After you sweat every detail of every slide, once you’ve double-checked to make sure you have those extra batteries, as soon as you are certain that your projector and your presentation are going to get along just fine, you’re ready to give your knockout presentation, right?
Not quite.
You may not be a marathon runner, a power lifter or a kick boxing champion, but warming up can be just as important for a presenter as it is for a champion athlete. Although stretching – or even mild calisthenics – can be a good idea before taking the stage, another kind of warming-up is vital.
You need to give your throat a work out!
Just like an opera singer about to solo at The Met, you need to prepare your voice before your big moment. It may seem like a bit of a stretch to compare your presentation to singing La Boheme, but there are a lot of similarities. Just like an Italian diva, you are about to project you voice, in a dynamic manner, for an extended period of time, in an effort to move your audience in a persuasive manner. See! You have a lot in common. It’s actually OK to feel like a rock star when you deliver a great presentation. You sort of are one.
Here are a few tips to make sure you hit every note.
No Moo
If you eat or drink dairy before a presentation you are asking for trouble. Dairy products create mucus that will have your nose stuffing up and your throat getting thick. Unless you want to sound like Bob Dylan or a TB patient, give the dairy a rest until after you leave the spotlight. Water is your best friend before your turn at the podium.
Speak Out
When you are warming up for your speech, don’t just run through the words and highlights in your mind. It’s important to say your speech out loud as you prepare. Not only will this loosen up your vocal cords, it will also create muscle memory just like a musician or a singer practicing a song. This means that your mouth will learn your speech at the same time as your mind, and even if you get distracted you can rely on your auto pilot to kick in.
Hummm
Something as simple as humming can do wonders for your voice before a presentation. Humming will open your throat, relax your face and neck, and generally raise your energy level just in time for your big moment. This is a tried and true exercise for all singers, but you don’t need any special training to do it, just pick a song and get started. “Pop Goes the Weasel,” anyone? “Welcome to the Jungle?”
Twist your Tongue
Tongue twisters are a great way to loosen your lips and sharpen your ability to articulate before speaking. If you can remember how much wood a woodchuck would chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood, something tells me your presentation will pack a powerful punch, producing much pride!
