Pitch Perfect: Live Presentation and Public Speaking Secrets

PITCH PERFECT

@companyonvc #pitchperfect

Companyon LLC

Parthib Srivathsan [email protected]

Tom Lazay [email protected]

KATJA SCHOENHERR

Classically trained opera singer

Former faculty at New English Conservatory

Graduate of MIT Sloan School

WHAT IS THIS WORKSHOP ABOUT?

Adopt techniques from high pressure stage performance

Build skills for presentations and public speaking engagements

Develop tools for an authentic, confident and personal presentation style

HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF

STAGE FRIGHT

WHAT DO WE NEED?

Knowledge about how to get the best out of our voice. “

Knowledge about how to get the best out of our voice. “

An understanding of how our body talks. “

…AND WHAT ELSE?

A sense for stage presence. “

OUR VOICE

POWER

Lungs generate air pressure for

upward flow of air

SOURCE

Vibration of vocal folds generates

basic pitch

FILTER

Vocal tract molds basic pitch into

individual sounds

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Condition your voice and body to prevent repetitive stress §  Release jaw and neck tension §  Find postural balance

Use your “sweet spot” to project §  Warm up your voice §  Find the best possible tone for

least possible effort

OUR BODY

Important tool of communication

Body postures have an effect on yourself and your

audience

How do you want to be perceived?

Adopt Amy Cuddy’s power poses before you go on stage

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Stand like a superhero for two minutes

Changes testosterone and cortisol levels

Sets up your brain to deal well with stressful situations

Makes you feel assertive, confident and comfortable

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Stand like a superhero for two minutes

Changes testosterone and cortisol levels

Sets up your brain to deal well with stressful situations

Makes you feel assertive, confident and comfortable

STAGE PRESENCE

Ability to command/draw the attention of

your audience through:

§  Being engaged and

authentic (doing it vs. showing it)

§  The use of technique

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Help your audience to focus by eliminating distractions

Set up Dress Code

Make eye contact, take on an open body

position and avoid physical barriers

Be purposeful in your speech and movement,

utilize your voice and your body

HERE WE GO!

HOW TO PREPARE?

Practice your presentation

Get familiar with your space

Have a What If Scenario

Loose your crutches

HOW TO DEAL WITH STAGE FIGHT?

Be assured in your presentation (be

prepared)

Accept and acknowledge

Be present, be within yourself

HOW TO CONNECT TO YOUR AUDIENCE?

? Get out of the isolation, break

the wall Have a conversation, ask

and invite questions Emphasize a handful of

key messages

WHAT TO DO WITH A CHALLENGING AUDIENCE?

Stay engaged, don’t take anything personally

Who is the most dangerous in the room? §  Walking out §  Angry listener §  Not paying attention §  Interrupting or asking hard

question

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR AUDIENCE?

Constantly read your audience and adjust your

content accordingly

Invite questions

Speed up or present something surprising

Weave in a personal story (topic relevant)

Be well rehearsed to pick up at any measure

?

HOW TO STAY FRESH?

Debrief each session

Incorporate learnings into new

sessions

Continue to practice

Stay targeted and active

YOU CAN DO IT!

QUESTIONS?

Thank you

@companyonvc #pitchperfect

Companyon LLC

[email protected]

Parthib Srivathsan [email protected]

Tom Lazay [email protected]