Don't be afraid to be funny: The secrets to a polished presentation
I understand, I’ve been there. Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, and your arms are heavy. Also everyone is laughing because you’re covered in spaghetti or something- but never fear, you can still make an incredible interactive presentation if you follow these great tips.
Now you don’t need a fez or gimmick to keep the audience’s attention or to be memorable. All you need is a spine of steel and the will to live through anything-
No! You don’t have to be Hugh Jackman, although I doubt it would hurt your chances if you were. Anyway, the following tips for your presentation to a sure success are what we at Glisser have picked up in the last year.
1. Be Prepared- Know your Content Come on-stage prepared. Don’t bring on a script, put it in front of your face and read at the piece of paper. Nor should you turn your back and read from your slide deck, whether it is on screen behind you or on a laptop in front of you. Bring small note cards to help direct you, but you should already know what you’re going to say and be informed well on the topic before you begin. This will allow for a confident manner and the flow of your presentation will seem much more natural.
2. Engage your audience- Open a conversation You don’t need a dead parrot to sketch out a fun and memorable presentation you just need your content and maybe some interactive presentation software? Helping you to open a conversation out into the audience, keeping them engaged with your content by sharing the presentation slides right to their smartphones. You also won’t need to worry about your audience following your presentation either, they'll have it right in front of them, just concentrate on speaking. Let the really great interactive software who will remain nameless provide you with integrated polling and feedback gathering with seamless effort to compliment your smooth flow on stage.
3. Look the part Are you ready for an “Inceptional” (see what I did there?) moment. One of the Glisser team has actually written a blog all about “Dressing to impress”. It’s a fantastic read and tells you more than I ever could, sat here in my luxury burlap sack with a ketchup stain that refuses come out.
4. Make them laugh As it works so well for Donald O’Connor in Singing in the Rain, why can’t you keep your audience happy by simply making them laugh? Laughing puts us at ease- it makes us more comfortable and ready to interact. So be prepared to poke fun at yourself or start with a joke. Obviously, don’t overdo it- spending more time telling jokes than actually talking to your audience. Just to get you started here are some of my favourite technology related jokes:
- Why did the developer go broke? He used up all his cache
- An SEO expert walks into a bar, bars, pub, tavern, public house, Irish pub, drinks, beer, alcohol.
- There’s a band called 1023mb, they haven’t had a gig yet.
