Public speaking can be terrifying, whether you’re addressing a conference of hundreds or presenting to your colleagues. Dr. Heather Walker recently explored this topic on her Lead with Levity podcast, hosting Fern Chan, a presentation coach, speaker, and author of the best-selling book, “How Not to Suck at Presentations.” Fern shared her invaluable insights on the common pitfalls in presentations and how to overcome them, ensuring you deliver interesting, memorable, and impactful messages.
1. The Importance of Practicing:
“You’d be surprised how many people don’t practice,” Fern says. Many believe they can wing it with their slides, resulting in unorganized thoughts and a lack of smooth transitions. Preparing your content, practicing aloud, and ensuring a compelling call to action are essential to crafting a successful presentation.
2. Engaging Your Audience from the Start:
Fern advises starting with a hook that grabs your audience’s attention. “Begin with something unorthodox like a story, a shocking statistic, or a provocative question,” she explains. This strategy keeps your audience engaged and eager to hear what comes next.
3. Using Visuals Effectively:
Fern advocates for using arresting images that complement your story. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” she states. Rather than cluttering slides with text, a powerful image can be a powerful storytelling tool.
4. Storytelling with Data:
When presenting complex data, tie it to relatable stories. Fern illustrates this with her work: “Share the transformation stories behind the numbers—how individuals’ lives were impacted positively by your data.”
5. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance:
Fern emphasizes the 5 Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This means rehearsing your presentation out loud multiple times, timing yourself, and ensuring you know your content so well that you can pivot easily if technology fails.
Turning Anxiety into Excitement
Fern and Heather both acknowledge that anxiety and nerves before a presentation are normal. Heather shares a useful tip: reframing anxiety as excitement and anticipation. Fern agrees, adding, “Those butterflies you feel are just good energy waiting to be released into the world.” Embrace those feelings and use them to fuel your performance.
Addressing Vulnerability and Empowerment
Vulnerability can be a powerful tool in connecting with your audience. Fern suggests sharing relatable experiences where you also struggled and overcame challenges. This honesty creates empathy and engages your audience on a deeper level.
Conclusion
Becoming a great presenter requires practice, preparation, and a willingness to be vulnerable. As you develop your skills, remember to engage your audience by making your content relatable and using powerful visuals. For more insights from Fern Chan, check out her book “How Not to Suck at Presentations” and visit her website for free resources and webinars.
Final Thoughts
Whether pitching an idea to your team or speaking at a major event, these key strategies can help you improve your presentation game. Remember, we’re all on this journey together, and with practice, you can master the art of delivering compelling and impactful presentations.
For more resources and coaching from Fern Chan, visit her website fernchan.com, and follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
From higher education desk jockey to presentation powerhouse, Fern Chan is a presentation coach, speaker, and bestselling author who works with business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and consultants from across the globe, helping them to craft and deliver killer presentations that captivate audiences and drive results.
An international bestselling author of “How to NOT Suck at Presentations” and a sought-after keynote speaker, Fern has graced the stages of the UN in Vienna and New York. She’s the founder and CEO of Fern Chan Ventures, where she combines her 15+ years of experience in adult education with a hefty dose of sass and Star Wars references to transform nervous presenters into confident communication Jedi.
Fern is recognized as a trailblazing mom-preneur who proves that moms can conquer both the boardroom and the playroom. When she’s not empowering clients or chasing after her kids, you can find her hogging the mic at karaoke or nose deep in historical whodunnits, bringing the same infectious energy and humor to her downtime as she does to her coaching.
