Power Presentation Tips 08: No Jokes - no kidding
Beware of that ancient book that suggests you start your presentation with a joke. Don't do that. No jokes please. Jokes don't fit anywhere in a business presentation.
Why?
Three reasons:
1. You are not a comic.
Stand up comedy is very difficult to deliver well. It takes skill and a lot of practice. And still the great comics tell jokes that bomb. You don't have their skill or resilience. And when your joke bombs the audience is scratching their heads wondering, "What was that all about?"
2. Relevance.
In most cases the joke has nothing to do with your presentation. So even if it turns out funny your audience is still left scratching their heads and wondering, "What was that all about?"
3. You are not Don Rickles.
Most jokes make fun of somebody else. Don't make fun of your audience. They will not like you for it. Don't make fun of some other group. Some of your audience will feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about your prejudice. And they will not like or trust you.
You can still make them laugh
However, you should use humor. And the best person to make fun of is you. Tell a funny story about something silly that you did.
The audience will warm up to you for two reasons: One, because you made them laugh or smile. Two, because you revealed a flaw. This demonstrates that you are imperfect - like them. And we like those who are like us - especially those who share our flaws and pain.
It is more important for the story to make your point than it is to be funny. Watch for more on story telling and other humor techniques in future Power Presentations Tips.
No jokes. Instead reveal a flaw. The audience will like and trust you more when they see themselves in you.
George Torok
Business Speaker
Presentation Skills Training
Canadian Motivational Speaker
PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Turn listeners on - not off
How to turn your listeners on - not off
Enjoy this excerpt from:
Lynda Goldman's Communication Capsules
----------------------------------
"When are you going to understand that if it doesn't pertain to me, I'm not interested?" - Murphy Brown
People today are B&B: Busy and bored. To capture their attention, in writing or when giving a speech, you have to make them say a mental "Yes" in the first three minutes of your connection.
The mental "Yes"
Ask yourself, "What's keeping my audience up at night? What are they worried or frustrated about?"
For example, if you're a financial planner preparing a presentation on retirement, you could begin by asking your audience:
"Do you ever wonder: How much money will I need to retire comfortably? What will I do if my health fails? Who's going to take care of me when I grow old?"
If you said yes to any of these questions, you're in the right place because that's what we'll be talking about today."
When you start off with the questions that are on your audience's mind, people immediately bond with you because they're thinking, "That's exactly what I've been wondering about!" They'll pay attention because you've expressed their concerns. Now they are eager to hear your answers.
The next time you want to capture the attention of people who are busy and bored, make sure to include content in your first 3 minutes that makes them say a mental "yes". They'll be on the edge of their seats.
***
Do you need help writing your next speech or presentation? Call Lynda Goldman for Words That Sell.
To your continued success,
Lynda
Lynda@ImpressforSuccess.com
Susbscribe to Lynda Goldman's tips here.
--------------
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Canadian Motivational Speaker
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Enjoy this excerpt from:
Lynda Goldman's Communication Capsules
----------------------------------
"When are you going to understand that if it doesn't pertain to me, I'm not interested?" - Murphy Brown
People today are B&B: Busy and bored. To capture their attention, in writing or when giving a speech, you have to make them say a mental "Yes" in the first three minutes of your connection.
The mental "Yes"
Ask yourself, "What's keeping my audience up at night? What are they worried or frustrated about?"
For example, if you're a financial planner preparing a presentation on retirement, you could begin by asking your audience:
"Do you ever wonder: How much money will I need to retire comfortably? What will I do if my health fails? Who's going to take care of me when I grow old?"
If you said yes to any of these questions, you're in the right place because that's what we'll be talking about today."
When you start off with the questions that are on your audience's mind, people immediately bond with you because they're thinking, "That's exactly what I've been wondering about!" They'll pay attention because you've expressed their concerns. Now they are eager to hear your answers.
The next time you want to capture the attention of people who are busy and bored, make sure to include content in your first 3 minutes that makes them say a mental "yes". They'll be on the edge of their seats.
***
Do you need help writing your next speech or presentation? Call Lynda Goldman for Words That Sell.
To your continued success,
Lynda
Lynda@ImpressforSuccess.com
Susbscribe to Lynda Goldman's tips here.
