Keep Your Eye on the Clock
When you first sit in front of a blank piece of paper or screen, you may wonder how you're going to fill it. You get started and later realize you have too much information.
Editing is essential. Passionate speakers tend to talk long and forget that time is precious. A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in meeting rooms listening to presentations and looking at slides. That’s a lot to ask of people.
Keep an eye on the clock. Time yourself beforehand, and aim to be at a certain slide by a certain time. Stick to your schedule!
Present With Creative Constraints
If you are worried about outstaying your welcome, use is the Pecha Kucha format. Translated as "chit chat," Pecha Kucha is a style of presenting that has changed the way of giving presentations.
The 20x20 format is 20 slides for 20 seconds each set to advance automatically. Each presentation is 6 minutes and 40 seconds – keeping it short and sweet! These creative constraints are a helpful tool for making sure you get to the point without rambling on forever. There are Pecha Kucha nights held around the world for any situation.
Ignite is another variation of this, with the mantra, "Enlighten us, but make it quick!" With Ignite, presenters get 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a five-minute presentation.
We often associate presentations with work or with an obligatory school project. Don't forget that they can be fun as well as challenging (in a good way!).
Let's Recap!
Don't outstay your welcome - check your watch from time to time.
Challenge yourself with auto-advancing slides.
So far, we have looked at preparing the slide format, color, organization, and storytelling. It's now time to talk about the real fundamentals of delivering the presentation with skill and confidence.
