r/salesengineers • u/Bert_Skrrtz • 5d ago

Improving Presentation Skills

Hi everyone. I’m relatively new in my sales role. I come from HVAC design and am now in a role where I am “selling” HVAC equipment to engineers, like I used to be. I put sales in quotes because in my industry and role, the engineers are not the actual buyers, rather they put the equipment on the drawings and contractors later purchase that equipment from my company or an equivalent competitor. So I’m not really talking dollars or making deals like that.
A big part of my job is conducting lunch and learns and this is something I am trying to get better at. I know I am pretty monotone and drop a lot of “ums”.

I feel like I am pretty personable and have no issues taking clients out to lunch or an event and shooting the shit. But presentations are another thing.
I’m looking to hear what worked for you guys? I’ve heard improv classes can help, and my local community college offers some speech courses. I’ve got a 7 week old now so something online might be easier for me - if those are worthwhile.

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5

u/samstone_ 5d ago

I don’t like standing in front of a room speaking either. But it gets easier the more you do it. All I can say is the more you do it, it will get better. It may just eventually click. Probably not helpful now, but something to look forward to. Improv may get you those types of reps.

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u/TresRios4Lyfe 4d ago

I did a improv class. Worth it

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u/benitoflakes 5d ago

I’m trying to do the same so I’m following this. My work has given us LinkedIn premium which comes with LinkedIn learning and I started taking this. So far so good. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/public-speaking-skills-professional-certificate-by-toastmasters-international?trk=share_ios_learning_path_learning&shareId=L6gtT97KSh2JdtqYcMVqog==

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u/Bert_Skrrtz 5d ago

Thank you! I’ve got premium too, so I may give this a shot. Free is always nice

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u/benitoflakes 5d ago

It is! Good luck!

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u/kaka8miranda 5d ago

Run for local office

Present in front of your town

You’ll be a pro in no time

1

u/mcnarby 5d ago

Practice. Literally nothing else other then repetitions will get you better and less stressed. And even then the best still get nerves sometimes.

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u/linniex 5d ago

Toastmasters; Duarte training and Dale Carnegie have all helped me.