No matter how compelling, good and effective you think your speech or presentation is, there is a huge advantage in getting someone to look it over and give you feedback.
Many of us find it hard to get feedback. What you should remember is that your presentation is being criticised and not you. Also, it is important both to give and receive feedback that is constructive, concrete and caring. Here are some tips to get useful feedback for your presentations:
Where in the process do you want feedback
There is rarely time for more rounds of feedback, so be sure to get it at the time you think you’ll get the most out of it. Also be sure to get answers to the questions that are more pressing at the time of the process. When you are in the beginning of the process, you can ask whether your ideas are good, if you have made the most important points, or if your examples seem good. If the presentation is already made, you can ask whether the overall message was clear and what you could do better next time. Remember to write it down, so you make sure you will remember it when needed.
Make the presentation’s context clear
It is important to make the context of your presentation clear to the person who will give you feedback. What is the purpose of your presentation? Who are the beneficiaries? Where will the presentation take place? You can also draw attention to other circumstances, such as the fact that the audience already knows you.
Ask the right questions
You will generally get better feedback if you ask the exact questions that you need answers to. You can ask general questions about the presentation’s quality, or about the clarity of the arguments. Is the language appropriate for the target audience? Or is the speech well disposed? However, it is better to ask more specific questions – is the language too abstract and is there a need for more concrete examples? Is the introduction catchy? Or does the summary end the presentation appropriately?
Ask what the feedback means
Basically, misunderstandings are undesirable. Thus, if you are not sure about what the feedback means or how it is to be taken, be sure you ask follow‑up questions.
Listen to the feedback instead of defending yourself
Remember that it is your presentation and not yourself who is criticised. If you disagree with the criticism, it may be useful to discuss it. But instead of making excuses, listen to the criticism and use it constructively.
Get feedback from several people
It can certainly be rewarding to get feedback from just one person, but sometimes it’s good to ask several people about their perceptions. We don’t perceive things the same, so getting feedback from more people can save you from the tyranny of one person’s assessment. However, it depends on what you are looking to get out of your feedback. If you need feedback on your disposition, one qualified person should be enough. But if you ask about the presentation’s tone or if the examples that you use are good, it can be an advantage to get feedback from many people.