--------------
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Canadian Motivational Speaker
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Power Presentations Tip 07: Be present
Power Presentations Tips 07: Be present when you present
That might sound funny to you. However, you might have noticed that some speakers don't appear to be with you when they are speaking to you. Perhaps they appear fidgety as if they prefer to be elsewhere. Perhaps they read their presentation or recite the words in a mechanized fashion. Perhaps they never look at you.
How can you avoid those mistakes?
What can you do to really be there?
Greet and talk to some of the audience members before the formal program starts. This helps to build rapport and create some friendly faces for you.
Pause for five seconds before you begin speaking to look at the audience and acknowledge their presence with a nod and a warm smile.
Look directly at individuals in your audience while speaking.
Mention something positive about the group, event or venue.
Do not read your presentation. Talk from keyword notes.
Know your message well enough so you don't need to memorize it.
Listen to your own words while you speak. Don't speak like a robot.
Listen to and observe your audience. Adapt your delivery just as you would during a friendly conversation.
When a distraction in the room occurs - acknowledge it and move on.
Be present. Be in the moment and you will appear more powerful and more engaging.
George Torok
Presentation Coach
Presentation Skills Training
PS: tell me how this tip helps you
Register for your free Power Presentation Tips here.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
That might sound funny to you. However, you might have noticed that some speakers don't appear to be with you when they are speaking to you. Perhaps they appear fidgety as if they prefer to be elsewhere. Perhaps they read their presentation or recite the words in a mechanized fashion. Perhaps they never look at you.
How can you avoid those mistakes?
What can you do to really be there?
Greet and talk to some of the audience members before the formal program starts. This helps to build rapport and create some friendly faces for you.
Pause for five seconds before you begin speaking to look at the audience and acknowledge their presence with a nod and a warm smile.
Look directly at individuals in your audience while speaking.
Mention something positive about the group, event or venue.
Do not read your presentation. Talk from keyword notes.
Know your message well enough so you don't need to memorize it.
Listen to your own words while you speak. Don't speak like a robot.
Listen to and observe your audience. Adapt your delivery just as you would during a friendly conversation.
When a distraction in the room occurs - acknowledge it and move on.
Be present. Be in the moment and you will appear more powerful and more engaging.
George Torok
Presentation Coach
Presentation Skills Training
PS: tell me how this tip helps you
Register for your free Power Presentation Tips here.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Toronto Presentation Coach
Toronto Presentation Coach
"You demonstrated to us how to cut a 60-minute rambling presentation, into a 12-minute clear, concise and focused presentation that helped us secure a $10 million project."
Sam Kohn, President, Kubik
Presentation Coach with real Business Experience
Executive speech coach and presentation skills training. Learn how to deliver million-dollar presentations from a business presenter. George Torok has two decades of corporate management experience. He has delivered hundreds of board room presentations. He has suffered through more. He is a business person who learned to communicate well. He is not an actor or professor telling business how it should be. Instead he has taken the best lessons from other fields and applied them to business first hand.
Effective Executive Presentations Instructor
George Torok has instructed the Effective Executive Presentations program at the Toronto facility of the Canadian Management Centre for more than the past decade.
Arrange for one-on-one speech coaching or group presentation training for your managers, professional experts and sales team.
George Torok
Toronto Presentation Coach
Toronto Speech Coach
Toronto Presentation Skills Training
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
"You demonstrated to us how to cut a 60-minute rambling presentation, into a 12-minute clear, concise and focused presentation that helped us secure a $10 million project."
Sam Kohn, President, Kubik
Presentation Coach with real Business Experience
Executive speech coach and presentation skills training. Learn how to deliver million-dollar presentations from a business presenter. George Torok has two decades of corporate management experience. He has delivered hundreds of board room presentations. He has suffered through more. He is a business person who learned to communicate well. He is not an actor or professor telling business how it should be. Instead he has taken the best lessons from other fields and applied them to business first hand.
Effective Executive Presentations Instructor
George Torok has instructed the Effective Executive Presentations program at the Toronto facility of the Canadian Management Centre for more than the past decade.
Arrange for one-on-one speech coaching or group presentation training for your managers, professional experts and sales team.
