by Motivational Speaker and Strategic Storytelling Expert, Kelly Swanson
Ditch The Tips And Adopt A New Perspective
Ever feel like you’re overwhelmed with tips on how to give a better presentation? Where to put your hands. How to stand. When to move. How much vocal variety? Am I moving too much, or not enough? To pace or not to pace? To script or not to script? What happens if I pass out in the middle of my talk? Does my butt look big in these pants? Trying to remember and apply all the presentation tips you’ve heard can make speaking a nightmare, and your speech a disaster. So let’s ditch the tips. Yes, you heard me. Scrap them. Right now. And let me give you one word to focus on......
Conversation
It’s Not A Performance, It’s a Conversation
Our goal as a presenter is to persuade an audience to do something, buy something, feel something, or think something. In order to do this, we must get them to like us, trust us, believe us, and feel like they know us. To get them to buy into what we’re saying, we need them to buy into us as a human being. That means we need to make a connection.
The art of presenting is not about communicating effectively, it’s about connecting effectively.
You may think the most important thing is your information. But it’s not. The most important thing is the relationship you establish with that audience in a short amount of time.
There are many ways to establish a connection through the words you choose and the way you deliver them. But I promised no tips. Instead, I want you to change the way you see your job.
Your job is not to give a performance, it’s to have a conversation. A conversation is not the same thing as a performance. Conversations are real, organic, heartfelt, and natural. Your presentation should be delivered in the same way you would have a conversation with your best friend - only this time you’ve planned out what you want to say in advance.
Conversations don’t worry whether the words are perfect. Conversations aren’t filled with weird arm movements you don’t normally make. And you would never change your voice for a conversation with your best friend. Talk to us like we are your best friends. I promise, we will like you just the way you are.
Still Need Help?
Having trouble finding your authentic self on stage? I can help. Good presentations consist of a good script and a good delivery. Here are ways I can offer you help on both.
- Script Work - Online Story Master Classes. Bring a five-minute presentation and get five-minutes of feedback in a group video chat. Classes scheduled each month. www.KellySwanson.Eventbrite.com
- Story Crafting Work - Story Impact Academy. Learn to write a compelling story as a tool in business. Online course - 18 videos with lessons and action steps. Walk away with three finished stories. Available in Self-Directed version to take at your own pace, or Teacher-Directed Deluxe version where I look at all your work and give you feedback. www.StoryImpactAcademy.com
- Presentation Delivery Work - Summer Camp. Combination of teaching and feedback on the delivery of your presentation/story in a retreat setting. www.StoryCraftingCamp.com
- Corporate/Team/Group Story Crafting Course - Have your entire company or team take an online story course together - commenting and sharing on the platform. Walk away with the template for crafting powerful stories as a tool to connect and engage in business. Walk away with three finished stories - the employee story, brand story, and customer story. And improve employee engagement and team building as the stories are shared on the platform and results are measured and sent to your admin in report format. For more information and pricing, I will be happy to chat further. 1-800-303-1049 or kelly@kellyswanson.net
What would it mean to you and your business if you were able to connect on a deeper level with those you serve? Your success is just a few words away.
Motivational Speaker and Storytelling Expert Kelly Swanson teaches people across all industries how to use strategic storytelling to stand up and stick out in a crowded market.