Presentation Basics Fear

Next of the presentation basics is to manage the fear of presentations, also known as public speaking anxiety, jitters, nerves or shakes.

There are a number of descriptions of presentation fear, and this is because most people suffer or have suffered from this affliction. Most effective presenters and public speakers today have managed this anxiety and now use it spur them on to give a successful presentation.

It is not a fear we are born with. We are born with only two fears - fear of loud noises and fear of falling. Basically because of this it is possible for most people to overcome it, as evidenced by the speakers who have overcome it in the past.

The presentation basic here is that presentation fear is able to overcome, so don't let it hold you back. In the next presentation basics post I will discuss ideas to overcome presentation fear.

Presentation Basics Structure

The first of the presentation basics is - a simple structure is all that is needed for an effective presentation.

It is simply that there is a beginning, a middle and an end to the presentation. It is all that is needed to give a successful presentation. Anything more complicated may confuse the presenter and their audience. An effective presentation is a presentation that effectively conveys the ideas and information of the presenter to the audience.

There are many examples of this way of organizing communication - books, reports, plays etc.

An effective use of this structure in a basic but good presentation is to use the 3 parts to;-

1. Tell 'em what you are going to tell 'em
2. Tell 'em
3. Tell 'em what you just told 'em

The presentation basics principle here is not to have an overcomplicated the structure and layout of the presentation. Anything too complicated can confuse the audience and reduce the effectiveness of the presentation.

Presentation Basics

Getting presentation basics right will help a presenter immensely in becoming a more effective presenter.

Good presentation skills are highly respected and much in demand by organizations. It is worth while to the individual to understand and apply the presentation basics. In many career paths, effective presentation skills are a requirement for advancement over a certain level. Good technical skills can only take you so far.

The presentation basics can be broken into 4 fundamental areas:-

1. The basic structure of effective presentations - the power of 3
2. Fear of presentations - understanding and managing public speaking anxiety
3. Presentation preparation - developing the presentation - the speech and PowerPoint slides
4. Giving the presentation - gestures, appearance and voice expression

Mastery of the fundamental presentation basics will help improve confidence in presenting, speaking up in meetings, interviews and in day to day conversations.