"I need at least three weeks to prepare for a speech so that I can improvise freely” - Mark Twain
A presentation can be an unforgettable experience for the audience or just another boring talk they will quickly forget. One of the main things that makes the difference is preparation. A plan for your talk, memorising certain parts and plenty of practice will give you confidence on stage and the chance to think through and design what you want to say.
Talking is a natural activity: we talk when buying bread at the shop, greeting a neighbour or chatting with a friend. That’s why it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a presentation can also be fully improvised, because everyone can talk, so it will somehow work out. There are a handful of people who can give amazing speeches without a detailed plan, but even Steve Jobs spent weeks preparing for his famous presentations. So how do you prepare for a presentation? Here are 7 principles.
1. Who is your audience?
If possible, find out who your audience is: what they do, how old they are and what might be useful from their point of view. This matters because you can tailor your language and style to your listeners. We speak differently to teenagers than to specialists in the pharmaceutical industry. At an industry conference, you can confidently use specialist language, but when speaking to people from outside your field, avoid abbreviations and jargon. They won’t understand them, and it may frustrate them.
2. Where will you be speaking?
The size of the stage, the lighting, the type of microphone and the size of the audience are all worth asking the organisers about. With this information, you can prepare yourself physically and mentally for the specific conditions.
3. Plan your speech
Write down a plan of your most important points. It’s good practice to write out full sentences, the data you want to use, anecdotes and quotes. The best approach is to write out the entire speech and then look at the proportions of each part, the strength of your arguments, whether the content is interesting and engaging, and whether it suits your audience. Then you have two options: memorise the key points or write them down and keep the plan in your hand or on the lectern. In business presentations, you’ll come across as more professional without notes on stage. Good preparation is a gift to the audience and a sign of respect for the people who took the time to listen to you.
4. Master the beginning and the end
In the moment of greatest stress, which is the first minute or two, it’s good to have a well-rehearsed opening. It’s best to learn it by heart. How you start affects the first impression you make. The ending, in turn, is what you leave your audience with.
5. Practice makes perfect
Practice is a key part of preparation. You can start by talking to yourself in front of a mirror, then to your dog, family members or friends, or rehearse in front of colleagues. If you devote enough time to practice, it will be an investment with a high return. Another option is to practise with a coach who will give you feedback and guide you through the process
6. Prepare for unexpected questions
Many people lose sleep over the questions they might be asked during a presentation. Improvisation is a skill that can be practised. Make a list of potential questions and objections, and prepare your answers to them.
7. Record yourself
You can use the voice recorder on your phone or an app such as Zoom to record yourself on camera. It’s great material for working on your own. After each recording, note what needs improvement and practise those elements. Repeat this until you’re happy with the result.
Summary
Good preparation is the foundation of every successful presentation. Get to know your audience and venue, plan your talk, master the opening and ending, practise, prepare for questions and record yourself. The more time you invest before your presentation, the more confident and natural you’ll feel on stage.
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Author:
Hi, I’m Magda Kern. I’m a psychologist, the top 11 public speaking coach worldwide, a lecturer, working for companies from the Fortune 500 list, a business trainer with 12 years of experience, a TEDx coach, and an ex-vocalist based in Switzerland. I help people prepare and deliver unforgettable presentations and deal with stress.