Prepping Your Presentation
The reality, I mean opportunity, of giving a talk, presentation, or lecture can be exciting or terrifying, or if you’re like many of us, BOTH!
Alas, Twitter to the rescue! Your academic tweeps are here with a round-up of tips to get your next talk on point and present like a pro:
Brainstorm![](https://edgeforscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DfsK4PlXcAgxwdP-225x300.jpg)
4 key tips for preparing talks:
1. Start analog with a storyboard of Post-Its.
2. One idea = one Post-It = one slide.
3. Work with a partner to bounce ideas & ensure understanding of flow.
4. Then go digital.Try it— guaranteed to save time!
Via @ReedOmary, Department Chairman – Radiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Tell a Story
Storytelling using the Pitch presentation structure is meant to reinforce the speaker’s ideas as a solution to the problem. The more the audience can relate, the better its chances of supporting the presentation.
Via @PaymanTaei , Founder of Visme, and HindSite Interactive; Entrepreneur, UI/UX Designer, Presentation, Data Viz, Visual Educator
Breathe![](https://edgeforscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/street-art-2720456_1920-300x300.jpg)
Replace #fillerwords with pauses. Take a breath in & let your #voice take a ride on the air.
Via @ConveyClearly, Ita M Olsen, speech coach to the stars with Fortune 100 expertise
Introduce Yourself
Speakers, write your own introduction. Bring a printed copy. Include how to pronounce your name. A smooth introduction sets the stage for a successful presentation
Via @PFripp, Executive Speech Coach, Keynote Speaker, Sales Presentation Skills Trainer, Online Learning Expert
Choose the Right Images
I may find your images engaging, but if they don’t tell me what to do or what I must learn, I may just remember your talk as a “good presentation,” and never take any action as a result.
Via @Josh_Bersin, Corporate Talent, HR, & Learning Analyst, Founder of Bersin by Deloitte, research and advisory firm focused on management, leadership, HR tech and @PresentGurucom, a global group of professionals who want to improve the quality of public speaking and presentation the world over.
Do a Practice Run![](https://edgeforscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Wing-it-300x285.png)
Don’t do what many #Scientists do and “wing” your #presentation. Check out our step-by-step guide and learn how to best practice your presentation.
Via @Slide_Talk, article by @elie_diner, Microbiologist and Science Writer Dedicated to Making Science Presentations Better
Additional Resources:
6 Tips For Giving a Fabulous Academic Presentation
Speak Your Science: How to Give a Better Conference Talk
How to Deliver an Amazing Scientific Talk
12 Pieces of Advice for Giving Talks That Have Impact
7 Ways to Structure Your Presentation to Keep Your Audience Wanting More
5 Ways to Give a Presentation That Nobody Will Ever Forget
How to Wreck Your Own Presentation: Twelve Tips to Confuse an Audience
2 Comments
Especially if you’re a new speaker, I certainly agree that practice and telling a story are important – especially the part about telling a story.
However, I think that sometimes folks are -overprepared- as well. Your own excitement and the depth of your knowledge sometimes gets obscured by a practiced routine….