Do's and Don'ts

                               Introduction:

• When introducing your topic, smile and look at the audience, do not look down in fear.

• Recognize that you are the expert on the topic you are talking about.

• Always Smile and tell yourself how good you feel.

• Dress nicely in professional looking clothes.

                                             Voice

• Be Heard -Make sure your audience can hear you, so practice projecting your voice as there is no excuse for not being loud enough.

• Air Intake - Effective air intake (breathe) and appropriate pauses during your talk will help you control the volume of your voice.

• Vary your voice -Periodically change your speed, pitch and volume and do not mumble in a monotone (one tone). If you blank out, forget a word or choke, just smile! The audience will assume you know what you are doing.

• How to improve your voice - Learn to listen to yourself talk so you can control your voice more easily because you are conscious of how you sound before you speak.

• Fluency - Avoid saying words when you stop, such as: “Um”, “Er”, “Like”, and “Totally”.

                               Body Language

                                  i.Eye Contact

To gain a person’s trust, you have to look them in the eyes. So when you’re up on the stage, be sure that your gaze encompasses all parts of the room, including the back and sides.

Try to engage people individually for brief periods, especially those who seem neutral or uninterested.

Never stare blankly or off into space. Maintain that eye contact as if you’re talking directly to someone—you are!  It’s one of your most important tools for communicating sincerity and credibility.

                                                  ii.Facial Expression

Nobody likes to look at someone who’s expressionless, hard-faced, or unsmiling. There’s nothing wrong with being serious when the moment warrants it, but to connect with people, your face needs to be open and animated, with expressions that match what you’re saying.

This demonstrates that you care not just for the subject, but also for the people you’re speaking to.

These people matter to you a lot, so show them that.

Be positive—and keep smiling—even when you don’t feel like it.

                                iii.Gestures

If you don’t normally gesture, it’s a great technique to learn. Among other things, gestures can count, express emotion and sincerity, introduce and communicate concepts, and help you change focus.

Always be aware of what you’re doing with your hands and arms, if only to be sure you’re not inadvertently using threatening or negative gestures.

Your gestures should never be angry, nervous, or jerky.

                                                      iv.Movement

It’s difficult to engage your audience if you stay rooted in one place throughout your presentation.

Don’t move around too much (that can be annoying and distracting), but do take advantage of the stage to attract and retain your audience’s attention.

If you’re savvy about it, you can use body movement (in combination with gestures) to indicate changes of focus, suggest transitions, and emphasize points.

Move smoothly, avoiding any jerkiness. Depending on the size of the venue, you also may have to watch your distance to the audience members.

People get nervous if you invade their personal space, so stay at least 10 feet away if possible.

                                                         v.Stance

Your posture should be upright but relaxed, demonstrating assertive behavior without being aggressive. This shows you’re sure of yourself and believe in what you’re presenting.

Stand with your feet planted firmly about shoulder-width apart, well-balanced but leaning forward a bit; this suggests eagerness and passion for your subject and engagement with your audience.

Don’t put your hands on your hips or in your pockets the entire time; don’t slouch, sway, lean backwards or to the side or against anything; don’t fold your arms (except, perhaps, to make a point).

Any of these actions can communicate a lack of conviction, unhappiness, defensiveness, or nervousness, no matter how you really feel.

• Never speak if you do not know what to say.  Remember that you are the expert.

• Learn how to control the use of  “You know”.

• Saying nothing is better than saying “Uh…uhhh….ummm”

                           Final tips