SECOND RUN: HOW DO YOU SOUND?

The second run rehearsal lets you smooth out the edges of your presentation. Once you have the timing down and you are comfortable with the flow within the time frame, you can focus on your actual delivery. When I’m preparing for my second round of rehearsal, I ask myself:

• Who is my audience, and what do they expect from me?

• How do I find balance between the best way to address my audience and my own personal style?

• What is my tone and manner—my demeanor—going to be?

If you’re thinking these questions seem familiar, you’re right—they framed your presentation’s development. During this second set of rehearsals, you have the opportunity to answer these questions in ways that guide how you’ll integrate your personal delivery style into the presentation. If this is a training presentation, do you want to come across as the teacher? What does that mean? What is the best way to do this in terms of the material and the individuals in the audience?