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8 Steps to Practicing A Presentation

Practice Presentation & SpeechA speaker who was preparing for a big presentation shocked me when she said “Practicing my presentation scares me more then presenting!” I could hardly believe my ears. I asked her why, and she told me “Everyone tells me that I need to practice, but I just don't know what that looks like.”

Indeed countless public speaking coaches and trainers tell you to practice your speech. Heck, I even said to practice, practice, practice in my own blog 5 Public Speaking Tips that Build Relationships.

Practicing a presentation is a personal process and one that a speaker has to experiment with to find the process that works best for them. Here is my own 8-step process for preparing to present:

 

  1. Preparation begins with conceptualization – When you begin writing your speech, you are in the process of practicing it. Sit down with your PowerPoint or notes. Think about what one thing you want the audience to remember from each point and how to transition between points.
  2. Internalize don't memorize – Speakers often ask if I memorize my presentations. The answer is that I internalize not memorize. I know the stories I want to tell or the points I want to highlight but my goal is to present it in a conversational tone and not to recite from a script.
  3. Present out loud – Many speakers tell me that they read through their presentation but never speak it out loud. Reading and speaking your presentation are two different things. You need to say your speech out loud to know how it sounds, where transitions are rocky, and to discover any points or stories that don't fit.
  4. Present standing up – I practice my presentation standing up in my hotel room. If room service were to enter, they would think I have lost my mind. However, I want to practice my gestures and how I am going to move.
  5. Present in the clothes you are going to wear – To me this makes my practice real. It also tells me if the arms of suit jacket are too tight and I can't raise my arm above my head.
  6. Time it – Plan out how much time you want to spend on each point or slide. Then time it when you practice. Too short? Too long? Remember audiences do mind if you go over time!
  7. See where you are presenting – If there is any way to see the room where you are presenting, do it! It will better prepare you to do well and also test the technology in the room.
  8. Visualize your success – Whether I am practicing in my hotel room or in the car, I visualize that I am on the stage and can see the audience. I visualize doing well. By the time I take the stage, I've given my presentation successfully numerous times.

This is my process for practicing a speech or presentation. All speakers are different. Craig Valentine provides his pre-presentation rituals and Ellen Bremen, The Chatty Professor, explains how she prepares for a speech.

What are you practice tips when getting ready for that big meeting or presentation? Share your thoughts below. If you liked this article, please feel free to share it!

P.S. Need more tips on how to practice your presentation in less time while easing your mind? Download the No Sweat Speech Prep Guide.

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14 responses to “8 Steps to Practicing A Presentation”

  1. Jackie Bailey says:

    Good advice, Michelle. I practice ANY presentation in front of my dogs (they will give me honest feedback) and/or while driving (I’m so glad for bluetooth technology–people assume I’m talking to someone else instead of myself)!
    I agree that hearing your speech out loud helps you to find exactly the right phrasing to ensure better results.
    Very nicely done!

  2. Michelle says:

    I tried practicing in front of my cats but they looked disinterested. Then again they always look disinterested! Practicing out loud is essential for me. I remember when I did speech and debate in college – I spent an inordinate amount of time talking to walls when practicing.

  3. Resources for week 2 of speech rounds: | RCM 300: Effective Professional Communication says:

    […] 8 Steps to Practicing a Presentation by Dr. Michelle Mazur — this post confirms a lot of what we talked about in class, in terms of how to best practice your extemporaneous speech. Stand up, say it out loud, and time it! Check out this post for some additional tips. […]

    • Michelle says:

      Thank you for featuring my post on your site. I am glad it is helpful for your class!

  4. Secrets to Practicing Your Presentation When You Have No Time | PresentationXpert says:

    […] far, the most popular post on my site is 8 Steps for Practicing a Presentation. To me that means you are looking for help on how to practice a presentation so you can execute a […]

  5. 7 Ways to Prepare to Give a Good Presentation | CarolHBates says:

    […] (Michael Hyatt) 8 Presentation Tips to Make Your Eye Contact More Powerful (Olivia Mitchell) 8 Steps to Practicing a Presentation (Dr. Mitchelle Mazur) The Importance of a Good Introduction (Cesar […]

  6. ESSAY ONE – Sales Presentation | My Blog says:

    […] First thing to deliver a good presentation is to practice enough for the content to flow as smoothly as possible. If the presenter knows the presentation inside out, there’s less probability for errors. Also by practicing, you will rather internalize than memorize your content. This will leave the customers more impressed since the presentation becomes naturally and with a conversational tone rather than reading from a script. http://www.drmichellemazur.com/2012/03/practice-presentation-speech.html […]

  7. 10 Tips on How to Put Together a Presentation for a Job Interview | Activia Training Blog says:

    […] this goes without saying but make sure to practice your presentation. The more you practice, the more confident you will be and the clearer your argument will be to […]

  8. Top Tips to Ace Your Next Business Presentation – Daily Cup of Bloom says:

    […] you might be happy to launch straight into your presentation. However, most people will need to practice their presentation before it’s ready to go. You’ll feel much more relaxed if you can first go through it, […]

  9. A Step by Step Guide to Nailing Your Next Powerpoint Presentation | Opportunity Desk says:

    […] but not the least; you have to practice the presentation before giving it in front of the clients. You can practice at your home or at your office. This […]

  10. A Step by Step Guide to Nailing Your Next Powerpoint Presentation | Opportunity Wow says:

    […] but not the least; you have to practice the presentation before giving it in front of the clients. You can practice at your home or at your office. This […]

  11. An Action by Action Guide to Nailing Your Next Powerpoint Discussion - Scholarships for Excellence says:

    […] however not the least; you need to practice the discussion prior to offering it in front of the customers. You can practice at your house or at your […]

  12. A Step by Step Guide to Nailing Your Next Powerpoint Presentation | Naira Scholarship says:

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  13. A Step by Step Guide to Nailing Your Next Powerpoint Presentation – The Youth Argus says:

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