Speaking 101: Presentation DOs and DON'Ts

“REHEARSE, REHEARSE, REHEARSE. DO NOT JUST THINK YOU CAN WING A PRESENTATION."

- BILL BURNETT, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF POINTDRIVE

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When it comes to public speaking, there a few factors that can make a presentation go from good to great.

First, DO be organized. Maybe you don’t want to practice your entire speech all the way through (though we recommend doing this at least once). However, assuming you know your material backwards, forwards, and upside down, it is still important to have a mental outline of where you plan on taking your presentation. That way, you don't fumble for words, or zone out and forget to emphasize a certain point.

On the topic of zoning out, DO have a personality for the sake of your audience. As Kevin Daum of Inc. notes, “Not every presenter has to be an actor or comedian, but no one wants to listen to someone drone on in dull monotone.” Another way to showcase your personality is by sharing personal stories or examples. This helps your audience relate to you and better grasp your message.

Still, DON’T try to be funny if you’re not. That sounds harsh. What we mean is humor doesn’t always translate well on-stage and if executed poorly, can even leave someone with a negative impression of you and your brand. If you do happen to tell a poorly timed or convoluted joke that no one understands, don’t fret. Simply move forward with the rest of your awesome presentation.

To ensure your success, DO take advantage of vocal inflections, and DON’T just read from your slides. If you're reading from a screen, no one will want to listen to you. Prevent that by limiting how many words you place on your slides. Changing the pitch or tone of your speech will also spice things up and help you emerge as a more energetic, passionate speaker.

Hungry for more tips? Read more on The Do's and Don'ts of Giving a Killer Presentation here.

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Speaking 101: Using Social Media to Leverage Your Brand

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

- Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon

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Building awareness—for your company as well as for your personal brand—is key to any successful marketing strategy.

According to recent research published by the Harvard Business Review (HBR), 64% of people cite shared values as the main reason they choose to have a relationship with a brand. In other words, when it comes to establishing brand loyalty, it isn’t solely about increasing consumer interactions. Part of it stems from a belief in the purpose of a company's product or service.

So how can you make sure your brand’s values are known? 

Sabrina Horn of Entrepreneur.com recommends developing a social media strategy plan, while considering the following:

• Audience - Who do you need to reach? Each social media platform garners a different segment of the population, and a little research beforehand ensures you are sharing your message with the right people at the right time.

• Visual Elements - 95% of marketers say visual content is more effective than text-only content. What can you incorporate to make your content “come to life” and engage your audience?

• Preparation - Are you ready to begin your foray into the world of social media? Do you fully understand how each social channel works? Don’t sweat it if you’re not there yet. “Sometimes a simple profile on LinkedIn will suffice until the timing is right to launch a broader communications program.”

Interested in learning more about The Importance of Entrepreneurs Building Their Personal Brand? Check out Horn’s article here.

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