TIPS FOR CONFIDENT PRESENTING

Confident Presentation Skills

Confidence is the currency of the successful presenter. With confidence you earn the attention and respect of your audience.

But for many presenters their confidence disappears at the mention of the words PowerPoint or presentation. Why is that?

It's a dilemma. Not least because these same people are the most confident in other spheres. Confident drivers. Confident at sports. Confident at work.

Niggling self doubt and introspection too often leads to a lack of confidence. When you dwell on yourself and not your audience you don't package a confident message to others.

Sports players suffer from it. Imagining that they can't do it somehow fulfils their own prophecy. And when their mask of capability signals purpose and a can-do attitude-miraculously things happen. Think of a golfer's short play or a batsman's technique. Confidence is everything.

The trick is to adopt a presenter's mask of capability. A mask that projects enthusiasm, vibrancy and an interest in others and external things.

Packaging a confident message will help you to build your audience focus.

Pointers for your presenter's mask of capability

There are four main pointers for confident presenting:

1. Stand tall. Standing tall equates to self-confidence and pride in your work. And the opposite? Head down, looking at the floor suggests despond and despair-the hunched and saddened individual. Not an image that you want to present. Adopt a standing tall mask of capability when you present.

2. Use gestures. Aim to keep your hand and arm gestures symmetrical if possible. Bizarrely, your audience prefers symmetry. Use animation to signal your confidence.

3. Pace. Aim to keep it slow. Give yourself more thinking time. More time to link your ideas. More time to provide the right words. A careful and measured mask of capability, neither slow and hesitant nor rapid and breathless.

4. Dress. You should feel good about your dress. Dress for power and prestige. Dress to impress. Your external mask of capability is more than just the clothes you choose to wear; but dressing for power and confidence remains key.

Confident presenters use a mask of capability taking control of themselves, their situation and, importantly, their audience.

For more skills tips, you can always attend a PresentPerfect presentation training course.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge