Presentation experts

So, you need to give a presentation in English…Top tips for confident presentations, where English is a foreign language

Pitch, present & persuade

Ten common mistakes in public speakingWhen English is a foreign language it is not always easy to come across as confident and convincing. These are the usual mistakes others make:

1. Not having a clear messageToo many people ‘talk about’ a subject. Instead, have a clear idea to impart.

2. Over-reliance on “presentations”YOU are the presentation. Learn how to create and use visual aids that work.

3. Not focusing on the audienceEvery word should be about the audience and things that matter to them.

4. Overly complexSimplify. Make it easy for the audience. That is what good presenters do.

5. Too long and unstructuredUse short, sharp and easy sentences. It is better for the audience and easier for you.

6. All facts, no interpretation Facts get forgotten, stories get repeated. Craft memorable stories for your talk.

7. MonologueConversations are interesting. Even a presentation can be a dialogue. Show what it will be like working with you.

8. Nervous about languageEnglish is a forgiving language. Forget perfect, just be clear and confident.

9. Weak performanceGet trained to sound exciting and confident in English – it’s not hard. All the best speakers use advisors.

10. Lack of practiceLike an athlete, do all the hard work before the big day. Use outsiders to coach and perfect your performance. Use outsiders to coach and perfect your performance.

Mistakes

Presentation preparation – step by step Over many years preparing non-English speakers for presentations, we have developed a simple, rigorous method for making sure you are fully prepared for a confident and compelling performance.

1. Are you clear what you want to say? If you are an expert, it’s not how much you say, but how much you take out.

2. Have you thought hard about the audience?What is important to them? What do they want to hear from you? How can you help them?

3. What is your elevator pitch?If you can summarise your talk in 30 seconds then you are more likely to have a powerful presentation.

4. Do you have a strong story? Create your story from scratch. Say less but say it well. Edit, edit, edit until your story is tight and interesting.

5. Do you have a clear talk structure?Make it easy to understand. Powerful intro, a few key points, interactive from the beginning. Simple compelling structure.

6. What questions could they ask you?Identify all the tough questions. And practice your answers. Learn techniques for handing the unexpected.

7. What visual aids will you use?Avoid death by PowerPoint. Used well, it is brilliant. Used badly it’s deadly.

8. Have you rehearsed properly?Only with practice can you know you have got it right. Practise with experts and use video feedback. Be the best.

Mistakes Best Practice

0845 676 9766 • info@benjaminball.com

How to improve your English presentationTalk to us.

We have helped hundreds of business people look and sound impressive when presenting in English as a second language.

If you want experts to review your presentation, craft your speech, improve your materials and coach your performance so that you impress your audience, then we can help.

Our expertise is demonstrated by our work with private and quoted companies, private equity, and the top PR agencies. See our client list at www.benjaminball.com/clients

We help you prepare your presentation, write your speech and create interesting visual aids. We rehearse you fully and get you confident and convincing.

Call us bEforE your nExT PrEsEnTaTion

Contact Louise Angus or Benjamin Ball0845 676 9766 or +44 20 7193 0130

www.benjaminball.com • info@benjaminball.com