Every presenter and trainer knows that they only have 3 minutes from the time they step onto the platform to build rapport with each participant. The following 5 Essential Tips will give you the edge over your competition.

Read on…

Project your voice
Ever sat in a training session where you couldn’t hear the trainer? You have. So have I and we both know that the secret to becoming an excellent trainer is to learn to project your voice.

Projecting your voice doesn’t mean speaking loudly or shouting. It means standing up straight, breathing deeply to allow your voice to develop in your upper diaphragm which in turn produces a stronger modulation in your voice, carrying your voice further.

One tip I learn’t from an auctioneer friend was to project your voice a meter past the last row of participants in the room. This gives everyone in the room the opportunity to hear you. Give it a try!

Gestures
Gestures need to be an extension of yourself and any emotions that your message conveys. Planned gestures can look false because they don’t match your non-verbal cues. The clue is to be authentic.

From time to time it may be a good idea to have a colleague sit in on one of your training sessions in order to critique your delivery style. You will be surprised at what you will learn about yourself.

Never apologise
Don’t apologise for your lack of preparation, time or knowledge and especially not for your nerves.

The participants will know without you telling them if you have prepared your session and indeed if you know the subject. On the other hand your audience won’t notice your lack of confidence unless you draw attention to it. So don’t.

Training for transfer
Involve your participants in activities to keep them interested and involved. Asking questions to suit the level of experience in the room is one way to check the level of knowledge transfer. A well-written assessment is another.

Pause often
Pausing at regular intervals in your training session gives your students the opportunity to assimilate the information before you move on to onto the next topic. It also gives you time to check where you are in the session.

Now that you are putting these tips into daily practice, are you noticing a greater skill level and confidence in your work?

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