How to Deliver presentations

I recently joined a toastmasters group to get some regular speaking practice. I decided to practice regularly because I found  my past course notes which reminded me the importance of practicing regularly.

I wrote a gist of what I know so far to invite experts to share their feedback, and to invite learners who might want to practice together (please ‘r’ me). 

Standing Posture:

1. Stand in an open and comfortable stance - shoulders at chin level, arms relaxed, hands in open confident stance and feet shoulder width apart. 
2. Walk smoothly and only when needed. For e.g. to get attention, highlight something of interest or to visit both sides of a big room.
3. Avoid hiding hands, fig leaf posture, closed poses, adjusting hair/wardrobe, fidgeting with slide clickers, gripping podiums.

Gestures:

1. Gestures help illustrate our message. Gestures should be natural, happen in sync with voice and be around chest height so that they are easy for the audience to see.
2. Think in advance what gestures you want to use in the presentation as most people can do a much bigger range of gestures than they realize. 
3. Concept gestures (scale, comparison, movement) are more important than power gestures ( pointing fingers, table pounding etc).

Voice:

1. Audience uses voice cues to identify important parts. Use your voice volume, pacing, inflection and articulation to guide the audience. For e.g. slow down to emphasize, high tone to convey excitement etc.
2. Project your voice. Speak in low pitch from the diaphragm (not throat) and focus on the front of the face. It helps keep energy high, makes pronunciation clearer, and adds variety to your voice.
3. Practice and get rid of fillers (so, you know, mmm etc). Silence is okay.

Eye contact:

1. Look directly at people. Don’t talk to screen, notes, slides, audience’s back or roof.
2. Distribute eye contact- Look at people and connect with them.

Team Delivery:

1. Choose the method (one speaker, multiple speaker, master of ceremony etc) based on audience, purpose and venue.
2. Have a template for each speaker to follow. For e.g. Intro, ..speak… , summarize, Transition to next speaker/topic . Also use common dress, slide formats, fonts etc.
3. Practice as a team. Audience should be able to see coordination, that everyone had time to speak.

Q & A session:

1. After taking the last question, say 1-2 sentences to remind everyone of key takeaways before saying thank you. 
2. Answer questions using the pyramid principle. Key point first and then add details/justification.
3. Maintain stage ownership - Ask repeat audiences to wait until others have a chance.

Rehearse/Practice:

1. Write detailed speaking outline in the presentation once finished
2. First hone the content, then stance, gestures and voice and then delivery.
3. Practice with slides in front, without slides in front, with a camera recorder and in front of friends.