Presentation skills are critical to professional success, according to 70 percent of employed Americans surveyed in a Harris Poll. Perhaps the other 30 percent don't want to admit it's true.
\r\nKnowing how to present information in a way that influences others to act is not an innate ability; it is a learned skill that requires ongoing practice. If you want to close the deal, make the sale, get promoted or speak to be heard, routine practice and skills refinement are required. Whether you break out in a cold sweat just thinking about presenting, or you feel like a natural on stage, consider implementing these 12 techniques to master your presentation delivery.
\r\nPlanning is essential for a successful presentation. Outlining the structure is very important to ensure a smooth delivery. Formats that flow and naturally transition between topics make it easy for your audience to follow and retain. A well-organized structure also makes it easier for you, ensuring you don’t lose your train of thought.
\r\nEven the most seasoned presenters sometimes get butterflies before taking the stage. For almost half of the population, however, presentation fears are seemingly insurmountable. One way to work off nervous energy is to get some exercise and burn it off. Going for a run or walk the morning before a big presentation will channel your energy, generate endorphins and leave you feeling more confident than terrified.
\r\nBefore a presentation, give yourself ample time to set up and examine your surroundings. Evaluate the technology and ensure everything is working properly. Adjust the room settings to promote a more audience-friendly atmosphere. Test the sound if you're using a microphone, or walk the presentation area to get familiar with the layout. If time permits, do a dry run of your presentation opening to help you practice a successful delivery.
\r\nWhen nervous energy takes over the body, the heart rate increases. To normalize your body's reaction, take concentrated deep breaths. Not only does this help your body calm down and your mind to focus, but it also helps you slow your rate of speech. Pause in between thoughts to allow yourself a deep breath and a moment to channel your energy.
\r\nThe likelihood of your capturing and keeping your audience's attention hinges on the first 30 seconds of your presentation. Skip the introduction and purpose of the presentation. Everyone knows why they are in attendance. Instead, open with a story. Stories help audiences connect with the topic emotionally. When done correctly, stories are captivating and thought provoking. Keep your story within 30 to 45 seconds. Start with a situation, tie in a dramatic climax and end with the presentation-related purpose.
\r\nExuding confidence is critical to influencing audiences and impacting their experience. Practice using a power stance. Stand in a neutral position, arms comfortably down at your side. Keep your shoulders back and your head up. Use your hands and arms to gesture as it relates to the presentation, refraining from overuse or distracting motions. Avoid crossing your arms, touching your face or fidgeting. These gestures convey nervousness and uncertainty.
\r\nChances are you have a limited amount of time to give your presentation, so avoid the temptation of squeezing in every last ounce of information. You may have statistics or data that seem impressive, but if they fail to relate directly, skip them. Remember: Less is more. The information you share should fit comfortably within the time constraints you're given. If you attempt to include too much information, the presentation will feel rushed and overwhelming, and most certainly will go over time.
\r\nAudiences don't care what you are trying to sell; they care about the benefit it brings to their job and life. You will lose your audience's attention if you try too hard to push your agenda instead of focusing on theirs. Nearly half of the audience respondents surveyed admitted to multitasking and tuning out a speaker during a presentation. When you fail to engage an audience by keeping the topic centered on what’s in it for them, you risk losing them.
\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, you don’t have to. Use images and visuals to convey a message and support your topic. Keep presentation slides visual and straightforward. Use large font sizes (60 to 80 point) for words and graphs. The slides are there as a support resource only, not a crutch. As the presenter, you must blank out the screen and refrain from referencing it or reading from it. Remember, the slide is there to support you, not to do the heavy lifting.
\r\n“Uh” and “um” are not words and have no place in your presentation. Practice eliminating filler words that threaten your credibility and the audience’s attention. Keep your thoughts short and to the point. Remove excess words that may tempt your use of filler words. The best way to prevent using nonwords is to practice removing them from everyday use. The more you practice eliminating filler words from your daily interactions, the less likely they will pop up in more stressful presentation situations.
