Simple and Easy Presentation Fear Management Tips: If it happens to be the first time ‘Presentation’ is not an easy thing to do. Presentation is a disclosure of some interesting facts and unknown facts. Presentation could also be over a newly launched product or a service. Presentations usually are made to enlighten the employees of an organization over a new service, facility or a product launched. Presentations could also be made to enlighten the customers and potential customers over the benefits of a product and subtly inform them that how the product is superior to the competitors. Interesting isn’t it?
But this is not be all or end all of presentations. Presentations require rigorous homework. Only when you are convinced over a particular thing then alone you can bring the prospective customer into the loop, or convince your colleague. If you have hiccups then forget about convincing the other person. If preparing for a presentation is a diligent process, presenting it the ‘right’ way is equally important one. If you falter psychologically, you had it! The audience lose interest both in you and the product/service your company is offering. And now this can prove disastrous to your business.
Experiencing anxiety/fear is a common hitch while presenting. Both anxiety and fear blur memory. They will make you forget all the enticing facts and figures that you painstakingly have committed to your memory. The anxiety/fear monster becomes a big impediment in your presentation process. Kill it!
Mentioned underneath are proven techniques to overcome presentation inhibitors while making presentations in a natural way. These techniques have helped professionals across the globe, they will fetch you rich dividends too. Just focus on individual requirements pointwise.
Confidence is all: Be confident! Saying that is easy. We all know that. What instills confidence. That is important. Do not kick start a presentation the minute you are on the podium. Relax for a while. Acquaint yourself to the audience. Rope in a little humor. Try to ask what they do and if they are colleagues they you can feel more comfortable during the ‘prologue’ part of the presentation. Be polite and modest. And most importantly make the audience feel that you are one among them. You harbor the same feeling for them too. Lastly be unassuming.
Extract the key points: Take with you to the presentation a few points that you would like to speak during the presentation. This will to a great extent snub anxiety and fear. Support the points with powerful facts and examples. You will start feeling much easier. If you feel that your memory might estrange you then it is always better to keep a note of what you actually want to speak during a presentation. Remember a presentation is not a test of your memory or IQ; it is an act that spreads awareness of a particular product or service.
Be human: Remember to speak in a way to safeguard the interest of audience to whom you are presenting. Do not use words or examples that might hurt their feelings. Do not make hasty generalizations. Do not favor a particular clan or speak ill of the competitor. Modulate the tone. Use words that are both decent and understandable. All these things will increase the comfort levels of the audience. When the audience feel comfortable with you, believe you will no longer feel intimidated.
Seek feedback: Remember to ask the audience what’s their view over a particular product or service. Respect their words. Listen to what they are saying/asking or questioning with a dispassionate interest. Do not try to snub their queries in a dominant way. Tell them you will get back to them in case you are not able to provide answer to any specific query, and do that religiously (I mean getting back with a response). All these things will eliminate anxiety levels substantially.
You present like this you would become a star presenter sooner than later. Your organization will count you as an asset in the making. You will reach the professional echelons that you have always dreamed for. Just keep in mind the above mentioned points.
Wishing you success!!
Anu Veluri
