Slides from a webinar offered for attendees of the Museums and the Web 2013 annual conference on presentation skills and tips.
http://mw2013.museumsandtheweb.com/mw2013-speaker-training-free-webinars/
Delivery of content as critical as content itselfhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/sfmoma/5238691571/sizes/l/in/set-72157625544425804/All rights reserved by SFMOMA
That’s why you are at MW!I’d like to challenge you put as much focus on how you are going to deliver that content as you put into developing that contentMost people spend their time and energy working on their slides and their scriptBut they ignore this other stuffhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/thelittlegreenumbrella/3224414667/sizes/z/All rights reserved by Beth.R
We live in era of TED talks, streaming video, etc.Bar has definitely been raised in last 11 years since I’ve been attending MWMost people spend their time and energy working on their slides and their scriptBut they ignore the other stuffToday I’m going to give you a few very basic tips on how to improve the delivery of your presentationhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/sfmoma/5600847495/sizes/l/in/set-72157626456252230/All rights reserved sfmoma
Time your talkPractice for your spouse, roommate, cat, dog!You can even videotape yourself on your iphone if you really want to work on your skillsThis makes you more comfortable with content so that you can start to focus on things like body language, eye contactIt’s also a courtesy to your other speakers –does your talk meet alloted time?http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksun/1526891455/sizes/z/in/photostream/All rights reserved by pinksun331
Whatever helps you relaxTake a walk through conference hotel hallsHigh five one your friends several timesJumping jacksIt gets your energy upAnd what audience doesn’t want to hear a high-energy speaker?Don’t review your notes the day of – you already know it
I have been very influenced by a Ted talk Social psychologist at Harvard, Amy Cuddy I urge you to watch her talkIn her talk, she talks about how body language not only affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Her research shows how “power posing” -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident – for as little as two minutes before your presentation can decrease the stress hormone cortisol and increase testosteronePower postures are what we call “high status” body language in improvisational theater
Before your talk, try this:Take up space with your body.Notice how far apart your feet are normally and if you don't feel powerful, Stand or with your feet as little as one inch further apart to feel lion like stability and presence.Feel confident and powerful
Another power pose (this one probably better to do in bathroom, depending on where you are!)I did this in bathroom recently before a very high-stakes interview and it worked! Got me out of my head.I argue that we need to pay attention to this before you give your talk, while on stage, and afterwards when talking to audience members
Making eye contact is not easy when up on a stage in ballroom, or facing a room of faces illuminated by iPhones and iPadsIncreased credibility (people who don’t make eye contact seem nervous and possibly dishonest)You will sound more conversational and, if you tend to talk too fast, you probably will slow down a little.Your presentation will be more powerful.Feedback from audienceThe MAIN THING to remember: Talk to one person at a time.Make contact with one person, hold it, then pick anotherDarting eyes increases adrenalizeHolding eye contact calms you down Some rights reserved by Choconancy1http://www.flickr.com/photos/choconancy/8017463023/sizes/c/in/set-72157631588554014/
Hard not to take it personallyAre you boring? Not if you’ve followed all the steps I’ve outlined so far!Consider that the audience has been offered a better, more irresistible experience that they can’t ignore:Twitter: a cacophony of highlights, commentary, analysis, jokes and criticism.On a Huffington Post article about SXSW from a few weeks ago, Twitter was likened to a visual heroin that addicted everyone presenthttp://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxsomerville/6821024564/sizes/h/Some rights reserved by tedxsomerville
If possible -- Stand or sit Because we read left to rightThen you can gesture towards slideGo to white slide at end so illuminates youhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/chocolatedisco/2413574199/in/pool-mw2008By Intiaz Rahim
This takes practice
If you want to really practice this stuff, you could join ToastmasersLicenseSome rights reserved by Ross@Texashttp://www.flickr.com/photos/rosstsai/4096357032/sizes/z/
Or, something after my own heart, take an improv class!http://www.flickr.com/photos/menlophoto/3576142755/sizes/z/All rights reserved by Menlo Photo Bank
But most important of all – have fun!! All rights reserved by the d.schoolhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/cba-dschool/6757756307/sizes/z/in/set-72157629019745789/