opportunities to practice and get feedback on your presentation skills, check out Instructional Techniques for New Instructors, The Virtual Trainer, or Facilitation Skills. There’s a workshop for all your delivery needs.