If you enjoy movies, you probably remember the famous diner scene from When Harry met Sally. It’s too memorable of a scene to forget. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to see it, it will be summarized here. The character of Sally basically convinces her friend Harry that women can get away with faking “it.” Unfortunately, the art of faking doesn’t hold true in the public speaking arena. Audiences are far more perceptive than you think. Here are a few tips to help you make sure you don’t come across as a poser:
Be prepared
It sounds straightforward, but it is harder than it sounds. Think about it – how many times have you seen presenters who came across as unprepared? Do your homework, research, rehearse, and take your presentation seriously.
Don’t memorize
Most public speaking amateurs make the big mistake of memorizing their presentations. This can be deadly especially when questions arise during the middle of your presentation. People will know that you are rehearsed. You need to prepare. You need to verbalize. You need to practice. However, you don’t need to memorize. Memorization kills. Stay away from it.
Become an expert
Creating credibility is the most important competent of presentations. If you can’t create trust, don’t even bother walking up to the stage. So how do you build trust? Simple – provide evidence. Show statistics, graphs, charts – anything to help solidify that you know what you are discussing. Proceed with caution though – there is a gray line between too much and too little information. Faking it may work in your personal life, but it doesn’t work in presentations. Don’t be a poser.
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