There's more than one way to use video

One of the most effective ways to become a better speaker is to videotape and review your presentation. If you're unaccustomed to seeing yourself on video, the initial viewing may seem strange and uncomfortable. That's natural, because we tend to be our own worst critic. But once you've adjusted to your video presence, it's a great way to evaluate your performance.

Whether you're a professional presenter or an aspiring speaker seeking to master the craft, watching your performance on video will highlight presentation strengths and weaknesses, which will ultimately improve your presentation skills.

View your presentation with a notepad and pen. Divide a page into two columns, titling the first side "Liked Best." On this side, list everything you liked about your presentation. Did you have excellent audience rapport? Write it down. Were you particularly pleased with your command of the topic? List everything else you deemed an asset. Title the second column "Next Time" and record anything that you would do differently to improve your future presentations.

To truly critique your performance, view your video in four different modes: as is, muted, sound only and fast forward.

As is

Replay your video in its original form and generally observe your presentation. Do you exude a polished and professional image? Is your introduction an enthusiastic attention-getter? Is your content supported well? Do you use a nice mix of techniques, such as analogies, examples, personal experience, quotations and statistics? Have you interacted with the audience, either through activities, brainstorming, games, hypothetical situations or a Q & A session? Did you accommodate varying audience temperaments? Have you delivered your point with vocal variety and varying energy levels? Has your presentation met the audience's needs? Carefully scrutinize your performance and make notes of what you see.

Muted

Next, watch the video with the sound turned off. Concentrate on your physical presence. How's your posture? Does it reflect alertness, positive attitude, confidence, enthusiasm and a command of the situation? Do you move with purpose, or do you exhibit distracting gestures such as pacing, rocking or swaying? Do you walk into the audience to enhance rapport, or are you anchored at one position in the front of the room? Are your facial expressions appropriate for the moment, and do you smile frequently? How do you appear in that critical first minute of your presentation when the audience is forming an opinion of you? Does your overall presence look natural?

Audio only

Now when you play the video, turn away from the monitor and just listen