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One silly mistake I have made in the past was not checking the time beforehand and therefore not knowing whether I was risking going over the number of minutes allowed. It was a very basic, silly mistake - I know, but definitely worth remembering - especially when you're feeling nervous to begin with.
Actually, the best thing to do is get a good night's sleep the night before (no alcohol or caffeine), be at the speaking venue early to check out the area where you will speak, and go get 'em!
@Becky Carroll: You wouldn't recommend heavy drinking to calm your nerves before speaking? Hhhm... *grin*
@CB Whittemore: You had some great tips. I'm glad I could link over in your direction.
In general though, I think sonic training should be part of every entrepreneur's verbal fitness program.
I enjoyed it.
I like the tips you have shared. They made sense and when effort is applied to them, they work!
Straight forward useful points to presentations you've got there.
Excel Beyond Excellence always!
@Mitch: If I had the time to read Presentation Zen it would probably be a good idea. But...I'll be winging it as best I can!
Thanks again to everyone who has commented so far.
I agree with Stanley, go get Kawasaki's "Art of the Start" and read carefully what he says.
My humble experience of 2 presentations in 2 days (not as big as DEMO though) says that I was among the few who dealt with the allocated 7 and 5 minutes respectively saying exactly what I wanted to say.
And writing is a thing, but speaking in front of people be it its 5 or 100 listeners, it requires, in my opinion, some previous preparation: you don't want to be asked a question and stay in "mute status".
Great tips. Thank you Ben!
@Gunady: I certainly wouldn't get overly caught up in hand gestures and the such -- but -- I've often heard it said that a very high percentage of how you're perceived is body language, not what you're saying. In this case, people will be focused more on the demonstration itself and less on me ... so I'm less worried about how I move around, except to stay as comfortable as possible.
@Dennis: I haven't done a ton of practice in front of people yet for my speech either. That starts tomorrow and Monday, although I did a run through the other day with a small audience.
Thanks for sharing. Nice tips you give here - I´ll use them tommorrow in school :)
Greetings, a dansih guy
*** Be sure to use your eyes in your presentation ***
Casually, look at different people in your audience as you give your presentation. Don't scan the audience too quickly or it will appear you are seeking someone out for reassurance. Make a personal connection with each person you look at, sometimes for affect (if you are talking about a target customer an he/she appears to reflect one) and other times to get feedback (it is amazing what seeing an audience member smile back at you has on your confidence). Be sure to look towards the back rows too, even though in a space with 700+ people it will be hard to see them individually. Just don't stare at the back wall because your eyes will look like they're staring at the ceiling. Good luck!!!
Imagine that everyone in the audience have no clothes on - then everything dosnt seem so important :)
I tried the tip with the "no clothes audience", and it didn't work for me ;) I lost concentration right away, and kept focusing on one particular girl, and couldn't stop imaging her with no clothes :)