Presentation Success: What do You Want People to Feel?

Presentation Success Criteria - How will they feel?
Here's another criteria for presentation success.

How do you want listeners to feel during and after your presentation?

Why is that important?

Because "How they feel" will determine how they react to your message more than anything else.

If you want to influence people as a public speaker you need to understand how they might be feeling and how you might influence their feelings.

Before you speak research and consider how people might be feeling about your message. Then develop your presentation to alter their feeling in the direction that you want.

If you can do that - you have delivered a successful presentation.

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Presentation Success: What do you want people to think?

Presentation success Think
What do you want people in your audience to think during and especially after your presentation?

That is one measure of a successful presentation.

A successful presentation is not about being perfect - because that will probably never happen. Instead focus on your real goals.

Do you want to influence how people will think?

Then design and deliver your presentation to meet that goal.

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Impromptu Speaking


Impromtu Speaking
Don't wing it. Always be prepared to deliver an impromptu presentation.

Sometimes you might be asked to deliver comments or a presentation without advance notice. You might be tempted to think on your feet. I strongly suggest that you do not think on your feet. It is easy to get yourself into trouble. Instead always be prepared to speak on very short notice. Impromptu speaking is similar to regular presenting – in that both are based on skill development. The better you know and practice the techniques the more it looks like talent.

Here are some techniques to help you with impromptu speaking.

  • Have some favourite stories ready to use at any time. 
  • Rehearse them well so you can tell them easily. 
  • Prepare some of your best stories for different time frames, eg a 45-second version and a three minute version.
  • Quickly write three points on an index card – then talk about those points.
  • Decide on the one thing that you want to get across – and deliver that message.
  • Conduct your speech as an interview with yourself. 
  • Ask rhetorical questions – then answer them.

Don’t think on your feet – instead be prepared


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How to Deliver Bad News

Giving Bad News in Your Presentation

Tips for Giving Bad News

iBe well rehearsed.
iBe objective - focus on the issue.
iLook and sound confident.
iStand still and avoid making big gestures.
iMaintain steady eye contact.
iDemonstrate empathy – not sympathy.
iBe brief. Explain the cause and the decision.
iBe clear. Be direct. Don’t use vague metaphors.
iAnnounce if you will take questions and the rules.
iIf you plan to be available for private discussion – tell them when and how.
iClarify the next step.
iAfter you have given the bad news, pause to allow the message to sink in.
iBe prepared for an angry backlash – and don’t react.
iHave assistants prepped and ready to help with the unexpected.



Don't do any of these
iDon’t appear to be seeking audience approval.
iDon’t lie, exaggerate or undervalue the impact.
iDon’t state “This will hurt me more that you” or “I know how you feel.”
iDon’t blame. Take credit for your own decisions.
iDon’t shed crocodile tears.
iDon’t be glib. Don’t try to be funny.
iDon’t mix bad news and good news. That confuses the message.


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Fast Track Your Professional Speaking Business


Pro-Track
PRO-TRACK is a year-long program teaching aspiring, new and mid-career speakers the business of professional speaking.  We help you develop the level of presentation and platform skills needed as an expert professional speaker.  And, we help you identify, create and build all of the components necessary to run a thriving, satisfying and profitable business.

Whether you want to deliver keynote speeches, workshops or seminars this is the program for you!

The program consists of 4 weekend Boot Camps spread throughout the year. Our faculty are each successful in their career, most currently earn their living as a Professional Speaker, and are only too willing to share their insights and expertise of what has led to their success.

Sign Up before September 15 and save 15% of the tuition!

Here’s what our participants had to say about the program:

"If you're one of the ones, like I was, that has been thinking about professional speaking for some time and/or recognizes the vital importance of speaking skill to attracting customers to your fine work, but you're still propped up on that fence, I'm here as one of the converted to tell you that ProTrack is your catalyst. If you're ready for something that will propel you forward - your belief in what's possible and you're belief in yourself - you simply must take this program. It's personal and professional development at its finest - AND - it's just smart business to choose to learn from all the defeats and victories of the very best in the business, while simultaneously cutting down your own learning curve to success in the process!"

The PRO-TRACK Program is an incredible experience that jolts participants into action around a variety of topics aligned with speaking and facilitation. The experience is SO rich as participants with a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds come together in an effort to improve and learn from the best in the business. It is an incredible opportunity for anyone who is committed to doing the work necessary to take their abilities and understanding of the business to the next level. I have benefitted immensely from this experience, it has been life altering for me and my family. Thank you Pro Track!!

"ProTrack has provided remarkable opportunities for me to learn directly from the Pros. These respected professional speakers have generously shared the wisdom of their experience and shortened my learning curve considerably. This program has provided me with a network and support system that is deeply appreciated. Building a speaking business can be a very lonely journey and ProTrack has made it a lot richer and a lot less lonely.  Thanks to all of the Volunteers that have made this exciting program possible."

For more information go to www.capstoronto.org or email Sylvia Plester-Silk, Chair, Pro-Track Speaker Academy at sylvia@onpurposeconsulting.ca

Sylvia Plester-Silk
Chair, Pro-Track Speaker Academy


Sylvia Plester-Silk
Principal Trainer
On Purpose Consulting
519-822-3776

Co-Chair Pro-Track Speaker Academy,
Canadian Association of Professional Speakers - Toronto





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Where is the Emergency Exit?


Where is the exit sign?
When you are the presenter the audience expects that you know where the emergency exits are. It's part of your responsibility as the speaker.

When you speak the audience sees you as a leader - as least temporarily. With that leadership comes responsibility.

For the safety of your audience and yourself, check and be familiar with the emergency exits and to where they lead. When things go wrong appear calm and maintain control. Give clear instructions. There is nothing worse than a panic. Similarly be prepared to handle accidents and medical emergencies.

As the presenter you are responsible when things go wrong – especially an emergency. The group has granted you leadership status and expects you to take charge in an emergency.





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