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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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Elevating Professional Success: Mastering Presentation Skills in Workplace

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Imagine a busy office, and someone steps up to give a presentation. They have important things to say, but the message doesn’t quite hit the mark. This often happens in the workplace – presenting the idea isn’t always easy.

In today’s workplace, of course, being good at presentations is more than just a useful skill; it’s something you need to succeed. Being able to share information clearly, persuasively, and with impact goes beyond the job interview process, titles, and industries. Once you get the hang of it, it can open up opportunities, build teamwork, and boost your professional reputation.

This blog is all about improving at presenting in the workplace. We’ll talk about why it’s so important, look at the key parts of a good presentation, and give you practical tips to become a more confident and effective presenter.

So, whether you’re a pro or just starting out, let’s work on making your presentations stand out in the workplace.

What Are Presentation Skills?

Beyond the surface, presentation skills are the nuanced art of delivering information in a way that grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression. It’s a multifaceted approach to public speaking , covering both how you articulate your thoughts and how you convey them through your body language and visuals.

Presentations are about choosing words that resonate, structuring ideas coherently, and ensuring clarity in delivery. Yet, presentation skills extend to the non-verbal communication, where gestures, facial expressions , eye contact , and the strategic use of visuals play a pivotal role in enhancing your message.

Think of presentation skills as a toolkit, each element contributing uniquely to the overall impact. Your words are like the instruments, your gestures add flair, and visuals are powerful anchors for understanding.

It’s a comprehensive strategy aimed at communicating information and making it relatable, memorable, and compelling.

Honing these presentation skills is more than a professional advantage in the workplace—it’s a means to influence decisions, foster collaboration, and establish yourself as a confident and effective communicator. As we dive deeper into workplace presentation skills, we’ll dissect these components to empower you to master the art of impactful presentations.

What Are The Key P resentation Skills in Workplace

In the professional world, honing specific soft skills is essential for delivering presentations that leave a lasting impact.

Let’s understand these crucial presentation skills in workplace   abilities that extend beyond the mere conveyance of information, focusing on establishing a meaningful connection with your audience:

1. Verbal Communication

Mastering verbal communication involves more than just speaking—it’s about articulating thoughts with precision, clarity, and impact and most importantly active listening. Your choice of words, tone, pitch, and pacing all play crucial roles in ensuring your message or idea is heard and truly understood when you speak. A skilled communicator can keep the audience engaged through eloquence, making the presentation memorable and engaging.

2. Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal cues, comprising open body language, facial expressions, and gestures, communicate and deliver a wealth of information beyond spoken words. A presenter who masters non-verbal communication can project confidence, sincerity, and enthusiasm. Understanding and aligning non-verbal signals with verbal messages create seamless and compelling presentations, fostering a deeper connection with the audience.

3. Visual Communication

Visual communication skills go beyond aesthetics; it’s a strategic use of visuals—slides, charts, graphs—to enhance understanding and retention. Proficiency in visual communication ensures that your presentation is not only informative but visually appealing. Well-crafted visual aids complement spoken words, making complex information more accessible and leaving a lasting impression.

4. Written Communication

While spoken words take centre stage, effective written communication supports and reinforces your message. Crafting clear and concise content for slides, handouts, or supplementary materials adds depth to your presentation. A skilful presenter understands the importance of synergy between spoken and written communication, ensuring that both channels work harmoniously to convey key information to the audience.

5. Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to tailor your presentation style to suit different audiences and dynamic situations. It involves recognising and responding to the unique needs and dynamics of each context using your critical thinking. A versatile presenter can seamlessly adjust vocal tone, content, and delivery, ensuring that the message remains relevant and impactful. Adaptability transforms a presentation from a one-size-fits-all approach to a customised and resonant experience for diverse audiences.

Why Are Good Presentation Skills Important In The Workplace?

In the dynamic and competitive workplace, the mastery of effective presentation skills in workplace transcends being merely advantageous; it becomes imperative for substantial career growth.

Let’s go deeper into the multifaceted reasons why honing these critical skills is pivotal for professional success:

Professional Credibility

The art of presenting ideas with clarity and self-confidence is akin to crafting a professional persona. Strong presentation skills cultivate an aura of professional credibility, earning the trust and respect of colleagues, superiors, and stakeholders. This credibility is a cornerstone for building enduring professional relationships, positioning you as a reliable and competent office employee. 

