Specific feedback can save a long time of aimless practicing, but only if it is specific. Too many beginning presenters will do a presentation, ask for feedback, and receive responses such as, “It was fine” or “You need to slow down.” While these types of comments are helpful, they don’t address the specific instances in the presentation where improvement is needed. I find that feedback is useful only if it refers to a specific moment, a specific impact, and a specific action to change.
One quick fix to this is to ask specific questions. Instead of asking if the presentation was generally good, ask if the introduction made the topic clear, if the second main point seemed related to the first, or if the image on one of your slides distracted from your explanation. This will already get a more useful response. It gives your listener something to focus on and a specific thing to talk about. Additionally, when asking specific questions, it is easier to receive criticism that might sting a bit without getting overwhelmed because the criticism is not a judgment about the overall presentation. It is just a suggestion for improvement in one particular aspect.
Another strategy is to determine the right time for specific feedback. If the structure is not very solid, focus on clarity before focusing on delivery. If the overall message is already clear, you can focus on pacing, emphasis, and slide support. I find that too many presenters make the mistake of asking for general feedback on everything. Often this results in generic feedback that might or might not be useful, and often might even be contradictory. A more effective approach would be to decide what type of feedback is needed before practicing. You might want to practice to get feedback on the logical flow of your argument in one session, and practice to get feedback on the steadiness of your voice and the timing of your pauses in another session.
Finally, I find that a simple 15-minute practice can make getting and incorporating feedback much easier. Use the first 5 minutes to practice one section of your presentation out loud. Record it once, and listen back to it and write down only two things: when you think your message was clear and when you lost your listener’s attention. Use the next 5 minutes to practice the same section in front of someone else and ask one specific question, such as, “Did the transition to my example make sense?” Use the last 5 minutes to revise your wording and practice it again so that the feedback is fresh in your mind. This makes the feedback loop much shorter and often much more effective than waiting until you have practiced the entire presentation.
Not all feedback is created equal. While some feedback addresses the presentation itself, some feedback addresses the personal style of the presenter. If one person tells you that your introduction is too long and another person tells you that your introduction finally allows your topic to shine, you don’t necessarily need to revise it right away. I would focus on getting feedback that addresses a specific impact, such as confusing your listener, losing your listener’s attention, or trying to communicate too much in one point. These types of feedback are easier to test in your next practice session. If you hear the same feedback more than once, you should probably pay attention to it. If you hear feedback that is too general, ask a follow-up question to make it more specific and attach it to a specific point in your presentation.
Finally, I think it’s important to practice how to receive feedback constructively. It’s natural for some points of feedback to sting a little bit. If someone suggests that you have a weak transition, an overcrowded visual slide, or a closing that falls flat, it can be hurtful because you have worked so hard on your presentation. However, the best attitude to take when getting feedback is to treat each point as an opportunity for revision, not as a judgment. Your presentation skills will improve if you incorporate the feedback into your revisions and make sure that the revisions had a positive impact. Revise one sentence. Remove one extraneous fact. Add one strategic pause before a key point. Ask again if it improved that part of your presentation. Over time, this will not only improve your presentation. It will improve your ability to edit and your awareness of structure, flow, and audience needs.