Most of us know a great presenter when we see one. Whether we’ve attended a formal presentation, participated in a video conference, or listened to our managers presenting the latest results at a team meeting, It’s fair to say that some experiences are more engaging and inspiring than others.
But have you ever stopped to consider why this is so? Why is it that some presenters can command our full attention, whilst others fill an unmemorable gap between breakfast and lunch?
Helpfully, the team from “Science of People” has conducted a piece of research into Ted Talks which helps us answer this question. The research set out to discover the ingredients separating average from outstanding performances and the factors that cause some Ted Talks to go viral while others don’t, even if they are speaking on the same topic.
The study gathered responses from 760 people experiencing 15-20 minute talks and focussed on an assessment of credibility, intelligence and charisma of presenters.
The results are fascinating and resonate with the principles used in our communication and pitching programmes. The implications are wide and make compelling reading for anyone wishing to present with impact and leave a positive and lasting impression.
Best of all, there are just 5 simple tips to consider
Tip #1: Focus on the way you deliver your message as much as the message itself
When faced with an important presentation, we tend to focus far more on what we are going to say than how we are going to say it. We already know that around 93% of the impact of our communication is non-verbal. No matter how powerful the content of your message is, it will be uninspiring if it is delivered in an uninspiring way. In fact, the research found that there was no difference in ratings between people who watched Ted Talks on mute and those who watched with sound! So think about how you can use your voice and your body language to breathe life into your message, even try presenting to a friendly audience or mirror beforehand to see how it feels from the audience’s perspective.
Tip #2: The more hand gestures you make, the more successful your presentation will be
When people use appropriate hand gestures, the audience finds it easier to understand them – particularly if gestures are used to highlight specific points such as events on a timeline or key points to consider. More than this, when we see hand gestures, the research found that we are much more likely to trust the person making the presentation. Watch videos online to see how others use gestures effectively (or not). Take some time to practice letting your hands do some of the talking!
Tip #3: If you want to increase your charisma, increase your vocal variety
We have already touched on the use of voice in increasing the impact of presentations. The research found that the more vocal variety a presenter used the more views they received on Ted Talks. Scripts can get in the way of a varied tone and can impact our ability to ad lib and use stories and anecdotes. When you are next preparing a presentation, think about stories that will bring the session to life. Try saying the words a few different ways and see what impact you can create by changing your emphasis, pace and volume at various points.
Tip #4: Find something to smile about
Despite the fact that studies have found that leaders tend to smile less, the Ted Talks research found that those who smiled, scored more highly in intelligence and charisma, than those that smiled less. So the message here is simple, no matter how serious the topic of your presentation, try and find something to smile about!
Tip #5: Use the power of the first 7 seconds
For efficiency purposes, our brain makes judgements about others in the first few seconds of meeting them. This means that you have very little time to make an impact (whether you actually say anything in that time or not)! So think about how you will start your presentation to make maximum impact, this could be how you take the stage or how you acknowledge the audience to the way you deliver your opening line.
By applying these tips we believe you will increase your ability to get your message across clearly, motivate others to act on it and importantly be memorable for all the right reasons!