Top skills every public speaker needs today

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Whether you’re presenting to your colleagues, boss or speaking to a large audience, having the right skills can make all the difference in whether your talk goes well or not. Over nearly 35 years in business, Duarte has worked with thousands of leaders and teams, and we’ve found that the presenters who are most effective at engaging and persuading their audiences have some common characteristics. They take the time to understand their audience and then use that insight to craft interesting content and compelling visuals, all while perfecting their delivery to make a strong impression. Here are some presentation skills you can develop to become a better speaker in any situation.?

Empathize with the audience

The purpose of giving a presentation is to inspire and persuade an audience, understanding what’s important to them is key. Do research well in advance of your talk to uncover questions they have about your topic, as well as objections that might come up. By spending some time considering their perspective, you’ll gain insights that will help you plan an audience-centric presentation that will change how they think and feel.?

Craft interesting content

Skilled presenters don’t just inform audiences; they engage them with compelling content that grabs and holds attention. Instead of starting with a bland introduction, open with a hook that puts the audience on the edge of their seats, such as a startling statistic or a vivid story. You don’t need to be a screenwriter to craft a story; the best stories follow a simple three-act structure that anyone can learn.?

Amplify messages with visuals

By carefully choosing relevant visuals that match their messages, effective presenters create memorable moments that stick in people’s minds. For instance, if you’re telling a story about a customer who uses your product, include a photo of that person to make them relatable to the audience. Or, if you’re explaining a new process you want your team to follow, visualize it with a diagram that makes each step in the workflow clear.??

Build rapport and connection

The best content and visuals will fall flat if the presenter doesn’t effectively deliver it all. So, you’ve got to hone your presence in order to effectively communicate your message and connect with the audience. Speaking with a clear, audible voice and making eye contact are important for building connection. But truly skilled presenters know how to read the room and interact with the audience so that everyone stays engaged.??

To help you become the best presenter possible, we’ve compiled a handy pocket guide to presentation skills. By incorporating these elements into your presentation process, you’ll be better able to engage and move your audiences.

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The expert consultants, creatives, trainers, and coaches at Duarte are here to help. Whether you choose to learn from us or work with us, we’ll transform how you and your teams communicate using the Duarte Method?. Contact us to learn more – we look forward to hearing from you! ?

?Duarte, Inc.?