It was the launch of my new book, Compelling Communication, last week.
I can’t remember being so nervous about giving a talk for years.
But, I’m pleased to say, with the help of a lovely audience…
It went beautifully, and I’ve been glowing for days afterwards.
So, in the spirit of offering insights from the tricks I’ve picked up along Communication Road…
Here are five important thoughts about how to ensure a big presentation goes well.
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Start early for powerful presentations
I began planning what I would say in my talk pretty much as soon as it was confirmed, three months ahead.
Not in any detailed form:
Just what I wanted to get across, and how.
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I didn’t want it to be in any way academic, or feel like a lecture.
It had to be warm, entertaining, celebratory…
But still offer some insights into the book, of course.
As well as covering the necessary ground, such as thanking all the brilliant people involved in making Compelling Communication a reality.
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Polish and perfect your presentation
Once you’ve worked out the content, then you have to find a structure.
A strong start, an emphatic ending, the golden thread of the narrative…
But also light and shade, highs and lows of emotion.
A talk should be a journey.
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That requires polishing and perfecting.
I shaped the talk, shifted elements around, cut some parts, reshaped, and kept sculpting until I was happy.
Which then brought us to the next important stage, perhaps the most critical…
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Relentless rehearsing for polished presentations
This is so simple, but so very important.
Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more.
- Then rehearse some more again.
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In the two weeks before I gave my talk, I rehearsed it every single day.
And in the three days before the event, that became twice a day.
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I know it sounds excessive, and a lot of work, but sadly it’s true:
If you want a smashing, slam-dunk, super presentation…
You just can’t practice enough.
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Visualise success in public speaking
Although I knew where I was speaking, I had never been to an event there.
So I made sure to get to the Cambridge University Press Bookshop early, and find out where I would be standing.
Then, I imagined where the audience would be, knew how I would need to position myself to see them all…
And how to project my voice to be clear, but not overbearing.
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Then came the psychology:
I stood in that very spot, and imagined delivering my lines.
The smiling faces, the laughter, the applause.
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I never used to believe in visualisation, but believe me, having used it plenty of times now…
It really works.
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The peace before a big presentation
This might sound strange, and even near impossible, but it helps to find some inner calm for a big talk.
Nerves are natural, and should be embraced.
They fill you full of energy, ready to perform at your peak.
But! They can also disrupt your delivery if you can’t control them.
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One way to do so is to give yourself just a few minutes' break before you speak.
Get outside, breathe deeply, roll your neck, stare up at the sky, and try to calm your racing heart.
If you can get the right balance between nerves and calm, you should be in the perfect mental and physical state to deliver an outstanding presentation.
These tricks worked well for me when I launched Compelling Communication.
They can for you, too.
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Oh, and since you asked, even if you didn't...
Compelling Communication is packed full of tips to help with your public speaking and presentations, along with writing, storytelling and many more insights besides.
You can find out more about the book here.
