Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes them feel more secure. The only reason speakers should use a lectern is to hold notes. Here are a few guidelines to make the lectern work for you.
Don't lean. Create some space. Step back six to twelve inches from the lectern so that you can't lean against it.
Stand up straight. Slumping posture will create a sloppy appearance. Anchor your feet. If you sway back and forth, you'll look like a buoy bobbing in the water. You don't want to put people to sleep with hypnotic movement.
Prepare the lectern in advance. Put a glass of water underneath it. Position your notes for maximum readability. Get familiar with any dials or buttons. Know how to turn on the reading light. Adjust the microphone. You don't want to be fumbling with the panel.
Use gestures. The lectern is a barrier. If your gestures are waist high, your audience members won't see them. If you don't use gestures, you'll appear stiff.
Push your energy. You're not entirely visible and you're reading your notes. So increase your vocal variety and enthusiasm. It may seem exaggerated to you, but it will sound just right to the audience.
Step to the side of the lectern. Don't stay glued behind a wall of wood. Begin your presentation by stepping out in front to make your opening remarks. Then step behind the lectern to begin your speech. Find places where you can come out once again by telling a short story or giving an example. This helps you to connect with the audience.
Adjust the lectern for height. In some case, you may be able to request a special lectern if you're very tall or very short. If you're shorter than 5 feet three inches, you may want to stand on a platform behind the podium to give you added height. Another option is to use a table podium.
Don't make the lectern a barrier between you and your audience. Practice these principles for a polished presentation.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
Diane DiResta, President of DiResta Communications, Inc. is an International speaker, training coach, and author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz. To subscribe to Impact Player, a free online newsletter visit http://www.diresta.com
Like most good achievements, a magnificent meeting depends on planning... Read More
MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More
KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More
DEVELOPING LESSON PLANS: In developing lesson plan formats, two things... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More
"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More
Although there are any number of different networking groups and... Read More
Flash chart, flash map, flash graph may be mistaken for... Read More
Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More
Flip charts are so common that we all think we... Read More
So you're going to have a booth at a trade... Read More
Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More
Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More
As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More
"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More
Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More
As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "a giving or exchanging of... Read More
At some point in your presentation you will be expected... Read More
In recent years, companies have recognized the need to expand... Read More
Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More
Communication is a complex and often difficult process for both... Read More
When its time to give your next sales presentation, here... Read More
People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
Allowing the audience to ask questions after your presentation is... Read More
SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATIONS: All of us have seen demonstrations in one... Read More
A trade show is an ideal way of showcasing your... Read More
What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
The communication process can be much more difficult than a... Read More
Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More
So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More
I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More
It is both good planning and considerate to provide auditors... Read More
Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
You speak before a group. You present your message. You... Read More
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes... Read More
How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More
"I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. In the right... Read More
SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATIONS: All of us have seen demonstrations in one... Read More
At a number of business seminars and presentations, I passed... Read More
So you're going to have a booth at a trade... Read More
As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More
Every day, so many tens of thousands of innocent clients... Read More
According to the Lamalle Report on Top Executives of the... Read More
MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More
Kvetching is the Yiddish word for complaining, hand to the... Read More
Super Preparation ?Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every... Read More
As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
You have presentation style habits that automatically appear when you... Read More
How many times have you attended a meeting where the... Read More
"The human brain starts working the moment you are born... Read More
Believe it or not, preparation is a better determinant of... Read More
"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More
Presentation |