I ran across this article by Doc Searls, and thought folks here might
enjoy it.
It's the story, stupid[0]
Don't let presentation software keep you from getting your story
across
[0] http://www.searls.com/present.html
I've cut his closing paragraph here - it applies to any presentation.
The body of the article talks a lot more about making sure that the
story gets across, with or without presentation software.
0. Use your emotions. Emotions are real. They authenticate us. And
they're much more interesting than the absence of them.
1. Talk with your hands. Look at Tom Peters, who gets dozens of
thousands of dollars for emoting loudly and chopping the air with
hands. Or listen to Rush Limbaugh, who becomes a visual presence on
the radio just by pounding the table and rattling papers.
2. Converse, don't perform. Nobody listens as a group. They listen
only for themselves. Talk to each of them. Address individuals in
the audience. Look them in the eye, then look at the next
one. Connections are personal. You have the stage for the moment,
but really you're in half a conversation. If you succeed, you'll
start hearing the other half from all over the audience.
3. Use first and second person voices. This is about me and you. Not
other people.
4. Command the space. The stage is yours. Move around. Don't stay
behind the podium, if there is one. Step out into the open, where
you can talk without any barriers between you and your
audience. Get into a place where you can see the screen as well as
they can.
5. Stand to the left of the screen. People read left to right. They
should start with you and move to the screen.
6. Break the flow. In the middle of your talk, turn off the screen (if
you can) and change the subject. Bring props and show them to the
crowd. Kill all threats to monotony.
7. Rehearse at least twice. Get comfortable with everything you're
talking about, not just your "script." Words are hard to
remember. Meaning is easy. You get meaning across if you don't
stumble over your words. And you won't stumble if you've rehearsed
often and well.
8. Watch yourself. This is why a coach is so important. It's shocking
to see yourself on tape, and awful to get critiqued by an
amateur. But there's no better lessons than the ones you learn by
watching yourself and learning form your mistakes.
9. Edit aggressively. Less is more. Create a market for your next
presentation by leaving the sequel out of this one.
--
Michael R. Wolf
All mammals learn by playing!
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