\r\nOne way to call your credibility into question is to make excuses for your lack of preparation or knowledge. Too often, presenters will admit to the audience when they feel unprepared or nervous. This doesn’t garner sympathy but rather irritates your audience. If they are giving you their time, respect it enough to be prepared. During the question-and-answer session, questions may arise that you don’t know the answer to. Admit it. Tell the listener you’ll find out and get back to them. Don’t make up excuses for why you don’t know.
\r\nYour presentation continues until you step out of the spotlight. Finish confidently with a strong closing statement. Thank your audience and be purposeful in your closing. Remember, people are still watching you even after you're done, so don't linger on stage or spend time fidgeting with technology, notes or visual aids. Be excited about the information you've shared and feel confident that your audience agrees.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_cbf429947fae566499677b1edeb75d4f","lastModified":"2018-05-14T19:00:00.000Z","published":"2018-05-14T19:00:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":"Giving presentations is a learned skill that requires ongoing practice.","template":"legacy","title":"12 Tips for Mastering Your Presentation","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"Stacey Hanke is author of the book; Influence Redefined…Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday®. She is also co-author of the book; Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A To Z To Influence Others To Take Action. \r\n\tStacey is founder of Stacey Hanke Inc. She has trained and presented to thousands to rid business leaders of bad body language habits and to choose words wisely in the financial industry to the healthcare industry to government and everyone in between. Her client list is vast from Coca-Cola, FedEx, Kohl’s, United States Army, Navy and Air Force, Publicis Media, Nationwide, US Cellular, Pfizer, GE, General Mills and Abbvie. Her team works with Directors up to the C-Suite. In addition to her client list, she has been the Emcee for Tedx. She has inspired thousands as a featured guest on media outlets including; The New York Times, Forbes, SmartMoney magazine, Business Week, Lifetime Network, Chicago WGN and WLS-AM. She is a Certified Speaking Professional—a valuable accreditation earned by less than 10% of speakers worldwide.","name":"Stacey Hanke","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/staceyhankeinc?ref=hl","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyhanke","twitter":"https://twitter.com/staceyhankeinc","website":"https://staceyhankeinc.com/"},"status":"enabled","title":null,"type":"New BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/ae18d329733c02e0374d1c4f1ae74e0dc37ed.jpg","profile":{"company":"Stacey Hanke Inc.","jobTitle":"Founder/Owner","website":"https://staceyhankeinc.com/"}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Career","slug":"career"},"sub":{"name":"Careers","slug":"careers"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Knowing how to present information in a way that influences others to act is not an innate ability; it is a learned skill that requires ongoing practice.","title":"12 Tips for Giving Better Presentations - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[{"id":"1-always-have-a-plan","title":"1. Always Have a Plan."},{"id":"2-burn-off-that-nervous-energy","title":"2. Burn Off That Nervous Energy."},{"id":"3-arrive-early","title":"3. Arrive Early."},{"id":"4-dont-forget-to-breathe","title":"4. Don’t Forget to Breathe."},{"id":"5-nail-the-opening","title":"5. Nail the Opening. "},{"id":"6-summon-your-super-power","title":"6. Summon Your Super Power."},{"id":"7-skip-anything-that-doesnt-directly-relate-to-your-topic","title":"7. Skip Anything That Doesn't Directly Relate to Your Topic."},{"id":"8-let-the-audience-know-whats-in-it-for-them","title":"8. Let the Audience Know What's in It for Them"},{"id":"9-visualize-the-positive","title":"9. Visualize the Positive. "},{"id":"10-nix-the-nonwords","title":"10. Nix the Nonwords. "},{"id":"11-dont-make-excuses","title":"11. Don't Make Excuses."},{"id":"12-finish-strong","title":"12. Finish Strong."}],"json":[{"component":"p","children":["Presentation skills are critical to professional success, according to ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://blog.prezi.com/presentation-habits-presenters-dont-like-to-admit/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["70 percent of employed Americans"]}," surveyed in a Harris Poll. Perhaps the other 30 percent don't want to admit it's true. "]},{"component":"p","children":["Knowing how to present information in a way that influences others to act is not an innate ability; it is a learned skill that requires ongoing practice. If you want to close the deal, make the sale, get promoted or speak to be heard, routine practice and skills refinement are required. Whether you break out in a cold sweat just thinking about presenting, or you feel like a natural on stage, consider implementing these 12 techniques to master your presentation delivery."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"1-always-have-a-plan"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["1. Always Have a Plan."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Planning is essential for a successful presentation. Outlining the structure is very important to ensure a smooth delivery. Formats that flow and naturally transition between topics make it easy for your audience to follow and retain. A well-organized structure also makes it easier for you, ensuring you don’t lose your train of thought."