I published here the Romanian review of a book on public communication. Reading it, I have again found that public presentations are as natural to me as drinking water. Thus, I have often held public presentations as far back as high school and have attended thousands of public speeches since, enough to find my positive and negative models.
If you have decided to use audio-visual materials, the first thing you must do once you get to the presentation venue is make sure these are operational. I mean extension cables, plugs, microphones, amplification systems, codecs, streaming, visualization, resolution, and embedding. A way of doing that is by testing the material under natural conditions or asking somebody to do it for you. In any event, a good idea is to get from home: a laptop, cables, extension cables, speakers, codecs, and the entire arsenal implied by the “just in case” scenario. A common-sense condition regarding using audio-video materials is for them to work.
Another rule is to create the right state for the public, i.e., frame the intention to deliver such material accordingly.
Nowadays, public speaking should be professional, just as easy as riding a bike: once you learn it well, there are slim chances for you to bump into other people!
1. The elements that should be considered to prepare a perfect presentation (list) 
- The arrangement of space, disposal of the location
- Lighting in the presentation area
- Distribution and source of light during the session
- Structure of the hall
- Positioning the speaking persons as compared to the listening persons
- Structuring the presentation, mainly when it is also supported by external video material (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, films)
- Concluding with an invitation to action or a question that would arouse curiosity
- Having more than 2-3 objectives in the production, not just one, but not more. These objectives must be intercorrelated.
- Make the presentation as short as possible and explain the concept using examples, metaphors, or demonstrations.
- Non-verbally and actively communicating with the public, inviting them to a dialogue.
- Preparing and practicing delivering the presentation in advance, with critical feedback and possibly role-playing
- Pitching the right public
- Finding the key language for the correct public
2. Persons willing to learn
- Persons willing to implement and experiment
- Persons asking pertinent questions
- Audience interested enough in the subject to use it, not just to make an appearance for a useless information-filled meeting
- The audience is present here and now, offering real-time feedback
- An audience that has money to buy services or products.
3. Rules regarding the use of audio-video materials within a presentation. Positive/negative experiences.
A fundamental rule is making sure they are operational. I mean extension cables, plugs, microphones, amplification systems, codecs, streaming, visualization, resolution, and embedding. A way of doing that is by testing the material under natural conditions or asking somebody to do it for you. In any event, a good idea is to get from home: a laptop, cables, extension cables, speakers, codecs, and the entire arsenal implied by the “just in case” scenario. A common-sense condition regarding using audio-video materials is for them to work.
Another rule is to create the right state for the public, i.e., frame the intention to deliver such material accordingly.
As a negative example from my personal experience, I once participated in a video competition, during which the evaluators had a DVD player in use that they did not know how to use. I found it ridiculous to be made to wait – considering the irony of the situation – until the technical supervisor came and explained to them how to press some buttons for simple orders.
1, 2, 3… START!
If you liked this article, then I also recommend the following:
The best educational program that I experienced in Romania
Efficient learning, more than accelerated reading!
The guide the good-training consumer
I wish you memorable speeches!
Happy public speaking!
Text Copyright © Marcus Victor Grant 2011-present. Translation by Cristiana Brezeanu of the article “Cum sa faci o prezentare de succes 1,2,3… “published in Romanian on the 6th of September 2011 on Discerne. Text Copyright © Marcus Victor Grant, all rights reserved.
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