Presentation Basics - Is There A Purpose?

In this presentation basics post I talk about knowing your purpose of your presentation and why that is important.

When there is no purpose to a presentation it is like a ship without a rudder - you and you audience ultimately go nowhere and nothing is achieved.

The selection of the purpose will help determine the type of presentation you give and the materials needed to support it.

The presentation basics purposes I have identified are - to inform, to explain, to persuade or to entertain the audience. In helping determine the purpose it is important to consider - What response do I want the audience to take after the speech? It could be buy something, give money to a charity, to understand quantum physics?

To summarise this presentation basics post is know what you want to achieve with your presentation and be more productive.

Presentation Basics of Preparation Build Confidence

I have identified 5 presentation basics of presentation preparation.

Being thoroughly prepared helps to build confidence you have both in your ability to present and in content you are to present.

The presentation basics I have identified for preparation are;

1. Know your purpose - there must be a good reason to present or you will every-one's time
2. Know your audience - this basic plays a big part in determining the presentation you are to give
3. Know your subject - if you haven't mastered your subject how can you hope to master your audience
4. Write and design your presentation - includes what you will say and any visual aids you will use including PowerPoint slides
5. Practice - there are big benefits to helping to speak up confidence and effective presentation

Over my next posts I will provide more detail on the presentation basics of preparation.

Presentation Basics To Overcome Fear of Presenting

In this post in my series on presentation basics I discuss some tips to overcome presentation fear.

The basic tips to overcome public speaking anxiety are:

1. Focus on the presentation basics of preparation
2. Visualize a successful outcome - a well-received and effective presentation.
3. Practice relaxation techniques - e.g. deep breathing exercises, stretching or going for a short walk to relieve tension
4. Downplay the importance of the presentation - everyone started somewhere and you are doing the best you can
5. Remember you will feel more anxious than you appear to the audience
6. For your first appearance keep it brief
7. Take every opportunity you can to present to build confidence

This can be the most difficult of the presentation basics to master. The other presentation basics will help you overcome the presentation fear and come to enjoy presenting.re