Public Speaking ...

the_djoker

Hi,
I have a phobia of public speaking, this friday i have to make a presentation
in work - and it's to 7 people who i get on really well with ! - so you would
think there is no problem.


But ever since college when I avoided presentations (id pass modules by making up doing well in other aspects) I think it's gotten worse.

Even though it's to people i know well and get along with , when its informal and I am the "expert" - i just freeze up , I don't think i'd be able to
explain 2+2=4 to be honest .... ..


I can't even prepare the slides and I know the subject fairly well ...


I bloody HATE public speaking :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Mr E

Never fun but gets easier with practice.

- Don't fill your slides with text (and then read off them line by line!). Slides are a guide only. If you have too much text, your audience will be reading them instead of listening to you.

- Keep slides short and sweet, and if you need them, use either prompt cards or notes to help you. Don't write whole sentences in your notes - just use keywords to help jog your memory and help you get through everything without missing anything.

- Images, including funny (but relevant) images will keep them engaged.

- My best tip (and I know it sounds a bit stupid) is this: once your presentation is done, practice it! Good public speakers aren't born - they just practice.... A LOT! Lock yourself in a room with a laptop, or take it home with you and practice in the privacy of your own house. Don't just read it or even whisper it. You need to present it like you're going to be presenting it on Friday - speak it out loud.

Good luck!

Yahew

that doesn't really help the phobia, it will help a fear not a phobia.

Mr E

Just trying to help. I've never liked public speaking - when presenting I stammered, spoke too fast (to get it over with!), missed important details because I was rushing, and worked myself into a panic beforehand (which made the presentation many times harder). I did a public speaking course before Christmas which really helped, and I'm just sharing some of the things that I learned there.

the_djoker

Thanks that does help actually, I suppose it's good to start with 7 people,
a lot of peoplke think it's nuts to be even nervous - but to me it's a big deal.

mickgotsick

Some good advice from Mr E, especially the funny (relevant) images and practice.

If you can work a funny image that is relevant into the first or second slide and get the audience laughing, it can do a great deal in easing the tension/pressure. Also, as its a relatively small audience, you might get a bit of interaction going.

Practice is extremely important. Make sure you prepare your presentation leaving plenty of time to practice. First practice to yourself, going through the slides and then practice to friends/family. You should know your presentation well enough that you don't need prompt cards but they're good to have just in case.

Structure your presentation into a story and treat it as though you're just telling your friends one. Make sure it has a start, an end and that each slide flows into the next. Know your audience, know what you want to tell them and don't go into any more detail than what's necessary.

threein99

Im in the same boat as the OP. I have a presentation to do next week for college its worth 20 per cent, and im probably gonna skip it and make up the marks else where

the_djoker

threein99 wrote: »

Im in the same boat as the OP. I have a presentation to do next week for college its worth 20 per cent, and im probably gonna skip it and make up the marks else where

That's what I did 12 years or so ago ... and ever since I have been running from them.

Well I am well prepared for tomorrow and I feel pretty good , preparation is the key...

Yahew

best luck

hefferboi

I was the very same and dreaded presentations. Still do. The thing that helped me was making a few jokes at the start to settle myself. Even though I was sh1tting it, my lecturer said my confidence was excellent. I was pure delighted then

Mr E

the_djoker wrote: »

threein99 wrote: »

Im in the same boat as the OP. I have a presentation to do next week for college its worth 20 per cent, and im probably gonna skip it and make up the marks else where

That's what I did 12 years or so ago ... and ever since I have been running from them.

Well I am well prepared for tomorrow and I feel pretty good , preparation is the key...

Let us know how it goes! Good luck...

the_djoker

Hi all,
OK so It didn't go as well as I hoped but it could have been a lot worse.

It started a little shaky then got a lot better , then got shaky again - but ended very well - so overall I am happy.


Not making excuses but there was a problem with the connection to the overhead projector which delayed things a bit - so that threw me off :mad:

But as I said could have been worse.

Just glad it's over and I can enjoy the weekend,,

Mr E

Well done mate... gets easier with practice!

hefferboi

the_djoker wrote: »

Hi all,
OK so It didn't go as well as I hoped but it could have been a lot worse.

It started a little shaky then got a lot better , then got shaky again - but ended very well - so overall I am happy.


Not making excuses but there was a problem with the connection to the overhead projector which delayed things a bit - so that threw me off :mad:

But as I said could have been worse.

Just glad it's over and I can enjoy the weekend,,

That's another thing, you think you'll be grand then something fcuks up and you go pure nervous again. Tis awful :P