{"id":1779,"date":"2022-05-06T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/?p=1779"},"modified":"2023-01-24T19:55:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T19:55:32","slug":"presentations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/presentations\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop giving speeches!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here\u2019s what to do instead<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Guest blog by Paul Barton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be a great business presenter, I have one piece of advice: stop giving speeches. Why? Because speeches make you nervous and they bore your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving presentations isn\u2019t part of your daily job description so it\u2019s easy to default to speech mode when you stand up to speak. The next thing you know, you find yourself using phrases like \u201cwithout further ado\u201d and \u201cso in conclusion\u201d and other hackneyed speech phrases. You might use highfalutin words because you think you\u2019re supposed to when giving a speech. Sometimes, you can\u2019t think fast enough and you find yourself saying a lot of \u201cums\u201d and \u201cahs\u201d as filler sounds. Maybe you tried to memorize a carefully written script or you fumble with notecards and end up reading much of your speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there\u2019s an even bigger problem lurking inside your head. Speech mode sends a signal to your brain that you\u2019re performing<\/em> and that causes performance anxiety, which is the biggest reason for public speaking fear. Performance anxiety explains why you can speak with ease to a small group of colleagues but then fall apart the second you step in front of a large group. It\u2019s not talking that scares you; it\u2019s performing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As for your audience, speech mode sounds awkward and disingenuous and it makes it difficult for them to connect with you. Reading prepared text dampens your credibility and the audience wonders why a subject matter expert needs a crutch for their own area of expertise. Filler words and nervous body language further erode credibility and you don\u2019t appear to be confident about what you\u2019re saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you somehow manage to memorize and deliver a speech word-for-word, you won\u2019t be as effective as you could be. Why? Because today\u2019s audiences value credibility above all else and they expect authenticity. Think about reality TV, YouTube, or any social media platform. The \u201creal\u201d is the appeal. It\u2019s better to be authentic than to be perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I often ask my workshop attendees to raise their hands if they like to listen to speeches. Seldom does a single hand go up. Then I ask, \u201cHow many of you like to listen to Ted Talks?\u201d Typically, more than half of the audience raises their hands. Here\u2019s why: speeches are long and boring; Ted Talks are short and interesting. Years ago, speeches were delivered by skilled speakers who developed expert content. That model has flipped. Ted Talks are delivered by content experts who developed speaking skills. They\u2019re credible because they\u2019re subject matter experts and they connect with audiences because they\u2019re authentic and entertaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Designed and Structured Conversations<\/strong>
So, how should you deliver a business presentation? The answer: By leading a conversation. But not just any conversation. Lead a conversation that\u2019s designed for your audience and structured for maximum impact. Deliver your presentation in your own words and tailor it to what your audience wants and needs to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation is Key<\/strong>
You must know your subject inside and out and, most importantly, discover how to connect with your audience. You can find audience connection points by answering these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the audience know about your topic and what are their views about it? What questions will they have? Identify areas to emphasize, areas that need explanation, and areas to avoid.
What matters most to your audience? Understand what they value and what they\u2019re skeptical about.
Where will the presentation be given? Be familiar with the meeting room and any equipment needs, such as how to connect to the projector if you\u2019re using PowerPoint.
How will your audience be dressed? Your attire should be at the same level or a half-step above your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The single biggest determinant of the success of your presentation is how well you prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Structure Your Content<\/strong>
Once you master your content and have gotten inside the heads of your audience, you\u2019ll need to determine a presentation structure to frame your content and keep you on point and on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than memorizing an entire speech, memorize a presentation outline. Every presentation should have three main parts: (1) Introduction, (2) Body, and (3) Conclusion. You can switch-out those words with other three-part structures that may suit your needs better. My favorite structure for a persuasive presentation is: (1) What, (2) So What, and (3) What\u2019s Next. In other words, (1) what are we talking about, (2) why does it matter, and (3) what should we do about it. Part 1 sets the stage and ensures everyone is on the same page. Part 2 explains the importance of the topic and may include an illustrative story to make the point. And Part 3 is the call to action or steps needed to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other examples of three-part presentation structures include: (1) Issue, (2) Illustration, and (3) Invitation; (1) Problem, (2) Solution, and (3) Benefit; or (1) Past, (2) Present, and (3) Future. Abraham Lincoln\u2019s \u201cGettysburg Address\u201d and Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech are both organized as (1) Past (where we came from), (2) Present (where we are now), and (3) Future (where we are going).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there will be sub-level points underneath each of the major sections. For example, I often use this powerful three-part conclusion: (1) Summary, (2) Call to Action, and (3) Outcome.
In outline format, it would look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n