Building
Confidence through Preparation
Feeling nervous before a presentation? Totally normal! The
trickiest part of delivering presentations can often be the nerves that sit
beforehand. Building confidence through preparation can be achieved in just a
few simple steps. Take time to practice your presentation and jot down the key
points you want to cover. By using tools like Canva, Prezi, and PowerPoint,
you'll have a well-planned outline, providing a safety net so you won't feel
lost during your presentation. The more presentations you do, the more
confident you'll notice you become. It's like anything else in your
apprenticeship— the more you do it, the easier it gets!
Engaging
your audience with Ease
Engaging your audience can come as a challenge but is what
makes a successful presentation. Getting your audience involved by asking
questions and spicing up the presentation with a quiz would be a great place to
start. Not only does this distract you from any nervousness, but it also keeps
your audience apart of the presentation, making sure that the information
you’re sharing is heard loud and clear. If you find your nerves taking over, a
good way to calm them would be to ask your audience if they have any questions.
This gives you time to regain your composure and gather your thoughts. As an
apprentice, now is the perfect time to shadow your colleagues and learn from
them. Why not ask to see previous presentations they've shared or sit in on any
upcoming? This is a great way to pick up on their techniques to engage an
audience.
The recipe for continuous Improvement
After delivering your presentation, receiving feedback is the
recipe for continuous improvement. Reflect on what went well and what could be
improved. Don't shy away from asking for constructive criticism from your colleagues
or audience. Use their feedback as a learning opportunity to improve your
presentation skills even more. Remember, each one you do is a chance to grow
and be one step closer to delivering presentations with ease.
