Your Next Presentation Might Be Improvised

As a presenter it is easy to doubt yourself. Will you be ready? Will you be able to answer unexpected questions? Will you be seen as an expert? Presenting can be a high-stakes, high-stress experience, but it doesn't have to be.

 Recently I was asked to do a TEDx presentation for an event in Sonoma County. An honor for sure! My first emotion was excitement. “Yes!” I thought “this will be fun and interesting.” My second reaction was “Oh no! What will I talk about? Will I be ready (insert most of the doubts from the paragraph above)?” Here are 3 lessons that helped me take the pressure off and create something I was proud of. I hope these help you create a less stressful, highly impactful, and engaging presentation the next time you are asked to speak to any audience.

Lesson 1: Focus on your audience.

Lesson 2: Be available to be changed.

Lesson 3: Be a resource, not an expert.

Lesson 1:

Focus on your audience

As a presenter you want to do well. You want to add value and be seen as credible. But here is the truth, you WILL add value and you ARE credible, you just may not believe it. Chances are, you are about to present something that you have experience with. You know this material. If this weren’t the case, you probably wouldn't be making this presentation in the first place. So, take a deep breath, you don't need to worry about yourself. Instead, take focus off yourself and put it on your audience, where it belongs. Ask yourself, “What do I know about their needs and issues?” If they are being battered by the competition, then connect your content to their reality. If they are excited about the prospects for the new year, then show them how your ideas will make things even more exciting. 

When you focus on the needs of your audience, you step away from your personal needs as a presenter (to look good, credible, add value) and discover that your only real requirement is to help your audience with something that matters to them.

Here is a tip for making sure that you are focusing on the needs of your audience:

At the start of your presentation find a place to say, “Here is what I know about your needs and issues when it comes to (the topic of the presentation).” Based on these I will be focusing on (your content) and so you can __(what they want)__.

 Say this soon after you communicate your topic, it will help your audience listen, and focus because they know that you understand what is important to them.

Lesson 2:

Be Available to be Changed

Sure, you know what you will be talking about in your presentation, but your audience doesn't. They are hoping to be changed in some way by you (learn something new, be motivated, be surprised). But are you available to be changed by them? As presenters, we can get struck on the script and become rigid in our delivery. You rehearsed it this way, and you want to be in control, but your audience doesn't care about your script, they want to get their needs met. Audiences love it when you respond in real time to them. They want to be seen and heard. They (not you) are the missing and needed element that brings your message home. Recognize them, work with them, respond to them. Don't be afraid of an interruption from the audience. Instead, welcome it as an opportunity to get off script and help them in real time.

Lesson 3:

Be a Resource, not an Expert

You are presenting because you know your material. But let’s face it, you can’t know everything about your topic. There are bound to be questions from your audience that you can’t answer. Don't freak out! Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to know all of the answers, you just have to know how to get them. Be a resource. If you don't know something, admit it, tell your audience that you will find out from someone else, or direct them to the person who does know the answer. Your audience just wants their needs met, they really don't care if they get the answer from you or someone else. So help them get the answer and let go of needing an answer that comes from you.