Many new clients of mine confess to being confused about which direction they should head if they feel they are having trouble with a number of issues pertaining to their presentations. Articulation? English fluency? Basic presenting skills? Vocal training? Where to start?

Here are my thoughts:

1) If your English is rusty enough that you feel you are frequently misunderstood (say more than 20% of the time) then work first and foremost on reducing your accent. An accent reduction specialist can help you sharpen your speech, and put your best foot forward. You’re not going to be able to focus on presenting skills, or optimize your training, if you are struggling to be understood.

2) If your English is decent, consider taking a voice and speech class first and foremost. 80% of our impression of a speaker is non-verbal. Your audience will make a decision about you within the first 60 seconds of your presentation, and that decision will be based largely on the tone of your voice and the way you move.

3) Once you have mastered articulation and vocal projection, and you know how to convey confidence with your body language, start working on basic presenting skills. Learn how to develop your opener, discussion section, and closing section. Learn how to master powerpoint design. Lean how to use contrast, comparison, analogy and metaphor.

If you take a gradual approach to presentation training, you’re in a much better position to grow your craft.