The journey to improve Presentation Skills can be daunting. Much like any other skill, it needs regular practice and devotion. There is no shortcut or magic pill.
I recently read a very interesting article from Carmine Gallo where she recommends10 practices for each presentation. Every time you 'rehearse' you will boost your confidence, become more self-aware, and have better control. It's hard work indeed, but worth the results.
Practice makes perfect
Before your next big presentation, try these 7 easy ways to practice:
Be ready
Cramming your presentation last minute is a recipe for disaster. Instead, plan your schedule out and ensure that your presentation is ready at least 3 days in advance.
Allocate time for rehearsals
Block time in your calendar for practice sessions. Spread them out over 3 days. Ensure you run full rehearsals. For example, practice in front of the camera if it's an online presentation. You can even choose to record your practice sessions to improve further.
Make an outline
A helpful tip in practicing your presentations is to create a content outline. Clearly write down the key points you want to make per slide. When rehearsing, it's important, not to read out of the slide, but have a conversation that revolves around the main message.
Create distractions
For most of us #workfromhome is the default. It's hard to control household sounds or even a neighbor who suddenly decides to use the leaf blower. Learn to practice your presentations with these distractions. Try putting up the TV volume or even asking your kids to play (a bit louder)!
Present to a buddy
Practicing with a live audience is really helpful. Could you invite a friend or colleague to listen to your presentation and give feedback? I really find this beneficial in improving my presentation skills, especially when I am presenting a new concept or making a complex sales pitch.
Time yourself
Each time you rehearse, make sure you 'time' the entire presentation from start to finish. It will help you identify the total time, slides, or topics you are spending too much time on and if you need to cut down something.
Leave time for Tweaks
Each practice session will help you identify areas that need to be improved or changed. It can also uncover data or information that you are perhaps less confident in presenting. Ensure you save some time to tweak or improve the presentation further.
Practicing your Presentation is an important discipline and it's something I would recommend very highly. I hope you find these tips helpful. I would love to hear how you practice for presentations - leave a comment below!
Happy Presenting!
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