TRUE OR FALSE?

The best way to start a presentation is with a joke. False! The audience may chuckle, but the best leads tell listeners that they’re about to hear something that’s valuable and important.

The first few sentences of a presentation are crucial. True! inside find several foolproof methods for creating an opening that will grab your audience by the lapels right from the start.

To get the most out of PowerPoint, you have to really know the program. False! You’re a businessperson, not a computer geek. Even if you know only the basics, you’ll be able to use this powerful tool to wow your audience.

A presentation shouldn’t have “sound bites.” False! A well-turned phrase repeated throughout your presentation helps your audience understand and remember your message and is the linchpin of a great presentation.

Telling a good story will enliven a presentation and hold the audience’s attention. True! But only if the story makes your message more relevant to your listeners’ concerns.

PRAISE FOR PRESENTATION S.O.S.

“Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming speech, or just want to hone your presentation skills, PRESENTATION S.O.S. offers a wealth of useful tips and sage advice on how to better connect with your audience. A practical, step-by-step guide designed to make you a more confident, dynamic, and successful speaker.”

—MICHAEL BRUMAS, congressional staffer

“Will help professionals at any level improve their presentations.”

—STERLING SANKEY, learning and organizational executive, Bank of America

“Mark Wiskup understands the risks and rewards of public speaking. In PRESENTATION S.O.S. he offers a system that will help you gain considerable confidence and self-assurance in front of an audience. The man knows his stuff!”

—JON FRIEDMAN, media columnist, Dow Jones Market Watch

“If you’re a good communicator, Mark’s book will make you fantastic. If you’re great, it will make you outrageous. PRESENTATION S.O.S. is a wonderful, entertaining read that is guaranteed to change the way you think and talk. It is a must-have tool that every leader needs in their tool box.”

—KIM SCHEELER, president & CEO, Tampa Chamber of Commerce

“This is the strongest book I’ve read on public speaking… Will help nervous speakers become confident and help good speakers get better. Read it before your next presentation and you’ll connect with your audience with new power and strength.”

—MARTY SCHAFFEL, president, Audio Visual Innovations, Inc.

“In PRESENTATION S.O.S. Mark Wiskup shares the strategies that drive great professional speakers. You can’t miss if you apply these lessons.”

—JO CAVENDER, West Coast president, Speakers on Healthcare, past president, International Association of Speakers Bureaus

“If we want to lead or to sell or to persuade, we must know how to make clear, compelling presentations. In PRESENTATION S.O.S., Mark Wiskup shows us how to grab and keep an audience so that it will follow or buy from or believe in us. Wiskup thoughtfully and very usefully guides us to tell stories that resonate so that the listeners not only understand but embrace the messages we’re presenting. This is a must-read book for anyone who needs to ‘get through’ to others.”

—RAFAEL PASTOR, chairman & CEO, TEC International

Copyright

Copyright © 2005 by Mark Wiskup

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Warner Business Books

Hachette Book Group

237 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

Warner Business Books is an imprint of Warner Books, Inc.

First eBook Edition: October 2009

ISBN: 978-0-446-56876-0

Warner Business Books is a trademark of Time Warner Inc. or an affiliated company. Used under license by Hachette Book Group USA, which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc.

This book is dedicated to the man whom thousands over
the past six decades have called the best teacher they’ve
ever had, whom I’m lucky enough to call my father,
Leon A. Wiskup.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to acknowledge my agent Bob Diforio, whose efficient, calm, and straightforward professionalism quickly found this book a home at Warner Business Books, and my editor Jason Pinter, who painstakingly made my ideas stronger and more meaningful on every single page.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Renee Wiskup, who I’m blessed to have in my life. She’s the one who swiftly puts the brakes on lousy ideas, enthusiastically encourages ideas with merit, and provides never-ending support and inspiration.

Introduction

You Are Already Moving in the Right Direction

I know why you picked up Presentation S.O.S. You want to enjoy each and every opportunity you have to stand up and speak in front of others. That’s a good goal. It’s a challenge that you can meet. Right now you may not enjoy public speaking; rather, you may dread the very thought of facing an audience. That’s okay. I see it every day in my business, and I understand how uncomfortable these feelings are. But, now you’ve decided you want to make a change. You want to look forward to your speaking assignment. Congratulations! By deciding to work on your presentation skills and build your confidence, you’re already on your way.

Creating a powerful connection with an audience is one of the most guilt-free, indulgent pleasures that the professional world has to offer. Think of it: You can experience euphoria without any fear of a hangover. You can develop powerful relationships, filled with intensity and emotion, without using anyone and without anyone feeling used. You can pontificate, educate, proselytize, emote, influence, and receive rousing ovations after thirty minutes of it being “all about you.” It can be satisfying and mood elevating, as well as a career-enhancing experience, to create a strong connection with the audience. Getting to that point of nirvana (a state of consciousness, not the Seattle rock band) will take some work and a willingness to try new ideas; however, the workload is manageable, especially when the rewards are so great. I’m going to give you instructions that are easy to follow, show examples of how to make them work, and offer lots of encouragement along the way.

The best news is you don’t have to follow everything I say to reach the professional state of bliss that comes when you realize you have connected with the audience. I’m going to throw many ideas at you. You may find that some of them don’t fit your style, or you may think they just won’t work. (For example, I ask you not to “thank” the audience at the beginning of your presentation. I’ll give you something better to say.) That’s just fine. By considering new ideas and playing with different communication styles you haven’t considered before, you’ll gain confidence and better podium skills.

I believe there is no such thing as a perfect presenter. There are those presenters who click with the audience, and those who don’t. There are presenters who have confidence they’ll have a good experience when they stand in front of others, and there are those who can’t imagine it being anything less than pure unadulterated torture.

My goal is to move you from the feelings of dread, if that’s where you are, to feelings of excited anticipation for your next presentation. I’ve based all of these lessons, tips, and examples on my experiences as a broadcast journalist, media production company entrepreneur, and presentation skills coach. No research, studies, or data were harmed or even consulted in the creation of this book. I’m going to tell you exactly what I see working successfully with my clients every day.

If possible, read the chapters in order, because they build upon each other. There’s no tragedy if you don’t. For example, skip to chapter 5 if you’re dying to make the most of PowerPoint skills in your next presentation, and then go back and pick up the rest. The chapters are meant to follow one another, but each has value by itself.

I know you might be a little frightened to begin the process of getting comfortable in front of an audience. If so, chapter 1 is the perfect place to start.