How can you use slides to reduce anxiety during a speech?

Rules of choosing your slides: - Choose between reading your slides or listening to what you are saying. Most people can't do both. - Only one message per slide - Things to put on your slide 1) Photo for emotional support 2) Numbers. People catch numbers better read than heard 3) Word or term you want people to learn or remember 4) Simple diagram or infograph 5) Simple process illustration

When creating your presentation, view slides as tools to underscore your message. Choose clear, simple designs and relevant images to complement, not complicate, your narrative. This approach not only clarifies your points for the audience but also eases your anxiety, providing a visual guide to navigate your speech. Let each slide enhance your storytelling, ensuring they align with your verbal content for a cohesive and engaging delivery.

Excited to share my formula for presentation success: "Engage, Entertain, Excel!" Forget the text-heavy slides; focus on main points and let your words work the magic. Add a dash of humor with funny visuals – because who doesn't love a good laugh? Remember, if you mention apples, make sure your audience sees bananas! And let's not forget the power of storytelling; it's the secret sauce to make your content stick! Crafting memorable experiences – it's not just a presentation; it's a show!

I think exactly as Alf Rehn is writing in the comments, you have to know what you are talking about but if you practice to much it will be visible. And as many others write here, do not write bullet points that you read to the audience, they have already read them several times when you have "explained" word by word. Have something interesting that makes the audience to think, ask them questions etc. It is not rocket science, you need to use your own personality, be a bit funny and even to be awkward does not matter... if you know what you are talking about and you are passionate about it, that is the most important!

Use slides wisely to ease speech anxiety by selecting visuals that support your presentation and provide cues for you. For example, if you're delivering a speech about environmental conservation, you might include slides with images of renewable energy sources or graphs depicting decreasing carbon emissions over time. These visual aids not only engage the audience but also provide you with a focal point, reducing anxiety by giving you something to refer to and ensuring you don't lose your place in the presentation. Additionally, well-designed slides can help you feel more confident and prepared, as they serve as a visual aid to guide both you and your audience through the speech.

Let me be the contrarian here: Practice is overrated. I've done more than 1000 professional keynotes, and I have literally never practiced in front of a mirror or a video. I've thought about my talk beforehand, sure, but over-practicing will only make your speech more stilted and less authentic. Don't be afraid of the odd moment in your speech where you lose your train of thought, because guess what? This only shows audiences that a) this isn't a canned speech, b) you're human. Both will build rapport with audiences. Authenticity beats practiced perfection Every. Single. Time. There, I said it.

Practice is crucial for a polished presentation. Rehearse in front of a mirror or record yourself to identify stumbling points and refine your script. Present to family and friends, seeking constructive feedback. Address technical glitches during rehearsals to boost confidence. By anticipating questions and refining your delivery, fears diminish, and confidence soars. This meticulous preparation ensures a seamless and engaging presentation that captivates your audience. Practice transforms nerves into a powerful and confident performance.

The best speakers can sometimes forget what to say in the middle of a presentation. During a presentation, you can occasionally look at them to guide your flow. But don't read directly from your slides - what speaks of unprofessionalism, and lack of preparation. Furthermore, do practice your speech with your slides numerous times before the big day. Also use a timer to stay within the allotted timeframe. As you rehearse, you will begin to internalize the relationship between your words and your visuals. This ingrained familiarity will breed confidence and minimizes your likelihood of anxiety during your presentation. All the best!

Practice helps, but do not script your talk. Scripting is bad and if you loose momentum, you are doomed. Thinking over the structure and the key messages can be useful, since your slides will set the structure for your presentation.

Don't be fooled by the illusion of spontaneity. Effective presentations, even those that appear unrehearsed, often require careful planning and practice. This allows you to deliver your message in a clear, engaging and natural way.

The most effective slides serve as visual aids that complement your presentation, rather than just a collection of bullet points. It's important to keep in mind that a single image can convey a message more powerfully than a long list of words. Choose compelling photographs instead of slides cluttered with technical language. When using slides, aim for simplicity, particularly when delivering sales pitches.

When you use your slides as cues, use the one story, point or message per slide -tactic. This way you can create beautiful looking, minimalistic slides with only one keyword or a moving photo to support your message. With this you may end up in "you have too many slides" objection. If this takes place, tell them that there is no minimum time spent in your slides, since you have a solid presentation flow. I have given 10 minute presentations with 50 slides and excellent feedback.

Leveraging visual cues in presentations is a powerful method for audience engagement. Instead of drowning slides in text, use images as memory triggers. For instance, when discussing the health benefits of bananas, showcase a vibrant banana image with a person enjoying it. This visual cue not only aids your recall but also shifts the focus to the audience, promoting a more dynamic and interactive presentation. By associating each point with a distinct image, you create a mental roadmap, ensuring your delivery remains seamless and audience-centric. Elevate your presentations from data-centric to visually memorable experiences!

As a speaker, I have always imagined my slides as friendly prompts, not rigid scripts. I let them guide my thought process, not control it. Instead of memorizing word-for-word content, I tend to focus on understanding the key points each slide, then use them as springboards for elaboration, personal anecdotes, and engaging storytelling. This approach allows me to connect with my audience on a deeper level, fostering genuine interaction and reducing the pressure of a perfectly memorized script. Remember, authenticity trumps perfection, and a speaker who is present and connecting is far more captivating than one reciting memorized lines. All the best!

