This week, most of us are reflecting on what we’re truly grateful for—our loved ones, our homes, our health.
At GoToWebinar, we’re remembering those invaluable resources that help us avoid looking like doofuses while giving presentations. Sure, it’s not your traditional reason to be thankful, but it’s something we think about a lot – while we’re at work anyway 🙂
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re sharing our top public speaking resources that have made us better presenters.
1. TED’s Secret to Great Public Speaking
Every good public speaking list should start with a TED Talk, right? So here’s one from Chris Anderson, a TED curator, which means he’s seen a lot of presentations and knows what works and what doesn’t. In this video, he shares four fool-proof ways to be a better public speaker and how to share an idea worth spreading.
2. The Technology of Storytelling
When presenting to a tech or marketing audience, sometimes a good old-fashioned PowerPoint presentation isn’t going to do the trick. In the TED Talk, Joe Sabia shows how to use new technology to tell stories effectively.
3. 5 Ways to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking
It turns out that about 75% of the population has a fear of public speaking to a certain degree, so most of us are probably looking for tips to calm those butterflies. This article from Harvard Business Review has some simple and practical tips to help you feel more confident while presenting.
4. Improve Your Public Speaking with a More Effective Mindset
To improve your public speaking, you need to approach it like a sport; you need practice … a lot of practice. This article is a great way to help you approach public speaking with the same mindset that athletes approach their sport or musicians approach their instrument.
5. Breathing Is the Key to Persuasive Public Speaking
Becoming a more powerful speaker starts with our most natural impulse: breathing. A good, deep breath can mean the difference between sounding timid and insecure versus sounding confident and self-assured. Harvard Business Review shares four ways you can improve your breathing technique and, thereby, your speaking voice.
6. Presentation Zen
If you’re looking for some inspiration to take your presentations to the next level, Presentation Zen is a great resource. You can read articles and watch videos that cover everything from how to be a better storyteller to improving your visual aids. And any day you can get storytelling advice from Bill Murray is a good day.
7. Toastmasters International
No matter what type of presentation you’re giving—yes, even a eulogy—Toastmasters has great articles to help you hone your skills. If you need tips on how to speak to diverse audiences, craft your sales pitch or keep your hands from flailing uncontrollably during presentations, this is your one-stop-shop.
8. 5 Science-Backed Ways to Give Better Presentations
It turns out that all those TEDx speakers give amazing presentations because they all do a few things really well. If you’re wondering what those things are, Daily Muse put together a list of five proven presentation techniques along with specific TED Talks to demonstrate each one. And yes, Brené Brown is on the list.
9. Duarte: Presentation Skills Resources
If you need communication advice, help creating a presentation, or just a pep talk before a big presentation, Duarte has tons of articles to get you ready for the big event. Just jump on their blog and search for what you need.
10. The Best Story Always Wins
In a study, 63% of people recalled a story from a presentation, but only 5% recalled a statistic. The takeaway: tell a story and people will remember you. The tricky part is incorporating a story into your presentation in a way that makes your audience remember your point. This article shares four tips to seamlessly weave memorable storytelling into your presentation.
11. The Wistia Guide to Being on Camera
Whether you’re presenting on stage or at your computer, being in front of the camera can be intimidating. If you’re not a professional actor, here are some simple things you can do to make the experience more successful and a little less scary.
12. How to Cheat at Creating Great Presentations for Tech & Marketing Audiences
Let’s be serious, speaking to a bunch of tech or marketing nerds can be difficult. These people know their stuff and can spot BS a mile away. To keep you on your A-game, Rand Fishkin shares 13 tactics to impress tech/marketing audiences and keep them engaged.
When it comes to public speaking, there’s a lot to think about—visual aids, storytelling, engaging your audience, not puking, etc. But remember, becoming a great public speaker is all about practice and taking advice from the best in the biz.