A critical factor to consider before developing a presentation is to take into account the setting of the presentation. Is it in-person or virtual? A keynote address or a breakout session? Small room or large room? Casual environment or formal? Whatever the setting, your approach to developing and giving the presentation should factor in the unique setting and respond with an appropriate approach. This should go without saying, but content is the core of your presentation.
While all the other ideas below will help to make your content more impactful, a great presentation starts and ends with great content. Many people start their presentations by getting right to creating slides. But you need to remember that your presentation is not your slides; your slides only support your presentation.
The key is to get your main ideas on paper and organize your thoughts before you start creating slides. Act 1 — The first act is the introduction, the setup of your presentation. A compelling story or illustration can serve as a powerful opener.
Absolutely, positively, DO NOT be salesy or self-deprecating in your opening or at any point in your presentation for that matter. Jump right into the real content! Act 2 — The middle act is where you sustain their interest.
Typically you are detailing a problem and offering a solution, while educating and informing along the way. The order of the tips does not give any information about their importance. As mentioned earlier, you should try to implement a combination of the tips to give a successful presentation. It should be noted that not every one of these tips needs to fit in your own presentation.
In addition, too many of these tips can make the presentation look overloaded and too "rehearsed". Therefore, think carefully in advance about what you want to pay particular attention to. In order to give each of your listeners the feeling of being important and to make them feel personally addressed, it is particularly important to maintain eye contact with the audience during the presentation.
Not only does this exude confidence, but it also helps your audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you feel less nervous. Easier said than done right? Here's what can help:. Find someone in the audience who seems to be genuinely interested in the topic and is listening attentively for example, your lecturer. Make eye contact with this person at the beginning of the presentation.
Once you start feeling more calm and confident let your gaze drift over the audience to address the other listeners as well. Keep returning your gaze to the initial person to stay calm throughout the whole presentation.
Another alternative is to find a fixed point in the room preferably on the wall behind the audience which you fix at the beginning of the presentation. Similar to the first example, after you have achieved confidence, you can let your gaze wander over the audience and return to the previously selected fixed point again and again. Don't look at the screen! Don't look at the floor!
Don't just look at your index cards! Don't just look at the laptop! To emphasize the content of your presentation, it is advisable to use appropriate gestures and body language to get your message across. Avoid crossed arms, hands behind your back, or in your pockets during a presentation. Always stand up straight, and try not to appear tense or stressed.
You can do that by using your hands and arms to emphasize what you are saying and get your message across. Your facial expressions should always be friendly and open. Smile and show that you enjoy the topic and you are confident in the information you are presenting.
Often you will not be able to avoid the use of aids. For example, you may need to use a laser pointer to show something on the screen, or you may need to use a pen to write something down on a flipchart. To avoid distractions for you and the audience, get into the habit of putting down tools you don't need! That way you will not be tempted to deal with them in the first place. You will also have your hands free for gestures. Practice makes perfect, right?
If you prepare well before the presentation, you will feel more relaxed and confident while presenting and it will also improve your body language. By appearing self-confident, you convey to the listener that you are confident in your topic and have prepared yourself sufficiently. Call today to discuss more great ways to make your event a success! Skip to Main Content. Close Search Box. Search for: Search. Keep the Audience in Mind Giving an effective presentation means working with both the audience and the topic.
Stay Organized and Focused Being organized is another important part of effective presentations. Utilize Visual Aids Visual aids can add another dimension to a speech, and they can be used for any topic. Stick to a Logical Structure Part of backing up an argument is giving a speech with a logical structure.
You open with an amusing story about one that escaped on a bunch of bananas to the UK. Ask a question. Rhetorical questions are a great way to frame a topic and introduce ideas. Martin Luther King Jr. Use humor. Humor can be great for giving a presentation, but cut it out if it feels like a stretch. Telling a humorous story can break down any barriers, make you more likeable, and make your message more memorable and people are surprisingly generous with laughter but the faintest whiff of desperation will kill a funny vibe.
The fear of making a mistake can make you inordinately nervous. Relax, even the best speakers mess up or have bad luck. Theresa May, ex-Prime Minister of England, once stumbled and coughed her way through a presentation , with someone even handing her a resignation letter. She battled through like a pro, though, and simply acknowledged it and moved on.
No big deal. Have a practice run-through. Use a remote. A clicker or remote will help you face the audience and not have to keep turning back to your laptop. Sought-after public speaker Garr Reynolds says a remote is essential in order to pause and advance your presentation so you have time to be spontaneous and control the flow of your delivery.
Have backup material. Not everything you say is going to resonate with your audience. Steve Jobs had standby anecdotes prepared to fill time when the technology he was using to give the presentation failed.
Preparing for every eventuality will help soothe your nerves and allow you to feel more in control.
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