Delivering a great presentation, for an event, virtual meeting, or in person, is an art that requires practice and confidence. A strong presenter is someone who knows how to captivate their audience, convey ideas clearly, and leave an impression. While many people are nervous about presenting, with proper preparation, this can be overcome. Aside from the aforementioned common phobia of public speaking, other common hurdles are maintaining the audience's attention, managing slides, and struggling with body language. One of the first and most effective steps is to simplify, especially when remote, as much as possible, in addition to creating a compelling structure, and using visual aids well.
Some tips for maximizing the effectiveness of your presentation.
Keep it simple: Tailor content to your audience’s level, focusing on key takeaways. You know your organization's needs better than anyone.
Structure: Organize ideas logically and have a through line that allows you to lead from point a to b in a compelling manner.
Use visuals: Incorporate images, and videos for contrast and to present information better for those with a more visual learning style.
Streamline your design: When creating slides, avoid clutter, have a consistent visual design, and focus on clarity.
When presenting, it’s important to remember that a part of your presentation is how you physically present yourself and project your voice. Maintain a consistent, strong tone when remote, making eye contact, using body language, and displaying your enthusiasm are all ways to keep your audience focused. Additionally, making sure to keep your breathing steady and practicing beforehand can help keep you calm and composed when you’re presenting, especially if presenting is something that normally gives you trouble.
A few other tips:
For a strong start, consider relating an anecdote or story to connect with your audience quickly.
Read the virtual or real room, while not always actionable, audience feedback can be invaluable if you’re able to be flexible with it.
End with a call to action, reinforce your message to the audience and let them know where to go next.
Let Streamlined help with your pre-event prep as well as the day of your event. We have experience and multiple examples of how to make your event great.
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