Surprising Presentation Realizations
Speaking to a large audience is intimidating – speaking to an audience of 550 on stage that is set up like a TED talk can be downright terrifying.
When I was asked by my day job to undertake this presentation for foodservice operators, I knew from talking to the organizers it was going to be a big deal. Nothing prepared me for arriving in Vegas for my rehearsal time and seeing that stage. I felt like I needed to be presentation version of Bono and that made me NERVOUS!
Delivering a presentation to a big audience is very different than speaking at your local Toastmasters club or even to an audience of 100 people. Here are my surprising revelations from the big stage:
Realization #1: Butterflies were flying out of formation
I'm a seasoned speaker. I've probably given nearly 10,000 presentations in my life. I still get nervous, but my butterflies are easily tamed. Not that day! I stepped on stage, thought I felt pretty good and realized that I was completely out of breath when I began to speak. My adrenaline was pumping, and I couldn't control my breath. Good thing I really KNEW my introduction. I was able to pause a beat longer and catch up to my breath. The shortness of breath didn't last more than a couple of minutes, but I was glad I knew how to get it under control.
Realization #2: You can't see beyond the second row
Big stage, bright light and the sudden epiphany that you can't see beyond the first two rows of the audience. This is what a rock star must feel like on stage. Scott Berkun warned me about this in his book Confessions of a Pubic Speaker (non-affilate link). It's hard to know if the audience is with you or not, but I still kept looking around the room like I could see even the last row. I was also extra enthusiastic and passionate to draw the audience into my message.
Realization #3: Don't look at the video screen
This talk was like a TED talk. The tech guys cut from my PowerPoint to a close up of me. I made the mistake early on of referencing to something on my slide but instead turned around to a larger than life image of myself! Yikes! From that point on, I kept my eyes forward looking out to the audience that I couldn't see!
Realization #4: Build relationships with the event organizers to build relationships with the audience
The event organizers want you to succeed. They want you to address the audience members needs and help solve their problems. Take their guidance and advice. They are your most valuable resource to a successful presentation.
Realization #5: Minimize the PowerPoint
PowerPoint gets in the way of building relationships with the audience especially a large audience. Use PowerPoint sparingly. Stick to a maximum of 10 words on a slide. Use custom animation to bring each bullet point in. PowerPoint should enhance a presentation not act as a subsitute for the speaker.
Realization #6: Stories are better than bar charts
“No bar charts,” the organizers chided me, “our audiences prefer stories to charts.” In a big room, bar charts are difficult to read. Pulling out numbers and telling a story around them is a more effective way to use numbers in a presentation.Public speaking coach, Lisa Braithwaite explains why audiences don't like your bar charts. Bottom line: stories are always more compelling than bar charts.
Realization #7: Steve Martin makes any presentation memorable
Be creative! Use video or memorable images to make the presentation more engaging. I was lucky with this presentation. One of my points was on the rise of alone eating in America. Steve Martin in The Lonely Guy was able to illustrate why people don't like dining alone. This movie clip could tell the story better than I ever could.
After it was all over, the planner came up to me that she enjoyed it and could NEVER speak to that many people!
What are your thoughts about speaking to a large crowd? Share them in the comments below or sign up to stay up-to-date on latest news from Relationally Speaking!
Actually, I get more nervous when it’s a smaller audience. I think I feel more pressure to make connection with a smaller audience than a big audience.
I also feel that when the laughter or other reactions are bigger because the audience is larger, I feed off of that better than not hearing anything when it’s a small audience.
However, I’ve never had to see myself on a BIG screen. That would be my undoing!
Michelle,
You make excellent points! And, it’s so true that you can’t see past the first row or two when there’s a spot light on you. I co-emceed a Concert Band concert to several hundred people, including some pretty important dignitaries. I was nervous, too. But both the co-emcee and I were commenting about not being able to see anyone! It was a music concert so it was all in fun and we had a good time. After that experience, though, I realized that I like to see who I’m talking to for that connection to them.
Cheers,
Deanna
I agree with you! I’d rather speak to 100 people who I can see than 550 people who I can’t. The big stage was fun, but I’d rather connect with a smaller, more intimate bunch. Thanks for sharing your experience!
The big screen was the worst part. I did NOT make that mistake again! I can understand the appeal of a large audience. The big laughs are nice. I think I prefer an audience somewhere in the middle (like Goldie locks) – not too big, not too small – just right!
Michelle, this is a terrific column! Now I want to see that Steve Martin film! I don’t know whether I will ever speak in front of 550 people, but now I have an idea of what I will experience. You are such a great bloggist.
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa! Do see the Lonely Guy or you tube it – lots of the funny bits are on you tube. Speaking in front of such a large audience was a memorable experience for sure – not sure if it is one that I wan’t to keep doing though! Maybe every once in awhile!
Awesome article Michelle! I had a feeling about not be able to see your audience with the bright lights and you confirmed it. I am glad you told me about the ‘video screen’ as that would shake me up as well.
One of my concerns is getting acclimated to the sound system (echo and such). I think that would mess with my head for a bit (the timing of hearing your voice twice all the time). Can you comment on that?
Thanks John! You bring up a very good point about the sound system. The echo and the boom of my voice threw me off at first. I sounded so very loud. (I’m already pretty loud without a mic!) It didn’t take me very long to get use to it.
I remember I said “Good Morning” and my voice freaked me out a bit so I paused. The audience actually responded with “Good Morning” so that put me at ease that I sounded “normal” to them. It allowed me to carry on without distraction.