Presentations and public speaking

Having to give a presentation or publicly speak to an audience can be one of life's greatest fears. I know for me the idea of giving a best mans speech was terrifying but after careful planning, some drafting and going through the speech..... it was still terrifying!

It went well as could be, in-fact even got plenty of congratulations from friends and family it still felt scary and thats when it went well. Im going to go through some descriptions and examine the differences in presentations and some of the skills you can learn and use to make it a little more comfortable although i think even the professionals who doe this time and again get nervous and anxious. 

Fear of being judged, ridiculed, making a mistake or being criticised are all reasons why we fear it and rightly so, no one wants any of that happening to them.

Firstly there is no absolute one right way to deliver a presentation, the best thing to probably be is to be authentic, genuine and speak from a place of honesty. Firstly will go through the the differences between an informal and formal delivery of a presentation.

An informal presentation is one that does not adhere to the typical structure or conventions of a formal presentation. This type of presentation is usually more casual and often encourages an interactive audience participation. It usually involves more of a conversational approach, with the presenter speaking in a less structured manner and engaging with the audience throughout the presentation. 

Examples of informal presentations include coffee talks, town hall meetings, and team-building activities. These types of presentations are designed to be less formal than traditional presentations and encourage collaboration and engagement between the presenter and the audience. 

What is a formal presentation?

A formal presentation is one that follows a predetermined structure, often involving slides, text, and visuals. It is typically used to convey information or explain concepts in a professional setting, such as a business meeting or seminar. The presenter speaks in a clear and organised manner and keeps their content on track in order to effectively communicate the desired message.

Examples of formal presentations include pitch decks, product demos, and research lectures. These types of presentations often involve the use of visuals and a strict timeline in order to ensure that the presenter stays on track and that their message is conveyed effectively. 

Examples of formal and informal presentations

FORMAL

Lecture The classic formal presentation, we probably all know what a lecture is. Often found in a classroom/university or conference setting. The presenter typically stands at the front of the room and delivers a prepared talk to an audience. Slides, handouts, and other visuals may be used to enhance the talk.

Keynote Address This type of formal presentation is typically given by an expert in the field and focuses on one specific topic, sometimes delivered to an organisation or companies employees on mass when some new skill or topic comes into play that they require knowledge on. It may be presented in a lecture format but also includes elements of storytelling, humour, and other techniques to engage the audience and stop them losing interest 

Panel Discussion In a panel discussion, several experts on a given topic present their views and answer questions from the audience. The presentations are usually more conversational, as each panelist shares their knowledge and interacts with the audience.

INFORMAL

INFORMAL

Business Meeting A business meeting is an informal presentation, usually a speaker giving a brief overview of a certain topic. Sometimes accompanied by visuals such as slides or other documents. The audience may have time for questions, but the focus is on sharing information quickly and efficiently.

Classroom Discussion Classroom discussions are an informal presentation in which a group of students discuss a particular topic or concept. This type of presentation allows everyone to share their thoughts and opinions, fostering critical thinking and developing individual perspectives. 

Panel Discussion Panel discussions are a type of informal presentation in which multiple speakers address a single topic from various angles and perspectives, sometimes on complete opposite sides of the argument or topic. Questions from the audience are typically encouraged during this type of presentation, allowing for greater engagement and exploration of the topic.

How do you choose which style is right for your audience? We'll explore three popular presentation styles

Storytelling Style 

A storytelling presentation is just what it sounds like, a story that is told to an audience. This type of presentation can be very engaging and effective, particularly if the story is interesting, emotional and relevant to the audience. This works well when the presenter is telling a story thats personal to them, it is much easier and authentic to tell your own story.

Visual Style 

The most prime example of this style is Steve Jobs, Apples late and great revolutionary. This style requires you to be confident in delivering a "one man speech" and the slides and images are there to compliment your talking points. These can be impactful by having huge screens like Steve Jobs and having that on a big stage with only the presenter is visually powerful and engaging. It works well with a broad demographic audience.

Freeform Style

This style allows you to speak without interruption and gives you the freedom to move around and use props or visuals to help get your point across. This type of presentation can be very helpful when delivering a speech or lecture, as it allows you to keep the audience's attention focused on you.

This type of presentation can be less predictable than others, which can make it more exciting for both the presenter and the audience. This is good for those who are not used to presenting as it allows their personality to be at the forefront.

Here are a five important key skills that can help you give better presentations:

1. Preparation

It's important to take some time to prepare. This means doing your research, understanding your audience, and mapping out your key points. Take the time to prepare, you'll be able to make your presentation more relevant and engaging for your audience.

2 - Communication

During your presentation, it's important to be clear and concise in your delivery. This means speaking in a way that your audience can understand, using language that you know will  be understood by your audience.

3 - Be engaging

No one wants to listen to a boring presentation. Engage your audience by using props, telling stories, or using other creative techniques. 4 - Be confident

Believe in yourself and your message. This will come across to your audience and will help you deliver a better presentation.

5. Visual aids - Using visual aids is a great way to complement your presentation and help your audience understand and remember your key