Tips for an Effective Presentation

            Glossophobia is defined as the fear of speaking in public (Mitchinson, 2012). The fear of public speaking is ranked as the top worst fears among people, and this fear holds many people back from career success (Cetlin, 2007).  A strong presentation means a strong understanding from viewers, which is the whole purpose of a presentation.  Having a successful presentation is crucial and if the presenter is prepared and engaged with their audience, the presentation can be more easily understood.

            Preparation is key to a successful presentation.  Last minute practice sessions only bring a presentation so far.  In order to have a great presentation, the presenter must be fully prepared in every way, including the physical presentation and the unknown factors. “Think through what might go wrong and prepare for it before it does.” (Young, 2010).  Never assume anything while preparing for a presentation.  Always prepare for the worst.

            An audience will retain more information from the presentation if the presenter is engaged with the audience.   Not reading straight from a slide, piece of paper, or poster board can really make your audience feel more involved.  Making eye contact while presenting shows gives the audience a sense of confidence in the presenter (Young, 2010).  Another way a presenter can be engaged with the audience is by presenting with a loud, projected voice.

            Speaking in public ranks as one of the top most popular fears, and this fear can effect success in a career situation (Cetlin, 2007).  Planning for the worst-case scenario and connecting with the audience can help strengthen a presentation.  Coming prepared and engaging your audience will camouflage your fear, leaving the audience confident in your presentation.

Works Cited

Cetlin, N. (2007). Fear Of Public Speaking: Nancy Cetlin, Ed.D. Retrieved from Nancy

            Cetlin: http://www.nancycetlin.com/fear-of-public-speaking.html

Mitchinson, M. (2012). Do you suffer from glossophobia? Retrieved from

            Glossophobia: http://www.glossophobia.com/

Young, S. H. (2010, August 23). 18 Tips for Killer Presentations. Retrieved from Life

            Hack: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/18-tips-for-killer-

            presentations.html

How Technology Can Improve Group Communication

“The world has revolutionized almost beyond recognition in the past few decades” (McGrath, 2012). Technology has greatly impacted the way we communicate.  New technological updates make communicating in groups a lot easier while actually working with others and in the final presentation process.

Quick, successful communication is key when working in groups.  Effective communication skills allow groups both to function together and to succeed (Switzer, 2010).   For instant communication, cell phones can be a very effective tool.  A quick text message or phone call can get information out quickly to all group members.  Another popular convenient way of communicating to group members is through the use of computers. The use of e-mail is a very popular way to get information circulating as well as the use of Google Docs.  “Google Docs is a tool where multiple users can edit a document at the same time, while seeing each others' changes instantaneously” (Chung, 2011).  Google Docs is a great tool to use when schedules of group members are tough to work around.

Communicating group ideas to the public world, group of people, or an individual can be done comprehensively through the use of technology.  PowerPoint is a great program to use while presenting group projects. Used properly, PowerPoint can be one of the most powerful tools for distributing information (Lenny).  Information can be displayed clearly and concisely, making the information easy to retain for viewers.

Straightforward information that is quickly retained by other group members or the public will help groups succeed. The use of technology can help teams communicate more effectively. “We have technology to enhance the idea of communication by making it simpler, faster, effective and convenient no matter where you are on the globe.” (Switzer, 2010). 

Works Cited

Chung, C.-J. (2011). Google Docs Tutorial. Retrieved from Google Sites:

            https://sites.google.com/site/gdocswebquest/

Lenny, M. (n.d.). What's all the hype? Retrieved from Teach-Nology: http://www.teach-

            nology.com/tutorials/powerpoint/

McGrath, J. (2012). How has technology changed the way we conduct business? Retrieved

            from How Stuff Works: http://money.howstuffworks.com/technology-changed-

            business.htm

Switzer, C. (2010, June 11). The importance of communication in a team. Retrieved from

            Live Strong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/146354-the-importance-of-

            communication-in-a-team/

Etsy is benefitial for small artsy busiesses

Etsy "provides a marketplace for crafters, artists, and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods, and crafting supplies" and can be benificial for small, art based businesses (Lempereur, 2012).  Etsy can help creative art businesses get started, can help introduce products into the internet world, and businesses can get non-internet business opportunities.

Etsy can help a business get started, and they make it easy.   Etsy's website's layout is very user friendly.  The site is very straightforward in the way that a new business owner is guided through a step by step setup.  Picking up on the website is easy and a business owner can have their shop set up within minutes.

Etsy is a great source for an art business to get its art products into the internet world.  Word spreads quickly on the internet, and Etsy is an excellent starting point for products to get more well known.  Etsy is more than a marketplace, it is a community.  Etsy brings in a large audience which makes promoting products an easier task to do.  Etsy makes it very easy for people to buy products, favor products, and favor shops.  Once an item or shop is favored, it then becomes more popular and available for other people to see.

Etsy can provide a business with physical world opportunities.  People are constantly looking on Etsy for vendors for boutiques and shows.  Those people search on Etsy for shops that are nearest to them. Once those people find a vendor near them, they then start contacting the vendor.  So many opportunities are available for art businesses.  Art businesses just have a hard time finding those opportunities, and that is where Etsy comes in.  Etsy makes the possibilities endless.

Small art based businesses can benefit highly from putting their products on Etsy.  Etsy's website can help businesses get started, can help introduce the business's products into an internet market, and gives businesses real world opportunities.  Etsy is a great tool that art based businesses should take advantage of.

Sources
Gaebler
Wahm

What can professional blogs do for your business?

Creating a professional blog for your business can be very beneficial.  Not only are blogs easy to use, but they help expand a company's visibility and help improve customer interaction.  Companies these days can use all the help they can get with getting their name out there and expanding their business.  Professional business blogs can do just that.

Blogs are very easy to manage and deal with.  Blog posts can be posted with just a click of a button.  Blog companies have made the software user friendly with easy to use tools.  Blogging is much easier than dealing with confusing internet codes.  Blogs are so simple to use.  A company doesn't need to put web designer on staff.

A business blog gives a company a great opportunity to expand their audience.  A network is crucial for a business.  Keeping that network interested and updated can be a challenge.  A blog is an easy way for a company to keep in touch with people all over the world on a regular basis.  News and updates can be seen immediately from followers, which is very beneficial for a business.  With more people viewing your blog, the company and its products will become better known.

Customers can easily interact with a business through blogs.  Blogs are another source of communication.  Customer can easily comment underneath a blog post and give their feedback directly to the company.  Customer interaction is fast and direct while using a business blog.

In order for a business expand, they need to get their company name to be known.  Professional blogs are an easy tool that can help expand information about a company and improve customer interaction.  Blogs are very beneficial for businesses.

Sources:

Street Directory
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/113659/blogging/7_key_benefits_to_blog_marketing_for_your_business.html

SBInformation
http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm