Presentation Tips
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I would say that the body language, appearance, language skills, charts, slides etc etc are all second to the content. If Im interested in whay the presenter is saying I propably wont notice those things much, but if Im bored with the content of the presentation nothing is going to keep me awake. I would keep it short, to the point and avoid attempts a humor unless you know the audience very well.
Josh Gray wrote:
avoid attempts a humor unless you know the audience very well.
I disagree - Avoid questionable humour, yes. But overall it is one of the best things to keep an audience interested. If you don't use humour then your presentation will become extremely dry and you'll just bore your audience and no matter how important or intersting your message they'll fall asleep.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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Josh Gray wrote:
avoid attempts a humor unless you know the audience very well.
Thats good advice...obvious, but something I might not otherwise consider during presentation... I'll make a note of that ;) Thanks
It's frustrating being a genius and living the life of a moron!!!
Hockey wrote:
Thats good advice
Not in my opinion. I think avoiding questionable humour is fine. Avoiding all humour is plain wrong.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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I am not a great or even good presenter, but I can identify one. 1. Pace. In my view, the most important. If you move too fast, folks tune out. On the other hand if you move too slow, the audience starts focusing on you and loses interest in the topic. 2. Busy slides. If you put too much information on a slide, it starts to look like a document. Use huge fonts and large "blocky" pictures. 3. Q & A. I kind of get annoyed if the presenter says, "Can you wait till the end ? I will get to it later". You can give a short answer instantly and maybe elaborate in the end. There are some people who have natural skills that can get over all the above drawbacks. Humor helps a lot with large audiences, but it cant be scripted. I think excessive hand movements could be a distraction. I agree with you about Clinton, he is one of the best. His looks and overall personality added to his already powerful speaking ability.
Vivek Rajan wrote:
Q & A. I kind of get annoyed if the presenter says, "Can you wait till the end ? I will get to it later". You can give a short answer instantly and maybe elaborate in the end.
Speakers come in all skill levels and some are just not good at the interactive stuff even although they are great at delivering a prescripted speech. If the speaker mentions that there will be a Q&A at the end then respect them enough to wait until then.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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The most important tip I can give you (and I strongly believe to be right about it) is to tune in to your audience. Don't do a general presentation, do a specific one for a specific audience. For example use slides and charts and as little numbers as possible for a managerial crowd, use code for tech people like myself, use emotional significance for women, make jokes for young people (really think of some good ones, because it's pathetic when some guy makes a joke and makes a pause like he is waiting for laughter and nobody is laughing), etc. And I disagree with the guy that said like saying "like" is so not cool :) Because if you want to tune in to a teenager audience for whatever reason, talking like them sometimes does help tremendously. But do avoid using "hip" words only to sound "cool", or you will end up pitiful, like some of the guys at Microsoft :) And to sum it up, I think tuning to your audience creates a subconcious relationship between you and the people around you, therefore you relax automatically and you appear more confident and you relax the audience and they can laugh more readily or forgive some (unavoidable) mistakes from your part. Good luck!
---------- Siderite
Siderite Zaqwedex wrote:
And I disagree with the guy that said like saying "like" is so not cool Because if you want to tune in to a teenager audience for whatever reason, talking like them sometimes does help tremendously
Using the "like" filler word to a teenage audience only works if you are a teenager or early 20s. If it comes from a guy in his 50s then the teenage audience is just going to take the piss afterwards.
