When you show up at a meeting, have you ever liked that your team is not engaged, that they are physically there, but that their minds are elsewhere? If so, you are not alone. As a public speaking coach, I know many professionals who feel the same way.
I recently met with Carol. She had just been promoted to assistant vice president of her company and one of her new responsibilities was causing her distress.
When he contacted me, I asked, “What made you pick up the phone and call me?”
She replied, “Peter, one of my new responsibilities is speaking in a monthly meeting, and it’s not going well. I’m extremely nervous to begin with, and then to make matters worse, I feel like no one is listening to me, which makes me more nervous. At this point, I wish I hadn’t accepted the promotion. “
I told Carol that while working together, I would learn how to create and deliver engaging presentations. But it was when I explained to her how the 5 Rs of presentation prep would help turn her nervousness into positive energy that she seemed more intrigued.
In this article, you will learn about the 5 Rs of presentation preparation and how they can help you manage your nervousness and engage your listeners.
Once you create a presentation, you need to rehearse it! Yes, rehearse. I know … you don’t want to rehearse. In fact, you have at least three valid reasons why rehearsing won’t work for you. That may be, but if you want to be calm and convey a message that others will hear and benefit from, you should rehearse.
Think about it … professionals rehearse, including singers, musicians, firefighters, soldiers, athletes, teams, dancers, comedians, magicians, politicians, and many others. Some of these professions refer to rehearsal as practice or training, but they do so because they understand that repetition virtually guarantees a positive outcome.
The best tool ever
You already have the best tool built to help both emerging and veteran public speakers. And unlike some confusing technologies, this one is easy to implement.
Before this technology was available, generations before us tested in front of mirrors. And while mirrors provide an accurate reflection of what you are doing, looking into yourself while you practice results in you trying to think, speak, criticize, and correct all at the same time. Too much is happening for this to be really useful.
Then the video cameras accompany him. They were a great step forward. But let’s face it, even with all its advancements, video cameras can be cumbersome.
But now we have the best tool yet … a phone, more specifically, the video recorder on your phone. It is easy to use and you can record anytime, anywhere. You can play it anytime you want: at home, on a plane, in a restaurant. Anywhere!
You have this little miracle of technology in your hands every day, so there is no reason not to use it unless you are afraid that you will not like what you see, afraid of discovering what no one would tell you.
Well, you may not like what you see, but isn’t that the point? To become a more effective speaker, you need to know how others see you. Only then can you leverage your strengths and minimize your distractions.
How to use it
Here’s how I suggest you use your phone video to help you become the dynamic public speaker you want to be. Record yourself delivering your presentation. Make it like you’re in front of your audience. Include all the gestures, inflections, pauses, and movements that you would normally use.
Then listen to your presentation without looking at it. How does it sound to you? Would your opening draw the attention of the audience? How was the rhythm? Your inflections? Did you emphasize the words you wanted? Did you hear opportunities for triads or alliterations? Did you end on a powerful note? Take notes while you listen.
Then, with the sound off, review the video and take notes along the way. What did you see? What did you like or dislike about their body language and other non-verbal communications? Did you make enough gestures? Too? Did you convey confidence? Did you walk Were you stuck in a place like a tree? How did your face look? Were you smiling? He frowned?
Then watch and listen to the video, again taking notes on what you like and what you want to change. Then start the process again.
Yes, it takes a long time, but as Carol learned, it’s worth it. Now, you are relaxed in your presentation, knowing that you are as prepared as possible.
If you really want to stay calm when speaking in front of others, engage your audience, and get people to take action, take advantage of this valuable and easy-to-use technology.
Remember … rehearse, record, review, revise and repeat!