Often in my presentation workshops and private speaker coaching sessions I am asked, “What is the difference between a speech and a presentation?” If you Google this question you will see many similar responses. A speech is only words with no slide support. A presentation is interactive with the use of slideware.
Today’s business world requires a hybrid scenario. We want to effectively communicate ideas while ensuring audience connection and retention in order to achieve our goals. Not everyone is an orator who can engage people for 30 minutes or more, so we tend to rely on slides for support and audience engagement. Used sparingly and selectively, slides can help underscore a message or illustrate an example. Most importantly, however, you need to deliver your ideas with dynamic speech and animated body language. Breathe life into the content.
I am so fortunate to do what I do. This past month two more experiences reminded me again how wonderful it is to be a professional speaker. The speaking is only a part of the job satisfaction. I love communicating with audiences, making them laugh, inviting them to reflect, and encouraging them to think. That’s half of the joy. The balance is the opportunity to meet such interesting and diverse people, and to learn about companies and organizations that I would otherwise not encounter.