You're presenting to a large audience. How can you get your message across with the right podium? A podium can be a useful tool to support your presentation, but it can also be a barrier that blocks your connection with your listeners. Here are some tips to choose and use a podium effectively.
Before you decide on a podium, find out what kind of podiums are available at the venue. Some podiums are fixed, some are adjustable, some have microphones, some have lights, some have shelves, some have wheels. Choose a podium that suits your height, your voice, your materials, and your mobility. If possible, test the podium before your presentation to make sure it works well for you.
A job well begun is half done. Start with a bang. You first minute will determine whether the audience find you interesting or they prefer their mobile phones. More than anything, focus on how you begin.
Why do you need a podium? Even better - what is a podium? The description seems to refer to a lectern - the stand with a slanted top that speakers hide behind on stage. In which case, what you really need to ask yourself is: why do I need to hide behind anything? That may not be the actual intention, however, anything between you and your audience is a wall between you and your audience. So my advice is: ditch the lectern - unless there's protocol or tradition in place, in which case, hide behind that.
Selecting a podium is akin to choosing a vessel for your voice, a platform for your presence. Consider its form, its function, its resonance with your message. Like a conductor selecting their baton, let the podium amplify your essence, elevating your words to orchestrate moments of connection and clarity.
Según mi experiencia lo mejor es no usar ningún podio porque pone una barrera entre la audiencia y el orador. Quita espontaneidad. Sin embargo muchos oradores se ponen muy nerviosos y el podio sirve de sostén y ayuda a disimular el temblor del cuerpo y manos, si este es el caso lo mejor es ponerlo a la izquierda de la vista del público sobre el escenario de modo que no obstruya la pantalla y si en algún momento el orador se siente más confiable es importante salir del podio con el microfono y seguir hablando, esto demostrará dominio del tema y confianza.
I prefer not to use a podium at all because I am a gesticulator and it helps you to emphasize points in the presentation you are making. If you are *constrained* by a podium, then it is incumbent on you to use other aspects of technology and your voice to ensure your presentation is successful. Engage your audience using online polls, use fewer slides, and ensure the ones you do use are legible. This is why a run-through the day before or morning of are important - so you can stand as far back in the audience and ensure everyone can read your content. If not, that content is useless & should be removed. Above all else, use your voice to engage & stay on topic. Sometimes the less you say, the more successful your presentation
When you stand behind a podium, you want to project confidence and authority. Avoid leaning on the podium, hiding behind it, or fidgeting with it. Stand up straight, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and balance your weight evenly. Use the podium to hold your notes, but don't read from them. Look at your audience, make eye contact, and use gestures to emphasize your points. If you need to move away from the podium, do so smoothly and purposefully.
When you stand in front of an audience, you are judged. Whether you like it or not, every speaker is judged. Within seconds, your audience form positive or negative impressions of you. So, get used to that! So, what impression do you want to leave? A confident, energetic, well prepared speaker, I presume. Great!, let's work on it. Appearance matters - pay attention to every clothing item or every accessory you use. Content wise - do thorough research, preparation and rehearse well. In building confidence, nothing beats rehearsals. Get comfortable looking at people in the eye. Maintain at least 5 seconds eye contact per person before turning to another person. These are practical tips to build confidence. Try them!
A presenter can adhere to these steps to display confidence and authority when standing behind a podium: 1) start by mastering your body language. 2) Stand tall, maintain an open posture, and use purposeful gestures to emphasize key points. 3) Make eye contact with different sections of the audience to establish a connection. 4)Speak with a clear, steady voice, varying your tone to keep the audience engaged. 5)Practice controlled movements, avoiding distracting mannerisms. 6) Use the podium as a focal point, returning to it periodically to reinforce a sense of command. Projecting confidence is not just about words; it's about embodying assurance through your entire presence.
The correct term is lectern. A podium is a raised platform on which you stand - unless you're spiderman, then climb the lectern. Again, ditch it. It's not your friend. Ditch it in your rehearsals, ditch it in your actual presentation. Connect with your audience by not hiding behind any structure - unless there's protocol or a system that needs to be adhered to: - A religious sermon (in which case it's a pulpit) - A royal ceremony - You're addressing the nation behind a Presidential? Podium Anti-Ballistic - You're in the ICJ bringing a genocide case that has taken the life of 30,000 innocent, displaced millions who continue to starve, with tens of thousands missing under the rubble. That's really 0.002% of presentations that happen.
Standing behind a podium is akin to commanding a stage, a nexus of presence and poise. Let its sturdy embrace ground your stance, a bastion of assurance. Speak with conviction, eyes ablaze with connection. With each gesture, each step, weave a tapestry of engagement, a symphony of resonance that echoes beyond words.
A microphone can help you amplify your voice and reach a large audience, but it can also create challenges. You need to adjust the microphone to your level, speak clearly and loudly, and avoid feedback and distortion. If you have a fixed microphone, stay close to it and avoid turning your head away from it. If you have a wireless microphone, clip it securely and check the battery. If you have a handheld microphone, hold it firmly and don't cover it with your hand.
