Points For Presenters» presentation

Presentation Problems-Webinars

Idea Coach — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:28:19 +0000

Have you ever been on a webinar and became frustrated because their were problems? Have you ever conducted a webinar but had problems with technical stuff like, no sound, no visual, no reason for it to mess up your session?

Well, I decided to share some references I found that might help you. I am also convinced that you should cautiously use a service that does ot allow an opportunity to call for technical support during your presentation. Of course if you do not have access it is critical that you do some kind of rehearsal prior to the session with a staff member or friend.

What do you think?

Here are a couple of articles to check out. Some of them are directed to you as an audience member and others are for you the presenter. Many are the instructions given by particular webinar services. But I thought there were some good tips that can be mulled over and considered for implementation.

Making Your Webinar Experience Smooth and Simple

7 Keys to Running a Glitch Free Webinar-White Paper
(Note-you will need to opt in to get the White Paper

What Makes a Good Webinar?

5 Tips for Amazing Webinars and Web Meetings

Webinar Public Chat Be Careful What You Ask For

Finally thought this was a really cool tutorial for using one of the very popular systems called Go To Webinar

Put Dynamic Interaction in Your Live Presentation With a Questionnaire

Idea Coach — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:44:40 +0000

So you have been asked to get away from your computer and phone to do a live presentation.

Did you know that a simple survey can pump up the volume in your workshop regardless of the topic? Plus, the questionnaire will help you stay focused on your presentation outline.

I have found that a questionnaire given prior to the presentation can provide a strategic outline. The number of questions should be based on the amount of time that will be spent on the session. The order of the questions should reflect the order of the intended presentation.

As the answers are reviewed for each question additional material is provided, if needed. Incentives for each correct answer and encouragement for the efforts are critical for this technique.

How many questions are required?

The number of questions will depend upon the time you have to conduct the workshop. I would suggest using five questions if you only have one hour. If you have more than an hour to conduct the presentation consider using 10 questions.

What things are important to remember in the questionnaire development?

• Construct TRUE OR FALSE questions rather than open-ended or multiple choice. This will enable the respondents to answer the questions quickly.

• Arrange the questions in the order of your presentation. For example, if you plan to cover the definition of Brain Injury at the beginning of your presentation then develop a question related to a popular myth regarding the subject. Note: Each question should relate to a topic on your presentation outline.

• Construct questions that will enable you to transition to a prop, demonstration, video or lecture.

• Use “audience friendly words” in your questionnaire. These are words that will be understood by your audience. They may have a technical term but that term can be used to introduce a definition. For example, blogging means….true or false?

• Decide on the supporting handouts and materials that will reinforce your topic point related to the question.

What are some suggestions for making the process engaging?

• Offer a grand prize for anyone who gets all of the questions correct. This will instill in each person the desire to hear the entire presentation to assess if they have won the prize.

• Use the honor system and allow people to provide the correct answer verbally while keeping their papers. This will encourage involvement.

• Ask, “How many of you said true?” How many said false?” Then give the correct answer. Ask someone to share their reasoning for the answer.

• Provide a prize for people who have a good answer. Note: Prizes can be those incentives related to your topic that you were planning to distribute. For example, if you give out pins with your blog site message on it then provide it at selected times during your presentation. Be sure that every participant receives the pen before they leave the presentation.

• Acknowledge everyone by giving them a prize. If you have given a prize to all the people who say they have gotten all the answers right then also give a different prize to those who have less that perfect scores.

The questionnaire strategy not only gives you an opportunity to present your material in a creative way but it will increase the involvement of your audience.

Pretend You Are Alert , Awake and About to Go on Stage

Idea Coach — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:50:28 +0000

If you don’t feel like doing your presentation at 9 or 10 at night pretend that you do. In other words, many of you will, or are, doing teleseminars, online webinars or live presentations at hours that are reserved for watching a good movie with popcorn.

You may not have all the energy you want in your body. If there is no energy it will show in your voice. I am suggesting that if you are tired, emotionally or physically, pretend that you aren’t. Wash your face, drink some water and you are ready for show time.

Approach your teleseminar, webinar or late evening presentation with the energy of an actor. Condition yourself to smile, take a deep breath and put vocal variety in your presentation.

Now of course you should not do presentations when you are very tired. Part of the planning process is getting the right kind of rest. But there will be times when you could not get the right rest but you have a presentation scheduled. And I am saying to fake it! Act like you are not tired and deliver your presentation with caring energy and enthusiam.

I strongly suggest a few stretches,and movement minutes before you speak. Also, keep a glass of wather with lemon , at room temp. near you. Shake your body like a fighter before the fight and come out punching.

Your audience deserves it.

What do you think?

Present Your Messages With Cultural Clarity

Idea Coach — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:00:37 +0000

The point is that phrases that are common to you may put into another context by someone else. Are there things that you say on or off the platform that are slang or unknown by everyone in your audience. Think about it. Everyone, for example, does not use AOL. So the term “You’ve got mail” may not be familiar to them. (Unless they saw the movie)

How many times have you heard phrases like “Christmas is right around the corner”? Yet, I heard a story about someone using that phrase in a presentation and someone, unfamiliar with the term, actually stood at the door looking for someone named Christmas to come around the corner.

One day I shared a joke that had the punch line “You goose will be cooked.” There was someone translating my entire presentation live in Spanish. Yet, when they gave that term I didn’t get the laughs I usually got. The translators informed me that the term was not a common one to the multiple members audience who were from different parts of Latin America.

So think carefully about your phrases, terms, etc and be sure they will be understood by everyone who is getting your powerful message. Remember, you can always explain the terms or phrases you use. After all, that is our job.

Position a Mirror Near Your Computer During Your Next Teleseminar or Webinar

Idea Coach — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:11:12 +0000

Position a mirror near your computer. Why? Because it provides an opportunity for you to check out your body language while you are presenting via phone. Your audience can develoop mental images of you by your voice. For example,If you are smiling during parts of your presentation it actually changes the tone of your voice. You sound friendly.

HARD TO BE A CLOWN WHEN YOU’RE WEARING A FROWN

Humor is so helpful in relaxing your audience. Check your facial expressions. Does it show a frown? Your attitude really can be heard in your voice. So often, we wear what we feel on our face although we are not doin a face to face presentation.

DO YOUR EYES LOOK SLEEPY, ARE YOU YAWNING?

That’s right the fatique in your face can be reflected in the energy of your voice.

So get a small mirror and place it where you can see it near your computer during your next webinar or teleseminar.

Do you have any other ways that a mirror can help?

Prepare Your Mind First!

Idea Coach — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:43:14 +0000

So much of our preparation starts in our mind. So start with your mind when preparing your next presentation. For example, if you are conducting a teleseminar we all know that an outline is critical. However, what are your concerns,fears or anxiety about even doing the actual teleseminar? Is this your first time? Are you thinking about failure before you succeed. You see, it is important to work out issues in your mind before you prepare that needed outline.

Praise Yourself After Your Next Presentation

Idea Coach — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:56:31 +0000

Praise yourself. Why? Because you want to be identify the things you are doing right in your presentations.
Get a small book and list on a weekly basis something that you did very well in your recent presentations.
Resist the temptation to say something that went wrong. That’s easy to document. I want you to write down only the good stuff.
Let me know the results after your next presentation!