LESSON: PRESENTATION BASICS

To deliver a good presentation, remember that you are the most important part. Even if you put a lot of effort into your written or visual aids, they can't replace you. You are the main focus. Your success or failure depends on how effective you are at presenting. How can you be a better presenter? But what is the secret to being a more effective ''you''? 

The research shows that people are more affected by what they see than what they hear. This means your body language like how you stand, move, make eye contact, and show emotions is as important, if not more, than what you say.

Non-verbal skills are more significant than the message's content. Before you speak, your audience forms an impression of who you are based on how you present yourself. The way you stand, move, look, and use your hands conveys a message about your credibility and effectiveness as a presenter.

Switch roles for a moment and reconsider your past experiences attending lectures, meetings, or presentations. Before hearing any words, you likely formed initial impressions about the speaker's credibility and interest level. These impressions were confirmed or dispelled as the presentation continued. How did you make these judgments? By paying attention to the speaker's body language.

People send silent messages while presenting, starting from before they reach the podium. These messages can create trust, interest, or connections. They can also cause negative responses, like mistrust, disinterest, or confusion. Nonverbal communication can enhance or weaken your message, so start by controlling and commanding your body language. Transform it into something powerful, positive, and energizing. This can help your audience, whether it's a group of neighbors or a global conference, to expect the best from you.