Influence And Persuasion

Beyond mere communication, presentations are platforms for influence and persuasion. The ability to articulate ideas persuasively equips you to navigate diverse scenarios – whether you’re pitching proposals, leading team meetings, or advocating for projects. This skill becomes a powerful tool, enabling you to shape opinions, garner support, communicate and drive initiatives towards organisational success.

Career Advancement

Good presentation skills often serve as a catalyst for an accelerated career trajectory. A good presenter who can deliver compelling presentations is recognised as a valuable asset to the organisation. This distinction positions you for leadership roles where effective , communication skills , inspiration, and engagement of others are not just valued but crucial for steering the organisation towards its goals.

Enhanced Collaboration

Effective presenters are architects of collaborative environments. Through adept communication and engagement, they create spaces that foster collaboration among team members, clients, and stakeholders. Effective presentation skills contribute to the development of positive relationships, laying the groundwork for successful collaborations and shared achievements.

Confidence Building

Mastery of presentation skills is a journey towards projecting confidence. As you become adept at expressing ideas with impact, your confidence grows proportionally. This confidence not only enhances your personal and professional life but also has a ripple effect, inspiring confidence in your colleagues and contributing to the creation of creating a positive and dynamic work culture.

Leadership Development

Presentation skills are integral to leadership skills. Leaders are often required to articulate a vision, present information, motivate teams, and navigate challenges through effective communication. The ability to convey ideas clearly and inspire others through presentations is a hallmark of effective leadership, paving the way for greater leadership responsibilities.

How To Improve Workplace Presentation Skills?

Now that we understand the importance of workplace presentation skills let’s delve more detail into actionable strategies to enhance and refine these crucial abilities:

Tailor Content To Your Audience

The first step is understanding your audience, which is crucial for an effective presentation. Utilise techniques such as audience analysis to gather information about their interests, preferences, and knowledge levels. Craft a message that resonates with them by incorporating relevant examples and industry-specific terminology and addressing their specific needs. Consider using audience personas to create a more personalised and targeted presentation.

Utilise Storytelling Techniques

Storytelling is an art that can be honed with specific techniques. Begin with an engaging hook to grab attention, then structure your narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Introduce relatable characters and real-life scenarios to illustrate key points. Use the power of visualisation by painting vivid images with your words. 

Audience loses interest when stage presence lacks confidence or enthusiasm keep your audience, so strive to maintain a dynamic and captivating delivery throughout your storytelling journey.

Employ the Hero’s Journey framework to keep the focus of your audience interested because the hero overcomes challenges, creating a connection.

Learn To Manage Nerves

Techniques for managing nerves involve both mental and physical strategies. Practise deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and reduce anxiety. Visualisation techniques involve mentally rehearsing a successful presentation, boosting confidence and honing effective time management skills. Mindfulness practices that focus on the present moment can help alleviate nervous tension. 

Additionally, the 10-20-30 Rule for slides (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font) can simplify your visuals and ease presentation anxiety.

Invest In Professional Development

To invest in professional development, explore various resources and methodologies. Attend workshops, leadership development programs or webinars dedicated to presentation or public speaking skills. Enrol in a course that provides practical insights and strategies to develop presentation skills. Consider hiring a presentation coach for personalised guidance. Utilise online platforms offering interactive modules and real-world scenarios.

In job interviews or such situations , having refined presentation skills can significantly enhance your chances of success.

Practice And Seek Feedback

Effective practice involves simulated presentations and seeking constructive feedback. Utilise techniques like Mirror Practice to observe your eye contact, open body language and hand gestures. Record yourself to assess pacing, tone, and overall delivery. Practice with a timer to ensure adherence to allocated time. For feedback, create a feedback form or seek input from colleagues and mentors. Embrace the Two Stars and a Wish model, where you identify two positive aspects and one area for improvement, fostering a balanced and constructive feedback loop.

Free Tools To Enhance Your Presentations

Check out these free tools that can help make your presentations look better and grab the audience’s attention.

Let’s dive into how these tools can make effective presentations without costing you a dime!

Offers a vast library of professional templates (thousands!) covering various presentation styles and topics. Their drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly for beginners, while advanced features like animation and data visualisation cater to experienced users. Additionally, they boast a massive collection of stock photos, illustrations, and icons (many even free!) that you can seamlessly integrate into your slides. 

