7 Tried and Tested Tips to Help You Give Great Talks  

There are more How-To Guides on the art of presenting than any other topic; at least it seems that way. Books, articles, seminars, videos, training, coaching, and a variety of other content providers are earnest in their mission to make us comfortable speaking in front of crowds. And yet, public speaking is still considered to be one of the most dreaded activities. Given the fact that we learn to talk so early in our lives, it seems odd that giving a talk is so difficult for us, whether we are presenting in a classroom or in front of hundreds of colleagues at work.

Yet, there are some people who actually make giving presentations look easy; Steve Jobs, for example who easily could grab our attention when he was on stage. Unlike most of us, he did’t use index cards, a written script, or slides with bullet points and data. He used just his voice to take us on a journey, where we find we ultimately want and need whatever he was sharing with us. And that is enough.

Watching acclaimed speakers, like Steve Jobs, can help you develop your own personal presentation style. Observe how and what they do. Do they know their topic well? Are they authentic and enthusiastic about their topic? Do they inform, influence, or entertain their audience? Is the talk fresh and current? Do they leave you wanting more, knowing more, or being inspired to do more?

You can also read books on public speaking. One of the most comprehensive is “TED Talks –The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking.” This book identifies basic talk tools, preparation process types, and stage-presence techniques. It also provides examples and tips on how to create a talk around making a connection, starting a narration, using an explanation, leveraging persuasion, and creating a means of revelation. It takes the reader through various processes to use in preparing a talk–from visuals to scripts to rehearsals and run-throughs. Finally, it outlines how to present yourself on stage beyond wardrobe.

In addition to the valuable tips you may learn from watching others and reading books, there are several guidelines to give a great talk that I have developed from my own experience:

Know Your Topic
I always prepare my own presentations. This lets me formulate my thoughts, helps me to focus on what I am trying to communicate, and allows me to mentally rehearse with every draft.

Care About Your Topic
Passion carries you a long way, and it is contagious. If you like your material and are energetic about your topic, your audience will be, as well.

Know Your Audience
It is important to know to whom you are speaking and why. Are they experts in your field? Are they a diverse group of professionals? Are they at varying levels within the same organization? Are you sharing information? Persuading them to agree with your findings? Or simply updating them on the status of a situation? Knowing who your audience is and what they are hoping to gain from your talk will help you develop a relevant presentation.

Just Talk to Your Audience 
Many people make the mistake of thinking that they need to be a professional actor in order to give a talk. You don’t. Chances are that the people in the audience really want to hear what you have to say; you just have to tell them. Act as if you were taking one person through your material and then project that to an entire room. Don’t think about what you are going to say, and don’t worry about choosing the perfect words–just tell them what you are there to tell them. When you worry about missing points or try to do exactly what you have done before, you will divert your focus from the presentation and lose your confidence in one fleeting moment.

Make it Personal 
Using stories to illustrate the key points of your presentation will help personalize the information. People love a good story. They already know it has a beginning, a middle and an end, and are usually willing to go along with the journey on which you take them, because they want to see where you actually go. Stories are great ways to start or end a speech because they pull all of the pieces together and help others relate to the content. There is a caveat, however; you must make the story relevant to the topic.

Stay in the Moment 
There is safety in keeping to your game plan, but being able to react to what is happening at any given moment is very powerful. People like to know that you are paying attention, whether it is an audio/visual glitch, a comment from the audience, or a reference to a prior speaker. Being aware keeps your speech fresh and helps you avoid just getting through it. Humor can help during these times, but if you are not funny, don’t try it. There is nothing worse or more uncomfortable than a joke that is not well-received.

Make a Point or Make an Impact
The audience has given you the gift of their time–make it worth their while. Be sure to connect the dots and draw some conclusion for them. Help them see why you were speaking to them and do your best to leave them with new information and the confidence that they can apply that knowledge in their personal or professional lives.

The real key to being a good speaker is to find your own style and apply it, despite the fact that you, like most speakers, may feel anxious about giving a presentation. Remember that giving a good talk is not about you; it is about your audience and what you can offer to them. Once you realize that you are not on a stage to win an award, but rather to provide a gift, you will value the experience and alleviate some of your worries along the way.