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Point, Click & Wow! -- Chapter 6: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
Special book excerpt: Crucial tips and techniques for your presentations
by Claudyne Wilder and Jennifer Rotondo
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 Editor's Note: Claudyne offers Point, Click & Wow! free when you purchase her CD: Slides That Win showing over 200 before and after PowerPoint slide examples (put in promotional code: pmaster). You can copy and use these designs. Find out more at wilderpresentations.com.
You must never kid yourself that you don't need to practice your presentation out loud using all your equipment and in the clothes you will be wearing. You may think you know how to use the technology. You may think you know where you will stand so you can see your laptop or the screen. You may think you can use that remote mouse you bought yesterday. But until you actually practice the speech, you don't really know how you will give it. The only way you can know is to practice in the same room with the same equipment you will be using. If you don't, you may be in for some surprises.
In this chapter we will speak about the types of rehearsals you need to do. We'll cover some of the technology issues that you should check on during your rehearsal and also provide you with a Location Checklist to be sure you cover all your presentation location needs. We include a real rehearsal flow chart for you to consider using, plus a Rehearsal Feedback Sheet for your audience to fill out. We include some thoughts about being in tune with your emotional state as you prepare and give a presentation. And finally, you'll receive some general refresher ideas on giving excellent presentations.
Do Two Rehearsals
Many people don't rehearse their speeches. They make excuses of why they don't by saying things like:
"I don't have time."
"I've been doing this for ages. I don't need to rehearse."
"This isn't an important presentation. I won't bother to practice."
"I'm too busy getting the information and proposal done to have time to rehearse."
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Here's a scenario that happened to someone who didn't rehearse: "I once assisted a presenter who was using an untried computer to control his 'exclusive' new piece of computer software. Untried, without rehearsal, he first moved the computer and pulled out the AC power. The battery in the loaned machine was dead. When he rebooted there was no communication with the 'exclusive' piece of software. I spent the remainder of the time jogging from one side of the room to the other to press the right button to make the software do what it was supposed to do. Needless to say the product never really went to market."
In reality, the presentation of the material is as important as the material itself. This seems to be true more and more. So don't count on having the material and excellent slides make up for your poor delivery skills.
Do two rehearsals: a full dress rehearsal several days before your presentation and a mini-rehearsal just before your speech. Ideally, the full dress rehearsal is you giving the speech with the same equipment in the same size room with the same clothes you plan to wear. You can test everything out.
Source: Wilder Presentations and Jossey-Bass Publishing
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