Tips For a Great Presentation

There are a lot of information you could read on how to give a good presentation. There is a good reason for this; presenting your ideas to others is a basic skill that you will develop and utilize throughout your educational and professional life.

Despite the different approaches and methods, you could read, study or watch online, it is in our experience that giving a strong and clear presentation comes down to two essential points that we will share in this article.

The reason for sharing these is that despite the correctness of many of the methods shared, in our experience they need somehow to be supplemented with something more in order to be personalized to each individual. Developing your personal style of presenting instead of just fitting to specific forms, allows you to bring uniqueness and move from having a good presentation to a great one.

Practice and Practice Again

It is natural to feel nervous before a presentation, so to begin with it is important to recognize that feeling like this is normal. In a way, it is a sign that what you are about to present is important to you.

But how do you manage all this? The well-known saying “practice makes perfect” is maybe the best way to build your confidence, find your pace and words, organize your thoughts, and overcome the stress before your presentation.

Maybe the most important part when it comes to presentation is that you practice the opening part. The opening of the presentation both sets the tone and also is the point where you most likely will feel the most nervous. Practice the beginning of your presentation with regards to all aspects you can think of, such as the tone, your posture, how you will grab the audience's attention, and what’s in for them in listening to your speech. Having perfected the opening will boost your confidence for the remaining of your presentation.

And how could you practice well this part? Here is a tip, use your imagination. You should see yourself in your mind in front of your audience, speaking and delivering the presentation. If you know or can visit the place you will be presenting you could do that and help you build this picture in your mind even more accurately. By practicing the opening, we do not suggest that you memorize every single word, but rather memorize the flow and key points you are delivering in that part. Those will typically be a positive welcome and opening, an introduction, the overall theme, and why your audience should listen to you for the remaining for the presentation.

The first part is essential, as once you are further in the presentation you will be a bit more at ease. However, mishaps might take place along your presentation, you should still be prepared to reframe and continue, and find again your pace. Practice multiple times all your presentation, slides, and material. Work on how to keep each part simple, so you avoid drawing your audience in details, have a few essential points each time you enter a subject, and be able to manage the time properly.

Speak clearly. If you do present in another language than your native - although the audience does not expect to hear a native pronunciation - it is important that you speak clearly and slowly rather than with the correct accent. If you need to alter some words to some that are easier for you, is good to do so. See the fact that you bring in your unique accent as something that provides you a sense of identity.

Once again, all the above can be perfected by practicing again and again. Once you feel a bit ready, it is a good idea you find someone who is close to you and give a presentation to him/her. Ask them to be as honest as possible in their feedback and cover all aspects. The people who care for you will share with you everything they can to help you further. Use that feedback to improve further and practice again.

Have a genuine interest

Unless you have a genuine interest in the topic that you want to share, it is most likely that the message might come out without emotions. It would be hard to show enthusiasm, to reframe, to allow your natural body language to follow your speech if you do not have any connection to the topic or ideas you are sharing.

Sometimes it is helpful to think that what you share in a presentation, might be only twenty percent of what you know on a subject. You need to know your subject or idea very well, not only for the questions in the end but because you genuinely care.

If you have a genuine interest in what you are sharing, the combination with continuous practice will make you shine and be confident. It is also how your authenticity will be visible to everyone, rather than reading the slides or speaking without any expression.

It is a great feeling and opportunity when you get to chance to share what you know with a larger audience. It is already a major accomplishment that you are the chosen one to do so, so relax and enjoy yourself this opportunity.