Tips to Energize Your Presentations

 by: Sandra Schrift

“There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul.”

– Arnold Bennett (1867-1931)

Ask yourself, “What is the audience feeling?” and “How would I like him/her to feel?” You need to be aware of:

How frequently you use positive emotional words.

How you moderate the use of negative emotional words.

Here are some ways that you can help your audience interact with each other.

• Room set-up. Be sure people face each other so they can talk to each other. Use round tables, rather than theatre or classroom style.

• Don’t permit cliques. Get your participants to sit with new people. Be innovative in your approach to seat people differently. Some examples: Use a colorful post it, group by hair color, or place cards.

• Use icebreakers. You can ask your audience to say a word that describes their week. Give them something else to talk about other than business when the meeting breaks.

• Setup small groups or dyads to discuss issues. This technique will get your participants to brainstorm with their partner or group.

Coaching point: Forced interaction engages people. What can be more fun?

Register for a free teleclass on "How To Be a Better Public Speaker Immediately"; Thursday, August 26, 2004 from 7-8 p.m. EST. Register by sending an email to: freeteleclass@schrift.com

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