We have all heard the cliche statement a thousand times: “Practice makes perfect.†However, when it comes to delivering a successful presentation, this adage certainly proves to be true. While perfection shouldn’t be the end goal, it is clear that practicing can mean the difference between a spotty presentation and remarkable delivery. That’s because practicing…

Now that more people are working from home, online presentation tools such as Zoom have become the norm for conducting meetings and doing business. While Zoom certainly has its advantages, presenting a PowerPoint via Zoom is very different from presenting in person. The lack of physical presence and body language can make it even more…

Research suggests that you have about 60 seconds to capture your audience’s attention, establish credibility, and motivate them to listen. That’s why it is so important that you make the most of those first precious seconds. Instead of wasting your opportunity with housekeeping details, thank-yous, or boring personal information, you need to develop an attention-grabbing…

  The mark of a good speaker is the ability to keep the audience engaged from the beginning of the presentation until the end. All too often people attend a presentation and find themselves zoning out within the first five minutes. It’s easy for audiences to get distracted by checking emails, scrolling through social media,…

  It’s not easy to get in front of an audience to give a big presentation. The stakes can feel high and your desire to succeed can cause the anticipation to turn quickly into anxiety. It’s normal for people in this position to feel nervous and afraid. In fact, even seasoned speakers and professionals tend…

Having the knowledge and skills to craft and deliver a dynamic presentation is essential to many professional roles. Whether you are presenting a new idea to colleagues, sharing company information with executives, or pitching a new product to potential clients, the ability to convey your message effectively is important for your leadership skills. That said,…

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication and for good reason. After all, who doesn’t love a good story? This age-old tradition has been passed down from generation to generation to help people learn about and connect with the world around them. A good story engages different parts of the brain, drawing people…

Many people are under the impression that there are sacred rules of public speaking that can never be broken. Don’t talk too fast. Don’t cram too much information into your slides. Use plenty of visuals to engage your audience. While there is certainly some validity to these unofficial rules, there are times when you can…

When we are trying to share our opinions, many of us have trouble getting to the point. Add to that the nerves and anxiety that go along with giving a presentation and it’s easy to see why so many people speak without purpose. The truth is, we all want to be heard and we want…

The best way to tackle presentation nerves is to be prepared. Public speaking can be difficult, but adequate preparation can help you conquer your anxiety to deliver a presentation with confidence. How, then, do you prepare for an upcoming presentation? It starts with organizing your thoughts and creating an outline of what you want to…