Presentations Training:
Ten Presentation Course Points on Poor Podium Use by Presenters

Encounters with podiums are frequent occurrences for people giving presentations. However, many people do not understand the benefits and pitfalls of using a podium when presenting. Acknowledging what may be wrong at the podium can be helpful to improve a presenter's capabilities. This presentations knowledge is further enhanced by learning tips at the podium or alternatives to using the podium. Below are ten points for presenters to consider before their next presentation behind a podium.

Swaying back and forth behind podium makes the presenter look nervous and is distracting to the audience. Standing relaxed with legs a few inches apart and the knees not locked may help prevent the presenter from rocking motions.

Leaning on the podium can either make the presenter looked too relaxed and casual or so lazy/dizzy that they must lean on something to keep from falling over. Presenters should stand behind or to the side of a podium rather than use the podium as support for their body.

If the presenter is gesturing below the top of podium, this defeats the purpose of using gesturing as a visual tool. Gestures should be high enough and grand enough for the audience to see and understand how the gesture emphasizes the presenter's point. If the podium is too high and the microphone allows, the presenter may choose to move to the side when emphasizing with a gesture.

Presenters reading too much from prepared notes on top of the podium prevents eye contact with the audience. The presenter should know their topic well enough to only use notes as an outline for prompts to pick up where they left off after questions have interrupted their flow. If a presenter is uncomfortable with being separated from their notes, they can stand to the side of the podium and move behind it when they need to check notes.

Grasping the podium may send the message that the presenter is nervous or angry about speaking to the audience, depending on their accompanying facial expression. If the presenter is prone to grabbing the podium, they may prefer to stand next to the podium, stand in front of the podium, or not have a podium to prevent this.

Tapping or banging on podium is irritating to the audience and may send a negative message rather than emphasizing a point if that was the intention. Don't use the podium to produce sound effects because it is never as effective as expected.

Presenter podiums may be in a fixed location or they may be adjustable. If moving the podium is an option, then place it in a location that works best for talking to your audience, which is typically in the front and centered among the group. If the podium is fixed and its location restricts movement or audience interaction, then the presenter should determine if other options exist besides using the podium for their presentation.

Hiding behind the podium may reduce some presenter's fear of speaking; however the podium does separate the presenter from their audience somewhat. If the microphone is placed on the podium then the speaker may have no choice but to stay behind the podium or move the microphone to a preferred side where they will stand when speaking so they may still be heard.

If a presenter is small or soft-spoken, they may require a podium with a microphone to amplify their voice. However, a microphone based podium may restrict the presenter or be harder for the presenter to reach. In this case, the presenter may request a wireless microphone or make sure they get to the presentation place early enough to adjust the microphone. The presenter should check with the person arranging the program to determine is a wireless microphone is available instead of the podium one if they prefer to can use it.

Often a presenter is introduced by someone who may know little about them and therefore fumbles through their introduction at the podium. The introduction should show the presenter's qualifications for giving the presentation. So the presenter should prepare some information for their introduction for this person to read. Then before the program starts, find out who is introducing the presenter and let that person know an introduction has been prepared and placed for them to use on the podium.

After consideration of these ten points, the presenter's awareness is increases and their next presentation behind a podium should be better. A greater understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of using a podium is very helpful for presenter improvement and development of presentation capabilities. Presenters should use the tips and alternatives offered in these ten points to make better presentations and gain greater audience satisfaction as a result.

Source: Shirley Fine Lee link

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