To move or not to move? – That is the question!

Speaking in front of an audience can be a daunting task. For some people fear roots them to the spot for others fear makes them run around in extreme circumstances even skipping (look at Michael Macintyre!).

I’ve heard many a person say “please don’t move around, stand still, otherwise you won’t get your message across”.

Yet others have said “you looked like a rabbit in headlights, breathe, and move around!”

So which is right?

Well for me the answer is both and neither!!!!

It is absolutely true that movement can be very entertaining, bringing life to a presentation and in fact to an audience. But too much movement can be too distracting for an audience and they can lose interest.

Similarly there is no doubt standing still when delivering a very serious or thought provoking message can have a great effect, but no movement all the way through gives an air of lecturing and can turn a group off very easily.

So what’s the answer?

To me it’s to do what you naturally do i.e. if you tend to move a lot when speaking then continue to be you and move! If you tend to be stationary when speaking continue to be you and stay still!

But do bear in mind that too much of a good thing can be challenging, so those that move a lot, perhaps move a little less or stand still at important parts of your presentation.  Likewise for those who move less remember to create some movement so as to retain audience interest and your body posture.

It’s all about being your natural self.

It’s about being a NATURAL PRESENTER!

Well I would say that wouldn’t I!

Until the next time….

Peter A Roper Fpsa

Co-author of ‘…And Death Came Third!’ – The definitive guide to networking and presenting, Business Presentation Strategist and Immediate Past President of the Professional Speaking Association.

To find out more about professional speaking and presenting visit www.positiveground.co.uk and click on PG Business Development

To find out more about Peter visit www.peterroper.com

Flip Charts are still ok!

I was at a presentation recently and heard an outrageous comment from the speaker. He firmly believed there was no place for using flipcharts in presentations as he could always achieve what he wanted using power point!

Needless to say his presentation was not that great, it was clear that whilst he’d given lots of thought to his latest ‘wizzo’ slides he had given little thought to how to interact with his audience.

-           a flip chart can be a great way of doing just that.

I’m very happy to still use flip charts, and for that matter PowerPoint, but they do have their place so as a quick reminder here’s some of the classic dos and don’ts for using flips…

Do make sure the audience can see it – don’t let it be tucked in the corner.

Do use good quality pens – don’t rely on the ones the hotel provide you with!

Do check the flip chart stand is stable – or it may fall over as your speaking as I’ve found on many an occasion!

Do look to make sure that some inappropriate notes haven’t been left on the flip by a previous presenter!

Don’t use a flip for a series of complicated maths – hand-outs are better.

Do be prepared and have some flips already done.

Do use solid colour pens – specifically Blue and Black as much as possible, as they are easier to read for your audience.

Don’t talk to the flip – talk to the audience!

Do move the flip out of the way when you’ve finished – or be prepared to trip over it at some point!

Finally do get someone to write on your behalf if your writing is rubbish – mine is, so I always find a volunteer as much a possible!!

There’s a load more… perhaps for another day.

The flip isn’t dead yet, it’s a great tool and always will be, so get good at using it!

Until the next time…

Peter

Why Speaking and Presenting is so important in this decade…

Those of you who know me will know I have been passionate for many years about the opportunity individuals fail to take so often – to stand up and speak! Whether through nerves, peer pressure or lack of practice many simply fail to take the opportunity to shine in front of their friends and colleagues…

It’s one of the key reasons why I co-wrote ‘…And Death Came Third!’ – our bestselling book on networking and speaking in public.

But now even more than ever as I write this in June of 2011, it is an opportunity that you simply must take and grasp with both hands.

But it does beg a simple question “How do we know how good we are?”.

I was in a hotel foyer at lunch time arranging for some of my course delegates to have a very agreeable lunch. Whilst waiting for the Hotel event organiser to arrive I noticed two gentlemen in deep conversation which I couldn’t help over hearing. The one had created a presentation which he was receiving critique on from the other. Unfortunately in the couple of minutes I was there the critique I heard was frankly appalling.

The ‘mentor’ was providing very outdated advice that simply would be unacceptable to any audience today. He finished with the immortal words “I’ve never had any complaints!”.

It’s my belief we don’t find out  how good we are for one very obvious reason – click the link for a  90 second video to find out the answer and understand why you need to do something about it – NOW!

Click here to watch the video

Until the next time!

Peter