Do not memorize your presentation. Know your presentation. People want to feel that you’re talking to them. So come prepared, know what you’re presenting, hang loose and be yourself.

1/10 Public Speaking Tips

Don’t pretend to know the local culture. Instead, make the effort to do so, to the best of your ability. While you’re at it, be sure that your basic spelling is correct.

2/10 Public Speaking Tips

Do not read from the pc screen. When presenting graphs, point to the graphs. Refer to your screen, it’s your friend.

3/10 Public Speaking Tips

Test out the colours you choose for your slides on the screen beforehand, or at least preempt. Remember that colours on pc screen may not appear exactly on projector screen. Be simple with the layout.

4/10 Public Speaking Tips

Do not hold cards. This looks amateurish. If need be, hold A4 sized papers.

5/10 Public Speaking Tips

Take cues from familiar faces in the crowd. If need be, plant people at different spots in the crowd, and instruct them to smile and nod whenever you look at them during the presentation. This gives you confidence during presentation.

6/10 Public Speaking Tips

Look at your audience and smile. At the same time, look at them to see if they are enjoying themselves. Do not be oblivious to simple matters like you’re standing too far from the microphone. Large audiences usually make noise, unless if they are silent, to listen. Aim, for that silence.

7/10 Public Speaking Tips

As a rule of thumb, never underestimate your audience, no matter how young/new they are. Do not assume they’re idiots. Assume that they know more: “I am sure you are familiar with…”. Disarm your audience early. Remember that you’re reminding them, not preaching new things to them.

8/10 Public Speaking Tips

Be interesting. Begin with an interesting story / a statement with impact , add some humor, and deliver your message at the end. If in case someone does appear sleepy, give yourself a break. He probably is tired for some other reason.

9/10 Public Speaking Tips

To avoid pre-presentation jitters, think about this: You’re the only one in the world who knows about the stuff you’re about to present. No one else has the same knowledge about the subject matter as you have. In other words, you’re the teacher.

10/10 Public Speaking Tips