55% of the presenter’s thoughts are conveyed through non verbal communication and body language. Thus non verbal communication and body language plays an important role in giving a presentation. Some ideas to be used to improve presentations are listed below.

1. Use your voice effectively.
2. Body language.
3. Practice makes perfect.
4. Goodbye to stress.
5. Managing the physical environment.

• Using voice effectively: many presenters commit the mistake of being too slow in volume when they speak, they are soft spoken and can barely be heard.
• Speaking to softly can give an impression of low confidence and lack of preparation whereas being too loud may be understood as pushy and arrogant.
• Very fast speakers need to alter their tempo and slow down a little whereas speaking very fast can give an impression of arrogance and aggression.
• It is thus essential to vary the speed with which the speaker speaks skimming quickly over not so important topics but being slow on the important ones.
• The tone of the presenter’s voice be it sad, happy, interested has an emotional impact on the listener.
• A serious voice with a flatter intonation will help create a sense of maturity and liking in the audience.
• The presenter also needs to articulate correctly and effectively

• Body language: it is important to maintain eye contact with the audience as it helps instill a sense of confidence and attentiveness towards the listener from the audiences end.
• The speaker must scan the audience before starting his presentation.
• It is important to constantly keep smiling to remain attached to the audience.
• The presenters need to use their hands more often as it helps them communicate non-verbally.
• It is necessary to stand and deliver; this will help use gestures to good effect.

• Practice makes perfect: the presenter should divide his presentation into equal chunks.
• Thus the presenter should practice using various points of stress and relaxation that will help him focus on the important points of the presentation.
• The first three minutes should be scripted and decided well in advance.
• The presenter should practice in front of the mirror to help the presenter overcome fear.
• The presenter should rehearse in front of colleagues and compare stuff with what they have to say.

• Goodbye to stress: presentations are not stressful but the presenters make it stressful.
• The presenters need to be excited about what they have to present; this will help them remain excited and keep stress at bay.
• He presenters need to be real about what they have in store and convey exactly what they want to say.
• The presenter needs to be in total control of what he needs to say and have rehearsed content in their minds.
• The presenters need to be in total control of their body, mind and message.
• The presenter should focus on the positive parts of his presentation and build on it to make it more convincing.

ü  Managing the physical environment: effective presentations need a planned and managed environment.

ü  The room should be tested with all multimedia capabilities needed for the presentation.

ü  Ask a colleague to introduce the presenter; it will help set the tone.

ü   Manage the environment with a colleague, it will help.

ü  The presenter should have all necessary back-up.

ü  The lightning should be set to a level that is comfortable to the audience and see all the cables and adaptors are in place.

Thus a little attentiveness and attention to detail can make sure even an average presenter can improve and give breath taking presentations.

Rahul Gonsalves for nashtapaani.com

Article Posted By : ceorahulgonsalves  On September 03, 2012lView All Articles

CEO and Founder of naashtappaani.com with a keen interest in HR and Marketing

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presentation , how to give a presentation