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"2-burn-off-that-nervous-energy"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["2. Burn Off That Nervous Energy."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Even the most seasoned presenters sometimes get butterflies before taking the stage. For ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://news.gallup.com/poll/1891/snakes-top-list-americans-fears.aspx","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["almost half of the population"]},", however, presentation fears are seemingly insurmountable. One way to work off nervous energy is to get some exercise and burn it off. Going for a run or walk the morning before a big presentation will channel your energy, generate endorphins and leave you feeling more confident than terrified."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"3-arrive-early"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["3. Arrive Early."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Before a presentation, give yourself ample time to set up and examine your surroundings. Evaluate the technology and ensure everything is working properly. Adjust the room settings to promote a more audience-friendly atmosphere. Test the sound if you're using a microphone, or walk the presentation area to get familiar with the layout. If time permits, do a dry run of your presentation opening to help you practice a successful delivery."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"4-dont-forget-to-breathe"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["4. Don’t Forget to Breathe."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["When nervous energy takes over the body, the heart rate increases. To normalize your body's reaction, take concentrated deep breaths. Not only does this help your body calm down and your mind to focus, but it also helps you slow your rate of speech. Pause in between thoughts to allow yourself a deep breath and a moment to channel your energy. "]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"5-nail-the-opening"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["5. Nail the Opening. "]}]},{"component":"p","children":["The likelihood of your capturing and keeping your audience's attention hinges on the first 30 seconds of your presentation. Skip the introduction and purpose of the presentation. Everyone knows why they are in attendance. Instead, open with a story. Stories help audiences connect with the topic emotionally. When done correctly, stories are captivating and thought provoking. Keep your story within 30 to 45 seconds. Start with a situation, tie in a dramatic climax and end with the presentation-related purpose."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"6-summon-your-super-power"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["6. Summon Your Super Power."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Exuding confidence is critical to influencing audiences and impacting their experience. Practice using a power stance. Stand in a neutral position, arms comfortably down at your side. Keep your shoulders back and your head up. Use your hands and arms to gesture as it relates to the presentation, refraining from overuse or distracting motions. Avoid crossing your arms, touching your face or fidgeting. These gestures convey nervousness and uncertainty."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"7-skip-anything-that-doesnt-directly-relate-to-your-topic"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["7. Skip Anything That Doesn't Directly Relate to Your Topic."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Chances are you have a limited amount of time to give your presentation, so avoid the temptation of squeezing in every last ounce of information. You may have statistics or data that seem impressive, but if they fail to relate directly, skip them. Remember: Less is more. The information you share should fit comfortably within the time constraints you're given. If you attempt to include too much information, the presentation will feel rushed and overwhelming, and most certainly will go over time. "]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"8-let-the-audience-know-whats-in-it-for-them"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["8. Let the Audience Know What's in It for Them"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Audiences don't care what you are trying to sell; they care about the benefit it brings to their job and life. You will lose your audience's attention if you try too hard to push your agenda instead of focusing on theirs. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://blog.prezi.com/presentation-habits-presenters-dont-like-to-admit/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Nearly half of the audience respondents surveyed"]}," admitted to multitasking and tuning out a speaker during a presentation. When you fail to engage an audience by keeping the topic centered on what’s in it for them, you risk losing them. "]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"9-visualize-the-positive"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["9. Visualize the Positive. "]}]},{"component":"p","children":["If a picture tells a thousand words, you don’t have to. Use images and visuals to convey a message and support your topic. Keep presentation slides visual and straightforward. Use large font sizes (60 to 80 point) for words and graphs. The slides are there as a support resource only, not a crutch. As the presenter, you must blank out the screen and refrain from referencing it or reading from it. Remember, the slide is there to support you, not to do the heavy lifting."