12 Most Helpful Tips on How to Give an Effective Presentation

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Sweaty palms. Quivering Voice. Dry Throat. Do you get uncomfortable when talking in front of people? You’re not alone. It is commonly recognized that public speaking is among the top fears known to humankind. Why do so many struggle with speaking in front of people? And how can this fear be overcome?

All of us, at some point in our lives, will likely give some form of presentation. Whether it be an actual speech, a sales pitch, a proposal to investors, a sermon, or a toast, the words, tones, and gestures we use will determine how the presentation comes across to those who are listening.

When a speaker is nervous, hesitant, or disorganized, the audience does not receive the intended message in the same way. In order to ensure successful communication of a message, there are certain fundamentals that every speaker must use in giving a presentation.

1. Make it about your audience

The fundamental thing to taking the pressure off of yourself and, at the same time, communicating your message clearly to your audience, is to remember that it’s about them and not you. They aren’t there for you–they are there for themselves. Don’t worry, while you’re on the stage, about how you look or sound. Make your focus external–centering on how well your audience is receiving the message.

2. Take deep breaths

When your heart starts racing, the easiest and quickest way to calm yourself is simply to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. That’s it. Nice and slow. You have to learn to control your breathing so that you don’t speak too quickly. Your speed should be that of a normal conversation. Breathing helps slow you down.

3. Know your visual aids

One of the most distracting things a speaker can do is to constantly glance at and read from PowerPoint slides. Your visual aids are not for you–they are for your audience. A great speaker will never even look at the visual aid. Never use the visual as an outline for yourself! Know what you are showing to your audience inside out.

4. Write it out…completely

If you ever find yourself not knowing where to go next in a presentation, it is most likely due to lack of preparation. Even if you have an outline, you may be stumped as to how to fill it with material on the spot. Always write your entire speech. In doing so, you remember it as you are delivering it. Write it out. Rehearse it. You don’t have to memorize the entire thing, but become comfortable with the language and content you intend to use.

5. Memorize opening and closing

It’s almost cliche now in the world of speaking to say that the audience will remember the introduction and conclusion more than anything in the speech. For many in your audience, your entire speech will consist only of the opening and closing. They will remember nothing else. It is important, therefore, to know exactly what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. Leave nothing to chance. Memorize it.

6. Use emphasis

If you want to drive certain points home with your audience, you must emphasize those points throughout the speech. Use gestures, fluctuations in tone, and sharp pronunciation of certain words to make it clear to the audience that what you are saying is important. One word spoken emphatically is more effective than a thousand spoken in monotone.

7. Stroll; don’t pace

Typically, you won’t want to hide behind a lectern of any sort. You’ll want to move around. It keeps your audience engaged and shows that you are comfortable in your presentation. However, you don’t want to pace so quickly that it becomes distracting. Instead, trying strolling leisurely back and forth on the stage–so that you are moving but the audience only notices it subconsciously.

8. Tell stories

Facts are convincing. Statistics are interesting. But stories are engaging. When you tell a story, the members of the audience involuntarily put themselves in that story. They tag along for the journey. Whether it be a tale about a satisfied customer, a personal narrative about a time in your childhood, or a made-up scenario that you envision together with your audience, stories are powerful. With few exceptions, every speech should include at least one story.

9. Dress for success

When giving a presentation, your clothes are a costume. You are playing a part. You want to dress for that part. Otherwise, your clothes will be distracting to the audience. Never overdress or under dress. Find the appropriate attire for the occasion and wear it with pride. The key is to not allow your physical appearance to detract from the message you are communicating.

10. Memorize transitions

Besides the opening and closing, the other portion of your speech you’ll want to commit to memory is the transitions. How do you get from one point in your speech to another? If you don’t know your transitions, you may finish a point and not know how to continue. Memorize key phrases such as, “That brings me to…” or “It was about that time…” Don’t allow rough transitions to break the continuity of your presentation.

11. Focus on one takeaway

What is the one main point that you wish for your audience to take away from the presentation? Too many speakers try to get the audience to remember several ideas. Find only one idea that is most important to you and drive that idea home with your audience. If they have too much to remember, they aren’t likely to remember anything. If you give them one resounding idea, though, they will likely remember it well.

12. Leave time for Q&A

Even if it’s just for a few minutes, always allow time for feedback. You may not have communicated the message as clearly as you would have liked, and members of the audience may have questions. The more prepared and eager you are to answer their questions, the more you will be seen as credible and convincing. Always open up the floor to questions after giving a speech.

Any presenters out there? What am I missing? There are hundreds of useful tips on how to be better speakers. I would love to hear your feedback!

Featured image courtesy of parislemon licensed via Creative Commons

Image adaptation by Fred McClimans

Doug Rice

http://www.smbizstoryteller.com/

Doug Rice is an Internet marketing consultant and founder of Small Business Storyteller, where he helps small businesses attract and retain local customers through creative storytelling and online presence. As a sales and marketing enthusiast, Doug blogs regularly and actively particpates in social media. He enjoys coffee, wildlife, church, and conversation.