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Wednesday, June 2, 2010
 
The value of presenting more naturally

Have you ever noticed that some of your best presentations may have been the ones you prepared for the least? Sounds backwards, doesn't it?

If you have ever given a presentation that has to be just "so," and took a lot of practice for it to be exactly the way you want, the biggest problem you may have after lots and lots of practice is that it looks too "rehearsed" or "polished."

You may think being polished is good, but in truth only one thing is good: your audience connecting to - and relating to - you and your message. If you are too polished, that connection won't happen - you will instead create a separation between you and your audience. So what's a presenter to do?

The first thing to do is to focus on your audience, and how they will benefit from what you have to say. The opposite of this is to focus on what will make you look good. My friend Tony recently shared with me that he imagines there is one person somewhere in the audience who really needs to hear his message (maybe it's a matter of life and death), but he doesn't know which audience member it is.



He then has a conversation with all the members of the audience, connecting with them individually as far as possible in order to reach that one person at the very least. One way to practice presenting in a more natural way, is to give your presentation sitting at the kitchen table, talking to a close friend (or at least pretending a friend is there). Taking it one step further, practice while eating a meal. Just making it very informal and conversational is powerful. The more you practice it that way, the better it will be when you deliver it.

Try being more natural and conversational when you present. You may already do that - consider trying even harder. I think you will like it. Remember that there is a range of how naturally we deliver - and typically we may be at different places within that range on different days. Work toward more consistently natural presentations, and you will not only be more effective as a presenter, your audiences will be happier and will take away more of what you have to offer.

Let me know how this works for you. If you already work towards being more natural as a goal, let me know that, too. I'd love to hear from you either way.

Please email me with any questions you may have. Whatever you do, keep improving.



~Datta Groover

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Comments:
I can relate to what you are saying. I work as a leader with Weight Watchers and also lead personal growth workshops and very often my most rehearsed and prepared for presentations bomb while sometimes when I go in with few plans and just allow things to unfold the best outcomes occur. I feel it is about trusting yourself and the process.It could seem "backwards" as you say until you have had the experience.
Robyn crystallize-books.com
posted by Blogger Robyn: July 23, 2010 at 8:00 PM Delete: 

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Higher Speech is a quality training organization for speakers, presenters, trainers, and coaches.

Higher Speech is also dedicated to providing quality speakers who are experts in their fields and are dedicated to inspiring others and making a positive difference in the world.

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The Mission of
Higher Speech

1)

To provide quality speakers who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.
2) To help others reach their next level of communication; enhancing their work, their relationships, and their lives.
3) To assist organizations in reaching the communication level they desire - and in doing so increasing their over-all effectiveness, efficiency, and profits.

The History of
Higher Speech

Higher Speech was founded in 2004 by Datta Groover in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. He realized that as much as he had to offer others, by bringing others on board with their own unique specialties and strengths, there is far more to offer the world at large together than what we can all do separately.

The name "Higher Speech" was chosen because it says what we are all about. In the history of our planet, "Higher Speech" is what has always made the most positive and long-lasting influences.

About Datta

Datta Groover's goal is to inspire others to improve their level and quality of communication, helping lives work better personally and professionally. He offers public-sector workshops on Communication and Public speaking, as well as workshops within the corporate world.

He has authored 4 books, both fiction and non-fiction, is a professional member of both the The National Speakers Association, and of The Author's Guild. Datta has published numerous articles, and worked for many years as the content and style editor for Torchlight Publishing.

He has been speaking in professional circles since the mid-1980s when he chaired the International Committee for Self-Sufficiency, and has spoken in Europe, India, Africa, South America, and North America (and not just to ask for directions).

He works primarily as a fee-paid speaker, though is always happy to lend his services to a worthy cause.  His primary area of speaking centers around personal communication, both within the business environment and in people’s personal lives.  His speaking style is simple, direct, entertaining, and from the heart.   

Datta & Rachael Jayne GrooverDatta is a motivational speaker and is hired frequently by speakers, authors, and trainers who want to improve their presentation and communication skills. He lives with his wife Rachael Jayne in Fort Collins, Colorado.