Presentation Training Skills

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A Presentation Seminar DON'T During Presentations

Stop looking at the screen!

Think about some of the worst presentations you have sat through. I'm sure one such presentation would include a speaker who puts more focus on the projection screen rather than on the group he is speaking to. Have you questioned yourself why presentations given in this manner cause the audience to become distracted from the speaker's presentation? Well, we're here to find out.

Reasons for distraction

Isolation of speaker from audience

It is common for people to seek mutual understanding when communicating. For a speaker, it is important to keep constant eye contact with his audience when presenting, as this provides the link through which the audience is able to relate to the speaker. A speaker who repeatedly breaks eye contact with his audience in order to look at the screen isolates himself from the group, and distracts them from making sense of what he is saying. As a result, the audience is unable to understand the zeal and conviction the speaker has for the topic, as the speaker does not clearly communicate that through his eyes. The audience would also be less willing to respond or listen to an aloof speaker.

Juggling of duties

A speaker that frequently gives attention to the screen invites the distraction of having to constantly shift his focus between the projection screen and his laptop. This may cause him to lose concentration on what he is saying, and therefore force him to have to stop in the midst of the presentation and take time to review his material. When the speaker pauses to do so, it reflects badly on his clarity and knowledge on the subject, and this would provide the audience with reason to lose confidence in the speaker's competence. Therefore, speakers should not glance at the screen time after time, as it distracts both the speaker and the audience from the presentation, and such diversions lessen the speaker's ability to effectively put his message across to the audience.

Projection distractions

When a speaker is too absorbed in staring at the screen, he would be more oblivious of his surroundings, and may enter the line of projection by mistake. The slides would then be projected onto the speaker, producing a great distraction for the audience. Not only does this ignorance distract from the presentation, but the speaker may also end up looking foolish and unskilled, as he would be covered in projection images, and unable to realize what has happened.

Resolving unnecessary distractions

Correct your laptop arrangement

To prevent the distraction of broken eye contact between speaker and audience, place your laptop exactly in front of your audience. This will promote eye contact between yourself and your listeners, since they would be in the same line of sight as your laptop screen. Also, arranging your laptop in this manner would hinder you from turning back to look at the projection screen, and as a result, you would be less likely to be glancing at the screen repeatedly, and more likely to divert your focus to the audience before you.

Refrain from having numerous points

In order to prevent yourself from having to stare at the projection screen so that you can read off material from the slide, apply restrictions on the number of points you have in each slide. Not only will this prevent you from glancing at the screen too often, but it will also allow you to concentrate and provide details for each point. In this way, you can devote your efforts to engaging the audience and forging a connection with them. Going through slides loaded with substantial material will not be as helpful to the audience, as they are listening for what you have to say, and not what the slides say.

Know your material well

If you want to prevent yourself from being at a loss for words during the presentation, make sure you are well-acquainted with the information you are presenting. Also, take time to run through the presentation, so that when the time comes, you will be ready to get the audience's attention and present with clarity and certainty.

Don't worry about your equipment

Consistently show up at the presentation venue 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time, so that you can get your equipment ready and make sure everything is functioning properly. Subsequently, be assured of a smooth running of the equipment during the presentation, and place your attention on presenting your material instead. To make sure your audience is viewing the appropriate slides at the appropriate times, glance at the projection following every 5 to 10 slides.

In conclusion, speakers should put priority on minimizing distractions for the audience during their presentations. If you think the audience would feel distanced when listening to a speaker who glues his eyes to the screen, make sure you don't do that in your presentation. Additionally, do not be overly concerned with the functioning of your equipment after you have tried and tested it. Give your attention to the audience who deserves it with passion and confidence.

Source: Kelvin Lee link

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