Delivering an Impactful Presentation Through Use of The 3 C’s
Picture this: I’m in grade 6 and about to present a speech in front of my class about the science behind yawning 🥱. Nervous as ever, I was advised to “imagine the audience naked”. Helpful? Not so much. Though, over the years, my passion for public speaking has developed (key: passions are created not found) through which I produced the 3 C’s — Confidence, Conversation, and Clarity.
Let’s break this down…
#1 — Confidence
When I listen to a presentation with a confident speaker, I find myself to be more engaged and trusting in what is being shared. If the speaker wasn’t confident in their presentation, the audience surely wouldn’t be either.
Confidence helps build connections by creating an impression.
In my experience, the times that I have been the most confident through a presentation are the times when I had a deep understanding of what I was sharing. Thus, confidence doesn’t come from knowing your script, rather, it comes from knowing your information. Similarly, Once you have this information, it is now your job to share that with the audience. The mindset of edifying the audience is simple yet impactful.
#2 — Conversation
In other words, ditch the script. The whole idea of this is to treat the presentation like a conversation with someone. This would look like a more calm and casual tone, helping the audience members connect and further relate to the information by relating to you as the speaker.
There is a difference though between a conversationalist tone, and a conversational presentation. A conversationalist tone can be applied to any presentation though a conversational presentation requires opportunities for audience interaction (which in some scenarios may not always be suitable for the occasion).
#3 — Clarity
Imagine you had all of this wonderful information and research to share, though the audience found you difficult to understand. This is where clarity comes in, and it comes in two forms:
- Clarity as a speaker (annunciation)
Confidence and a conversationalist tone both help to strengthen clarity as a speaker though they miss on amplifying the importance of annunciation. With a good pace, it can be easier to annunciate your words ensuring you are thoroughly understood.
2. Clarity in your presentation
A clear presentation comes from understanding your audience. You must determine the approximate familiarity your audience has regarding your topic. This will determine the level to which your content requires explanation before introducing a new idea.
Conclusion & Brief Summary
TL;DR
C #1: Confidence
— Confidence helps create an impression and memorable presentation
— Know your information rather than knowing your script
C #2 — Conversation
— A formal tone and intricate use of vocabulary are not always ideal when you’re trying to engage with the audience
— Imagine you are having a conversation with the audience
C #3 — Clarity
— Gage how familiar your audience is with your topic so you’re aware of how much needs to be clarified or further explained
— Ensure to enunciate your words for clarity in the presentation
So, the next time you’re giving a speech, or presenting about a super cool topic like “The Popularity of Pillsbury Sugar Cookies During The Holiday Season”, try the 3 C’s instead of imagining your audience naked (your audience will thank you 😊).
Let’s connect :)