Siderite Zaqwedex wrote:
But do avoid using "hip" words only to sound "cool", or you will end up pitiful, like some of the guys at Microsoft
Absolutely! Your message must be consistent with how you present yourself. And a 50+yo male is going to find it very difficult to present themselves as a hip-20-something.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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(1). In big big characters, write out a script of the main points per slide, this way you won't forget any important points relevant to that slide at that point in time. (2). Speak slowly with a slightly raised voice - and make sure that you practice speaking alot slower than you usually talk. (3). Unless you want distractions, state at the very beginning that any questions are to be left until you have finished the presentation. (4). Use a ruler or stick or a torch that shines an arrow-pointer to point at particular parts of your slide to draw attention to some important point. (5). Don't tell jokes - not everybody will understand you point of humour. (6). Practice your presentation over and over again with colleagues asking your colleagues to be critical on any aspect of your delivery. If a Video recorder is available, record yourself and evaluate your own performance. (7). Don't deviate from your script. (8). No expletives
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Speak slowly with a slightly raised voice - and make sure that you practice speaking alot slower than you usually talk
Yes, I find that once I'm in front of an audience I speak about 30% slower than when I pracice in front of a mirror.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Don't tell jokes
While I agree that suddenly launching into a joke is maybe not the best thing to do. Humour should be used to keep the audience interested. I find that the odd ironic statement delivered dead pan works well for me. If it works people laugh. If not then no one in the audience is any the wiser.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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Vivek Rajan wrote:
Q & A. I kind of get annoyed if the presenter says, "Can you wait till the end ? I will get to it later". You can give a short answer instantly and maybe elaborate in the end.
Speakers come in all skill levels and some are just not good at the interactive stuff even although they are great at delivering a prescripted speech. If the speaker mentions that there will be a Q&A at the end then respect them enough to wait until then.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
I think a lot of presenters have no problem with this "interactive stuff", but they do have a schedule they usually have to stick to, so often it is better to have time to do all the show and answer questions in the remaining time. It depends on the audience, but I've seen many times that the presenter gets so waylaid that he has to cut the presentation short, because the watchers just wouldn't shut up and would object to nearly everything. "But... but... what if... can you do this... and that... how about that..." It wasn't even me doing the presentations, but I did notice.
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So for years now I've been working at somehow starting my own business as a web developer, programmer, graphics designer, etc... I've tried many a times and have had mild success...this time round I've prepared alot more...I'm currently working on a presentation, which I am quite proud of; hitherto anyways. I've never given a presentation, so I'd like to ask, anyone have any good tips? Not so much from the presenter perspective, as many people who think they are good at giving presentations usually aren't. I mean, as the observer, someone listening and watching a presenter, what are some qualities you admire? Hopefully out of the norm??? For instance, the obvious: 1) Confidence, obviously a mumbling moron is not a good presentation 2) Volume, if you can't hear of they give you a headache, thats no good 3) Many forms of presentation (Charts, Text, Sound, Animnation, etc) Those which are obvious I need not know, as I've read many an articles and even a few books on the subject... None of which mentioned little things, like for instance, I like to talk...I always talk...which I think makes me a good candidate for a presentation giver (better than being an introvert anyways). However I am also very animated...I use my hands *ALOT* I have very dynamic mannerisms and sounds effects galour. I like to think most people enjoy my company and from what I can tell, those that like me, genuinely enjoy my jokes, outlook on life, etc. However I am sure dynamic hand movement isn't appealing to everyone. I watched George W on Sept. 11 on TV and observed he didn't move much at all except to thump his fist slightly in taking his stand on terror. Not very animated...kinda boring...and almost obvious he was reading from a screen reader. I have nothing against the man, like many others do...but as a president, I found his rather boring. Cliton was much cooler and more flamboyant, colorful, etc...dynamic is the word... So using this reasoning on myself, I see my hand movements as not a negative factor in giving a presetnation??? So long as I don't start knocking things over, etc, but I've been using them to assist in articulating ideas since I was capable of doing so, so I don't think I'm clumsy in that regard... :) Anyways, knowing this, can anyone offer advice? Cheers :)
It's frustrating being a genius and living the life of a moron!!!
I hate PowerPoint animations. They almost never add to a presentation, and they often distract. Avoid!!! "The first 90% of the code accounts for the first 90% of the development time. The remaining 10% of the code accounts for the other 90% of the development time." -- Tom Cargill
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I think a lot of presenters have no problem with this "interactive stuff", but they do have a schedule they usually have to stick to, so often it is better to have time to do all the show and answer questions in the remaining time. It depends on the audience, but I've seen many times that the presenter gets so waylaid that he has to cut the presentation short, because the watchers just wouldn't shut up and would object to nearly everything. "But... but... what if... can you do this... and that... how about that..." It wasn't even me doing the presentations, but I did notice.
