Presentation skills are essential in the business world of today. If you work for someone else, you will probably have to make a presentation at some point. When you have your own business, you must make presentations. Knowing how to present effectively is a soft skill that can help you excel in almost any field.
Tips for more effective presentations
Here's how to get your presentation game to the next level:
Practice
A few weeks ago, I helped my son prepare a presentation for the school. I told him that if he wanted to show up effectively, he should be ready to practice. It takes practice to excel at everything and the presentation is no different. My son practiced before me many times – and he also practiced alone. He even directed the presentation of two of his friends.
Practice exercising, and your presentations will be much more effective – especially since when you know the material, you are more likely to project confidence.
Choose a message to present to your audience
Next, you must make sure that you have a message that you can present to your audience. What is the main dish to take away? You do not want to muddy the waters with a lot of different messages and overload of information. Instead, think about three key points you want to do that focus on your basic message. Your presentation should focus on these elements.
Start by drawing the audience in
If you want to present effectively, you must start by attracting the audience. There are different methods to do it. Here are some ways to attract attention right from the start:
- Tell a captivating story related to the point you want to illustrate.
- Share an interesting fact that supports your presentation.
- Ask a question to get public engagement.
Do not start with who you are. This story is not something that many people want to hear. Instead, they want to be engaged from the start. Find a way to get started so the audience is ready to listen to your message.
Use your voice and your body dynamically
Do you like when someone stands on a podium and buzzes you in the same tone of voice throughout a presentation? Probably not. It's boring.
To present effectively, you must keep the audience engaged. You can do this by changing the speed at which you speak, incorporating significant breaks, and even varying the pitch of your voice. You want to make sure you do not overdo it, and that sounds natural. But using your voice can be a good way to hold the public's attention.
Your body can also add to your presentation. Make open and inviting gestures. If possible, move on the stage. It's even better if you are equipped to actually go among the public. Make eye contact with the audience and smile.
Bring everything back
Finally, at the end, bring everything back to the object in question. Make sure that you have followed a natural progression and that your audience is now ready to receive your message when you finish strong.
Reissued with permission. Original here.
Image: Due