Google Slides

This lightweight editor shines in its simplicity and accessibility. Being part of Google Drive, it integrates seamlessly with other Google tools like Docs and Sheets, facilitating easy data import. While the template selection is decent, the main strength lies in its real-time collaboration features, allowing multiple users to edit and work on the presentation simultaneously.

This interactive tool focuses on keeping the audience engaged in real time. Create polls, quizzes, and word clouds on the fly, allowing your audience members to participate and respond directly during your presentation. This fosters a more dynamic and memorable speaking experience. Their free plan lets you create basic polls and quizzes, while paid plans offer advanced features like live data visualisation and presenter controls.

GetFeedback

This platform focuses on structured feedback collection. Design surveys with various question types (multiple choice, open-ended, rating scales) and customise them to gather specific feedback on different aspects of your presentation. Analyse responses, identify areas for improvement and track progress over time. Their free plan allows for basic surveys with limited responses, while paid plans offer advanced features like branching logic and reporting tools.

Conclusion: Effective Presentation Skills to Build Your Personal and Professional Life.

Wrapping up our discussion on presenting at work, it’s clear that being good at this isn’t just a skill—it’s a big plus for your career.

Whether you want to impress decision-makers, work better with others, or move up in your job, having great presentation skills is like having a secret weapon.

Remember, getting better at presentations is a journey, not a one-time thing. Each time you present, see it as a chance to get even better.

Learn from what goes well and what doesn’t. As you put these ideas into action, may your presentations not just be about talking but about connecting, persuading, and succeeding in the busy world of work.

Here’s to you becoming an awesome presenter—confident, interesting, and leaving a lasting impression.

By Rishabh Bhandari

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Building Effective Presentation Skills For Professional Growth

Effective presentation skills are crucial for professional growth in any field. Whether it is presenting a business proposal, delivering a lecture, or giving a talk at a conference, being able to engage and influence an audience is a valuable skill that can open doors to new opportunities.

However, many people struggle with public speaking, often finding it nerve-wracking and daunting. In this article, we will explore how to build effective presentation skills for professional growth, covering everything from defining your objectives and audience to overcoming nervousness and building confidence.

The first step in building effective presentation skills is to define your objectives and audience. This involves understanding the purpose of your presentation, as well as the needs and expectations of your audience. Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives and audience, you can craft your presentation, focusing on key messages and structuring your content in a way that is engaging and easy to follow.

Engaging your audience is also important, as it can help to establish rapport and build trust. This requires using effective communication techniques, such as eye contact , body language, and vocal variety.

Additionally, overcoming nervousness and building confidence is crucial for successful presentations. This can be achieved through practice, preparation, and positive self-talk.

Finally, evaluating and improving your presentation skills is an ongoing process that can help you to refine your skills and achieve greater success in your professional endeavors.

Key Takeaways

• Defining clear objectives and audience are crucial for effective presentations.
• Engaging audience through interactive techniques and storytelling is important for building rapport and trust.
• Overcoming nervousness and building confidence requires mindfulness techniques and public speaking tips.
• Continuous learning, feedback, and self-evaluation are essential for improving presentation skills and achieving professional growth .

Define Your Objectives and Audience

In order to develop effective presentation skills for professional growth, it is crucial to define both the objectives and audience of the presentation. This is because targeting messaging to the intended audience is essential for effective communication.

By clearly understanding the objectives of the presentation, it becomes easier to tailor the content to meet the intended audience’s needs and expectations. To define the objectives of a presentation, it is important to consider the purpose of the presentation and what the presenter wants to achieve.

The objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. In addition, defining the audience is critical in determining the tone, language, and style of the presentation. Understanding the audience’s demographics, such as age, education level, and profession, can help the presenter to deliver a message that resonates with the audience.

Effective communication requires that the presenter delivers a message that is not only clear and concise but also tailored to the audience.

Craft Your Presentation

Developing a clear structure, using visual aids effectively, and practicing delivery are key elements of crafting a successful presentation.

A clear structure ensures that the audience can follow the presentation’s flow and understand the content.

Visual aids can enhance the audience’s understanding and retention of information.

Practicing delivery helps to ensure that you deliver a confident and engaging presentation.

By focusing on these three elements, you can create a compelling presentation that effectively communicates your message to your intended audience.

Develop a Clear Structure

To create a clear and effective presentation, it is important to establish a well-structured framework that guides the flow of information and ideas in a logical and coherent manner. This can be achieved by developing a presentation outline that consists of main points and supporting details.

