While mentoring colleagues to help them overcome their fear of public speaking and improve their presentation skills, I noticed a clear “flip chart fear.” What is it and how is it overcome?
It can be easy to spot someone who is afraid to speak in public because they are glued to where their speech began and refusing to move. The idea of using any kind of props (eg flip charts, brochures, etc.) is scary because they would have to be moved and could make the experience go even longer.
However, an important public speaking tip is to use flip charts and other accessories to support your presentation. The way you use your flip chart is a critical part of public speaking. Here are some important public speaking tips and techniques to use a flip chart effectively:
1. Arrive early and make sure the flip chart is positioned so you can easily access it when you need it.
2. Make sure it’s positioned so that you can stand next to it and write while still facing your audience (that is, don’t turn your back on your audience!).
3. Make sure you have several markers that work and dispose of those that do not work immediately. You don’t want to have trouble finding a good marker during your presentation.
4. Use only blue or black markers, please. It is too difficult for those in the back of the room to see other colors. Red is fine to accentuate things that are already written in blue or black.
5. When writing on the chart, make your letters at least 2-3 inches tall.
6. Draw lines on the pages in pencil beforehand to help you keep your writing legible.
7. Plan your pages as you write your presentation outline. They will be the support for your presentation in public.
8. Write notes to yourself, in pencil on the flip chart, to remind yourself of all the important points that need to be included. I promise your audience won’t see the pencil notes.
9. If you have something you want to present and then emphasize during the presentation or discussion, write the flipchart page beforehand so you can turn the page.
10. If you need to refer to something you wrote on a page later in your presentation, tear up the page and have someone paste it on the wall; don’t forget to bring big duct tape for this.
Flip charts are a great way to engage with your audience and get their input for your presentation. People feel important when they write their words and ideas on a piece of paper in front of the room.
Hope this gives you some ideas on using flip charts to strengthen your public speaking and help you overcome any “flip chart fears.”
