MOSES! i gotta do a presentation in front of hundreds!

[widgeon13]

I have done it a few times and find a large group much easier than a small one because you really don't make personal contact with the audience like you do with a small group. Know your subject, be confident and no BS, you'll do just fine.

Most stressful events for me have been funeral eulogies, have done two for very good friends and I was on egg shells, emotional stress and just saying the right things, not too serious and not too funny. It's one of those events in life where you truly believe every eye is one you.

I never took any of these events lightly and good preparation is critical for me.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do just fine. It's natural to be nervous but you can be confident as well w/o being cocky.

[Superman]

I've done a fair bit of public speaking, and learned to really have fun with it. My suggestions will mirror many of the above, but I'll focus on one thing others don't seem to stress:

Yes, know your subject matter. I assume you do.

Do not hand out stuff that will distract your audience during your talk.

Do not write a speech. Write an outline. Just follow the outline.

Keep it brief. Unless you are being told to fill a two-hour hole in the agenda, keep your presentation simple and streamlined.

And most importantly, TALK SLOWLY. Not just 10% slower than normal. Between 50% and 100% slower than normal. Give the audience your piercing gaze.......open your mouth, and make fully-enunciated statement and then close your mouth and continue to gaze at the audience. Then......do the same thing again, same statement. And pause again. This helps them listen and remember. It makes your remarks seem important.

As the old saying goes "Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them that, then tell them what you told them." Seriously. If your effectiveness is perfect, you will still be able to count on one hand the things they will remember. Really, the limit is about THREE.

And again, remember......PAUSE is your friend. After every important remark......PAUSE. For five or ten seconds.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Superman

And most importantly, TALK SLOWLY. Not just 10% slower than normal. Between 50% and 100% slower than normal.

If he talks 100% slower, he can just skip the whole thing...

[widgeon13]

Or he could just talk like the "O"man and no one would listen anyway!

[Rikao4]

Supe is right..
if he doesn't remember to go slow..
he will find his 20 min. spiel is done in 8..
practice..and practice..
layed my watch on the podium..
outline marked in time..
be here 3 minutes in..here at 6 and so on..
relaxs..
you will not remember that your zipper is down..
and you've got mismatched shoes on..

Rika

[crustychief]

Aside form some posts there is really sound advice from all. Good Luck! and keeps the uh's and ah's to a minimum!

[flatbutt]

Vash, if you know the topic well just act like you're having a conversation with the audience. Don't read the slides, don't lecture them...just share what you know with them. Works for me.

[Z-man]

I have given presentations to large groups of people a good dozen or so times. (500, 1000, even 2000 people). Pretty much all of what was said above holds true.

You will probably be nervous in the first 10-30 seconds -- recognize this, and work through it. The quicker to get over the barrier, the less likely anyone will notice that you were nervous to begin with!

Definately use an outline, not a word-for-word speech.

Humor is fantastic, but I have a golden rule about humor -- use it sparingly, and if 20% of the audience 'gets it,' then your humor has succeeded - then the remaining 80% of the audience will listen more intently to make sure they don't 'miss out' the next time you say something funny.

Know your material, and know what you do not know. If asked about something that you are unfamiliar with, don't be afraid to say you don't know. Chances are, the person asking the question already knows the answer and may be trying to discredit your whole presentation.

If using powerpoint -- use large fonts. 3-5 major points per slide. These points should not be verbose, and should not give away the main point. Either 'clear the board' with each new slide, or reveal each point one at a time on a given slide. (Clear the board = "On the topic of X, I would ike to address the following points: 1. blah blah blah. 2. Blah blah blah. 3. Blah blah blah...). If you don't "clear the board," then while you are addressing your first point, your audience will be reading the rest of your points, and not paying attention to you.

If making eye contact with your audience worries you, you can simply focus on just behind the last row of people. But make sure your gaze does not stay in a specific spot -- be sure to pan bach and forth. That being said, a good presenter NEEDS to be able to look the audience in the eye in order to read them. Their faces can reveal if your pace is too slow or fast, if your points are clear, if your volume is good...etc.

Have someone in the back of the room hold up a countdown sign - 15 - 10 - 5 - END at the appropriate times. This will help if you need to increase your pace or slow it down. However, beyond a tiny nod to that person recogizing your time left, do not let the rest of the audience in on the fact that someone back there is helping you keep track of your time. (I hate it when presenters state, "The guy in the back of the room just gave me the 5 minute warning - I'd better finish up quickly...)

If someone is trying to side-track your presentation, don't be afraid to say, "Why don't you and I discuss that topic during the next break? I'd like to get into more detail on that, but I simply don't have the time to do so right now." This will help dispell not only that heckler, but others who may attempt to take your presentation off track.

Keep your hands out of your pockets, and out of your face.

Use a laser pointer if applicable. But use it sparingly, or not at all if your have a shaky hand.

Keep a bottle of water close by in case you get dry throat.

Expect technical difficulties and have plans to counter them. For example: Have a copy of your powerpoint in print infront of you in case your laptop dies, and have a copy of your presentation in at least two formats (original power-point and ADF) on a thumb drive.

Most important - have fun up there!

-Zoltan.

[Tim Hancock]

Vash, I am no doctor, but a family member who is says that beta blockers taken by many for high blood pressure are known to alleviate many "symptoms" of "stage fright". While researching this a bit on Google while wondering how it would help shooting in pistol matches, I read somewhere that s many as 25% of professional musicians take one prior to big performances to control any shakiness associated with stage fright.

It has been banned in Olympic shooting/archery. I believe it is also banned in many other shooting competition due to how it gives some people an unfair advantage.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Superman

I've done a fair bit of public speaking, and learned to really have fun with it. My suggestions will mirror many of the above, but I'll focus on one thing others don't seem to stress:

Yes, know your subject matter. I assume you do.

Do not hand out stuff that will distract your audience during your talk.

Do not write a speech. Write an outline. Just follow the outline.

Keep it brief. Unless you are being told to fill a two-hour hole in the agenda, keep your presentation simple and streamlined.

And most importantly, TALK SLOWLY. Not just 10% slower than normal. Between 50% and 100% slower than normal. Give the audience your piercing gaze.......open your mouth, and make fully-enunciated statement and then close your mouth and continue to gaze at the audience. Then......do the same thing again, same statement. And pause again. This helps them listen and remember. It makes your remarks seem important.

As the old saying goes "Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them that, then tell them what you told them." Seriously. If your effectiveness is perfect, you will still be able to count on one hand the things they will remember. Really, the limit is about THREE.

And again, remember......PAUSE is your friend. After every important remark......PAUSE. For five or ten seconds.

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Vash, I am no doctor, but a family member who is says that beta blockers taken by many for high blood pressure are known to alleviate many "symptoms" of "stage fright". While researching this a bit on Google while wondering how it would help shooting in pistol matches, I read somewhere that s many as 25% of professional musicians take one prior to big performances to control any shakiness associated with stage fright.

It has been banned in Olympic shooting/archery. I believe it is also banned in many other shooting competition due to how it gives some people an unfair advantage.

This is all you need to know. Superman recommends solid public speaking technique. Tim is talking about low dose Beta blockers that slow the heart rate and "trick" the body into thinking you're calm. It's pharmacologic biofeedback. It works wonders.

[targa911S]

You'll be fine. Just be relaxed and yourself. Sure the first few moments are always nerve whracking but, every time and I mean every time I walk out on stage or start to play in front of people, my knees are weak for the first two or three songs. It's natural. Once you get going you will be fine. I've had to stand in front of 20,000 people and 20 people it's always the same. Glad you can't see that far in a dark room. Outdoors you can see a heat bloom over them sometimes. That's pretty cool.

Practice, practice practice. Don't memorize it or it will sound memorized. Remember the arrangement, not every note.


Right Gogar?

[audiman08]

I have to brief some Navy big-wigs flying in from Virginia during my reserve drill this weekend. I think what helps me is trying to take my time, and not rushing myself. When your lips get ahead of your mind, you start getting frustrated and it usually shows. Just be confident and don't rush. Good luck, and don't sweat it!

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

my first "real" large group, i just jotted down 10 important things in outline form, in case i needed it. never needed it. by the time i had organized my thoughts on a card, no problem.

now, with todays prepackaged presentations, i just go in and wing it. the hard part is keeping it on topic as it goes astray.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by Moses

Inderal. Small doses. Miracle drug.

I have to look into this...I have severe anxiety and freeze up when I have to speak, even if there are only 4 people in the room! It's very embarrasing, I sometimes have to literally stop and take a pause because I'm stammering so bad...seems to be getting worse with my age (I'm 40)...

Any other social situation I'm fine, just happens when I'm in a meeting usually with a potential client!

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Paul T

I have to look into this...I have severe anxiety and freeze up when I have to speak, even if there are only 4 people in the room! It's very embarrasing, I sometimes have to literally stop and take a pause because I'm stammering so bad...seems to be getting worse with my age (I'm 40)...

Any other social situation I'm fine, just happens when I'm in a meeting usually with a potential client!

I used to be EXACTLY the same way. Inderal fixed it. I am pretty comfortable now, even without it. I've done a little bit of TV stuff, too and it works wonders. The best part is it's not a sedative or tranquilizer. It has NO effect on your ability to think clearly. It just keeps your pulse and blood pressure low and steady. I highly recommend it.

[gunlover05]

all good advice here...i do 5 or 6 presentations a year in front of about 400 international sales people...

my simple advice: be openly PASSONATE about what you are presenting, and speak with a semi-LOUD voice..not screaming of course, but one notch above normal...

remember don't take for granted they are listening because you are standing up there...shorter and too the point is always better

[vash]

i will practice, repeatedly. i know the topic very well. i have been living/working it for the last 4 years.

and inderal..i may email my doc, and bounce it past her.

[A930Rocket]

All I know is that for the few times I had to speak in front of a group, they didn't give a hoot about what I was talking about.

At least that's what I tell myself.

[Erakad]

Great advice here, the only thing I can add (and it too was recommended) is practice, practice, practice. I usually know what slide is up without even looking...it's all in the timing.

Oh, heed the good advice and speak slowly, move on the stage...but don't pace.

[Sunroof]

An old college Professor once told me about public speaking, "if you hear yourself talk, your in trouble"! When I was with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division I was literally pushed into talking about pending hazardous waste rules and regulations to huge organizations (Wood Preservers of America, Pulp and Paper Industry, Chemical Manufacturers, etc). Their I was with in huge room full of people. It was a podium with shakey knees, dry mouth, fight or flight and oh God, do not let me Fu#* up! A real Don Knotts!!!

I finally controlled the angst with an opening joke that not only helped me get through the initial few minutes but literally placed me into auto-pilot. In fact, you could'nt shut me up!

The key is. KNOW YOUR SUBJECT and you will do just fine.

Good luck

Bob