How To Deliver A Kick-Ass Presentation

Let’s face it, public speaking can be so nerve racking. I remember I always used to fret before going on stage and the following thoughts would come to mind: What happens if I fall on my face as I am making my way to the stage? What happens if no one claps? What happens if people get bored? And the never ending questions don’t stop and you start to feel heart palpitations coming on and begin to doubt your abilities and whether you can go through with it.

We’ve all been there. Trust me.

It happens to the best of us, and the funny thing is chances are you will never be able to get rid of the butterflies in your stomach no matter how many times you do it. However if there is anything I’ve learned, it is that with the right preparation and practice, delivering a presentation doesn’t have to be a daunting experience.

Here are my 5 steps to help guide you to deliver a kick-ass presentation!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice makes perfect right? The number one key point is to remember to practice. I personally like to practice in front of a mirror so I can see myself as a member of the audience. You would be surprised how many things you pick up that you can improve on. For example;

• Do you have passion in your voice?
• Are you delivering monotone?
• Are you facing your audience?
• How is your eye contact?
• How is your body language?

Audiences like to connect with the people they are watching, so if you are reading from a piece of paper, chances are you will lose your audience very early in your presentation. Their eyes will glaze over and they will miss out on your key message!

You need to be comfortable in your material and the natural flow of the presentation, which is why it is absolutely crucial to practice in front of friends or family or even in front of a mirror.

Remember you are only given a slot of time to present, so you need to make sure you can fit everything in your allocated time. By practicing your speech, you will be able to tighten up any loose ends and make any necessary adjustments.

Know Your Space

So many people miss this! This may seem like such an insignificant detail, but it is so crucial. You need to know the layout of the venue — especially if you have never presented there before. Check to see if they have the IT tools needed to assist you presenting. For example;

• Does the venue provide a USB cord to connect your laptop to their screen?
• Would you require a microphone?

Once you have an idea of your surroundings and you understand the layout, you can concentrate fully on delivering your message.

Know Your Audience

Whether you’re presenting in front of 10 or 50 people, the key to knowing and understanding your audience is extremely crucial if you want them to focus on what you have to say instead of playing with their phones.

Understand the level of knowledge they have on the topic you are presenting. If they have an advanced understanding of the topic at hand and your content encompasses basic information, then that is quite an insult and you will lose the connection or rapport you are striving to build.

The same goes if you are speaking to a novice audience and your presentation is too advanced, again you will see their eyes glaze over and chances are they will lose interest from the very beginning.

Knowing your audience is absolutely crucial if you want to deliver an effective presentation and if you want your audience to engage with you. Do your research. Ask what the audience’s demographic is, their knowledge around your topic and what their expectations are.

Be Conscious of Your Body Posture

People tend to overestimate the importance of posture. I find the most effective speakers are those that exhibit confidence and have a strong posture — they don’t slouch, they don’t sway from side to side or shift their weight from one foot to another, they demand attention and they are assertive, not aggressive.

It’s natural for people to move their bodies when they present, sometimes however it is due to a nervous twitch, if that’s the case practice to try and control it. If your audience sees you shifting your weight from foot to foot or you have your shoulders hunched, chances are it undermines your authority and can potentially be viewed as weak from audience members.

If they don’t feel you have confidence in what you are delivering, then why would they take in anything you are presenting? As much as we don’t like it, perception is reality. Demand their attention and assert your on-stage presence.

Breathe! It will be OK!

Remember when you speak, your voice becomes an instrument. This is why it is so important to breathe and relax when presenting (I know, easier said than done), if you are not relaxed or comfortable it will show through your presentation and you may not have the desired impact you set out to achieve.

Everyone gets stage fright. The level of that stage fright depends on the person but by taking deep breaths, speaking slowly and clearly and by reminding yourself that you are presenting to the best of your ability, I find that it eases the pressure.

Practice makes perfect, after every presentation sit down, have a de-brief with the coordinator/your manager and ask them for their feedback. Look at it as an opportunity to continually improve your public speaking skills.

Sandra Nolan is an aspiring writer with over 10 years experience in the Corporate World. She currently holds a senior role within the Financial Services industry, working with many blue chip clients. Sandra is a bubbly, open minded person with a healthy obsession for shoes and all things fashion. Traveling is another passion of Sandra’s. You can find her @Sandrathriveglobal and @myvoicemystories and on Instagram @my_voice_my_stories and @sandra__85__.