A Valuable Presentation Secret I Learned in a Tunnel
For Unbeatable Confidence and Rapport

by Alan Steinborn

If this was a Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, and it was 1992,
you would probably find me in this tunnel in Golden Gate Park.

I would be there with my saxophone, jamming away for hours on end.

From time to time, strangers would pass through the tunnel while I was playing.

These were often brief but magical encounters for the ones walking through and for me too.

The magic of these encounters came from a subtle important detail
that great presenters know and you should too.

The detail I am talking about is the ability to feel at home in the
space in which you are speaking.

You see, I loved this tunnel so much I felt at home there. As people would
pass through, I felt as if they were guests visiting me.

This attitude impacted our momentary relationship in positive ways.

Almost everyone responded positively to the music, and many people became
friends from the brief encounters we shared.

So what does this have to do with giving presentations?

When you feel at home IN THE SPACE where you are giving a presention,
it gives you a subtle undeniable edge in confidence and relaxation.

And, even better, if you think of your audience members as honored
guests at your home, you will do lots of little things just for their benefit.

They will feel welcome and honored.

The result: Dramatically improved chances of success and a more enjoyable experience for both you and your audience.

So how do you make such a room (florescent lights and all) your home?

Here is a 4 step process you can manage in 1-5 minutes:

1. Arrive Early -- you should do this anyway to make sure everything is as it should be.
   
   
2. Walk around the room. Walk around the parameter of the space. This is a secret great presenters do. You should too. It will make you feel in your bones that are exactly where you belong.
   
   
3. Look intently at each corner of the room. Study the ceiling, the floor, the walls, the art on the walls, the chairs and tables. Getting acquainted with the space will make you more comfortable in ways that are impossible to calculate, but with noticeable difference for you as the presenter.
   
   
4. Breathe deeply and relax your chest as you study the space.

Use the moments available to you. Ideally you should give yourself 5 minutes for this procedure to effectively relax and settle into the space.

Now you are ready for your audience.

The next step is to mentally greet your audience as they arrive like you would a friend who has come to stop by for a visit. Nothing needs to be said. It is your attitude that will create the relationship of friendliness and openness.

Your welcoming attentiveness will put you and them at ease.

It is one more little difference that makes all the difference for you.

Like it was for me in that tunnel back in 1992.

Please Click Here to let me know how you enjoyed this article.

And if you struggle to make your presentations and communication as powerful as
you would like, I invite you to contact me at 512/306-9446 or alan@speaknow.biz.

Yours in Presence,

Alan Steinborn

Alan Steinborn, All Rights Reserved, 2003, 2004, 2005