The outline should provide a clear overview of the presentation’s objectives and a roadmap for achieving them. Each main point should be introduced at the beginning of the presentation, followed by supporting details that provide evidence and examples to reinforce the key message.

A logical flow is essential to keep the audience engaged and focused throughout the presentation. The presenter should ensure that there is a clear and smooth transition between each point to avoid confusion or disorientation. The use of visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, and images, can also help to illustrate the main points and make the presentation more engaging.

In summary, developing a clear structure for a presentation is crucial to its success. By creating a logical flow and outlining the main points and supporting details, the presenter can effectively communicate their message and achieve their objectives.

Use Visual Aids Effectively

The strategic implementation of visual aids can enhance the communication of complex information and increase audience engagement during a presentation.

Designing visuals that are clear and concise can help convey information effectively, while engaging multimedia elements can hold the audience’s attention.

It is important to use visuals that complement the content being presented and avoid overloading the audience with too much information.

Engaging multimedia elements such as videos, animations, or interactive graphics can also help to break up the monotony of a long presentation and keep the audience engaged. However, it is important to use these elements sparingly and purposefully, as too much multimedia can be distracting and detract from the main message.

Effective use of visual aids can help to reinforce key points, clarify complex information, and make the presentation more memorable for the audience.

Practice Your Delivery

Improving delivery techniques through consistent practice can help speakers to effectively engage and connect with their audience. One of the most important aspects of delivery is body language, which can convey a range of emotions and attitudes to the audience. Speakers should strive to maintain good posture, make eye contact with the audience, and use appropriate gestures to emphasize key points. It is also important to be aware of facial expressions, as these can communicate emotions such as enthusiasm, confidence, or empathy.

By using body language effectively, speakers can enhance their delivery and create a more engaging and memorable presentation.

Another key aspect of delivery is vocal variety, which can help to keep the audience engaged and interested in the presentation. Speakers should aim to vary their tone, pitch, and pace, using pauses and inflection to emphasize important points and create a sense of rhythm and flow. By using vocal variety effectively, speakers can add emphasis and energy to their presentation, making it more engaging and memorable for the audience.

Practicing both body language tips and vocal variety techniques can help speakers to improve their delivery skills and create more effective presentations.

Engage Your Audience

Engaging your audience is a crucial aspect of delivering a successful presentation and can be achieved through various techniques and strategies.

Interactive techniques, such as asking questions, encouraging participation, and using multimedia tools, can help to keep your audience engaged and interested in your presentation.

Storytelling strategies, such as using anecdotes or personal experiences, can also help to capture your audience’s attention and create a memorable experience.

To effectively engage your audience, it is important to consider their needs and interests. You can prepare by researching your audience beforehand and tailoring your presentation to their specific needs and preferences.

Additionally, using humor and incorporating visual aids can help to break up the monotony of a presentation and keep your audience engaged.

Engaging your audience not only helps to make your presentation more enjoyable, but it can also help to ensure that your message is effectively communicated and understood.

Overcome Nervousness and Build Confidence

Like a tightrope walker balancing on a thin line, presenting in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking, but there are techniques to overcome nervousness and build confidence.

Mindfulness techniques are one effective way to combat pre-presentation jitters. By focusing on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings, you can reduce anxiety and increase your ability to stay calm and focused during your presentation.

Deep breathing exercises, visualization, and meditation are all useful mindfulness techniques that can help you manage your nerves.

Another way to overcome nervousness and build confidence is to practice public speaking tips. This includes rehearsing your presentation, knowing your material inside and out, and being prepared for potential questions or challenges from the audience.

Additionally, making eye contact, speaking clearly and confidently , and using appropriate gestures can help you connect with your audience and convey confidence. By practicing these techniques, you can improve your presentation skills and feel more confident and comfortable when presenting in front of others.

Evaluate and Improve

To improve your presentation skills, it is important to evaluate your performance and continuously work to enhance your abilities. One way to do this is by soliciting feedback from colleagues, mentors or a professional coach.

Analyzing your performance, identifying areas for improvement, and seeking ways to enhance your skills will help you become a more effective presenter.

By adopting a growth mindset and committing to ongoing learning, you can develop the confidence and skills necessary to excel in your professional role.

Solicit Feedback

Obtaining constructive criticism from colleagues or peers is vital for improving one’s presentation skills and ultimately achieving professional development. Feedback reception is an important step in the process of evaluating and improving one’s presentation skills. It is not enough to simply seek feedback from others, one must also be receptive to the feedback given and willing to make necessary changes.

