With a little play on words, my friend Julie Meyer, the marketing director at Philadelphia’s Dilworth Paxson shares ideas on what to do [B]efore, [A]fter and [D]uring your presentation to make and reap the benefits of effective presentations. Her article appeared on Law.com last week. I have added a few thoughts of my own to Julie’s.
Before:
*Identify invitees, including clients that would benefit from event,
*Also, get list of attendees from organization,
*Plan and practice your talk,
*Call several attendees (if you know who they will be), and ask what they are expecting and hope to gain from session (plan your presentation accordingly), and
*Get to site early and check out A/V equipment, room, overall environment, etc.
After:
*Send copy of your PowerPoint or other slides to attendees,
*Turn your presentation into an article for publication,
*Provide any information or articles you promised to send during presentation,
*Find opportunity to send additional and follow-up information,
*Ask if attendees would like any additional information on your presentation or your practice, and
*Invite them to future presentations.
During:
Here, Julie refers us to Toastmasters International site (these guys are the pros in helping people get comfortable with public speaking), where there are tips you should check out on how “you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations.” If you continue reading, you’ll see what they are.

They are:
1.Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
2.Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
3.Know your material. If you’re not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.
4.Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.
5.Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.
6.Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don’t want you to fail.
7.Don’t apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience’s attention to something they hadn’t noticed. Keep silent.
8.Concentrate on the message — not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
9.Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
10.Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need.