Presenting can be learned
Presenting. Actually, we do it unconsciously all day long. Every moment when you face someone, you actually make a short presentation. As a person, you present yourself, the company you work for and your plans and/or ideas. Often enough unconsciously, but you do present. In this way, presentation is somewhere at the core of communication. So these are even more reasons for you to master this skill and have fun with it. Unfortunately, not everyone possesses that presentation “gene” naturally. Nevertheless, we believe that everyone can become a presentation master following the right tips and tricks.
Body language
We come for beautiful, real stories that we can imagine. If we can’t imagine it then we don’t understand any of it. Words are poorly remembered. It is about body language, emotion and feeling. Stand right in the middle of the stage and don’t be afraid of silence in the room. In fact, this is an excellent time to connect with your audience.
Relax!
Another common mistake is lack of preparation. Giving a presentation without proper preparation can result in an unclear message, mistakes and interruptions in the presentation. It is important to take enough time to prepare and practice the presentation so that you can get your message across clearly and effectively.
Don't concern yourself too much with criticism
There are some people who always have something to remark on or who will ask endless questions. These people are curious, inquisitive or perfectionist. These types of people are always in your audience. Keep this in mind, too, and above all, don’t take it personally.
Enthousiasm
Quietness in your story should not be confused with giving a boring, dry presentation. A low voice provides the credibility that is very important. But enthusiasm, fortunately, is a golden trait that ensures that you draw your audience into your story. Do you have a low voice? Then play with your voice at times when you really want to make a point! Then you will always be right and your message will come across better.
Show your passion
Concentrate fully on your topic and on what you have to say to the audience. Show your passion for the subject to ignite your audience with your enthusiasm.
Who is your audience?
What is the knowledge level of the people sitting across from you? Nothing more irritating than when the audience can’t follow you because they lack knowledge. So beware of lecturing or endlessly repeating what your client already knows. In short: match the knowledge level of your audience.
Engage your audience!
Try to get your audience out of the role of listener as much as possible. Don’t just ask questions but be curious about your audience’s opinions. Make sure you also make enough eye contact with your audience to engage them in your presentation and offer them space to respond. Put this into your preparation as well. Think here about what are the interesting moments to engage your audience in your presentation, as well as talk to them.
Getting your message across
Of course, your presentation should not be too short, because in the end it is all about getting a message across. Avoid a lot of text on the slide and a lot of bullet points because that’s how you quickly lose the attention of your audience. So present your message briefly and powerfully. Studies show that people remember things better if you repeat them three times!
Think about your presentation space
Make sure the space in which you give the presentation meets your requirements. People having to stand for 20 minutes while listening to your presentation makes listening to your story extra challenging. Therefore, it is better to make sure everyone is seated. Whatever your requirements, make sure you know in advance what the room looks like so you can take that into account.
Making mistakes is okay!
No one is perfect; everyone makes mistakes. You are allowed to make mistakes too. When you make mistakes you should not start judging yourself, but look for ways to do better in the future.
NO GO:
- Putting long text in your presentation
- Ending with a cliché
- Thanks for the attention
- Reading from a paper
- Giving the text in advance
Can we help you create a flawless presentation? We have collaborated on numerous presentations and build the perfect PowerPoint, Google Slides or Prezi for you. Contact us!