Presentation Skills Q&A

with Presentation skills expert, George Torok

Study these questions and answers about presentation skills. Note the myths and misunderstandings about presentations and public speaking. This list will be updated periodically so do come back. George Torok has delivered over 1,000 professional presentations, trained thousands of people on presentation skills and coached dozens of executives. Do you have questions about presentation skills? Send your questions to George Torok - coach@Torok.com. Then watch for answers on this page.

Presentation Skills Question:

What is the best way to rehearse my presentation?

Presentation Skills Expert:

Two parts to this answer:

1. Rehearse your presentation on your feet at least three times as close to the manner in which you will deliver it as possible.

2. Although you might practise your presentation from start to finish - you should also practise it in modules. This helps train your brain to recover when you get lost or to cut something out to save time. And practise your opening and close more than the other parts so you can deliver these important parts strong.

Presentation Skills Question:

Should I thank people when they ask me a question?

Presentation Skills Expert:

No - not every time. Thank the first person who asks you a question with, "Thank you for the first question." But don't thank every person because once you start doing that you get trapped in thanking everyone - which can appear insincere. For the same reason don't respond with, "That's a good question." Every question will not be a good question and you will look like a liar if you say "good question" to one that is clearly not.

Presentation Skills Question:

I have an obvious accent. What should I do to hide my accent?

Presentation Skills Expert:

Don't hide your accent. Instead tell the audience your background early in your presentation so they are not wondering where you are from - instead of listening to your words.

Because of the accent - enunciate your words clearly. State them slowly. If need be - repeat important words and phrases so they understand you clearly.

Don't attempt to hide your accent. Don't attempt to hide your culture. Celebrate your character and have fun with it. Tell a story that your grandparents told you or explain a cultural custom.

Presentation Skills Question:

What is the most common mistake that presenters make?

Presentation Skills Expert:

They believe that they can wing it. Presenters fall into two categories. They believe that they are natural presenters and feel that they have no need to rehearse. The other side feel that they cannot speak and hence do not rehearse. The reality is that both groups would be better by rehearsing.

Presentation Skills Question:

Should I read my speech?

Presentation Skills Expert:

No. Reading your speech makes you boring because you tend to focus on the words and ignore your audience. Most people read in a boring voice. Reading the speech makes you more rigid and your speech appears more like a lecture than a presentation. Instead you should use index cards with keyword notes for you. This allows you to deliver more of a conversation. It is more engaging and effective. The only time that you should read your speech is when the lawyers insist.

Presentation Skills Question:

How can I look more confident?

Presentation Skills Expert:

This is a big question - possibly the most important question about your presentation.

It's important to look confident - even if you don't feel confident - because your audience will judge everything you say based on how confident they think you look.

You might not like that answer - but it is true. Your audience's perception is more important than your reality.

So, how do you appear more confident?

Speak slowly, pause often and smile.

One more thing - look them directly in their eyes.

Do those things and you will appear more confident.

Presentation Skills Question:

Should I tell a joke to open my presentation?

Presentation Skills Expert:

No!

This is an old myth - that you should start your presentation with a joke. The folks who offer this outdated advice may mean well but they are mistaken.

Please don't tell jokes for these three reasons:

1. Delivering a joke is not as easy as you think. Just ask any standup comic. Unless you are a good standup comic your joke will die.

2. In most cases your joke with have nothing to do with your message and your audience will be wondering - "What the heck was that about?"

3. Most jokes make fun of other people - another sex. race, religion, belief or group. When you deliver your presentation you should not risk offending people in your audience.

You might want to make people laugh - but let them laugh at you. That way they warm up to you. Don't use humor that offends your audience.

Presentation Skills Question:

How do I recover from a memory lapse?

Presentation Skills Expert:

There are a few techniques you can use to recover from a memory lapse.

The first thing to do is to smile and pause. When your audience sees you smiling they assume that you are in control. The pause gives you time to recover.

Pause to regain your thoughts and the attention of the audience.

Repeat the last thing you said. That can jog your memory and the audience thinks that you repeated for effect.

Ask a rhetorical question, "Where do we go from here?" That question might trigger your brain to get on track. Or it might even trigger your audience to throw out some helpful suggestions for you.

Presentation Skills Q&A

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