“Pfake it until you make it.” That was one of the takeaways from Dr. Salena Brody, associate director of CTL, in her session on effective presentation skills. While it may sound like a simple phrase, it holds a lot of truth when it comes to polishing your public speaking. She shared four P’s designed to elevate your skills and feel more confident in front of an audience.
Persona
Before you step in front of an audience, think about the adjectives you want people to use when describing you after your presentation. This isn’t about creating an entirely new version of yourself — it’s about amplifying the aspects of your persona that allow you to put your best foot forward.
Prepare
Preparation is key, but it’s more than just knowing your content. Consider the factors that will shape your presentation: How much time will you have? What’s the size and makeup of your audience? What type of space will you be in, and what technology will you need? Each of these elements influences how you should plan your delivery. Remember that less is often more, so don’t overwhelm your audience with too much information.
Practice
As the saying goes, “Practice makes progress.” But beyond just running through your slides, try to manage your presentation without relying too heavily on notes. Focus especially on the first two slides, as they set the tone for everything that follows. The more comfortable you are with your content, the more fluid and natural your delivery will be.
Pivot
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s where having a backup strategy can help. Keep something in your back pocket to energize and engage your audience if needed — a story, an activity, a question or even a callback to something earlier in the presentation. Being ready to pivot keeps your presentation dynamic and ensures you can maintain momentum, even when the unexpected happens.
With these tips in mind, you can approach your next presentation with confidence and clarity. Remember: It’s all about faking it until you make it — authentically, of course.