Yes, that is another great reason to wait until the end to ask questions. I noticed one time that my 60 minute presentation turned into a 90 minute one because of "in-flight" questions.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Speak slowly with a slightly raised voice - and make sure that you practice speaking alot slower than you usually talk
Yes, I find that once I'm in front of an audience I speak about 30% slower than when I pracice in front of a mirror.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Don't tell jokes
While I agree that suddenly launching into a joke is maybe not the best thing to do. Humour should be used to keep the audience interested. I find that the odd ironic statement delivered dead pan works well for me. If it works people laugh. If not then no one in the audience is any the wiser.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Richard A. Abbott wrote: Speak slowly with a slightly raised voice - and make sure that you practice speaking alot slower than you usually talk Yes, I find that once I'm in front of an audience I speak about 30% slower than when I pracice in front of a mirror.
I;m the opposite. I hate public speaking, and regradless of what I try, my subconscious is determined to end the ordeal by trying to imitate the micromachines guy.
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The most important tip I can give you (and I strongly believe to be right about it) is to tune in to your audience. Don't do a general presentation, do a specific one for a specific audience. For example use slides and charts and as little numbers as possible for a managerial crowd, use code for tech people like myself, use emotional significance for women, make jokes for young people (really think of some good ones, because it's pathetic when some guy makes a joke and makes a pause like he is waiting for laughter and nobody is laughing), etc. And I disagree with the guy that said like saying "like" is so not cool :) Because if you want to tune in to a teenager audience for whatever reason, talking like them sometimes does help tremendously. But do avoid using "hip" words only to sound "cool", or you will end up pitiful, like some of the guys at Microsoft :) And to sum it up, I think tuning to your audience creates a subconcious relationship between you and the people around you, therefore you relax automatically and you appear more confident and you relax the audience and they can laugh more readily or forgive some (unavoidable) mistakes from your part. Good luck!
---------- Siderite
- Always know your audience. Taylor the presentation to their expectaions, needs, and capacity to understand/absorb the materials. For example, do not have code listings or UML diagrams for a presentation to the CFO/CEO... Put the presentation using language and terms they understand and relate to! 2) Practive your presentation several times before giving it. Do not walk in cold and wing it. Go over it enough so you have a good outline of what you will say throughout the presentation. If you do not, it may look like you are "fumbling through" the presentation.
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(1). In big big characters, write out a script of the main points per slide, this way you won't forget any important points relevant to that slide at that point in time. (2). Speak slowly with a slightly raised voice - and make sure that you practice speaking alot slower than you usually talk. (3). Unless you want distractions, state at the very beginning that any questions are to be left until you have finished the presentation. (4). Use a ruler or stick or a torch that shines an arrow-pointer to point at particular parts of your slide to draw attention to some important point. (5). Don't tell jokes - not everybody will understand you point of humour. (6). Practice your presentation over and over again with colleagues asking your colleagues to be critical on any aspect of your delivery. If a Video recorder is available, record yourself and evaluate your own performance. (7). Don't deviate from your script. (8). No expletives
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
(7). Don't deviate from your script.
I'd have to disagree on this one. In fact, I've found that ad libbing can actually improve the presentation -- you simply need to be comfortable with the information you are presenting. Normally when I give a speech or other presentation, I don't even bother writing out a complete script. Rather, I simply write an introduction and conclusion, and use an outline with bullet points for the body of the speech. As for point 5, this is only useful when you don't already know your audience. Which should be almost never. If you have time to prepare a presentation, you have time to research who your audience is, so that you can tune the presentation to suit.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk
Computer programmer AND Toastmasters member!
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Hockey wrote:
I've never given a presentation, so I'd like to ask, anyone have any good tips?
Join your local branch of Toastmasters International[^] - They are a speaking group and will help you with your presentation skills in a friendly envornoment. You will be told what your are doing well at and how to improve. They also help you improve your listening skills as a side-effect. If you join up they also send you a monthly magazine with great tips on presentation and public speaking in all its forms.
