Tips to Delivering a Powerful Presentation

In lieu of my presentation to Maryland's chapter of ATD, this article we will talk about ways to prepare and have fun with your next presentation. First thing you have to know before we start is that everyone who presents has some nervousness and/or unease. In fact, there is a well known quote from Mark Twain saying "There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.". And thins rings true. While practice makes perfect, and while the more you do, the less nervous you become, there will always continue to be a sense of unease in getting up in front of an audience to speak. In this article we will explore ways to increase your confidence and have fun presenting to audiences. While nothing can completely remove this sense of unease, encompassing these tips below will make it more enjoyable for both you, and your audience. 

1. Practice

I figured I'd mention the most obvious one first to get it out of the way. While practice doesn't mean perfect, it defiantly helps build your confidence as your brain starts learning the repetition of delivery. It also helps to hear saying everything out-loud, and not in your head. During this time you can pick up on verbal disfluencies. Additionally, if you have a camera, record yourself giving the presentation. This will allow you to see your body language and gestures. Correct them before others see! (Yes, watching yourself present is mortifying!) 

2. Outline your Presentation

All to often, presenters worry about forgetting a key component, or spend a long time creating a script that can never be memorized prior to the speech delivery. Through practicing, having an outlines of your main discussion points should be more then enough for ensuring nothing is left out. After all, if you can't speak to an outline, you don't know your content well enough to connect the dots. 

3. Include Interactions 

Nothing is worse then being an audience member for a presentation and not being asked to participate or being engaged. Adult learners want to know how the information they are being conveyed can be immediately used, otherwise, it likely will be forgotten.

4. Use Different Delivery Methods

Depending on the length of your presentation, it's important to switch it up and keep it interesting for your audience. There is no "correct" way to do this and it's important to know your audience and how they are likely to interact with any changes in delivery. A picture is worth a thousand words, so if a picture helps you to convey an idea - include it! Reinforce with visualization such as pictures or videos people remember 83% through sight and only 11% through hearing!

5. Be Passionate

If you are not passionate about what you are presenting on, there is a problem. When you are truly interested in what you are presenting on, it makes the experience that much more fun and interesting. You will also find that it's easier to connect to and for you to expand upon. While the idea of presenting may be fun, be sure that you are interested, or suffer the consequences!

6. Structure

All presentations need to have an organized, logical structure. This starts with opening in which you tell them what you are going to tell them (this typically involves the agenda). This is followed by the body which is when you tell your audience about what they are there to hear, and then followed up by a summary (reiterate what you told them). 

7. Know Where You're Presenting

This is the last component! Try to arrange to see the venue in which you are presenting prior to presenting. On the day of your presentation you want to know where you will be and what you have to say. By eliminating the unknowns, you will build your confidence. Additionally, you will make better use of your rehearsal time once you know the size of the room you will be presenting in (knowing how loud you will need to present), the seating arrangements (especially if you are planning on doing activities), the likelihood of outside distractions, and the equipment you will have access to.  

All in all, audiences remember their presenters more so then the presentation. By including these steps, you are sure to be remembered!

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If you've given presentations, how do you practice or what do you swear by that makes you more confident up in front of an audience?

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Thank you for reading my weekly post (new posts every Friday). I typically write about different topics within the learning and development field, from the administration of management systems, to the skills needed to develop a successful and embracing culture within your organization. If you’d like to be notified of when a new post has been entered, please click “Follow”. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or send me any questions or comments you may have.