16 C L
.
Always look for ways to convey your
points in as little time as possible. You'll
have a greater impact by using more pre-
cise language. Unless you've spent a great
deal of time honing your words, you can
almost always cut your prepared remarks.
6. E
DIT
IN
CHUNKS
.
When you tackle editing your presenta-
tion, don't look at the presentation as a
whole. Instead, focus on one element at
a time. You may choose only to work on
improving your
o p e n i n g ,
your speech
structure or
one of your
stories. Work-
ing on just one
part at a time will
make the editing process
less overwhelming and your speech
will bene t from your focus.
7. C
REATE
P
ICTURES
.
Review your presentation and see if you
create any vivid images that your
audience can keep with them. en, try
to add more. Images remain with your
audience long after you're done speaking.
In one of my signature speeches, I refer-
ence "the South Carolina state bird ... the
mosquito" and use a gesture for swatting
a mosquito on my arm. Creating a pic-
ture took that line from getting a chuckle
to receiving thunderous laughter when I
present.
8. Q
UOTE
Y
OURSELF
.
Do you have stories or examples that you
can borrow them from another
presentation? Use it again.. I often re-
gale my friends with stories about how
my children try to in uence me. When
appropriate, I incorporate those stories
into business presentations. e audience
laughs, they remember my points, and I'm
using material that has been proven to
work.
9. I
NVOLVE
THE
AUDIENCE
.
Look for ways to involve the audience.
You can ask rhetorical questions, do a
group exercise, or provide a Q&A period.
However you do it, try to make your au-
dience
active participants
in your pre-
s e n t a t i o n
instead of
just passive
listeners.
10.V
ARY
YOUR
PACE
.
Make sure that your pace of your presen-
tation varies in volume, energy and speed.
I once heard a high-energy speaker who
was bursting with enthusiasm. It was
great for the rst three minutes. Fifteen
minutes later, I felt like I'd been blud-
geoned by her message. You will have the
biggest impact when you vary your pace
from time to time.
Just because you give a presentation so
often that you could do it in your sleep
doesn't mean that there aren't opportuni-
ties to improve it. Try these techniques to
look at your presentation with new eyes.
You'll improve your talk, have more fun
presenting and captivate your audience.
Both you and your audience will be glad
you did.
10 WAYS TO ADD PUNCH
TO YOUR PRESENTATION
Continued from page 15