Presentation tips and techniques
It is a myth that good presentations are made only by people born with immense skill and the ‘gift of the gab’. All of us can learn the secrets used by experts to become both competent and confident when speaking to either a large audience, chairing a meeting or making face to face presentations.

Here are a few simple tips and techniques which experienced presenters use to establish professionalism and credibility when communicating with clients.

Small group presentations
Audience sizes of between five and twenty are most common. You are actually ‘on show’ as the distance between you and the audience is fairly small and it is important to get them on your side straight away.

Speaking to your audience at the right ‘level’ is essential to maintain a good interest level throughout. Researching the audience and analysing their needs will enable you to include the information they will find most interesting.

Before you start to write your presentation consider its aims and objectives: "What do I want the audience to do and how do I want them to feel after I finish my presentation?" This question is the most important starting point for success. By concentrating on your audience you will then be in a position to influence them effectively.

The power of visual images is one of the most important skills a powerful presenter can learn. People learn and remember most through mental images not words.

By carefully using language which ‘paints pictures’ you can make boring and technical subjects interesting and easy to understand.

Presenting to a large audience
However daunting you may find public speaking, you can calm your nerves by using a process of ‘self-visualisation’. Prior to speaking you visualise the presentation having just finished and the audience clapping and cheering. Picture them on their feet, hear the applause and the cheering, feel the warmth of feeling they hold for you, you can almost smell the success as you shake hands with your admiring followers. This has the effect of implanting positive subconscious messages in your mind. These will counteract negative thoughts which are the main causes of ‘presentation stress’. Keep imagining your presentation going well

Essential preparation
Practise makes perfect and rehearsing your presentation is the key to a great start and a relaxed delivery. Depending on the importance of the meeting you should look at spending at least 10-15 min preparation for every minute you speak. The following is a checklist which will help to both improve your presentation preparation and calm your nerves.

Presentation checklist

• Practise where you will be presenting
• Devise your presentation yourself and make it memorable
• Rehearse until it becomes second nature and you can then concentrate on your audience
• Run the presentation through your head repeatedly
• Say it aloud whenever you find yourself alone
• Rehearse using more energy than you would on the day
• See what you look like doing it
• Practise in front of other people and seek honest feedback

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Presentation skills courses

Overcoming presentation fear

How to structure a presentation

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