Alright, listen up, y’all. Gonna tell ya ’bout how to give one of them business thingamajigs… a “pres-en-ta-tion,” they call it. Fancy, huh? Anyways, it ain’t rocket science, but there’s stuff ya gotta do and stuff ya better not even think about doin’.
First off, you gotta get ready. Don’t just waltz in there like ya own the place without knowin’ what yer talkin’ ’bout. That’s like tryin’ to bake a cake without flour, ain’t gonna work. Figure out what yer gonna say, and practice it some. Not too much, though, don’t wanna sound like one of them robots on the TV.
- Do yer homework: Know what yer sellin’ or tellin’ or whatever. Don’t be standin’ there like a bump on a log when someone asks ya a question.
- Practice makes perfect: Say it out loud a few times. To the dog, to the mirror, to yer plants, I don’t care. Just make sure the words come out right.
- Get yer stuff together: If ya need pictures or papers or whatchamacallits, have ’em ready. Don’t be rummagin’ around like ya lost yer dentures.
Now, when yer up there talkin’, keep it simple. Folks ain’t got all day to listen to ya jabber on. Get to the point, and don’t use big fancy words that nobody understands. Talk like yer talkin’ to yer neighbor over the fence, ya know?
And for the love of Pete, don’t be readin’ off them slides like yer a first grader. Them slides, they’re just there to help ya out, not to do the talkin’ for ya. Your voice, that’s what matters. Tell a story, make it interestin’. If ya just readin’ words up there, folks gonna fall asleep faster than my old man after a big dinner.
Keep it movin’, too. Don’t stand there like a statue. Use yer hands, walk around a little, make some eye contact. Let folks know yer alive and yer excited about what yer talkin’ ’bout. Even if yer not, fake it ’til ya make it, that’s what I always say.
Here’s some stuff ya better not do, unless ya wanna look like a fool:
- Don’t overload them slides with words. Pictures are good, but too many words, nobody’s gonna read ’em. Keep it short and sweet.
- Don’t mumble. Speak up so folks in the back can hear ya. And don’t talk too fast neither. Nobody likes a motor mouth.
- Don’t be boring. If yer bored, they’re gonna be bored. Find a way to make it interestin’, even if it’s about somethin’ as dull as dishwater.
- Don’t be disrespectful. Listen to what folks gotta say, and answer their questions nice and polite. Even if they’re askin’ dumb questions. Just smile and nod, that’s what I do.
And most important of all, believe in yerself. If ya don’t think yer good, nobody else will neither. Stand up tall, speak up loud, and tell ’em what ya gotta say. You got this!
Remember, this ain’t about bein’ perfect. It’s about gettin’ yer message across. So take a deep breath, say yer piece, and don’t worry too much about it. Worst thing that can happen is they don’t like it, and then ya move on to the next thing. Life’s too short to worry ’bout a bad presentation.
So there ya have it. My two cents on givin’ one of them business thingies. Hope it helps ya out. Now go out there and knock ’em dead!
One last thing, make sure you look presentable. Comb yer hair, wash yer face, and put on some decent clothes. First impressions matter, ya know. You don’t wanna look like ya just rolled outta bed.
And don’t forget to smile! A smile goes a long way. Even if yer nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, just slap a smile on yer face and pretend like yer havin’ a good time. Folks will appreciate it.
Alright, I’m done. Go on now, get outta here and get to work!
Tags: [Business Presentations, Presentation Skills, Effective Communication, Public Speaking, Business Tips, Do’s and Don’ts, Professional Development, Career Advice, Speaking Tips, Presentation Advice]
