How to give a superior presentation

The pressure of putting your point forth convincingly and keeping an audience engaged can be enough to overwhelm you. Whether it’s stage fright or the memory of previous failed attempts at holding an audience’s attention, many things can hold you back from giving your best. However, your next presentation can go just the way you want it to, given you prepare the right way.

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Below are some tips that are sure to help you make a killer presentation:

Planning and practice

Once you have the topic, start planning the presentation thoroughly — your first draft will go through dozens of changes, so the sooner you start, the better. Read up and research about it as much as you can (and then some more); understanding everything there is to know about the topic will make you more confident. Once you’re armed with the information, practise giving the presentation as much as you can.

Tip: The best way to practise speaking is to do it in front of a mirror or a friend who will give you honest feedback. You can see what you’re doing right and where you’re going wrong.

10-20-30 rule

To keep your audience engaged, make your presentation crisp and precise. To do this, follow the 10/20/30 rule of PowerPoint (credited to marketing specialist Guy Kawasaki.) The rule suggests that your presentation should have not more than 10 slides, last no longer than 20 minutes, and must have a font size of 30. This makes your presentation easily readable and lasts just long enough to keep your audience interested and for you to make your case.

Less is more on the slides

Avoid a text-heavy slide; if there’s too much to read, the audience won’t bother. The slides should just have cues that you use to make your points. Having at least one visual graphic for each slide goes a long way in making the slide visually appealing. Also, talk only about what’s essential; don’t ramble.

Show your passion

Showing your passion for the subject you’re talking about and explaining it enthusiastically will make your audience sit up straighter and participate. Give an entertaining performance with interesting facts mentioned now and then instead of going on in a dull monotone — this will help listeners maintain their attention and understand better.

Watch your body language

As a presenter, your body language speaks louder than words. Make eye contact and modulate your voice while you present. While gesturing occasionally is acceptable, too much movement can be distracting. Smile, speak slowly, and enunciate well — there is no rush.

Tip: A neat trick to getting the audience involved is to ask them questions. Be careful to ask simple questions that they can relate to, and be prepared for a Q&A session at the end.

Dress for the occasion

When it comes to dressing for a presentation, remember to keep your choices smart, comfortable, and appropriate. Formal wear in neutral colours is the best option for both men and women (be careful not to add additional frills that might distract the audience from your presentation). Looking good will boost your confidence and reflect it when you’re in the spotlight.

Tip: Don’t try to wear something you are not comfortable in. For example, if you’re not used to wearing high-heeled shoes, opt for low-heeled shoes. If you feel wearing high heels is essential, practise wearing them a few days in advance until you are comfortable.

A strong introduction and conclusion, coupled with enthusiasm, will surely prevent your presentations from being dull for your audience and nerve-wracking experiences for you.