George Torok
Toronto Presentation Coach
Toronto Speech Coach
Toronto Presentation Skills Training
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Your Presentation: This is important
When You have Something Important to Say
When you are presenting a report to your management, a proposal to the committee or changes to your staff they are not hanging on your every word. When you get to the key points - you want them to listen, believe and remember. Use these techniques to give your words impact.
1. Announce, "This is important." Then give the important stuff. Teachers do this by saying, "This will be on the exam." You could state, "This is a million dollar tip."
2. Pause, just before, and after, you say the important stuff. Notice the effect of the pause at the awards night when they say, "May I have the envelope please?"
3. Lower your voice to increase the believability. Practise this, "And in conclusion," (lower your voice) "I am the best one for the job." Then try it in a higher pitched voice and notice the difference.
4. Make them laugh just before, then get serious and deliver the important message. When we laugh we open our minds and are more willing to accept new information.
5. Move before - then stand still while delivering the important stuff. This is especially effective for those who pace or move a lot when they speak.
6. Look your audience in the eye - don't read the important stuff. If you have to read it - then it looks like you don't really know it or believe it.
7. Smile. We believe those who smile at us. We also prefer to listen to speakers who smile at us. We listen with our eyes and our ears.
8. Tell a story of how this lesson was learned or applied. The earliest lessons were stories told by our cave-dwelling ancestors. They were remembered. If only the lecturers of today remembered the wisdom of our ancestors.
9. Repeat it three times during your presentation. If you want it remembered - repeat it and repeat it again.
10. Reinforce the message with images. We retain images better than words. Attach your message to word pictures, visuals and body language.
George Torok
Presentation Skills Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Business Speaker
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
When you are presenting a report to your management, a proposal to the committee or changes to your staff they are not hanging on your every word. When you get to the key points - you want them to listen, believe and remember. Use these techniques to give your words impact.
1. Announce, "This is important." Then give the important stuff. Teachers do this by saying, "This will be on the exam." You could state, "This is a million dollar tip."
2. Pause, just before, and after, you say the important stuff. Notice the effect of the pause at the awards night when they say, "May I have the envelope please?"
3. Lower your voice to increase the believability. Practise this, "And in conclusion," (lower your voice) "I am the best one for the job." Then try it in a higher pitched voice and notice the difference.
4. Make them laugh just before, then get serious and deliver the important message. When we laugh we open our minds and are more willing to accept new information.
5. Move before - then stand still while delivering the important stuff. This is especially effective for those who pace or move a lot when they speak.
6. Look your audience in the eye - don't read the important stuff. If you have to read it - then it looks like you don't really know it or believe it.
7. Smile. We believe those who smile at us. We also prefer to listen to speakers who smile at us. We listen with our eyes and our ears.
8. Tell a story of how this lesson was learned or applied. The earliest lessons were stories told by our cave-dwelling ancestors. They were remembered. If only the lecturers of today remembered the wisdom of our ancestors.
9. Repeat it three times during your presentation. If you want it remembered - repeat it and repeat it again.
10. Reinforce the message with images. We retain images better than words. Attach your message to word pictures, visuals and body language.
George Torok
Presentation Skills Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Business Speaker
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Free Presentation Tips
Free Presentation Tips
Register for your free Power Presentation Tips from George Torok, "The Speech Coach for Executives". Receive these free presentation tips every two weeks by email.
Click here now to start receiving your Free Power Presentation Tips.
What are people saying about the Power Presentation Tips?
"Your Presentation Tip #2 arrived just as we were putting together four different presentations to a variety of client levels in different categories and different countries. It was helpful to be reminded of some of the basics - to help pull it all together. One of my favourite quotes is "man needs more to be reminded than informed", and this was helpful."
Marion Plunkett,
Founder Plunkett Communications Inc.
Toronto, CANADA
"This tip is a superb reminder of what I know is a powerful way to get and keep the room engaged, and is something I should be doing not just in formal presentations, but in my day to day presentations with people I love."
Jamie Lord,
Worldwide Creative Director JAMconsult.org
Hong Kong
"GREAT TIP… Actually I'm about to attend a week long leadership course in which we will be giving presentations…I will use these suggestions…"
Alberta Williams,
CDFM, Financial Manager Federal Highway Administration, DC Division
Washington, USA
"Recently I made a presentation and applied a good number of tips from your edition, I must say, it worked well, thank you so much."
