Presentation Skills
Lee Ann Kendrick, Regional Advocacy Specialist
October 2013
Presentation Skills
• Strategies for becoming a better public
speaker
• Strategies for developing stronger
presentations
• Strategies for calming nerves
Who is afraid of Public Speaking?
Top 10 Global Fears
Six Strategies You Can Use
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Planning
Practice
Engaging your audience
Body Language
Thinking Positively
Calming Nerves
Planning
• Structure what you want to say
– Outlines help!
• Strong opening
– Attention grabbers
– Humor
• Closing remarks
• Planning helps you think on your feet, especially
during unpredictable Q & A
• Make it your own!
Practice
• Practice, practice, practice!
– In front of family
– PTA meetings
– Video yourself
• Things to look for
– Verbal stalls
– Are you smiling?
– Gestures
– How did you handle interruptions?
Engaging your Audience
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Ask leading questions
Encourage your audience to participate
Make eye contact
Pay attention to how you are speaking
Do Not READ to your audience
Using a podium
Body Language
Research has shown that up to 94% of
communication is non-verbal.
Body Language
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Stand up straight
Refrain from crossing your arms
Standing on one foot
Avoid gestures that feel unnatural
“ The way you overcome fear and
shyness is to become so wrapped
up in something that you forget to
be afraid”
Lady Bird Johnson
Calming Nerves
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Know your audience
Know your material
Structure your presentation
Calm yourself from the inside
Know your Audience
• Ask before hand who will be your audience?
• What do they already know about your topic?
– Are they experts?
– Will your information be brand new?
• Is there a meeting before/after? What topics
will be covered?
Tip: Greet people at the door
Know Your Material
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Read the modules!
Do your own research about the topic
The audience is looking at you as the “Expert”
Do not try to cover everything you know
about the topic
– Select points that are relevant for this audience
Structure your Presentation
• Key phrases on index cards or Power point
• Avoid Memorizing what you want to say
• Create natural breaks within your presentation
– Ask a question
– Provide an activity
Calm yourself from the inside
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Practice deep breathing
Drink water
Smile
Use visualization techniques
Speak more slowly than you would in a
conversation
• Move around during your presentation, this
expends nervous energy
Remember
Nerves are not your enemy and you do not have
to fear public speaking!
Questions
For more information contact:
Lee Ann Kendrick, Regional Advocacy Specialist
(571)329-9365
lkendrick@pta.org
PTA.org