How to Present: The Ultimate Guide to Presenting Your Ideas and Influencing People Using Techniques that Actually Work

Do you get nervous when presenting at work? Do you want to showcase your knowledge, influence people and accelerate your career? Would you like to learn the secrets of successful speaking, communicating and presenting? How to Present reveals how you can be a confident, clear and influential presenter every time. Presentation skills expert Michelle Bowden shares her internationally proven 13–step system to exceptional presenting, starting with analysis (plan what you would like to achieve), then design (put your presentation together) and delivery (communicate your message for results). Whether you′re presenting or speaking to one person or thousands, this is the essential guide to becoming an outstanding presenter. How to Present will help you: maximise your impact in meetings, conferences and conversations manage your nerves so you feel calm and confident engage your audience and master the art of persuasion deliver your message clearly and with authority command attention and achieve your goals! There is no other book on the market like this that will take you step–by–step through the process of successful presenting. — Steve Weston , Managing Director of Retail Lending, UK Retail and Business Banking division, Barclays

Foreword xi About the author xiii Thank you! xv Welcome to this book! xvii 1 Influential presenting at a glance 1 Phase 1: Analysis — Be clear on your goals 15 2 What do you want to achieve from your presentation? 17 Phase 2: Design — Write your presentation 35 3 Structure your message 37 4 Design your presentation 49 5 Script your presentation in 13 steps 59 6 Watch your language! 119 7 The art of storytelling 135 Phase 3: Delivery — Captivate your audience 151 8 Warm up your mind 153 9 Warm up your body and voice 165 10 Connect with your audience 175 11 Speak with confidence 183 12 Body language 191 13 Engage and entertain! 207 14 Dealing with difficult people 221 15 Using visual aids 229 16 Setting up the room 253 17 Get some positive feedback 261 18 Summary of How to Present tips 267 And now it′s up to you 283 Resources 285 Index 287

Michelle Bowden is a Certified Speaking Professional who presents to thousands of people each year. Michelle's client list reads like a who's who of international business from banking and finance, information technology, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and retail — plus many more. Visit www.michellebowden.com.au.