Done your preparation prior to speaking, now it’s time to face the audience. For many people this is where the nerves really hit, but it’s worth remembering that in the vast majority of cases the audience is completely on your side. They have given up their valuable time to listen to you and in 99.9% of cases are actually willing you to be a great speaker. They want to share your knowledge, be inspired or be entertained, ideally all three.

Take courage that the audience is already on your side and will forgive almost any flaw in your presentation style as long as you are saying something worth listening to. Everyone knows that it is tough to speak in public, they will have either done it themselves and know what you are going through or they are sat in awe that you had the bottle to stand up and speak, wishing they could be so brave themselves.

OK, deep breath, smile and engage your audience. Begin by offering thanks to whoever invited you or to the audience for coming along. Do not apologise for any perceived failings you may have, saying “I’m sorry i’m not very good at this” is a bad idea, people want you to be good and they want to agree with you, by suggesting you are not up to scratch it just makes people agree with that sentiment. Be confident and launch into what you have to say with as much confidence as you can muster.

If you are invited as an expert or someone with experience it probably means you are talking on a subject you enjoy and have an understanding of; try to impart your passion as much as your knowledge of the topic. People will have a limited opportunity to take notes but by enthusing them on your subject they will go away and do research themselves or if you are promoting a product or service will be convinced you are the person to do business with.

Speak slowly, clearly and with authority. Engage your audience with your eyes as well as your words, you know your lines, you have the cue cards and you have prepared properly on a subject you want to talk about, so connect with them and get your message across. Even with a large audience you can make eye contact, even if you can’t identify those at the back you can still look at them and make them feel involved. If possible try to find a friendly face, ideally someone you know to look for when you need reassurance.

Try not to fidget in a noticeable manner, focus your nervous energy. I always twist my wedding ring on my finger, a small controlled movement that doesn’t distract the audience but controls my hands and calms my nerves. When you do make gestures make them full and whole hearted, in sync with your words, not weakly trailing along as an after-thought.

It’s OK to walk about if the setting allows it but avoid falling off the stage! Rocking back and forward on the balls of your feet is also very distracting to an audience, plant your feet solidly on the ground and remain steady and balanced. Strangely this feeling of being solid also gives you inner confidence as well as presenting a confident and stable impression to those listening.

If possible, keep an eye on the time so as to keep within your allocated slot, but do not keep looking at your watch unless you have taken it off and placed it somewhere convenient to glance at. Don’t give the impression you would rather be somewhere else.

When you reach the end, thank your audience for listening and draw to a close. If appropriate, make yourself available afterwards for follow up questions or comments after the talk. If it’s a selling situation try to get attendees to provide their contact details, you might offer an incentive to obtain this information. If you get details then follow up with a call, email or letter, if you don’t follow up properly then don’t be surprised if you don’t sell.

In summary, know why you are speaking, identify your key message, rehearse your talk, be confident, connect with the audience and make sure you follow up afterwards.
Oh and enjoy yourself! It’s a very empowering feeling when successfully completed. Good luck.

About The Author: Nigel Wilkinson is Managing Director at WNW Design and has recently launched a new business www.nican.co.uk . In addition to his business interests, Nigel is married to Yoga Dance teacher Michelle, the father of teenage twins, Chairman of Exmouth Chamber of Commerce, an avid Networker, a Social Media commentator, a keen golfer and football supporter. You can follow him on Twitter @nigelwnw, email at nigel@wnwdesign.co.uk or telephone on 08456 588310. You can also follow WNW Design on Facebook here.

So you have agreed to speak in public to an audience, either in a presentation, an interview, a speech or as part of a panel of experts. This could be in a business setting, to a broadcast media such as radio or at a social function; whichever it is you are doubtless nervous, keen to make a good impression and quite possibly regretting your bravado when you said yes.

Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of speaking in many different situations and have experienced all these emotions and quite a few others. Please note, I am not a presentation coach, nor have I used one, but to those of you who are about to embark on this path here are a few tips based on my personal experiences.

First of all, clearly establish why you have been asked or why you volunteered to speak. What is expected of you? Are you an expert on a subject? Are you promoting a product, service, event or charity? If a social function, such as a wedding, who are you talking about and why? Be clear in the role you are expected to fill and you can then prepare accordingly.

Preparation is central to successful speaking, it enables you to organise your thoughts, clarify your message and to master your emotions. If you turn up having done no research, with no notes and no understanding of your audience then you are right to feel nervous. Remember the five P’s, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. If you know deep down inside that you have prepared as well as possible, you have that inner confidence to reassure you.

Think carefully, what is the message you want to get across before you write your presentation. What are the key facts? People, products, services, places, numbers, events, contact details. Ensure that whatever your key points are that you place emphasis on the core message. The old adage says, “Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them. Don’t blow your big opportunity to get your message across.”

Keep the language at an appropriate level, avoid jargon wherever you can, or if you must use jargon give an explanation in simple terms. Don’t swear should go without saying but what about humour? Humour is very subjective, what one person finds funny is offensive to another. Keep the tone suitable for the occasion without being too dry, in some settings it might be right to be risque, the best man’s speech is a classic example, but hints and suggestions can still get the message over without upsetting the bride’s mother.

If presenting a seminar or speech, write the speech in full, read it, time it, amend it if needed, read it again and learn it, like an actor learning lines. Make sure you are comfortable with the material and it sounds natural when spoken out loud. Next make key point notes on a series of cards, not re-writing the full speech, just bullet points or even pictures that will remind you what comes next.

Using visual images in a PowerPoint presentation or similar is a great way of reinforcing your message. But beware “Death by PowerPoint!” Do not put your script on display and read it out-loud. The visual display should be images, graphs or bullet points to reinforce your message. Keep it clear, simple and supportive of your speech.

If you are on a panel or likely to face questions give some thought to what questions may be asked and prepare some answers. Stories and examples of what has worked for you or clients is a great way of answering questions.

When a question is very specific to an individual don’t bore the entire audience, invite the person to chat after the session. If the question is beyond your technical knowledge, or you don’t have the answer to hand, don’t show your ignorance by waffling, offer to check the facts and ask the person to provide their contact details. Then follow up afterwards.
On the day, dress the part. Make sure you present the image you are looking to portray, even if you are going on the radio. If you feel smart, comfortable and look good your confidence will grow accordingly.

When it’s nearing time to face your audience, if possible remove yourself from the situation briefly. Go to the toilet, check your appearance, (double check flies on leaving the toilet) re-read your notes for a final time. Put on your bravest smile and face your public.

OK what to do when you face the audience in part two of the Blog…

About The Author: Nigel Wilkinson is Managing Director at WNW Design and has recently launched a new business www.nican.co.uk . In addition to his business interests, Nigel is married to Yoga Dance teacher Michelle, the father of teenage twins, Chairman of Exmouth Chamber of Commerce, an avid Networker, a Social Media commentator, a keen golfer and football supporter. You can follow him on Twitter @nigelwnw, email at nigel@wnwdesign.co.uk or telephone on 08456 588310. You can also follow WNW Design on Facebook here.