How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation

Reduce the time and stress associated with your presentations

Bookshelves are crowded with books on how to be an exceptional presenter and promise to produce a brilliant, standing-ovation speaker. But what about a presentation resource for the rest of us? There are so many of us regular folk who who want to spend just a little time and effort to get over the big hurdle of giving a presentation, but don't know where to turn for advice.

How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation is the easy answer to this common need. Straightforward, entertaining, and well-organized, this user-friendly resource will walk you step-by-step through the process from how to write, rehearse, and deliver a pretty good presentation that will make you appear confident, memorable, and competent. Although it does not promise the moon (or a standing ovation), this public speaking survival guide will help you:

• Appear confident (even while still feeling nervous!)
• Take the spotlight off of you and put it on your content
• Save time
• Not put people to sleep with your PowerPoint Presentation
• Produce better results
• Make better impressions
• Reduce the feelings of dread, sleeplessness, and procrastination associated with your presentations
• Prepare even if you've waited until the day before or an hour before your presentation is to be given

Whatever your job, if you need to give a presentation and are feeling overwhelmed by it, How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation is there for you. If you want to reduce the time and stress associated with your presentations now and pass all future presentation opportunities with flying colors, then pick up this fun and accessible guide; you'll no doubt like the resulting improvement in both your personal and professional bottom line.

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

PART ONE First Thing First 1

Chapter 1 Your Introduction 3

Chapter 2 The Tone 7

Chapter 3 Tailoring Your Speech 11

Chapter 4 Kicking Things Off 15

Chapter 5 The Game Plan 21

Chapter 6 Revenge of the Nerves 25

Chapter 7 Supplementary Materials 29

Chapter 8 Practice Makes Perfect 33

Chapter 9 Your Appearance 37

PART TWO The Presentation 43

Chapter 10 Visual Aids 45

Chapter 11 Stage Presence 51

Chapter 12 Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t 59

Chapter 13 Testing . . . 1, 2, 3 . . . 65

Chapter 14 Audience Participation 71

Chapter 15 Timing Is Everything 77

Chapter 16 Don’t Panic 85

Chapter 17 Technical Difficulties 89

Chapter 18 May I Have Your Attention, Please? 95

Chapter 19 Uh . . . Um . . . 101

Chapter 20 Linguistics 107

Chapter 21 Get to the Point 111

Chapter 22 The Q&A 115

Chapter 23 Questions from the Audience 121

PART THREE Tips, Tricks, and Other Sage Advice 127

Chapter 24 Time Crunch 129

Chapter 25 Develop the Art 137

Chapter 26 Time Trap 141

Chapter 27 10 Public Speaking Do’s and Don’ts 147

Chapter 28 Trust Me on This 151

Chapter 29 “My” Final Speaking Tip 155

Chapter 30 A Final Word 159

About the Author 163

Presentation Notes 165

TJ WALKER is the founder of TJ Walker Speaking, an online presentation company and the author of the USA Today #1 bestseller TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations. He is also CEO of Media Training Worldwide, whose clients include prime ministers, CEOs, and Super Bowl winners. For more information, visit TJWalker.com. Bookshelves are crowded with books that promise to make you an exceptional presenter and a brilliant, spellbinding speaker. But what about a presentation resource for the rest of us? What about us regular folks who just need a little help to get through a presentation without making fools of ourselves?

How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation equips you to face your audience without breaking into a cold sweat. Straightforward and entertaining, this user-friendly resource walks you step-by-step through the process of writing, rehearsing, and delivering a presentation that's pretty good—and makes you look good too. Although it doesn't promise you the moon (or a standing ovation), this public speaking survival guide will help you:

• Appear confident (even if you feel nervous!)
• Take the spotlight off of yourself and put it on your content
• Design presentations that won't put your audience to sleep
• Take command of yourself, your presentation, and the room
• Win the rapt attention of your audience
• Defeat feelings of dread, sleeplessness, and procrastination before your presentation
• Get ready fast—even if you think you don't have enough time

Whatever your job, if you need to deliver a presentation but feel overwhelmed by it, How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation is there for you. This fun and accessible guide reduces your stress and gives you the confidence to succeed. You'll be amazed as your improved presentations boost your personal and professional bottom line.

Praise for HOW TO GIVE A PRETTY GOOD PRESENTATION

"TJ Walker takes the fear factor out of speaking to the media and live audiences and clearly explains the secrets of great communicators like Reagan and Clinton. The best part is, what he teaches you really works when you put it to practice."
—Hakan Lindskog, Time Life

"TJ's latest book is chock-full of helpful hints that will help anyone who reads it!"
—David Winters, Wintergreen Fund

"TJ Walker is the leading media trainer in the world."
—Stu Miller, Producer, Viacom

"TJ Walker's single-minded devotion to presentation training has made him the #1 expert for executives seeking guidance on speaking to the public and media."
—Bob Bowdon, Anchor/Reporter, Bloomberg TV

"Over the years, I've been a fan of TJ Walker and his rigorous approach to media training. TJ is clearly a veteran of the broadcast and print interview world and his tips are well worth reading. I know I've learned some new strategies."
—Edward Aloysius Moed, Peppercom, Inc.

"TJ Walker was able to help my entire team operate more efficiently [and] maximize their message penetration to their audience."
—Michael Gallant, EMC