Know the needs of your audience and match your contents to
their needs. Know your material thoroughly. Put what you have to say in a
logical sequence. Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as
well as worth their time and attention. Practice and rehearse your speech at
home or where you can be at ease and comfortable, in front of a mirror, your
family, friends or colleagues. Use a tape-recorder and listen to yourself.
Videotape your presentation and analyze it. Know what your strong and weak
points are. Emphasize your strong points during your presentation.
When you are presenting in front of an audience, you are
performing as an actor is on stage. How you are being perceived is very
important. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Be solemn if your topic is
serious. Present the desired image to your audience. Look pleasant,
enthusiastic, confident, proud, but not arrogant. Remain calm. Appear relaxed,
even if you feel nervous. Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and show appropriate
emotion and feeling relating to your topic. Establish rapport with your
audience. Speak to the person farthest away from you to ensure your voice is
loud enough to project to the back of the room. Vary the tone of your voice and
dramatize if necessary. If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your
voice accordingly.
Body language is important. Standing, walking or moving
about with appropriate hand gesture or facial expression is preferred to
sitting down or standing still with head down and reading from a prepared
speech. Use audio-visual aids or props for enhancement if appropriate and
necessary. Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well
before your presentation. Do not over-dazzle your audience with excessive use
of animation, sound clips, or gaudy colors which are inappropriate for your
topic.