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"10-nix-the-nonwords"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["10. Nix the Nonwords. "]}]},{"component":"p","children":[" “Uh” and “um” are not words and have no place in your presentation. Practice eliminating filler words that threaten your credibility and the audience’s attention. Keep your thoughts short and to the point. Remove excess words that may tempt your use of filler words. The best way to prevent using nonwords is to practice removing them from everyday use. The more you practice eliminating filler words from your daily interactions, the less likely they will pop up in more stressful presentation situations. "]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"11-dont-make-excuses"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["11. Don't Make Excuses."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["One way to call your credibility into question is to make excuses for your lack of preparation or knowledge. Too often, presenters will admit to the audience when they feel unprepared or nervous. This doesn’t garner sympathy but rather irritates your audience. If they are giving you their time, respect it enough to be prepared. During the question-and-answer session, questions may arise that you don’t know the answer to. Admit it. Tell the listener you’ll find out and get back to them. Don’t make up excuses for why you don’t know."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"12-finish-strong"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["12. Finish Strong."]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Your presentation continues until you step out of the spotlight. Finish confidently with a strong closing statement. Thank your audience and be purposeful in your closing. Remember, people are still watching you even after you're done, so don't linger on stage or spend time fidgeting with technology, notes or visual aids. Be excited about the information you've shared and feel confident that your audience agrees."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":null,"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5af/9d79d51ee47d1048b456b/1500-0-","caption":"Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock","isBlurred":true},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"Two Powerful Steps to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/overcome-fear-of-public-speaking/","slug":"overcome-fear-of-public-speaking","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5aa/049f71039eb2a728b456d/1500-0-","dek":"If the thought of public speaking makes you panic, remember these two crucial things.","lastModified":"2018-03-07T20:39:00Z","published":"2018-03-07T20:39:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Using Lean Strategies to Achieve Team Synergy and Efficiency","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/lean-strategies-team-efficiency/","slug":"lean-strategies-team-efficiency","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5be/480e49c658a51108b458c/1500-0-","dek":"Learn more about lean manufacturing strategies and how to implement them in your business.","lastModified":"2018-11-08T08:00:00Z","published":"2018-11-08T08:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"15 Webinar Etiquette Tips for Presenters and Attendees","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/video-conferencing-etiquette-tips/","slug":"video-conferencing-etiquette-tips","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5b1/936371039eb7f3b8b4570/1500-0-","dek":"These tips can make your video conferences more enjoyable and productive.","lastModified":"2018-07-03T12:16:00Z","published":"2018-07-03T12:16:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"10 Ways New Managers Can Be Influential Leaders","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/10-ways-to-be-an-influential-leader/","slug":"10-ways-to-be-an-influential-leader","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d1/249705a215e7d598b4589/1500-0-","dek":"These 10 methods help managers elevate their role to leadership.","lastModified":"2018-02-21T08:00:00Z","published":"2018-02-21T08:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Ask Yourself These 8 Questions Before Your Next Speech","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/prespeech-questions/","slug":"prespeech-questions","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ac/6385a92a3a4cf5e8b457e/1500-0-","dek":"These eight pointers will help you hone your speech and feel more confident.","lastModified":"2018-04-05T07:00:00Z","published":"2018-04-05T07:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"PowerShell: Everything You Need to Know","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/powershell-everything-you-need-to-know/","slug":"powershell-everything-you-need-to-know","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5b8/998581039eb8f738b457b/1500-0-","dek":"What you need to know to unlock Microsoft PowerShell's full capabilities.","lastModified":"2018-09-05T17:00:00Z","published":"2018-09-05T17:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"From COVID-19 to Hurricane Season: Disaster Preparedness for Small Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/business-disaster-prep/","slug":"business-disaster-prep","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e7/a495e5a215eb11d8b4569/1500-0-","dek":"Natural disasters – whether a hurricane, tornado or outbreak like COVID-19 – can have a disastrous effect on small businesses, but they don't have to. 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