Bennett Size,
SHE & Training Manager Iron Duke Pyrites (Pvt) Ltd
Zimbabwe
"I just want to thank you for this great tool. I have read your books and tried to follow your guide in regard to presenting in front of an audience. These latest tools are awesome!"
Jo-Ann Cino,
Senior consultant, (Top 10 in Canada) Investors Group Financial Services
Oakville, Canada.
"As a Toastmaster (more than 10 years), your message rings true to me. It reminds me to keep my priorities straight. I can only agree with you. Some speakers make it about them, and consequently, the audience responds accordingly, or not. Keep those tips coming."
Claude Desroches
Berlin, Germany
Register here for your free Power Presentation Tips now.
Review the archive of past Power Presentations Tips.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Register for your free Power Presentation Tips from George Torok, "The Speech Coach for Executives". Receive these free presentation tips every two weeks by email.
Click here now to start receiving your Free Power Presentation Tips.
What are people saying about the Power Presentation Tips?
"Your Presentation Tip #2 arrived just as we were putting together four different presentations to a variety of client levels in different categories and different countries. It was helpful to be reminded of some of the basics - to help pull it all together. One of my favourite quotes is "man needs more to be reminded than informed", and this was helpful."
Marion Plunkett,
Founder Plunkett Communications Inc.
Toronto, CANADA
"This tip is a superb reminder of what I know is a powerful way to get and keep the room engaged, and is something I should be doing not just in formal presentations, but in my day to day presentations with people I love."
Jamie Lord,
Worldwide Creative Director JAMconsult.org
Hong Kong
"GREAT TIP… Actually I'm about to attend a week long leadership course in which we will be giving presentations…I will use these suggestions…"
Alberta Williams,
CDFM, Financial Manager Federal Highway Administration, DC Division
Washington, USA
"Recently I made a presentation and applied a good number of tips from your edition, I must say, it worked well, thank you so much."
Bennett Size,
SHE & Training Manager Iron Duke Pyrites (Pvt) Ltd
Zimbabwe
"I just want to thank you for this great tool. I have read your books and tried to follow your guide in regard to presenting in front of an audience. These latest tools are awesome!"
Jo-Ann Cino,
Senior consultant, (Top 10 in Canada) Investors Group Financial Services
Oakville, Canada.
"As a Toastmaster (more than 10 years), your message rings true to me. It reminds me to keep my priorities straight. I can only agree with you. Some speakers make it about them, and consequently, the audience responds accordingly, or not. Keep those tips coming."
Claude Desroches
Berlin, Germany
Register here for your free Power Presentation Tips now.
Review the archive of past Power Presentations Tips.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Power Presentation Tip 06: Focus on the 80%
Power Presentation Tip: 80 will get you 90
Imagine if you were successful 90% of the time. That would be amazing.
We humans have a natural urge to try to please everybody. That is the main reason we have trouble saying "no".
That urge to please everybody can sabotage your effectiveness as a presenter. When delivering a presentation you need to focus on the key decision makers.
With most audiences you will have a 10-10-80 split.
10% adore youThe first 10% of the people will adore you no matter what you do. You don't need to do anything spectacular to impress or convince these people. Recruit them as assistants. Feed off their support but don't overdose on the adulation.
10% dislike youThe second 10% are like poison ivy. Tangle with them and you lose everything. These people will dislike you no matter what you do or say. You can't reach them. Don't knock yourself out for them. It's best not even to directly engage them. Ignore their snarls and don't take it personally. Even Superman had enemies.
Your target is 80%The 80% remaining are the people who can be convinced. They are movable. So focus your presentation on them. Design and deliver your presentation for this 80%. Actively engage them. Notice their reactions. Adapt to their mindset.
When you move this group you will have achieved 90% acceptance. And 90% is an overwhelming success.
Focus on moving the 80% of your audience that can be moved. Don't waste your effort on the unmovable or the adoring fans.
George Torok
PS: tell me how this tip helps you.
Register for your Power Presentation Tips
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Imagine if you were successful 90% of the time. That would be amazing.
We humans have a natural urge to try to please everybody. That is the main reason we have trouble saying "no".
