Know Your Audience
Much of what makes a presentation excellent actually happens well before you step on stage. Part of the preparation process involves getting to know your audience. Who are they? What are they looking to learn from your presentation? What are your goals for speaking to them? Are you trying to educate, inspire, or create action? The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor the presentation to fit their specific needs. For example, your content might look different if you are presenting to a room of your colleagues as opposed to a room of potential clients. When you know your audience, you can consider their level of knowledge on the topic and you can make sure your presentation is more relatable.Â
Focus on a Key Message
All too often presenters try to inundate audiences with too much information. Not only is this confusing to the audience, but it doesn’t drive home your main point. Instead, determine the one main idea that you want your audience to take away from your presentation and focus on weaving that core message throughout your presentation.Â
Show, Don’t Tell
While statistics and data might be important in supporting your main idea, they don’t engage your audience. Make your presentation more interesting by including visuals that really bring your message to life. For instance, include powerful photographs, entertaining video clips, live polling, interactive sessions, or even props to present your material. While slideshows can be a great tool for sharing information, they are not the only tool. Most people also end up putting way too much information on their slideshow and this just bores the audience. Consider other ways to incorporate visuals and engage your audience.Â
Prepare Your Talking Points
A professional presenter sounds relaxed, confident, poised, and relatable. You will not accomplish that by reciting a memorized presentation. Instead of writing out your speech and memorizing it in its entirety, list the points you want to make in a logical order. You can do this by putting your points on index cards, leaving room to insert statistics, stories, analogies, and quotations where needed. These little notes will prompt your memory as you are speaking. Therefore, you will still have some notes to rely on, but it will sound more professional and authentic as opposed to a memorized speech.Â
Use Nonverbal Communication
Body language accounts for nearly two thirds of all communication so keep in mind that your physical presence can speak volumes. When used well, body language can strengthen your message and engage an audience. Here are some helpful tips for using body language when you present:
- Stand tall with your shoulders back and feet planted firmly on the ground. This is a powerful stance that suggests you are the one in control.Â
- Use open, expansive gestures as opposed to crossed arms and hands in your pocket. Open gestures signal confidence and assertiveness.
- Stand still while making your point and then move between points. This keeps things interesting without being distracting.Â
- Avoid nervous gestures like fiddling with a pen, messing with your hair, adjusting your tie, or chewing on your lip as all of these are signs of nervousness.Â
- Make direct eye contact and smile at your audience to exude confidence and connect with people emotionally.Â
Practice and Rehearse
No matter how tempting it may be, do not memorize your presentation. Instead, practice talking about each point until you are comfortable with how you want to present it. Practice everything from moving around as you speak to voice control and hand gestures. Practice in front of friends or colleagues who can provide helpful feedback. You should also record yourself and watch it back to see if anything looks or sounds awkward. Running through your presentation several times will help you to feel more comfortable when the big day arrives.