How presenters can better connect to their audiences

Presentations should be personal, positive, and passionate.

“Um...”

“Uh...”

These two common verbal pauses are most of presenters’ go-to words when they feel nervous and focus on themselves instead of their audience.

ACES speaker and Freedom Finder Judy Straalsund taught presenters tips on how to decrease nervousness.

Straalsund offered the following suggestions to speakers:

• Make the presentation about the viewer by asking, “How can I help my listener?”
• Focus on the audience; don’t be afraid to connect.
• Be real and vulnerable.
• Put the three Ps in the presentation; make it personal, positive and passionate.
• Commanding a room starts with commanding your body; it shows leadership.
• Be yourself.

Straalsund recommended flexibility for scheduled presentations because things don’t always go as planned. Going with the flow and rolling with the punches can lower presenters' stress and help them to present themselves with positivity.

It’s best to be positive at all times because it takes 13 good impressions to erase one bad impression.

Header image credit: ONA USFSP/Skyla Luckey