That urge to please everybody can sabotage your effectiveness as a presenter. When delivering a presentation you need to focus on the key decision makers.
With most audiences you will have a 10-10-80 split.
10% adore youThe first 10% of the people will adore you no matter what you do. You don't need to do anything spectacular to impress or convince these people. Recruit them as assistants. Feed off their support but don't overdose on the adulation.
10% dislike youThe second 10% are like poison ivy. Tangle with them and you lose everything. These people will dislike you no matter what you do or say. You can't reach them. Don't knock yourself out for them. It's best not even to directly engage them. Ignore their snarls and don't take it personally. Even Superman had enemies.
Your target is 80%The 80% remaining are the people who can be convinced. They are movable. So focus your presentation on them. Design and deliver your presentation for this 80%. Actively engage them. Notice their reactions. Adapt to their mindset.
When you move this group you will have achieved 90% acceptance. And 90% is an overwhelming success.
Focus on moving the 80% of your audience that can be moved. Don't waste your effort on the unmovable or the adoring fans.
George Torok
PS: tell me how this tip helps you.
Register for your Power Presentation Tips
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Presentations: Handling Questions with Authority
Presentations: Handling Questions with Authority
At some point during your presentation you will be expected to answer questions from your audience. They might have some burning questions that need to be answered before they buy into your message. Handling their questions with authority can make the difference for you between a successful presentation and a waste of time. This is the opportunity for the audience to test your knowledge on the topic and commitment to your message.
1. Explain at which points during the presentation you will take questions and how individuals will be recognized to speak. Point out the microphones they should use. State the rules that must be followed to ask questions.
2. Prepare how you will answer questions - especially the worst questions. Imagine how confident you will look when they hit you with the killer question - the question that is intended to skewer you to the wall. Instead you smile and calmly respond with a positive answer. Craft and rehearse the answers to these difficult questions before the presentation.
3. Maintain control of the questioning. Formally recognize the questioner before they speak and limit the number of questions. Allow only one person to speak at a time.
4. When listening to the question look at the questioner while moving away to include the whole group. Paraphrase the question for the group. State your answer to the group. Beware of answering only to the questioner.
Read the rest of Handling Questions with Authority.
George Torok
Free Presentation Tips
Presentation Skills Coaching
Boardroom Presentations
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
At some point during your presentation you will be expected to answer questions from your audience. They might have some burning questions that need to be answered before they buy into your message. Handling their questions with authority can make the difference for you between a successful presentation and a waste of time. This is the opportunity for the audience to test your knowledge on the topic and commitment to your message.
1. Explain at which points during the presentation you will take questions and how individuals will be recognized to speak. Point out the microphones they should use. State the rules that must be followed to ask questions.
2. Prepare how you will answer questions - especially the worst questions. Imagine how confident you will look when they hit you with the killer question - the question that is intended to skewer you to the wall. Instead you smile and calmly respond with a positive answer. Craft and rehearse the answers to these difficult questions before the presentation.
3. Maintain control of the questioning. Formally recognize the questioner before they speak and limit the number of questions. Allow only one person to speak at a time.
4. When listening to the question look at the questioner while moving away to include the whole group. Paraphrase the question for the group. State your answer to the group. Beware of answering only to the questioner.
Read the rest of Handling Questions with Authority.
George Torok
Free Presentation Tips
Presentation Skills Coaching
Boardroom Presentations
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Presentation blog: Authenticy Rules
Presentation Blog: Authenticity Rules from Rhett Laubach
Followup to my last post, here is another neat blog on presentation skills from professional speaker, Rhett Laubach.
Recent blog posts include an enlightening approach to the use of PowerPoint Slides, a nostalgic connection to the Elvis in you and several helpful links to convincing research. I especially appreciate the explanation along with diagrams of how best to organize the seating of your audience.
Check it out at: http://authenticityrules.blogspot.com/
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Followup to my last post, here is another neat blog on presentation skills from professional speaker, Rhett Laubach.
Recent blog posts include an enlightening approach to the use of PowerPoint Slides, a nostalgic connection to the Elvis in you and several helpful links to convincing research. I especially appreciate the explanation along with diagrams of how best to organize the seating of your audience.
Check it out at: http://authenticityrules.blogspot.com/
George Torok
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
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