Giving a presentation or delivering a talk is an acquired skill. That means anyone can learn it—even you.
A good talk requires two components: a speaker and an audience. Both parties need to be engaged for the event to be a success. Speakers who don’t work to engage the audience may come across as self-involved, or (worse) condescending. Always think of your audience as your equals, not your students.
One way to make sure the audience stays engaged is to consider their interests as you’re planning the presentation. People tend to be most interested in subjects that relate directly to their lives. Constantly ask yourself why and how the material is relevant to the audience, or you’ll risk boring them to tears.
For more top tips on turning yourself into an excellent public speaker, check out our Instaread on Dale Carnegie’s The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking.
