At the last minute, I signed up to be a speaker for a recent meeting of my Toastmasters club. To make it easy on myself, I decided to present an excerpt from a tried-and-true presentation I’d given many times before. What I didn’t expect was to receive feedback that would make my speech even … [Read more...] about Think your presentation’s awesome? Get some feedback.
Bad at public speaking? Not a problem!
On September 28, Elon Musk contradicted everything I've ever learned about public speaking. He stuttered, looked nervous, went off on tangents, and forgot where his slides were. But guess what? He gave a great presentation! Mr. Musk spoke at an event that was being held at a SpaceX launch site in … [Read more...] about Bad at public speaking? Not a problem!
How inclusive are your presentations?
From being picked last for a team in gym class to not being invited to an after-work get-together, it feels bad not to be included. I recently experienced that sensation firsthand. And I didn't like it one bit. Could you be creating that same feeling of exclusion during your own presentations and … [Read more...] about How inclusive are your presentations?
What’s your Presentation Plan B?
If you've been presenting for any length of time, you've experienced some sort of technical glitch in your presentation. How presenters react to technical glitches is what separates the pros from the noobs! Have a Plan B for when things go south. Here are two examples of real-life presentation … [Read more...] about What’s your Presentation Plan B?
Lawyer vs. Lawyer: A study in public speaking
Public speaking takes many forms, from TED talks to client presentations to teaching and beyond. I recently served on a jury, exposing me to another kind of public speaking: lawyering. A trial lawyer has to be a very good presenter. No matter how skilled he is in matters of the law, no matter how … [Read more...] about Lawyer vs. Lawyer: A study in public speaking
How to create a fun PowerPoint game
PowerPoint is often viewed as an instrument of destruction. True, in the hands of an uncaring person a PowerPoint presentation can ruin any idea. However, I recently came across the use of PowerPoint as a force for good that I'd like to share with you. Not only did the presenter use PowerPoint in an … [Read more...] about How to create a fun PowerPoint game
A great presentation is more than just pretty slides
It can be daunting to create a presentation from scratch. Many people start by designing a set of great-looking slides, then developing a script to match. But this is the exact opposite of what you should be doing. You need to start with a strong foundation of ideas and words before you get to the … [Read more...] about A great presentation is more than just pretty slides
Best. PowerPoint. Ever.
A TED Talk slide deck is the antithesis of Death by PowerPoint. There are few (if any) bullet points, overly complicated slides, and speakers don't narrate what's on screen. Instead, the slides advance automatically behind the speakers and serve to enhance what they're saying, not act as a … [Read more...] about Best. PowerPoint. Ever.