spoke with an actor yesterday and read an article at the ladders that both share insights into getting ready for a performance. the 9 tips are an excellent list for those who present in a business setting as well. the pressure and need to rise to the occasion will be there, and how you respond will determine success or failure. click on for the tips.
below is a list for how you can present like a pro:
1. be prepared
the more you have a routine, talking points, an idea of what can happen and potential detours – the easier it will be to perform. it’s too easy to get lost when you decide to wing it. when you have an off day, you won’t be able to summons a good performance. the confidence game is won by those who make it look easy. where you struggle, you also lose ground.
2. get comfortable in your costume
if you are distracted by your costume, in this case a business suit or other chosen attire, people will notice. it will appear like this is your first time, whereas you would like them to think that this is what you do everyday. successful people are constantly presenting themselves for more business. costume and appearance doesn’t end with your clothes – posture, expressions, and how you talk are all also important. a good practice is to go through your presentation with a friend to get their feedback.
3. breathe
when panic or nerves enter into the equation, the first thing you should do is breathe. fear stops breathing. when you take a deep breath, fear subsides and the door re-opens to relaxation. people feel more comfortable in the presence of someone who is composed under pressure. two suggestions – research various breathing exercises and look for a place to perform it prior to the presentation (lobby bathroom, elevator, secluded corridor, etc)
4. rehearse your introduction
make sure you have at least an elevator style pitch memorized – a quick, potent introduction to you and your product(s) or service(s). people are judging your ability to be clear, concise and compelling. in addition, research the place and people you are pitching and be quick to show you care about what they care about day to day. in the very least, you have to show a genuine curiosity in what he or she does or might be doing each day.
5. be real
many people check their personality at the door and present like a robot. remember always that people buy from other people they like. they assign far less importance to exactly what you’re selling and how much you charge for it. don’t get intimidated and lose the essence of who you are in the process. show your passions and your interests people it will help people to see that you’re a vibrant person that’s full of energy. people don’t get excited about boring people.
6. be balanced
when your audience is wider than one-on-one, make sure to balance your attention across the entire group – engaging all as equally as possible. you may feel that you are outnumbered and in a hot-seat situation. reverse this by addressing everyone in the group from the outset. some will become less active in the conversation until one naturally takes over. you’ll be back to where you can manage the dynamics more easily.
7. ask questions
make sure you have a few questions prepared to ask. a good rule of thumb is three personal and three business questions. if you want someone to like you, then you need to get to know what motivates them first. ask questions and build momentum off the answers. there’s a famous quote – “an interested person is an interesting person.” remember to speak slowly and clearly when asking your questions.
8. fake it
if you feel that you are getting lost, or that you’re unsure how to answer a particular question, then fake it. no one will know by your answer that you are flying by the seat of your pants. if you hesitate or have no answer, you leave the person who asked the querstion flat and wondering what your defecit might be. it is disconcerting. part of being confident is the appearance of knowledge. don’t ever apologize for not knowing what to say. just say something and move things along as best you can.
9. analyze afterwards
while it is sometimes difficult to know how well or poorly a presentation was received, try your best to replay the events in your mind as you leave the meeting, or reflect on it when you return to your office. a conversation with a friend or colleague is a good way to force the issue of how things transpired. because s/he wasn’t there, s/he will ask certain things to focus you on the interactions, energy in the room, etc.
