2023 - International Webinar - The important of public speaking for businessman - Part 17

If you're not a professional speaker, interactive workshop leader, or improv comedian, you may need to take notes to feel more confident in your presentation. And if you're unlucky enough to have a "confidence monitor" (a flat screen at the foot of the stage that allows the speaker to view his or her slides without breaking eye contact with the audience), you may have to rely on the old-fashioned, paper-note pad.


Here are some tips for successfully speaking with notes so you're still connected to your audience more than you're connected to that piece of paper.

Make sure each handheld note looks clear and professional from the audience's point of view. Don't carry a pile of crumpled paper with you. Use clean sheets of white computer paper or index cards, where the ink does not show from the back of the page.

Write your notes in a large enough font so you can see them at a glance and access the information you need. You don't want to be squinting and scanning the page for the next thing you want to say.

Write large page numbers on each sheet of paper or index card. That way, if they get shuffled or damaged, you can quickly find your spot.

If your presentation requires you to stand at the podium, practice giving your presentation so that you refer to your notes as often as possible. Your practice should also prepare you for when you move to the next page. Avoid turning the page in the middle of an important idea, quote or story. Look for natural breaks between main points to turn the page.

If you're going to be moving around during your presentation (which I highly recommend), put your notes out on the table or podium when you're not using them, as long as you don't need them often. It's more annoying to watch you keep walking to get it off the table than it is for you to just hold it in one hand.

When you use notes, hold them in your non-dominant hand. Anchor those elbows to your waist and hold your note firmly, with limited movement. Use your other hand to signal. Don't signal with the hand holding your note--flapping papers or stacks of cards will distract your audience.

Your notes should not serve as a script that you read verbatim. View your notes, quickly scan them, then return your eye contact to the audience and continue speaking. Otherwise, you'll end up looking like your audience is your deck of index cards.

The exception to "don't read your notes" is when you want to make it clear that you are reading for accuracy's sake, such as offering important statistics or a direct quote. You can even hint at this to the audience by saying something like, "I want to read our Vision Statement aloud so we are all clear on where we are going."

Think of your notes as bright shiny objects. Chances are, your and your audience's eyes will be on the notes unless you use them carefully, strategically, and infrequently. Refine your use of tone with strong body language and vocal variations.

Many presenters find that their notes are like a security blanket--they think they need it for comfort and reassurance, but they realize they never see it during the presentation. If you don't need it, don't take it with you.

You may wish you didn't need notes, but if you do, use them without apology. Saying, "Sorry I brought my notes here" or "I have too much to remember" or, worst of all, "I didn't have time to prepare" undermines your credibility, insults your audience, and draws attention to something you don't want. stand out.


The material above was delivered by a presenter from Indonesia in an international webinar held by STEKOM University in collaboration with the University of Mexico. The title of the presentation was "The Role of Public Speaking in Marketing Communication". The name of the presenter is Wibi Ardi Alvianto, S.Pd, M.Pd. Mr. Wibi is an active lecturer at STEKOM University.


This international webinar activity is part of the implementation of STEKOM University's commitment to increase various international activities. This was done in order to realize the vision to become an international-class university. Various international activities carried out by STEKOM University continue from year to year. There are international activities that are sustainable and there are also some international activities that are not sustainable. All types of international activities are accommodated and regulated by the International department of STEKOM University.