Let’s set the scene,..
You’ve got the biggest presentation of your career coming up and your nerves are palpable. And whilst you know you need to step up, be seen and establish yourself as the authority (thank you very much) all you can really think about are the specifics such as - What am I going to say? What will they think of me? What if I go wrong?
Then, in all your panic and fear, you make the biggest mistake you can ever make when preparing for your presentation…
YOU WRITE AN SCRIPT AND YOU LEARN IT OFF BY HEART!…NOOOOOOO!!!!!
I know why you think this seems like a good option - I mean why wouldn’t you want some certainty in a very uncertain situation? Especially when the fear is taking over and imposter syndrome is setting in (Who are you to be on stage telling people what to do?) and you start believing that you need a ‘safety net’ in case you mess up on the day.
I know! The panic is real. You start doubting your ability, your confidence and your skillset. Let’s break it down even further.
What is a scripted presentation?
A scripted presentation is when you have written a script to follow and remember from start to finish. Depending on the duration of your presentation, this script can be a few thousand words and resemble more of an essay. And, you are expecting yourself to remember all those words, points and even light-hearted quips during a time when you are feeling your heart beating out of your chest? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
so, Should you write a script for a presentation?
In my expert opinion - unless my client was a politician reading a manifesto or quoting an important passage from a book - I would 100% never advise my presentation clients to script their presentations. Each presentation is unique and challenging in its own right. Plus, there are better presentation tools and skills to master that will have a bigger impact overall than taking the time to memorise your script and reciting that back to your audience. You have to get out of fear mode - it will tell you that you have to have a script in order to give a good presentation - you don’t.
Is it bad to read off a script for a presentation?
Yes. Delivering a successful presentation is an art form with certain elements that once learnt can have a dramatic effect on the audience and strengthen the confidence of the presenter. It’s a skill just like anything else, It takes practise and the more presentations practise you have, the better you become at it.
Let’s break down the science of it first and then we will get to the art of presenting.
Why can’t you remember your script?
When you’re nervous and in a state of survival mode, your sympathetic nervous system is activated. This means that your rational mind - the part of the brain that you need to remember your script - is activated last due to your fear and panic taking precedence. Therefore, trying to remember a script is like standing still and reciting your seven times table whilst a metaphorical lion is running towards you.
You’re asking your body to do something that is completely unnatural in that situation. And, although learning a script helps you to feel comfortable in the preparation stages, the preparation becomes redundant when you are in a real-life situation.
Trying to remember a script is like standing still and reciting your seven times table whilst a metaphorical lion is running towards you.
What are the disadvantages of using a script to present?
Reciting Versus Presenting
The medium of reciting a script is very different from presenting and it’s best left to trained Shakespearean actors in my opinion. Choosing to recite your script rather than presenting a presentation will dramatically reduce your authentic dynamic on stage. How can you engage with your audience if you are trying to remember what section comes next?
Presentation Style
You have to think of presentations as a conversation between you and the audience- regardless of the size. It has to have a conversational flow for it to land. There is a stark difference between someone remember what to say during a presentation and someone presenting what they want to say at that moment in time.
And although you feel confident that you know every line off by heart, the audience will receive, react, and interact very differently with you depending on what style you choose.
Jokes Aren’t As Funny
A funny quip read rather than delivered may fall flat. Regardless of how funny it may be to you whilst you are practising. Authenticity matters when presenting and the energetic exchange between the presenter and the audience is the main ingredient to a successful presentation.
It Creates More Nerves, Panic and Fear
Let’s be honest, your brain will be keeping you safe from a ‘potential danger’ (that’s what fear is - an indicator to prepare for a future perceived danger to your safety and wellbeing) and remembering your script isn’t on the top of the list for your brain.
It will be the first thing that pops out of your head and in turn you have created even more nerves, panic and fear for yourself. Not only are you scared about hitting the podium, you now have created the very conditions that the script was supposed to save you from - forgetting your lines! It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy and there are better tools to utilise when preparing for your presentation.
What should I do instead of writing a script for my presentation?
My recommendation would be to create flashcards with three quick and simple prompts - no more than four words per prompt - to quickly get you back onto the main points of your presentation and to keep your focus.
Flashcards are brilliant to use (number them in order just in case you drop them on the floor in a panic) as each one acts as a direction post leading you to your next point and keeping the presentation on time and on point.
You can also use your slides as prompts alongside your flashcards. Although be wary of relying solely on technology as it can and sometimes plays up and therefore flashcards are king in all instances.
Not only are you scared about hitting the podium, you now have created the very conditions that the script was supposed to save you from - forgetting your lines! It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy and there are better tools to utilise when preparing for your presentation.
How do you learn the presentation skills that you need?
If you have a presentation coming up or would like to brush up on your presentation skills I can help. My presentation coaching is perfectly designed to help you feel confident and ready before hitting the podium.
I can help you plan and outline your presentation as well as give feedback on your slides and materials.
We will look at your delivery, your presentation style and also how you deal with nerves and fear on the day and strategies to combat those panic-inducing thoughts.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in working with me then learn more here. You won’t recognise your own confidence.
Shine your light bright,
Michelle