Hockey wrote:
None of which mentioned little things, like for instance, I like to talk...I always talk...which I think makes me a good candidate for a presentation giver (better than being an introvert anyways). However I am also very animated...I use my hands *ALOT* I have very dynamic mannerisms and sounds effects galour.
An introvert can give excellent presentations, while an extrovert can give awful presentations. At my toastmasters group[^] we have a wide range of speakers. Some of the extroverted ones just end up losing the audience because they are full on information overload giving the audience no time to take in the message. On the other hand some of the intorverted need to speak up a little better. And we try and help on all points, small and large.
Hockey wrote:
However I am sure dynamic hand movement isn't appealing to everyone.
If overdone, no it isn't. But, then again, some one standing stock still while giving a presentation isn't good to watch either. There needs to be a happy middle ground.
Hockey wrote:
Anyways, knowing this, can anyone offer advice?
Without seeing you present I can't give you much advice, no one can. Go and find a local Toastmasters club and join it. They will give you all the adivce you need and want taylored to your speaking style. If you are lucky you will find several clubs in your area to choose from. Where I am there are just 4 within a 1 hour drive. But in larger cities you'll find breakfast clubs, dinner clubs, evening clubs, lunchtime clubs, weekend clubs and so on.
Awesome, another Toastmasters member here! Although I really shouldn't be surprised. I'm the Sergeant at Arms for Toast IT Toastmasters[^] out in Toronto, Canada.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk
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I hate PowerPoint animations. They almost never add to a presentation, and they often distract. Avoid!!! "The first 90% of the code accounts for the first 90% of the development time. The remaining 10% of the code accounts for the other 90% of the development time." -- Tom Cargill
PowerPoint can actually be a useful tool for presentations when properly used. The problem is that not too many people know how to use it to improve a presentation, and as a result, good presentations with PowerPoint are quite rare. I've seen some good PP presentations, and I've seen awful ones. I've personally given both types of presentations. The trick is using the slides to reinforce the point the presenter is making rather than letting the slides be the presentation itself.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk
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So for years now I've been working at somehow starting my own business as a web developer, programmer, graphics designer, etc... I've tried many a times and have had mild success...this time round I've prepared alot more...I'm currently working on a presentation, which I am quite proud of; hitherto anyways. I've never given a presentation, so I'd like to ask, anyone have any good tips? Not so much from the presenter perspective, as many people who think they are good at giving presentations usually aren't. I mean, as the observer, someone listening and watching a presenter, what are some qualities you admire? Hopefully out of the norm??? For instance, the obvious: 1) Confidence, obviously a mumbling moron is not a good presentation 2) Volume, if you can't hear of they give you a headache, thats no good 3) Many forms of presentation (Charts, Text, Sound, Animnation, etc) Those which are obvious I need not know, as I've read many an articles and even a few books on the subject... None of which mentioned little things, like for instance, I like to talk...I always talk...which I think makes me a good candidate for a presentation giver (better than being an introvert anyways). However I am also very animated...I use my hands *ALOT* I have very dynamic mannerisms and sounds effects galour. I like to think most people enjoy my company and from what I can tell, those that like me, genuinely enjoy my jokes, outlook on life, etc. However I am sure dynamic hand movement isn't appealing to everyone. I watched George W on Sept. 11 on TV and observed he didn't move much at all except to thump his fist slightly in taking his stand on terror. Not very animated...kinda boring...and almost obvious he was reading from a screen reader. I have nothing against the man, like many others do...but as a president, I found his rather boring. Cliton was much cooler and more flamboyant, colorful, etc...dynamic is the word... So using this reasoning on myself, I see my hand movements as not a negative factor in giving a presetnation??? So long as I don't start knocking things over, etc, but I've been using them to assist in articulating ideas since I was capable of doing so, so I don't think I'm clumsy in that regard... :) Anyways, knowing this, can anyone offer advice? Cheers :)
It's frustrating being a genius and living the life of a moron!!!
