Does the idea of standing before an audience, making a presentation to represent your business, make you break out in a sweat? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Public speaking, whether it’s in front of a large or small crowd, can make many of us want to turn and run the other way.

But the reality is that as a business leader representing your business through public speaking and presentation is crucial to successfully advancing your brand.

How Are Your Presentation Skills?

Have you ever thought about working with a professional to refine your presentation skills? While the initial cost might seem steep, in the long run, it can be a worthwhile investment in both yourself and your business.

Before committing to training, consider the various scenarios in which you might represent your brand. For instance, are you set to speak at an upcoming industry event? This could involve giving a keynote speech or participating in a panel discussion. Are you pitching new business, whether it’s one-on-one, with a small group of executives, or in-person/virtually? Perhaps you’re speaking to a news reporter or appearing on a podcast. Do you lead internal teams or have regular interaction with business stakeholders and clients? The possibilities are extensive.

Various Scenarios in Which You Might Represent Your Brand

Now that you know where you represent your brand, how can a professional media team help leverage your presentation expertise and advance your brand?

• Brand Representation: You embody your company’s brand. An impartial expert will help ensure that you are an outstanding brand advocate in all your interactions. Not only in the scenarios we’ve already mentioned, but also at networking events, while recruiting new talent and in everyday interactions.
• Brand Message: Your brand message is a powerful tool and sets you apart from your competition. An authority will help you to convey your message clearly and concisely across all presentation mediums.
• Message Delivery: How you deliver your message to your audience shouldn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach.  A professional can provide you with tips and tricks to make sure that your message is both authentic and tailored to your audience. When your message is well-delivered it enhances your credibility and engages your audience. They can also teach you how to stay on topic if someone or something tries to veer you off course.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Practice. Practice. Practice. Your professional is an authority and an impartial critic. They can guide you through practice scenarios and provide instant feedback. Maybe you use a crutch word, fidget, or need to make your message more concise. You can also practice in front of a mirror, with a client, or with someone from your internal team. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be.

Presentation Training Builds Confidence

As a business leader, presentation training can equip you with the tools and confidence needed to represent your brand effectively. Don’t shy away for the opportunity to refine these skills. Embrace the training, and you’ll find that the benefits extend far beyond the podium, positively influencing every aspect of your professional life.

You’re standing at the podium in front of the room with all 500 eyes on you. Waiting. On. Your. Every. Word. Is this your worst nightmare?

It can be a terrifying feeling for many – in fact, statistics indicate about 74% of people have a fear of public speaking. So if you can relate, you’re in good company. But knowing this doesn’t help when business requires a speech.

The solution? You’ve got to grab the presentation bull by the horns and practice. Honestly, the more you present, the better you’ll get, both in technique and in feeling relaxed when you’re at the head of the table.

Even if presenting doesn’t make you break out in a sweat, it never hurts to remind ourselves of a few best practices that will more fully engage audiences to achieve the desired outcome.

1. Research Your Audience. Know who you’re talking to – if you want to influence these people, you need to understand what they care about and what motivates them.

2. Start With a Good Story. Preferably one that the audience can relate to – and one that will make them laugh. Capture their attention right away.

3. Clarify the Goal of the Presentation. Before you even outline what you’re going to say, determine the end goal. Sharing a key process? Persuasion to a specific point of view? Providing status on a project? Then, as you’ve likely heard before, “Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. And tell them what you told them.” Keep it simple and on topic.

4. Make Eye Contact. Engagement happens when people feel like you’re talking to them versus at them. They’re more likely to actually hear you and buy into your content when they feel a more personal connection. Eye contact goes a long way in small, intimate meetings and large, seemingly impersonal audiences.

5. Project Your Voice. Everyone in the room, no matter how large, should be able to hear you – otherwise, what’s the point? Practice, if you can, in the room you’ll be in so you can gauge how loud you need to be – and don’t turn your back and talk to your slides instead of your audience.

6. Slow Down. Most people, when they’re nervous, don’t realize how quickly they talk. Concentrate on speaking slowly, pausing at key points, and giving meaning to your words.

7. Use Big Gestures. Not only is your voice and delivery important, so are your gestures. Command the space you’re inhabiting in front of the room. Move around, make a point with your hands – think like a TV weatherman! Your enthusiasm and passion for your subject should be evident in your actions.

8. Be Entertaining. A presentation is not the same as reading an informative article or textbook. It’s in person, and as such, the audience expects to have an emotional connection with the speaker. They want more than just the facts – they want to be engaged.

9. Anticipate Questions. Come prepared with answers to potential questions. You can’t possibly cover everything in one presentation, so what are people likely to ask? You’ve started a conversation, and an enthusiastic audience will want to know more.

10. Practice Like Crazy. Last but certainly not least, practice!!! When you know what you’re going to say backward and forward, you won’t have to worry about stumbling over words or losing your train of thought. And when you know your presentation, you won’t read slides, which keeps your audience focused on you.

Have more tips? All of us on the Porch would like to hear from you!