It is your audiences story you need to focus on when you stand on the podium, not yours. How do they travel with you through this perentation? What do they understand. How fast can you go for them to get you point. I prefer a whiteboard. However, it is what it is, if you have no slides, your client may think you are underprepared. This is why I try to go with slides with merely simple cuewords to support my message, and stick to what is on them, not stray. Or I will use a picture as something I then explain, and use a pointer if needed. Sometimes I use an image just to provoke an emotion while conveying a message. You know, green forest... If so, I tell the audience I am doing so.

One strategy I have learnt to make the best use of my slides is to not just stand there and talk at your slides, but INTERACT with them! I like to point to key elements in my slides (with a laser pointer), and draw connections between visuals to emphasize important points. I find that this dynamic engagement keeps my audience visually engaged and prevents them from zoning out. Furthermore, I tend to incorporate audience interaction through polls, Q&A slides, or live annotations so my slides can further elevate my presentation. This active participation not only reduces my focus on delivering the content but also creates a shared experience that reduces my anxiety. All the best!

Slides that are interactive or have interactive elements to them can be great. That said, it's important to keep simplicity in mind. As the one building the presentation, you sit with the material for much longer periods of time than your audience will. So, when you might be tempted to add another graph, it's important to look at each addition from the perspective of how the audience will be taking in the information (for the first time). It can be tempting to cram in a ton of information or knowledge but it's often the simplest of points that become the most well landed.

I rarely use animations other than a brief zoom effect to introduce topics, photos, or bullets one at a time (if necessary), but I only use zoom and about .2 to .5 seconds - just enough for it to not appear suddenly. The subtle transition helps soften the impact so to speak. I have used animation to make slowly spinning clock to make a point. Highlight or magnify something to make a point. You might have one object push another off the slide to make a point - but that's the key - it has to make a POINT. If you are only using animations to be cute, it's not welcome; it's obnoxious. Slide transitions are a big no-no. They are distracting, amateur, and obnoxious.

To facing someone can causes anxiety for anyone. At that time you can try this Interact with your slides: Point to relevant information on the slides, highlight key points, or use animations strategically to emphasize your message. This active engagement makes your presentation more dynamic and keeps you focused, reducing nervous energy.

Using slides as a tool to mitigate anxiety during a speech involves strategic preparation and adaptability. Slides can serve as a safety net for unforeseen challenges like technical issues or unexpected questions. Preparing backup slides or being ready to adjust the flow of your presentation on the fly can help maintain your composure. The ability to pause on a blank screen can also give you a moment to collect your thoughts. Furthermore, tailoring your slides to suit various audiences or objectives by altering the content, order, or design ensures your message remains relevant and engaging. This flexibility not only enhances the effectiveness of your presentation but also boosts your confidence, knowing you're prepared for any scenario.

Slides can and does act as a great support to use during speeches/presentations: They solve 2 problems: - Give you an attractive visual to compliment your presentation - Give audience the additional help to understand the topic Answering the question, the slide is your saviour to help during fumbles, or extra support to prove a point.

When you are asked to speak, it's about a given topic that you should know well. You spent all the time building functional slides that get your point across well and with basic topics on each to the point that so much manipulation of them afterward isn't really necessary. Yes, skip, summarize, or blank out certain ones as-needed in the presentation - those are presentation basics. But the real trick for adaptation isn't the slides themselves so much as altering your examples. For example, if you're speaking to a different industry, audience, or area, including relevant stuff to them specifically is going to lead to greater success. That might mean some minor slide changes, but not major adaptation.

To interact with your slides rather than simply standing there and talking at them! To emphasise critical ideas, I like to highlight significant components in my slides (with a laser pointer) and build linkages between graphics. This dynamic connection keeps my audience visually engaged and prevents them from losing interest. Furthermore, I like to incorporate audience participation into my slides, such as polls, Q&A slides, or live annotations, to help my presentation stand out. This active engagement not only lessens my emphasis on delivering the topic, but it also fosters a shared experience, which reduces my anxiety.

Using well-crafted presentation slides can be a game-changer in easing presentation anxiety. Thoughtful visuals not only enhance your message but also serve as reassuring prompts, providing a structured guide that reduces the stress of public speaking

Leave the audience thinking! My final slide is "What did you do today that brought you joy?®" I wear this tagline on t-shirts and people stop me. They often answer the question unprompted and then they ask the origin of the question. I share how it is tied to my KeyNote "Finding JOY in the Journey"

While having visual elements to your presentation by way of a deck is important, what may be even more important is your ability to still have an impact without them. We go through great measures to ensure our technology is sound and working on the day of our presentation. And, life still happens. Be as prepared without your slides as you are with them so you can quickly pivot and still have the impact you're hoping for.

Creating slides is a sneaky way to do your homework. Drafting the text on the slides, adding images, and editing everything help you clarify your message. This work also drills the information into your subconscious mind. Many people are anxious when they feel unprepared for giving a speech but they also don't want to practice a lot. While preparing slides, you will inevitably review and revise many times (aka practice) and it will alleviate the anxiety that comes with being unprepared.

I like slides primarily for one reason: "Follow the bouncing ball." They keep me on track. Sometimes when you're with a client or with an audience, having the cues to know what you wanted to cover is good. You never know how your brain may react. They are my guide. What's important is to never compete with your slides. They should convey the key points, but don't try too many animations or graphics. You are the main event, not the slides. The day may come when you want to give your presentation "off-the-cuff" and with only index cards. Until then, using slides are helpful for you and your audience.