Presentation Tips for Going from Being a "Good" to "Great" Speaker

By: Chris King
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:59
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If you have been presenting on a regular basis, and are known as a “Good” speaker, what would make the difference so people would recognize you as a “Great” speaker? In this article, I highlight two areas that I feel can make that difference.

Presence/Centering

Great presenters have presence and are centered. Many times when I have tried to figure out why one speaker is so compelling while another is good – and pleasant to listen to – I have even said aloud, “The great one has presence.” What does that mean? Great presenters take time to focus, to come completely onto their balanced center. They have rid their minds of all the extraneous thoughts and are completely focused on listeners and the message they are delivering. They forget about themselves and are completely involved in the moment.

Good presenters deliver their message competently, but are slightly off center. We, as listeners, might not realize this, but we sense it. The good speaker may be thinking about what he or she is going to do after the presentation. They may be thinking, “I wonder if they like me. Do I have a piece of spinach in my teeth? Do I look pulled together and professional? Or, does this skirt make me look fat?” The good presenter is close to being on center, but is not completely in the moment.

Tip: take the first few moments on the platform to bring yourself into neutral and focus. The extra silence while you focus with also grab the audience’s attention.

Heart/Passion

Great presenters love their topic(s) and present with passion and a feeling of heart. I have written many times about the importance of being passionate. If you have experienced great speakers, you know that they are speaking from their hearts. They have so much passion for their subject that they pull us, as listeners, right into the middle of their presentation

Good presenters are knowledgeable about their topic(s), but lack the extra enthusiasm and love. This often happens when a good speaker has been asked to present a topic that they know and work with, but don’t really have a passion for. I also know excellent speakers who feel that they need the gigs, so will speak on a topic that is off their usual repertoire. Even when they do a good job (I am writing here about good speakers), the audience will sense that lack of heart and passion.

Tip: either turn down the offer to speak about a topic that you are not passionate about, or do enough preliminary work to find what about that topic you can love and be passionate about.

A Bonus Tip: Great presenters have and tell great stories. Become an excellent storyteller, and you will be “Great.” But, that's another story!

Chris King is a professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, free agent, and fitness instructor. Sign up for her eclectic E-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, at http://www.PowerfulPresentations.net You will find her information-packed E-book How to Leave Your Audiences Begging for MORE! at http://www.OutrageouslyPowerfulPresenter.com and her business website at http://www.CreativeKeys.biz

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