Harness the Power of the Pause.

Delivering a great presentation requires the smart use of Pauses – both for you and for the audience. Why is a Pause so important, and how do you actually use it? Here are four smart ways to build Pauses into your next presentation, and what they actually do for you.

1. Start strong with a Pause and a deep breath.  

It is natural and expected to feel nervous when you open your presentation. After all, the first 7 seconds of any presentation are critical. Pausing to take a breath when you begin signals both confidence and control. It allows you to start from a place of strength, and your audience will recognize and reflect that confidence back to you.

2.     Use short Pauses to control your pacing.

I am a fast talker. But I have learned to adjust my pace by using pauses as audible punctuation, which keeps me from “machine-gunning” my content at my audience. You should use the power of a half-pause to slow yourself down and feel more comfortable. And to monitor and adjust your pace over time. It won’t look like you are correcting your pace; it will look like you are controlling it.

3.      Employ Pauses to give your audience time to process and understand.

You probably have deep expertise and have a lot to share, and you want to cover a lot of detail. Since you are familiar with your content, it’s easy to ramble on from point A to Z. However, your audience is learning your POV, and needs to be able to follow your thinking. Pauses break up large blocks of content, provide order and priority, and help your audience comprehend and retain information more easily. This enables you to have a bigger impact and be compelling.

4.     Leverage Pauses to emphasize your key takeaway.

The most important use of a Pause comes at the culmination of your presentation. It literally creates a space to showcase your overall thought or theme in such a way that maximizes your impact. A 2-second pause signals value and importance. It is not dramatic. Rather, it is emphatic.

A Pause is one of the least-understood techniques in presenting. But if you understand and apply it appropriately, it makes you a much more effective presenter. And you will be far more successful.

I do impactful presentation coaching for all levels of an organization, focusing on Charisma, Storytelling/Scripting, Deck Development/Design, and Presentation Delivery. Let's have a chat about how I can help you, your team, and your organization.