Style and Technique

Once we have dealt with the things underlying confidence, the matter of style and technique is actually a small thing.

·         Style and technique:

A huge trap that people fall in to is trying to be something they are not. The problem is that we see a presenter do a great job and everyone is attentive and captivated, and we want to be like that, so we try to copy. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but not many of us do it well.

o   Not everyone is the same – you have to be the best YOU can be, not a copy of someone else. Understand this truth and you have taken a huge step to effective communication. Don’t try to be someone else. Find your own ways, your own style – there are many basics that can be adapted, and many methods that can be used, but you must present as yourself.

o   Visuals are not necessary, but can be helpful. This is a sticky one – I have already briefly mentioned that Powerpoint has sort of fallen out of favour lately, but some information is just passed on better with visuals. This will depend on your industry and the particulars of your presentation. But a short video, or even simply displaying a live Excel spreadsheet, can be useful. Just make sure you practice with the tech you will be using, and have a backup plan – computers are great when they work, but not all of us can make them work all the time.

But there are also other visuals you can use – people are absolutely fascinated by a bloke drawing on a big sheet of paper. Doesn’t have to be a masterpiece either – stick men, rough pie graphs, and big arrows, make people take notice – if they are relevant.

o   Sound effects, used well, can be great. There was a time that sound effects were frowned upon at pretty much every level, but as you draw that big arrow on your big bit of white paper, there is no reason why you can’t make a bit of a V8 engine sound as you go across the paper. The key to this is that it must be APPROPRIATE. Don’t use silly sound effects at a somber funeral.

o   Changing speed, volume, tone, can all be used for emphasis and interest.

The way you use your voice is as important as what you say in some respects. I am sure you have all heard someone who is just a monotone drone – you very quickly find yourself either falling asleep or wishing he would stop.

But there is so much you can do with your voice. Speaking softly can get everyone straining to hear the words (But make sure you can still be heard), and can gain attention as much a sudden raising of the voice to a yell can wake people up. Talking quickly or slowly can emphasise a point – speaking quickly can raise the excitement level, while slowing down your words can bring an intensity to your words. Even talking in a higher or lower tone can bring the spotlight onto a point.

All of these are sometimes called “dynamics” and they are very useful, but overuse can make your presentation a bit of a caricature.

o   Speaking clearly is important.

The other thing about dynamics is that all this speeding up, slowing down, talking loud and then quiet, can all end up being a bit annoying – so make sure that however you use these dynamics, you do not stop being clear – when you talk quietly, make sure that your quietest is still audible, and make sure your loudest is not so loud that you are blowing out speakers and hurting ears. The sound man should be able to look after that, but it is easier if you control that rather than him guessing.

o   First impressions can be overcome, but it takes hard work.

Someone once said that you only get one chance to make a first impression. You can be an individual, but the more “out there” you are, the harder you will have to work to convince people that you are worth their time.

§  Speak well – poor pronunciation gives a bad impression.

People will quickly get distracted by poor pronunciation. If you talk in certain ways, the impression is that you are not educated. A classic example is someone who says “Sumpfink: instead of “something”. When people hear this, or similar things, they automatically put you in a box that says he is a bit dim, and probably not worth listening to.

§  Poor dress gives a bad impression.

If you are making a presentation to a group of top end businessmen, you probably don’t want to turn up in a rashie and surf shorts. They simply won’t take you seriously. In that case a suit and tie is probably what is expected. You could possible get away without a jacket, but wearing a tie, or maybe you could get away with a jacket and no tie, but you want to be somewhere in the ballpark. This is harder today than it has ever been, because some companies within an industry normally known to be conservative have changed their acceptable dress standards. A Friday presentation might be just fine in Jeans and a polo shirt, but don’t try it on Monday.

§  A strange voice or a “weird” appearance start you behind the 8 ball.

Some people have some quirk about them – a strange voice or a physical difference from what is “accepted” – they just have to deal with those things, but if they are reading this, they already have a strategy. But if you have the choice, then try to be near the accepted “normal”. You want to be memorable and individual, but if you stand out for the wrong reasons, then your good points will be lost in the distraction.

§  These are not game losers, but why make it hard for yourself?

None of these things are the end of the road, and if you are willing to deal with the consequences, then by all means retain your individuality and flair. But unless you have a reason for dressing in a way that you know will cause a raised eyebrow, why give the audience something to be critical of?

§  There are exceptions – “Gimmicks” can be used to good effect, but they should never be the reason why you are remembered.

o   Move – in some way, move around – if you move the eyes of the audience, their attention span grows.

This is hard for many people. Again, there are those who are natural walkers, but “the speakers two step” is a well-known phenomenon – that is where the speaker rocks either back and forwards or side to side, shifting his weight from foot to foot without actually moving. It can be distracting for an audience, so it is better to deliberately move around a little bit. Those who are natural walkers have a definite advantage here, because the simple act of getting the audience to follow you across the stage with their eyes helps to hold attention.

o   Gestures are great for emphasis.

If you are not much of a walker, then Gestures need to become your friend. There are many ways you can use your hands in front of an audience. The classic is in the instance of a comparison where you point to one side of the stage as you talk about one side of the argument, and then turn and point to the other side as you present the opposing view.

Or you might want to emphasise that an old theory has been done away with and so, as you pronounce its demise, you pretend to kick it off the stage to the side.

As with sound effects, this needs to be used intelligently, but can be highly effective.

·         Practice and assessment:

o   Find a reliable and truthful person to critique your speaking.

§  You do not want a yes man – you will not get any good help from someone who is afraid to offend you.

§  You do not want an overly critical person – that will only lead to discouragement.

§  Video or audio recording can be useful.

§  Any critique is only useful if you use it.