You might want to stop saying these:
1. Can you hear me? Yes you can!
This is how many people start their talks. They tap a microphone three times, shout, “Can you all hear me in the back?” and smile apologetically when it becomes clear that everybody can hear them, but no one raised their hand. It isn’t your responsibility to check the audio. There are people for that. (And if there aren’t, test the volume ahead of time.)
But if you do speak into the microphone and get the impression it’s not working, just relax, count to three, and try again. If you still think the sound isn’t working, calmly walk to the edge of the stage and discreetly ask the moderator to check for you.
2. Can you read this?
The rule is to make the font size on your slides twice the size of the average age of the audience. That means that if you expect the audience to be 40 then you are stuck with a font size of 80 points. You won’t be able to fit a lot of 80-point text on the slide; which is a good thing
3. I’ll keep it short
This is a promise no one keeps. But a lot of presentations start that way!
The audience really doesn’t care if you keep it short. They’ve invested their time and want to be informed and inspired. So say, “This presentation is going to change your life,” or, “This presentation is scheduled for 30 minutes, but I’ll do it in 25 so you can have a coffee earlier than expected.”
Then all you have to do is keep that promise. To have great and memorable presentations, come prepared, be yourself and be professional.
Credit: Servled
