2. Presentation Skills
• Strategies for becoming a better public
speaker
• Strategies for developing stronger
presentations
• Strategies for calming nerves
5. Six Strategies You Can Use
• Planning
• Practice
• Engaging your audience
• Body Language
• Thinking Positively
• Calming Nerves
6. Planning
• Structure what you want to say
– Outlines help!
• Strong opening
– Attention grabbers
– Humor
• Closing remarks
• Planning helps you think on your feet, especially
during unpredictable Q & A
• Make it your own!
7. Practice
• Practice, practice, practice!
– In front of family
– PTA meetings
– Video yourself
• Things to look for
– Verbal stalls
– Are you smiling?
– Gestures
– How did you handle interruptions?
8. Engaging your Audience
• Ask leading questions
• Encourage your audience to participate
• Make eye contact
• Pay attention to how you are speaking
• Do Not READ to your audience
• Using a podium
10. Body Language
• Stand up straight
• Refrain from crossing your arms
• Standing on one foot
• Avoid gestures that feel unnatural
11. “ The way you overcome fear and
shyness is to become so wrapped
up in something that you forget to
be afraid” Lady Bird Johnson
12. Calming Nerves
• Know your audience
• Know your material
• Structure your presentation
• Calm yourself from the inside
13. Know your Audience
• Ask before hand who will be your audience?
• What do they already know about your topic?
– Are they experts?
– Will your information be brand new?
• Is there a meeting before/after? What topics
will be covered?
Tip: Greet people at the door
14. Know Your Material
• Read the modules!
• Do your own research about the topic
• The audience is looking at you as the “Expert”
• Do not try to cover everything you know
about the topic
– Select points that are relevant for this audience
15. Structure your Presentation
• Key phrases on index cards or Power point
• Avoid Memorizing what you want to say
• Create natural breaks within your presentation
– Ask a question
– Provide an activity
16. Calm yourself from the inside
• Practice deep breathing
• Drink water
• Smile
• Use visualization techniques
• Speak more slowly than you would in a
conversation
• Move around during your presentation, this
expends nervous energy