Think of your mic as an extension of your own faculties. A part of you. And then treat it as such. To the extent that when you're in the actual place and time, you need not even think about the mic - it'll be like breathing. Now how do you get to that level? Practice like no man's business. With all types of mics. Every chance you get. Practice it standing still, sitting down, pacing around, even lying down. And for good measure, practice it while holding and transitioning between yoga positions. That way, it becomes YOU. That way, you're ready for any presentation that comes your way. It is no longer alien. The only thing left would be to "test" them out before or on the day itself - and to allow for contingencies.
Making use of the microphone effectively is a core skill while presenting to a large audience: 1) Maintain Proximity: Maintain an optimal distance from the microphone to ensure clear and balanced audio. 2) Mic Testing: Prior to the presentation, test the microphone to ensure it's functioning correctly. Consistent Volume: Maintain a consistent speaking volume, avoiding sudden changes that may disrupt the audience. 3) Mic Handling Techniques: Hold the microphone securely, avoiding excessive movements that could create distracting noises. 4) Being Aware of the mic distance from the mouth : Be mindful of the microphone's position to ensure your voice is effectively amplified throughout the venue.
A microphone, a conduit for whispers to roar, bridges the chasm between voice and vastness. Adjust its embrace to your cadence, letting clarity soar on waves of resonance. Whether fixed, wireless, or held in hand, wield its power with intention, a beacon of amplification that echoes the heartbeat of your message.
To effectively communicate to large audiences from the podium, focus on clear, concise messaging. 1) Start with a strong opening to grab attention. 2) Use simple language and avoid jargon. 3) Organize content logically, with key points highlighted. 4) Engage the audience through stories, examples, or questions. 5) Maintain eye contact, vary tone, and use gestures to emphasize points. End with a memorable closing that reinforces the message.
A podium can be a plain and boring element in your presentation, but you can add some flair to it with some creativity. You can decorate the podium with your logo, your name, or a relevant image. You can use props, visuals, or handouts to supplement your speech. You can also use the podium as a platform to interact with your audience. For example, you can invite questions, comments, or feedback from the audience and use the podium as a place to collect them.
A presenter can create an Interesting, Interactive, Creative & Entertaining Presentation via following methods: 1) Engaging Content: Craft a compelling narrative with a clear structure, incorporating anecdotes, and relevant examples. 2) Use captivating visuals, such as slides or multimedia, to support your message and maintain audience interest. 3) Foster Audience Interaction: Encourage participation through questions, polls, or interactive activities to keep the audience engaged. 4) Adding touch of Humor: Integrate appropriate humor to lighten the atmosphere and connect with the audience e.g. narrating good jokes 5)Mix up your delivery style, incorporating stories, statistics, and dynamic language to maintain interest.
A podium can be a powerful tool in your presentation, but it can also create problems if not used properly. To ensure a successful speech, avoid choosing a podium that is too high or low for you, blocking your audience's view of your slides or screen, creating physical or psychological distance from your audience, relying too much on the podium for support or security, and ignoring the podium's features or functions. With these tips in mind, you can make the most of the podium and deliver an engaging message to your large audience.
Using the Podium Effectively is a key presentation art: a) Positioning: Stand centred and avoid leaning on the podium; use it as a focal point for stability. b) Podium Etiquette: Keep hands visible, and avoid excessive fidgeting or leaning; maintain a professional stance. c) Accessing Notes: Place notes or a script discreetly on the podium for quick reference without distraction. d) Movement: Use the podium strategically for emphasis, but don't hide behind it; move around to engage the entire audience. e) Politeness: Thank the audience and event organisers appropriately; exit the stage confidently. f) Practice good podium manners by avoiding self distracting behaviors, so the audience can focus on your message without any disruptions.
Ditch the podium. Lectern actually. Either way, that structure with a slanted top that people lean on and serve as a wall between them and the audience - DITCH IT.
Authentic Engagement .....Design memorable WOW moments by inviting an audience to actively participate. It's a great way to build rapport. Speak to the mass but call out for "a show of hands" or do "a clap meter." Recently another technique I love is the instant Visual Data interpretation from an audience survey you do while speaking to the audience. These Data Visualization apps are fun and really engaging when you can see the pie chart or graphic come to life on screen within mere seconds of holding a poll! They add immediate impact and drive meaningful engagement.
Begin and end with a compelling and relatable story. We human are 'emotional sponges' generally so if the story is compelling, we listen attentively. Begin with a story to highlight the objectives and end with a story to highlight the key takeaways.
Capture the crowd from the podium by keeping your financial talk straightforward, weaving in relatable examples, and using attention-grabbing visuals to bring your message to life. Turn your financial presentation into a captivating tale that resonates with everyone in the audience, making your insights accessible and engaging.
It is always important you make eye contacts with someone in the audience as you convey a thought, idea or a message. This makes your presentation feel more personal. You can do this by picking on person from the audience, speak on a point and then scan the audience, look at another person and convey another thought. It make your presentation more conversational and extemporaneous.
It is always important you make eye contacts with someone in the audience as you convey a thought, idea or a message. This makes your presentation feel more personal. You can do this by picking on person from the audience, speak on a point and then scan the audience, look at another person and convey another thought. It makes your presentation more conversational and extemporaneous.