Bicycle Network Victoria: Bike Futures Conference

A great presentation in 10 easy steps

1. Don’t read!
Reading a speech may make you feel secure but it makes it look like you don’t know what you’re talking about. It also makes people angry as it wastes their time. Remember they can read faster than you can speak.

2. Practice how you’re going to say it
People remember 7% of what you say and 93% of how you say it. Practise at least 3 times in front of the mirror and twice with a mock audience.

3. Stick to time
Getting the timing right is vital. Resist the temptation to cram too much into your presentation. If you go over time you’ll be stopped mid-sentence.

4. Add interest every 5 minutes  
The worst thing you can do is be boring. Add interest regularly by involving the audience, showing a film, telling a story or drawing a conclusion.

5. Make sure it works
There’s nothing more nerve-racking than if your visual aids fail. Send them in advance and get there early to make sure everything works.

6. Make eye contact
Don’t look at the screen. Find 5 friendly faces dispersed amongst the audience and focus on a different one every few seconds.

7. Fuel questions
Question time gives you the chance to really strut your stuff. Just in case there’s embarrassing silence, prepare two questions: get a friend to ask one and ask the other yourself eg someone might like to ask……..

8. Get off to a great start
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Practise the first two minutes of your speech at least ten times so you can say it from memory.

9. Smile
The audience will connect with you if you look like you’re enjoying yourself. It will also help soothe any nerves.

10. Speak from the heart
You’re the expert and you believe in what you’re saying. How do you make sure the audience know this? Back to tip 1 - throw away the script.