The document outlines essential skills for effective public speaking and presentation, emphasizing the importance of making a strong first impression and engaging the audience. It discusses communication dynamics, including the roles of body language, vocal variety, and emotional tone, while providing tips for starting talks, using visual aids, and ethically presenting content. Additionally, it offers practical guidance on PowerPoint techniques to enhance clarity and engagement during presentations.

1. Basic Presentation Skills by Carol Merlo M.Ed. www.carolmerlo.com

2. What this training will cover Basic Public Speaking Skills Effective Powerpoint Presentations

3. Basic Public Speaking Skills

4. Context for Understanding We think at 600 wpm but speak at 150-225 wpm Normal Attention span is 17 seconds We need to capture interest so minds don’t wander.

5. The First Seven Seconds Seven seconds is the average length of time you have to make a first impression. If your first impression is not good you won' t get another good chance with that person. It takes 5 positive encounters to cancel out 1 negative encounter.

6. What People Notice Face to Face: 93% of how you are judged is based on your appearance and body language. 7% is influenced by the words that you speak. On the Phone 70% of how you are perceived is based on your tone of voice. 30% on your words. People won’t remember what you said; they’ll remember HOW you said it!

7. The Three Brains The Human Brain-Cerebrum In two halves. Problem Solving, Language, Movement, Visual Processing, Music, Intelligence, Thought. Left Brain Logic, Reason, Language, Detail, Patterns Right Brain Spatial Awareness, Big Picture, Abstract Corpus Callosum Conduit between the two halves. Bigger in Women. The Emotional Brain- The Limbic System Fear, Anxiety, Peace. Influences decision making. Long term memory. The Old Brain- The Cerebellum Breathing, Heart Beat, Blood Pressure, and Survival Responses.

8. The Old Brain Makes the Decisions Focuses on Survival and Preservation . Likes Simple Choices . Otherwise, it enters a state of confusion. Scans for what is Familiar and Friendly . Forgets most everything in the middle. Place the most important content at the beginning , and repeat it at the end. It is visual and emotional. Use Word Pictures that evoke emotions .

9. Successful Communication Requires Mirroring the other person’s: Inflection Rate Emotional Tone Level Body Language AND: Using Simple Content that Evokes Emotion Record Yourself

10. Successful Communication 1. Inflection and Vocal Variety 2. Rate OR

11. Successful Communication 3. Body Language

12. Successful Communication 4. Emotional Tone Level Boisterous Bonnie Boring Barry Interested Irene

13. Starting your Talk Be introduced whenever possible Use Attention Grabbers Establish Audience Rapport Create a Transition into your main topic

14. What Should the Introducer Do? Welcome everyone and create excitement Give a brief bio List the speaker's outstanding qualifications related to his/her topic. Generate applause and state the speaker’s name Please give a warm welcome to… Let’s give it up for…

15. Attention Grabbers Start with a story Startling fact Quotation Dramatic gesture Rhetorical question Joke Reference to a current event

16. Example:

17. Outline your Opportunity Talk Get their attention State the problem Present the solution Get them to visualize it Ask for commitment Give them a handout

18. Get their Attention

19. State the Problem So they Feel that Something Needs to be Done

20. Present the Solution This is what to do to satisfy the need.

21. Get Them to Visualize “ I can see myself enjoying doing this!” 1 Packet just 2 times per day!

22. Ask for a Commitment

23. Give them a Handout Fill in the __________ Give them a Notes Page View Give them an Outline View Give them a Handout View Only give the handout beforehand if they are going to use it for notes.

24. The Ethics of Being a Speaker Be prepared Be accurate Reveal your sources- credit where credit is due. Be on time

25. Keep their Attention Use Vocal Variety Walk around Ask questions of the audience or have the audience fill in the… Use a fill in the blanks handout.

26. Keys to Success Memorize your first and last sentences Practice in the mirror Get yourself into ‘state’ Focus on one person in each area of the room so it looks like you are looking at each person in the room. YES!

27. How to Improve Toastmasters, International Dale Carnegie Course Volunteer to speak at local meetings Do presentations at bookstores and health food stores. Anything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Poorly---At First!

28. Effective Powerpoint Presentations Font Size and Colors Spelling Backgrounds Text and Graphics What to Say Keep it Simple

29. Fonts Verdana , Tahoma , and Arial. Bold typefaces are preferred. Headings should be 32 pt. or larger. Text should be 28 pt. or larger if possible. Bold is better than standard text . Avoid italics , if possible. Underscoring , “enclosing in quotation marks” or bolding is preferred.

30. Text and background should be of high contrast: Colors If the background is dark, the text should be very light in color. If the background is light, the text should be very dark in color.

31. Colors Good combinations for text & backgrounds: Black and White Yellow and Violet Dark Red and White Yellow and Dark Blue Dark Green and White Dark Blue and White Black and Yellow

32. Spelling 1. Use your spell checker 2. Sometimes you will need a dictionary Examples: Loose Weight or Lose Weight Loose Change or Lose Change

33. Using Graphics Graphics should be of high-contrast and have good clarity. Black and white line drawings are preferred over gray scale graphics. Text on maps or charts should adhere to large print guidelines. Clip art can be useful for conveying the abstract but photos look more professional.

35. Backgrounds Backgrounds should be simple, not graphical, and should usually be one color. Gray should be avoided in either text or background on Power Point presentations.

36. Backgrounds

39. Animation Schemes Fly in from left Peek from left Wipe right Appear Except for appear, animation features should always present text beginning on the left, as in normal reading style.

40. Animation Schemes Flying characters or spiraling design elements, should be avoided unless they are used to denote directionality of movement of an element. How to Turn a Cycle… … into a Spiral

41. PowerPoint's Options for Handouts

42. Give them a Notes Page View

43. Give them an Outline View

44. Give them a Handout View

45. Keep it Simple No more than 3 different blocks of information on each slide. OR No more than 7 individual lines of information total (this does not include the heading or title). Think about the person in the back of the room.

48. Go For It!

49. You Can Do It, too!