Practice running through the whole thing. Several times. Get there early and test out your file with the presentation equipment, just to make sure you won't have any tech. difficulties. Do not picture everyone naked. (either you'll go "eewww", or possibly the other consequence which has already been mentioned here) Naked in oatmeal, however, might be OK. Look at the wall right behind the audience. Like eye contact, same direction, but easier for the presenter.
I have presented in front of over 3,000 people before. I have presented in German to an audience in Germany. I have presented in Spanish to audiences in Mexico. Giving a presentation in English to 75 people is easy stuff. When I present, I just relax and rationalize things to myself by saying that if I get uptight or nervous, I won't do as well. That allows me to relax.
Take off your watch, car key's, cell phone, and anything else in your pockets and put them on the table. the less you have to fidget with the less you will fidget. If your not wild about eye contact, stare at their foreheads, they won't know the difference. Swith people for each point you make. Don't memorize what you ant to say, just be comfortable and roll with it. If you miss a line, they will never know unless you show it. 90% is delivery and how your gestures look, 10% is what you said. Piece of cake, you'll do great! Good luck!
Setup and test the computer well in advance. Have a plan B in case it fails. YOU be the lead presentation and let the powerpoint follow you. Don't let the powerpoint be the lead and you follow it. Generally, people don't like and don't pay attention to Powerpoints. Keep it lighthearted. most people there will completely forget any information that's in the powerpoint. So use real-world phrases and terms. Don't make it too rigid. People will fall asleep if you do. Speak clearly, slowly, and with confidence. Never say "umm..." Be confident. Do NOT be nervous. Be fearless. Be fearless.
Reg- The first thing to do is relax. Be upbeat and positive, but try not to be too quick. Alot of people want to talk fast, so just slow down what you are saying and try to articulate. Focus on a few points in the back of the room and the rest of the people will become a blur so you can really concentrate. Just take a deep breath and go. Everyone at one time or another has been in your position. You seem adequately prepared and ready to go. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
that crap never worked for me. it would just leave me with a wierd look on my face thru the persentation.
Well guys, I did OK. Not good but just ok. Started out yesterday I developed a bit of a cold so my voice wasn't real strong so I started out bad with a weak voice and then I was distracted by my voice and that made me forget one of the things I wanted to talk about in the introduction. Nobody knew that but me. Then once I got going and comfortable then it went really really well and on the last slide I didn't want to stop talking because it was going so well and then there were a few questions that I was able to answer very well. So all in all it started out bad and finished up strong
I'm glad your presentation went well. I have a question, though, regarding icebreakers and whether and what type you used. I'm doing a presentation tomorrow and though I've completed a handful in the past, I never really know how to open up.
I goofed on mine didn't say much. I think you should say something like "i won't take long, hopefully you don't all fall asleep.." or something like that.
