Using Your Five Senses To Give Better Presentations

Let's face it, when we're standing in front of an audience, the adrenaline is rushing, the heartbeat is usually pumping (whether with nerves or, perhaps excitement) and we can hardly think of little else. It can be difficult to try to employ all the tips and tricks you've taken to heart on how to give a better presentation, and your mind may well go blank in the midst of all the nervous activity.

Therefore you need something simple, easy and impossible to forget no matter what the circumstances: such as your five senses. Here's how they play a part in better presentations, and if you can remember them while you're doing so, both your audience - and you - will enjoy the experience more.

1. Sight

Before your presentation even begins, try to take a look at the space or room you'll be giving it in. Are there enough spaces for the number expected to attend? (nothing can be more off-putting than people lined, stood up against the wall to listen to you). Is it too hot, too cold, enough light? Have you got all the power and equipment you need? Good. How do you look? If you know that you tend to sweat during nervous times, it may be better to wear a jacket or blouse - sweat patches can be off-putting to look at!

Next, remember the sight rule while you're presenting. Make sure everyone can see you, and you can see them, because you'll need that line of sight for the all-important eye contact. Not that you should stare at people while you're talking, but move your eyes from one person to the next, it will engage them and make it feel more like you're talking specifically to them. Don't just do this for the front row or look for the friendly face you know at the back of the room, try to spread it throughout your audience.

2. Hearing

When we're all bound up in giving our presentation, we forget to listen. You may wonder why - after all, the audience won't be doing much of the talking unless you've made it interactive (which can be a good thing!). Can your audience hear you? Feedback whines from too-loud or too-near speakers can spell presentation death.

Also, listen to the background noise of your collective audience. If you hear yawns, try not to be offended and see if a break is needed. In particularly long presentations, this can be a godsend. Are you talking too fast, or too slow? Many of us talk too fast when we're nervous, it's the get-it-over-and-done-with syndrome, and can kill a good presentation. Same with speaking too slowly, or droning. Try to use your normal speed and pacing of your voice so that you're heard more clearly.

3. Touch

What, you should reach out and touch your audience? Not really - unless, again, it's an interactive one (some role play or getting the audience involved can be a great tool to engage them). Interpret the sense of touch as feeling rather than the physical elements. Put some of that feeling and emotion into your presentation. Too many of us read notes monotonously or don't come across as passionate or interested in our own presentations - so how can you expect others to be? Use humour if appropriate, and if you're more confident, "in touch" and engaged, your audience will be too.

4. Taste

Have you guessed how taste can play a part in your presentation? After all, unless you're giving it over a business lunch, it's hardly a consideration - or is it? There's one thing you should be putting in your mouth during a talk, and it's not the mic - it's water.

It's provided in almost all presenting circumstances yet you hardly ever see the speaker take a sip - they forget it's there, or they are too nervous. Nerves make your mouth dry and your delivery croaky. Sweating and emotional stress dehydrates you. Presentations need pauses, too - so step down, take a couple of sips of water, and carry on, refreshed.

5. Smell

No, we're not going to mention sweating again here - but think of smell as an animal would pick up a scent. Read your audience, smell if they are interested and how successful you are, while you're presenting. If you're boring them, sense the body language- are they leaning forwards or backwards in their chair? Are their arms folded? Is there a rumble of unrest in the room? All this feedback is available to you if you tune yourself into it and alter your presentation accordingly.

This is how you can use your five senses to present better - and don't forget that sweet smell of success at the end!