If you think about every presentation you have ever been to, there’s a good chance that most of them included a PowerPoint slideshow. While this can certainly be a useful tool, it’s also a tool that has been used time and time again. It’s tough to wow audiences with a presentation that uses the same…

When used correctly, PowerPoint presentations can be a great way to support a speech, help the audience visualize concepts, and capture attention. However, poorly designed slides can do just the opposite. Too much text or distracting images can leave the audience feeling bored, confused, and even irritated. Slideshows are intended to help audiences follow along…

You can tell when an audience has stopped listening during a presentation because phones come out and you notice they start to slouch in their seats to check their email or respond to a text. Instead of looking at the speaker and nodding along, they are looking down and tapping their feet as if to…

The minute you walk into a presentation and see the presenter turn on the slideshow, you probably find yourself thinking, “not another boring PowerPoint.†We have all suffered through horrible PowerPoint presentations packed with long lists of bullet points, pixelated clip art, and a speaker who simply reads from the slides. The good news is…

Transitions are an integral part of a smooth flowing presentation, yet many speakers forget to plan for these transitions. Failure to practice this seemingly insignificant part of the presentation can actually lead to anxiety for the speaker if they begin fumbling and awkwardly scrambling to move from one topic to the next. Not only can…

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…