Start Your 2011 with High Performance Speaking Question of the Month from Cari G in Australia. Public Speaking Question: “Should I practice my presentations in front of a mirror?”

Yes, Yes, Yes!  I always practice my presentations in front of a mirror.

When I am practicing a presentation, I rehearse exactly as I would if I was speaking to a live audience including the tone of my voice and my body language.

 

Here are 4 Essential Elements to keep in mind when practicing in front of a mirror:

#1 You always want to time your presentation.

  • You never want to experience that sinking feeling of having too little information to share or going way over and having to rush through your presentation.
  • You need to time your presentation at all times, even when you are practicing in front of a mirror because that will give you the most accurate timing results.

#2 Watch your eye contact.

Even when you are practicing in front of a mirror, you want to act like you are speaking to a live audience.

  • Your eye contact must cover the span of the entire audience while you are making eye contact with individual participants.

#3 Pay extra close attention to your Body Language.

  • Is your body language saying something completely different than what you are wanting to communicate?
  • Are your arms or legs doing some weird unexpected movement?
  • Are you tilting to one side?

When it comes to ineffective body language, I have seen it all.

Handle your body language challenges and overcome those big body language mistakes before you present to a live audience.

#4 Remember to use a full length mirror so you can see it all!

Public Speaking Success is achieved by learning from your mistakes and committing to be your best.

  • Utilizing a full length mirror means that you have to be brutally honest with yourself and look at the “entire” picture not just your upper body.
  • If one element is off, it can become an audience distraction and possibly throw off your entire presentation in the eyes of the audience.

The mirror gives you a unique opportunity to “see” your presentation style and delivery from the eyes of your audience before it is too late!

 

Go for Your Dreams!AmondaRose

P.S.  Got a public speaking question you would like answered by an expert.  Post your comment and I will respond back to you too.

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