The way you present yourself matters. However, even the most experienced presenters can struggle sometimes to deliver a presentation that gets the attention of their audience. If you’re new to presenting, it can be a bit overwhelming. If you’ve been doing it for sometime, you may have become too comfortable (yes, that’s a real thing). Or maybe, you’ve just never explored the ways you can improve your overall game. Here are a few ways you can improve your performance and deliver an amazing presentation:
Practice, practice, practice (and then some). If you’ve presented numerous times, you may feel very comfortable getting up in front of an audience and delivering your message. But, without practice, you could end up rambling on or going off subject. It’s best to have a laid out plan, and practice it, so you’re prepared to give the best delivery.
Get there early. Feel comfortable and prepared by arriving early. This will give you plenty of time to set up, and extra time in case there are any hiccups.
Have water on hand. Often times, when we have a lot to say, our throats can get dry. Make sure you have a bottle of water available to grab when you start to lose your voice.
Greet and engage. When you arrive early, it will give you plenty of time to greet your guests, talk to them a bit, and familiarize yourself with them. Then during your audience, make a point to engage the audience, so they stay tuned in to what you have to say.
Create a polished Powerpoint. If you’re using Powerpoint, make sure it’s not too wordy (bullet points are great). Only use good quality images. Choose fonts and colors that are easy to read and look at it.
Amp up your AV. Make sure your audio/video is superb. If it’s hard to hear you, people will zone you out. If you’re using video to capture their attention, and it’s poor quality, no one will watch. The same goes for your Powerpoint, make sure it’s delivered through top notch equipment.
When it’s time to deliver your presentation, do it with style. Give your audience what they want; an interesting and engaging delivery.
