Hello fellow introverts, it’s nice to have you here. Todays introvert diaries is about how to navigate presentations as an introvert.
Photo credit: Mikael Blomkvist
I am starting a new series called introvert diaries, where I speak about anything and everything that us introverts could struggle with, to one, be seen, and two, help others.
Let’s go…
P.s. Why should you listen to me when it comes to helping you with presentations as an introvert?
Well, I have recently completed a course, where all 4 of my exams were presentations (I know, when I found this out I nearly cried). Over the months of prepping and delivering said presentations, I received feedback as well as compliments that I will share with you, as well as how I got my nerves and anxiety at bay when presenting. As well as this, I am an extreme introvert.
This could help when presenting anything, whether thats presenting exams, or presenting yourself in an interview, etc.
Now lets go…
1. Prep
First and foremost, you obviously want to have the presentation ready.
Have a checklist and make sure it includes everything you need to include.
The only thing worse than a presentation, is having to re do the presentation because you didn’t include everything you needed to. So make sure you have all of the information on there.
2. Make it visually appealing
No one wants to flick through the slides of a presentation and have paragraphs upon paragraphs.
You know yourself, that is so hard to read and digest the information.
How to make it visually appealing:
Colour / images
Make your presentation interesting to look at with nice colours and images.
Depending on what you’re presenting of course, having colour and images is much more interesting than plain white slides.
If there is a sentence or word that can be replaced with an image, whilst still being understood, use it.
I’d much rather look at an image or an icon that represents something, than look at the words describing it.
Bullet points / one word
To make things more digestible for the viewer and or listener, shorten your sentences to bullet points or one word, and then you can further explain.
You seem much more professional and knowledgeable when you can go into further detail rather than read from a screen.
Logos / staying on brand
If you are presenting for a brand or product, use the matching colours.
This keeps everything consistent, professional and aesthetic.
It also looks professional having the logo at the bottom (or somewhere) on the screen.
If the brand / product you are presenting is very sleek and high end, then keep your slides sleek and professional. Whereas if the brand / product you are presenting is super bubbly, colourful and fun, then make sure you add those elements into your presentation.
3. Rehearse
The number 1 thing that helps me with presentations as an introvert is rehearsing like I’m a paid actor.
If there is a time limit on the presentation, you need to make sure you fit all of the important information in the allowed time.
Practice, practice, practice.
One of my biggest tips and the biggest feedback I was given, was to not read all of the information word for word on the screen
You hear it all the time, don’t make it seem like you’re reading from a script, so how do you avoid this?
- Add pauses into the ‘script’
- Add side notes and extra detail from the slide into the script
- Add personal stories that relate to the presentation into the script
By script, I’m not talking about an actual word for word script, because you wouldn’t be able to bring that into the presentation.
But actors memorise their scenes, why can’t you?
Rehearse EVERYTHING you are going to say, slide by slide.
Know what information you are going to say during each slide, extra information and / or personal experiences from each slide, so that it looks like you aren’t a robot.
Practice so many times that the next sentence just rolls of the tongue.
4. Prepare for the questions at the end
Once you’ve got to this stage, all you have to worry about during the presentation is remembering your lines and breathing through it. You are fully in control of the presentation, because you know exactly what you’re saying.
This is the hardest part.
The questions at the end is the part that you have no control over, and the part that gives me the most anxiety.
So how do we prepare for the questions at the end?
- Make sure you know your slides INSIDE OUT. A lot of the time, you’ll be asked a question based on the information in your slides. Whether it’s to expand further on a certain area, etc. So make sure you know deeper information on every slide if needed.
- Take your time to answer. Sometimes, I tend to word vomit and answer really quickly without even thinking about what I’m about to say, and I don’t even have a valid point. Make sure you let the question sink in and then answer it.
- Get other people to ask you questions, and practice answering them. If you can practice answering random questions and coming up with answers, then you will feel more confident being thrown a random question.
- Become an expert in what you’re presenting. The one thing you do know, is that the question is most likely going to be about what you’re presenting. So if you become an expert in it, you will have a better chance of answering the questions.
5. Deep breathing
Does anyone else sound out of breath when they are nervous? Talking as an introvert in front of a large amount of people is hard, never mind presentations as an introvert!
Sometimes my heart is beating so fast and my breathing is so short that I literally sound like I’m going to collapse.
Remember to take deep breaths and tell yourself that it’s going to be okay.
The second the presentation is over, you are going to feel SO good, and you are going to think to yourself WHY was I stressing so much over this.
Trying to remember that there is worse things in life, you have probably been through worse things in life and survived it, so you will be fine, and everything will work out fine. Even if you vomit all over the floor and pass out.
6. Do / wear what makes you feel confident
Obviously depending on the dress code, you may be limited.
But if you feel confident in a certain colour, or maybe you accessorise with jewellery if you can’t wear colour, then do it.
If you feel the most confident with makeup on, then wear it, and vice versa if not.
When you feel good, you look good, and you perform better.
I’m not sure on the science behind that, but I’m pretty sure it’s true, at least in my experience anyway.
Thank you for reading <3
I hope some of these tips were helpful for you, if you have a big presentation coming up, the good luck! I know how hard and how much anxiety can come from presentations as an introvert!
Over the last few months I have had to present 4 times in front of people I have never met before, and it has been so nerve wracking.
But once you’ve done it, you are going to feel so amazing and proud of yourself.
Let me know if you have any other tips in the comments below!
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