This week we have a guest post from Stephanie Silverman of SilvermanSpeechConsulting. Stephanie outlines 10 things for us to think about as we create and deliver presentations and some offers some great reminders for business communications and public speaking in general.

1. People Want You To Be Interesting

Though it may be hard to believe sometimes, it’s true:  people want you to be interesting.  It’s a popular misconception that others want to see you fail (it’s also a form of emotional quicksand).

2. Fear Is Like Excitement & It Can Be Harnessed

Some professional public speakers and performers feel fear before and during every presentation – they’ve just learned how to harness that energy to serve them.

3. Relaxation is a Skill

Relaxation must be practiced, just like everything else, if you want to reap the benefits.  The time it takes to “center” yourself shortens dramatically once you’re body has been properly trained.

4. Criticism Doesn’t Have To Hurt

No successful person (success-by-birth excluded) has ever reached full potential without having to take some criticism.  Knowledge is power:  Once you know something needs work, you can begin making improvements.  If you don’t know, you can’t grow.

5. Communication Is A Gift

The more you give, the more you get.  When you approach communication as something that you’re giving to others, as opposed to something to which you are being subjected, self-consciousness begins to vanish and you appear more confident (because you are.)

6. Rehearsal Required

A great performance is one where the work has been done ahead of time.  No one wants to see a play where the actors are grappling with the script after the curtain goes up.  Likewise, it’s a huge mistake to work out your speech while you’re giving it.  Rehearsal is the time to work it out.  Skip this step at your peril!

7. What’s The Angle?

Point of view is everything.  No matter the topic, always have one.  It will make you more interesting to listen to and it will be more enjoyable for you – and enjoyment is contagious.  Besides, if they wanted cold hard facts, they’d just read about it.

8. Find The Hook

Find the “hook.”  Something about what you’re saying must interest you or you will not be interesting to your listeners.  If you look carefully, you will always find something.

9. Be Human

Don’t deny yourself basic human needs.  So many speakers suffer needlessly. If you’re thirsty, drink some water.  People will wait.  If you need your glasses, pause to put them on.  Think ahead and use the restroom just before you have to speak.  Few things are more distracting and uncomfortable than watching someone try to work around these basic needs.

10. Repeat After Me: “I Don’t Know”

In a Q & A situation, if you really do not know the answer, say so.  Commend the asker for the quality of the question, tell them you are intrigued by it, and let them know you’ll look into it and get back to them.  Then be sure you do.  This is by far the more dignified way to respond than to try to make something up.  People can generally tell when you’re faking it and that can destroy the credibility of all you said before.

If you have presentation tips you’d like to contribute to the SlideRocket blog please send them to marketing@sliderocket.com. If we post it on the blog we’ll credit you as a guest blogger and send you a SlideRocket T-Shirt. Check the blog each week for a new tip on making, managing and delivering great presentations.