Great AdviceWhen Speaking In Public

 Create an Outline. You may not think you need to outline your topic, but be assuredit will save you time in the long run. Outlining your entire presentation before youset out to write it lets you organize the flow of information and ensure that youhave included all of the relevant topics. One great trick for outlining is to writeeach key topic on a Post-it note and map it out on a large white board.

 Determine the Proper Number of Slides. If you are using PowerPoint, the rule ofthumb is that each slide should require 2-3 minutes of discussion. If you arespeaking for an hour, 60+ slides will be too many. You know your topic best, but25-30 slides would probably be appropriate for a one-hour presentation.

 Limit the Amount of Text. Slides that are too wordy will cause your audience tolose interest faster than the freeway fills up at rush hour. Try to keep to no morethan five bullet points and whenever possible, show instead of tell. This means thatyou should illustrate your topic with charts, graphs, graphics or other visualrepresentation instead of words to keep your content engaging.

 Minimize the Bells and Whistles. A lot of activity or noise on your slides is boundto distract your audience. Resist the temptation to pepper your slides with flashyactivity or music unless it truly enhances your message.

 Proofread and Spell Check- Twice! Nothing kills a presentation faster thangrammatical mistakes. You could be the most engaging speaker in the world, butspelling errors and misplaced punctuation can cause your audience to lose focus andquestion your credibility.

 Practice, Practice, Practice. Even if you donÂ't have an audience to test yourmaterials on, lock yourself in an empty conference room and start talking to thechairs. It may seem awkward at first, but itÂ's the best way to calm your nerves andto be as prepared as you can. When show time arrives and stage fright kicks in, ifyouÂ've practiced to the point of practically memorizing the whole speech, you willgo into auto-pilot and deliver a flawless performance- even if your brain checksout.

Whether youÂ're speaking to a room of six or six hundred, these tips should help youbecome a more polished presenter. Remember that the number one key to success is tobe as prepared as possible. Another great way to learn new techniques is to critiquehow other presenters perform. Watch presentations on television or at venues in yourarea. Notice how the speakers engage the audience and watch for tricks that you canincorporate into your own regimen.

For additional speaking experience, consider joining Toastmasters:http://www.toast masters.org/ where you can network with other presenters and developyour skills. You may never develop affection for speaking in front of a crowd, butthat doesnÂ't mean you canÂ't master the challenge. With the right amount of effort,your performance can rank with the pros.

Source: Express-Press-Release.com

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