When You Present

• Err on the side of LOUD - try to be a little louder than you think you need, and look at someone in the very back to get a feel for how far your voice needs to travel
• Smile and make eye contact with different audience members - keep looking up, even if you need to look down to refer to your notes at times
• Not too fast
• Stop for breath - include clear pauses at natural points like the end of a sentence. Give listeners a moment to think and catch up with you.
• Believe in yourself and project confidence (however you actually feel at the moment - remember presenting is like acting)
• Believe in your material - think "I found this interesting and I know you will too!"
• Dress the part - not too casual, comb your hair, and avoid visual distractions such as a key strap hanging from your pocket, one loose shirt tail; wear something you like and think how good it looks on you
• Know your audience - if you need to use a technical term they may not know, include a brief definition to start
• The "Tell" - be a poker star and learn to control your nervous tic, repeated gesture or other distracting moves. Watch out for and avoid:
  • hands in pockets
  • patting pockets (did you lose something?)
  • brushing back hair
  • shifting from one foot to the other (you can stand still or walk around, but don't sway)
  • Like, y'know? Y'know, like?