To ask what to do to gain confidence in presenting to people at work

[crepeyneck]

With no PowerPoint just me talking to a potentially critical audience. Any classes or tutors in London area?

www.businessinsider.com/10-public-speaking-habits-to-avoid-2014-6 I liked this article.

I second the person who suggested doing some improv. The thing that helped me most was acting, and also to some extent debating. Both back at school, so not particularly recent. I present lots and really enjoy it, and tend to start by getting into role. I also disagree with those that say practice, at least as far as the specific presentation. I've watched people being drilled on their presentations, getting more and more nervous and more and more stilted. It doesn't make a good presentation in my view.

That people get better the more they present is totally true though. The other thing that helps is to watch lots of other people present, good and bad. I used t go to a lot of medical conferences, and it was fascinating (and a bit sad) to see junior doctors stand up and say nothing particularly interesting very well and nurses be so nervous about their materials that it spoiled their talks. Basically all about confidence. If you are worried about people attacking you then improv might really help as it's all about being quick on your feet. Otherwise don't be afraid to tell people that you don't have the answer right now, that they should come and talk to you after the presentation, asking what they think or calling out other experts you know are in the room.

Oh yes and agree with MrsTP, humour is always good.

HarrietVane99 has given first class advice.

To project your voice, you literally have to speak to the back of the wall - just over the heads of your audience.

If you don't have power point, can you use small data box cards? (I am old enough to remember when we didn't have databases on a computer, we had a databox. They are about the size of a mobile phone. You don't have to hide them, but it is neater than wafting a crib sheet of A4. You

• Flick left hand to show you card with REMINDER POINTS
• Speak the that card and then pass the card to the back of the pile
• Flick left hand and read your next REMINDER

(Make sure that you number your cards in case you drop them in your setting up nerves - and always put an elastic band round to keep together in your briefcase)

Have a glass of water available in case you get 'dry mouth' and a tissue in your pocket in case you cough/sneeze.

SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE - never look terrified! But I always look around at my audience (slowly) and smile .......... they tend to smile back which is so reassuring! But it also relaxes your face muscles Now I was originally frightened about looking at the audience first when I got to big numbers but I discovered that once you get over 50 in the audience, you can't count and it simply doesn't make a difference! I did insist on a radio microphone when I was in the 200+ bracket because even my voice was 'absorbed' by that many people in the room.

Start with a "Welcome" speech rather than launch into the topic.

• Welcome, good to see so many here on this hot/wet day
• Today we will be discussing ......
• This is an important topic for all of us in x sector because....
• I am happy to take questions throughout .... OR
• I will speak to you for 45 minutes to outline x and then I am sure your will have questions so we will then have 20 minutes of questions
• You may take notes if you wish, and you may want to write down any questions you have as I speak for the first 45 minutes
• Now, can everyone hear me clearly?

[If they say Yes - smile again. If they say No - repeat the question looking at the back wall just over their heads and projecting your voice louder. That gives an interaction and a joining of you as the speaker and the audience]

• Good!
• So I will start be reminding you of the legislation/policy/focus

Then you launch into your delivery points.

HTH

Great suggestions. Practice, time yourself.