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Presenting as a Professional
Being
a presenter is hard work! Think about it for a moment. First,
you conducted all of that research to put into your presentation.
Then, there were all of those hours that you spent designing,
writing, editing, revising, and rehearsing your presentation.
Oh and don't forget, there was all of that time you spent
designing just the right handouts for each participant! Yes,
being a presenter is a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, many
people think it is so easy that all you have to do is travel
to interesting places, meet new people, and get up and talk
off the top of your head. You know differently!
Besides
all of the preparation, there are also some more personal
issues that you must be aware of before your presentation.
These personal issues are the ones that can make the difference
in how you are viewed as a presenter.
Dealing
with Stage Fright
Ask
people to tell you of one of their greatest fears and many
of them will tell you that it is speaking in public. It isn't
easy to get up in front of a group of people knowing that
every eye and ear is on you. However, most presenters will
tell you that the worst part of this fear is the nervousness
you feel before you start your presentation. Usually, you
calm down and start to roll when you start talking. So what
can you do about stage fright?
There
are a number of techniques that people use to get past those
nervous moments before they present. Some people take a few
minutes alone to just physically relax themselves. Other people
prefer to mingle with the audience and talk to people. Others
have their own little routines, like drinking a class of water,
deep breathing, or visualization exercises.
One
of the best ways to limit stage fright is to be extremely
well prepared for your presentation. If you have taken the
time to rehearse and properly prepare, you will feel better
and the nervousness will lessen. It is also a good idea to
check out your presentation room, audio-visuals, and any other
equipment before the first audience members start to arrive.
Plan on arriving at least 45 minutes to an hour before the
presentation so you won't feel rushed or self-conscious as
you do your sound and video checks. Set up your materials
so that they are easy to access and you aren't fumbling for
the next slide or handout during your presentation.
The
most important thing you can do to overcome stage fright is
to just be yourself. You are the one who was selected for
this particular presentation. People have recognized that
you have something to contribute. Don't forget that the audience
has come to see and hear what you have to say - not someone
else.
For
more information on coping with stage fright and tips on being
a better speaker, visit the following websites:
Public
Speaking: Stage Fright Strategies
http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm
Public
Speaking: Storytelling DO's
http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-storydo-article.htm
Tips
to Help You Be a Better Speaker
http://www.powerpointers.com/printarticle.asp?articleid=70
The
Presenter as Actor
http://www.professional-business-communications.com/articles-publications/toc.html
Capture
an Audience's Attention: Points on Posture, Eye, Contact and
More
http://www.powerpointers.com/showarticle.asp?articleid=17
Presenting
as a Professional 
Florida
TechNet is a project developed by
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last updated 11-06-03
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