Improving your delivery of a presentation or pitch

I remember the first time I went up on a stage, it was almost 19 years ago. I was representing my school for an English theater entitled “Why frogs croak” and guess who was the main star .

Here I want to share some tips on how to deliver your speech or simply pitching. Nowadays, in any application for grants from the Government, the applicants need to have t least a 10 minute pitching. This is a session where we present our ideas and make the panel understand who it works; technically and financially. Here are a few:

1. Maintain eye contact. It helps to build trust.
2. Don’t slouch. It makes you look sloppy, not relaxed.
3. Don’t fiddle with pens or bits of paper. It distracts your audience.
4. Don’t move around too much. Your audience is trying to listen to what you’re saying, not guess where you’re going.
5. Use short, sharp and simple language – but try to keep as much spontaneity as you can. If you don’t show any enthusiasm, you can’t expect your audience to have any either.
6. Even if you’re talking to an expert audience, try not to use too many acronyms that are specific to your industry or business. You don’t want to sound like a talking textbook.
7. Try to vary the volume, pitch and speed of delivery – but be aware that the average speed of delivery should be about three words per second.
8. Be aware that its natural to speak more quickly when you’re nervous. So be hopeful that your Ozzy Osborne performance has slowed you down.
9. Remember what Mae West said: “A ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises”