Apr
02
2014
Presentation skills: creating a good impression
Creating a good impression requires ‘impression management’.
You want to give a good impression from the moment you arrive (and even before, by being professional and efficient about arrangements). As a presenter, there are two key stages in impression management:
1. When you first arrive at the venue
2. When you are giving your presentation
How to create a good impression when you first arrive at the venue
How you look
Your clothes: Dress to match your audience (or slightly smarter). Remember that when you arrive, your overcoat may create the first impression.
Your hair: Smart, professional and definitely brushed.
Carrying your materials etc: Look neat and professional. Carry your materials in as neat and coordinated way as possible i.e. one good quality brief case, not lots of bags and rolls of paper and files and parcels.
Your body language: Open and purposeful.
What you say
As you arrive, you are creating a powerful impression. You need to see this period as the prelude to your presentation. So…
Don’t say (even as a joke)…
I’m nervous I’d like to get this over with as soon as possible
Do…
Express interest in the event
Ask about the audience
Clarify technical issues e.g. check equipment is working Clarify any contextual issues e.g. who else is going to be speaking (though you should ideally have done that before); whether there have been any changes in circumstances
What you do
When you meet people on your arrival pay close attention to your body language - open hand gestures, grounded with your feet, head high, good eye contact (remember ordinary conversational eye contact is about 60% - in this greeting phase aim for about 70%).
How to create a good impression when you are giving your speech
You have a short time to make a first impression on your audience. You will need to think about:
- How do you want them to feel?
- What do you want them to see?
- What do you want them to think?
- What do you want them to hear?
When you get up to speak…… Draw all eyes to you.
Think about how you are occupying the space around you; make the space your own.
Think about your posture – stand tall, walk tall, take your time.
Focus yourself, using your power words. Use pauses and eye contact to ‘touch’ your audience.
Memorise your first two sentences. Say them in an upbeat way.
This article is taken from the Centre’s published book ‘How to become a brilliant presenter’ by Tess Woodcraft. This book, used on our popular Presentation skills training course, will help you think through how to prepare, how to assemble and structure your content and, perhaps most important of all, how to overcome your nerves and give a confident, professional and high impact presentation. You can purchase all of our published books online for £12.99 (plus P&P).
Tess Woodcraft one of the Centre's senior trainers and has been training in the UK and internationally for the past twenty years and is an experienced communications consultant. Having had hands-on experience of both giving presentations and handling the media, Tess understands the demands and challenges facing those who represent their organisations.