Hockey wrote:
- Many forms of presentation (Charts, Text, Sound, Animnation, etc)
Fred Pryor offers a seminar on this.
"Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed" - 2 Timothy 2:15
"Judge not by the eye but by the heart." - Native American Proverb
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Awesome, another Toastmasters member here! Although I really shouldn't be surprised. I'm the Sergeant at Arms for Toast IT Toastmasters[^] out in Toronto, Canada.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk
I was the SaA last year. I'm glad I've taken on a new role. Although the VPE is increadibly demanding, it is also very rewarding.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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I was the SaA last year. I'm glad I've taken on a new role. Although the VPE is increadibly demanding, it is also very rewarding.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
Well, when we had our club elections back in June, it was suggested I run for President (by our current Pres, no less), but I've only been a member since April and so was wary of shooting straight for the top just like that. I'll probably run for VP Membership next year, though. By the way, mind if you ask where you are in the curriculum? I'm almost half-way done my first CC, and about 1/5 of the way through the new CL program.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk E-mail: coldacid at gmail dot com Web: http://coldacid.slylabs.com/
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PowerPoint can actually be a useful tool for presentations when properly used. The problem is that not too many people know how to use it to improve a presentation, and as a result, good presentations with PowerPoint are quite rare. I've seen some good PP presentations, and I've seen awful ones. I've personally given both types of presentations. The trick is using the slides to reinforce the point the presenter is making rather than letting the slides be the presentation itself.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk
Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of PowerPoint, it's just the animations that I hate. "The first 90% of the code accounts for the first 90% of the development time. The remaining 10% of the code accounts for the other 90% of the development time." -- Tom Cargill
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Well, when we had our club elections back in June, it was suggested I run for President (by our current Pres, no less), but I've only been a member since April and so was wary of shooting straight for the top just like that. I'll probably run for VP Membership next year, though. By the way, mind if you ask where you are in the curriculum? I'm almost half-way done my first CC, and about 1/5 of the way through the new CL program.
Christopher S. 'coldacid' Charabaruk E-mail: coldacid at gmail dot com Web: http://coldacid.slylabs.com/
I have my CTM, and I'm two speeches away from the old style CL (there is a grace period, I have until June 2007 and I'll easily manage it by then). I'm also one speech into my AC-Bronze although I've been taking a bit of a back seat doing speeches at the moment. It was suggested to me also that I go for President, but I was more interested in the VPE role because I like helping people and it seemed more appropriate. By the way, a trick on the TMI website when ordering stuff is that you can get 20 leaflets for free (any more than that and you have to pay). Every time I have to order things I add in the 20 free leaflets and then we can use them for advertising.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
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Yes, that is another great reason to wait until the end to ask questions. I noticed one time that my 60 minute presentation turned into a 90 minute one because of "in-flight" questions.
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * UK Security Evangelists On Tour (2nd November, Edinburgh) * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog
I have faced the same problem. So now at the beginning I set some ground rules for the audience. Its not that I spell them out like rules. It would be something like.. "da da da.... and we will wind up with a question and answer session. Of course if you are faster than me please do wait for me to catch up so we can pop your quesion and plug in the answer :)" ( ':)' means to give a big smile here) also i keep enough optional content for time management.
---------------------- Mayank Thakore Learning C++ - since 1998 They didn't print my card right; so I resigned.
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- Always know your audience. Taylor the presentation to their expectaions, needs, and capacity to understand/absorb the materials. For example, do not have code listings or UML diagrams for a presentation to the CFO/CEO... Put the presentation using language and terms they understand and relate to! 2) Practive your presentation several times before giving it. Do not walk in cold and wing it. Go over it enough so you have a good outline of what you will say throughout the presentation. If you do not, it may look like you are "fumbling through" the presentation.
Jay Nelson wrote:
Practive your presentation several times
this is my golden rule too. i am so used to the contents of my presentations that i only focus on presenting it. the content comes automatically.
---------------------- Mayank Thakore Learning C++ - since 1998 They didn't print my card right; so I resigned.