Tip 688: Never Read Your Presentation

From the Public Speaking Workshops: Never Read Your Presentation

The Bad Stuff

How many times have you seen this? 

The speaker steps to the podium. Puts four pages of printed remarks on the polished and inclined surface. Begins to read. In a monotone.  

Iamgratefultobeabletospeaktoyoutodayonthiscriticalissuefacingourcommunityandallofuswholiveinit.Noissueismoreimportantthanthisone.IstronglyencourageyoutogetinvolvedandsupportthenecessarychangesIwilloutlinehere. . . . 

Snore.

Never read your presentation. Nope. Never. 

The Problems

Reading your presentation encourages a monotone delivery. There’s no passion. There’s no fire. There's no there there.  

Reading your presentation forces your eyes to your printed pages and not to your audience. 

The Approach

Sure. Capture your remarks in writing. Have a strong purpose (either action or information). Have strong supporting points. Include specifics. Include examples and stories. Begin with a strong introduction. End with a strong conclusion.  

Read your text over—and over—and over—until you’re comfortable with it. Start by reading it silently. Then by reading it aloud. Make the necessary changes and edits.  

Then commit that text to notes. Work from your notes. Practice from your notes. 

So when the time comes, you can step to the podium and make eye contact with your audience. You can look from one person to another. You can see and respond to their reactions. You can engage. 

The Effect

Your presentation comes alive. It becomes meaningful. It becomes effective. 

We love this stuff.