Need Help Quick?

Course outlines

Book online now!

Click here to book your presentation skills training course online.

More information

Free articles

Newsletters

Join the mailing list for free presentation skills hints, tips and advice.

5 Tips for Introducing Confidence into your Presentation Skills

You have learned the presentation skills, you know the material and you have practiced in the mirror, but you have yet to find the confidence to use it all too full effect. This feeling of trepidation is not uncommon and will really never go away. Most of the truthful public speakers you will hear indicate that there is always a bit of butterfly’s in their stomach before every event. In a certain sense this is a good thing. You’re ramped up and ready for battle. Channeling the butterflies is the key, and it’s not all that difficult if you keep a few ideas in your head as you go about knocking those butterflies out of the air. Presentation skills require refining and modifying to get better at hitting the butterflies so give a few of these ideas a thought or two.

Practice and take your lumps

There is really no way around it. You have to use your presentation skills to become more confident. Civic groups are always a good place to start your presentation training. These sorts of talks are usually shorter, simple on topic and have a smaller audience that is usually just starting their second cup of coffee in the morning. Toast Masters International is also a great organization to join. Here you give a presentation and receive a critique afterwards from people just like you. They understand that giving a good presentation regularly helps to keep the chops limber. They also will let you know if you run over on time, how many “ums” and “ah’s you use and if you’re making distracting movements.

Volume choices

You will always want to vary the volume of your talk, but have you considered how to do it. If a microphone can be eliminated maybe you should consider it. Obviously, this depends on the number of attendees and the size of the room, but in some cases the microphone makes a person self conscious where the natural voice does not. As you have learned, presentation skills include “punching” a topic. Use this skill along with the use of a pause. Not only will this reinforce the point but it will make you appear confident in what you have just said.

Use the stage

No presentation skills class will tell you to hide behind a podium. Get out there and show yourself. This not only projects confidence, it makes you go for the glory. You’ll end up thinking, “I’m out there now, might as well go for it.” This is a good thing, stand tall, speak up, walk around the stage and maybe throw an arm out to emphasize a point.

Media use

If you need visual aides use them to effect for data information. The room may be dimed but you still need to project and inject enthusiasm. Don’t believe that they are a crutch. If you do it will show.

Remember why you/they are there

Give yourself a boost before you put your presentation skills on display. Remember why you were asked to give the presentation. You know your stuff and the people have come to you because they know you know. They need you and could very likely care less about your presentation skills one way or the other.

Presentation Skills Training courses | Presentation Skills course prices | Improve your Communication Skills | References
Copyright 2008 © Business Training Direct - Design & Development: amendit design services
Business Training Direct - experts in public speaking and presentation skills training