6. Practicing Your Presentation

The best advice I can give for new speakers is to practice, practice, practice. I am guilty of hopping on stage with a new talk without putting enough time into practicing it, and every time I do, it ends up being a mediocre, uncomfortable talk. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro. A very well-rehearsed talk is key to onstage success.

—Kristina Halvorson

“Practice makes perfect!”

This saying is a great big lie that you should convince yourself to follow anyway, particularly when dealing with getting on stage and presenting. Practice does not guarantee—at all—that your presentation will be flawless, or that the audience will sit with rapt attention and adore it (and you for giving it). ...

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