19 Top Tips for Presenters.

Speak confidently! Discover some valuable new tricks and proven techniques that guarantee you'll deliver memorable, attention grabbing presentations…

Here is a teaser of the techniques we cover on our training courses.

Passion

Only talk about something for which you have a passion… or at the very least bags of enthusiasm.

Planning

Procrastination is the thief of time… and the wrecker of presentations. If you are dreading something it might be tempting to put it off. So, start planning your presentation sooner, rather than later.

Research your audience. What is their level of knowledge about the subject? Will they be expecting you to teach or entertain? What is their average age likely to be? Will your stories and analogies work with that age group?

Once you've got a clear idea of who is in your audience and what you want to get across, write down the main points of your presentation. Use these to expand upon.

Use prompt cards. In the event of an emergency a full-blown script will not be of any help at all. Keep the number of words on your cards to a minimum. Just use headings and key words that will help you keep on track. Consider using a MindMap® as a prompt.

Rehearse your presentation out loud. Practice, practice, practice. Make sure you know precisely for how long your talk will last. An audience is rarely impressed if you overrun.

Relax

Arrive in good time. Make sure you are comfortable with the room layout and that your equipment is set up and in good working order well before the audience arrives. There's nothing worse than having to set up with audience members watching your every move.

To help keep your nerves under control, take a few minutes out in a quiet place before your presentation. Check your breathing: take in deep, slow breaths and exhale slowly. This will help to calm you. Relax your muscles by tensing and then relaxing first your neck and then your shoulders. Ten minutes spent calming your mind before you give your talk will pay dividends.

First Impressions

Look good; feel good. Take time over your appearance. Make sure your shoes are as clean as clean can be. Trousers and jacket pressed, hair in place and wear your best smile. Leave the quirky Mickey Mouse tie at home.

Off to a great start

As you stand to speak take in a deep breath. Take up your position - look at the audience, smile and start only when you are ready. (Half the battle is to look confident.)

Learn your introduction by heart. Inside out, upside down. Be very sure of the opening 90 seconds of your talk. Be enthusiastic, and attack your opening.

Tell your audience who you are, and establish your credibility by explaining why you are qualified to speak. Never say "I don't normally do this sort of thing" or, "The person who normally does this couldn't be here today."

Structure their expectations by outlining the key areas of your talk and by letting them know how long you'll speak for.

Presenting with Flair

Face the audience - if using PowerPoint® don't look at the screen. Maintain eye contact with your audience and include everybody.

"God gave us hands to talk with". Use appropriate gestures and movement to hold the audience's attention. You don't have to stand with your hands by your side or gripping a lectern.

Pause            for effect.

Visual Aids

Visual Aids (there's a clue in the description) should be Visual and aid your audience's understanding of your presentation. Great blocks of text arriving on screen to the sound of a drum roll do not make great visual aids so limit the use of word on PowerPoint®.

Concluding

Let the audience know that you're coming to the end of your presentation by saying something like, "So, to draw together the strings of my presentation I'd like to sum up by saying…"

The ability to present well is not a gift - it's a skill that can be developed by training. Call now on 01608 645800 or book one of our presentation skills courses online.