Constructive criticism is feedback that is given with the intention of helping the presenter improve their skills. It is important to seek feedback from a variety of sources, as different perspectives can provide a well-rounded view of one’s presentation. The table below provides a helpful guide for soliciting feedback and incorporating it into one’s presentation skills development plan. By being open to feedback and implementing necessary changes, one can continually improve their presentation skills and achieve professional growth.

Analyze Your Performance

Evaluating one’s performance is a crucial step in improving presentation abilities and achieving success in public speaking . By analyzing their performance after each presentation, individuals can identify their strengths and weaknesses and work on improving them.

Here are three ways to analyze your performance:

Watch recordings of your presentations: By watching recordings of your presentations, you can observe your body language, tone, and pacing. You can also identify areas where you may have stumbled or lost your train of thought, allowing you to work on improving your delivery.

Request feedback from colleagues or mentors: Getting feedback from those who have seen your presentation can help you identify areas where you can improve. They may be able to provide insight into areas where you may have missed the mark or offer suggestions on how to improve your delivery.

Conduct self-reflection: After each presentation, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could have been improved. This will help you identify patterns in your performance and allow you to work on improving your weaker areas.

By consistently analyzing your performance, you can become a more effective presenter and achieve professional growth.

Continuously Improve Your Skills

As with any craft, honing one’s abilities in public speaking requires a commitment to ongoing development and learning. To continuously improve your presentation skills, you must be proactive in seeking out learning opportunities and skill development. This can be achieved through a variety of means, such as attending workshops, taking courses, and practicing regularly.

One effective way to gauge your progress is to keep track of your performance through a table. In the first column, list the skills you wish to improve upon, such as eye contact, vocal projection, or body language. In the second column, rate your current level of proficiency in each skill on a scale of 1-10. Finally, in the third column, list the specific actions you will take to improve upon each skill. By regularly updating this table and actively seeking out opportunities to improve, you can continuously develop your presentation skills and become a more effective communicator .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common mistakes to avoid when giving a presentation.

To avoid common presentation mistakes, focus on overcoming nerves and delivering an engaging performance. Speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and use visual aids to enhance your message. Avoid reading from notes and speaking too fast or too softly.

How can you tailor your presentation to different types of audiences?

Customizing approach is crucial for delivering effective presentations to different types of audiences. Audience analysis is the key to identifying their needs, interests, and expectations. This ensures the message is relevant and engaging, leading to a successful presentation.

What are some tips for creating visually appealing slides?

To create visually appealing slides, choose color schemes that complement the content and avoid using too many colors. Use legible font choices, such as sans-serif fonts, and maintain consistency in font size and style throughout the presentation.

How can you handle unexpected technical difficulties during a presentation?

In presentations, unexpected technical difficulties can arise, but quick fixes and contingency plans can help. Staying composed during interruptions is also key. Metaphorically, handling technical difficulties is like navigating choppy waters with a sturdy ship and experienced crew.

How can you effectively handle questions from the audience during a presentation?

To effectively handle audience questions, engage listeners with eye contact and positive body language. Pause to listen to the full question, then clarify if needed. Respond concisely and politely, and use interruptions to refocus the presentation.

In conclusion, building effective presentation skills is crucial for professional growth. To achieve this, one must first define their objectives and audience before crafting their presentation. By doing so, they can tailor their message to the needs and interests of their audience, making it more impactful.

Engaging the audience is also important. This can be done by using visual aids, telling stories, and asking questions. Overcoming nervousness and building confidence is another key aspect of effective presentations. By practicing and preparing thoroughly, one can decrease anxiety and deliver a more polished presentation.

Finally, evaluating and improving one’s presentation skills is an ongoing process. Seeking feedback and continually refining one’s approach can lead to continued growth and success. By utilizing these strategies, individuals can build effective presentation skills and achieve their professional goals.

About Skillabilly Editorial Staff

The Editorial Staff at Skillabilly is a team of Personal and professional experts in the education and career services industry led by Shalev Morag. We have been creating Skill guides and tutorials since 2022, and Skillabilly has become an impactful free skills and abilities resource site in the industry.

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Mastering Effective Presentation Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

Effective  presentation skills  play a vital role in various aspects of personal and professional life. Whether you are an executive delivering a business pitch, a teacher engaging students, or a public speaker addressing a crowd, the ability to deliver compelling presentations is essential. In this section, we will explore the importance of  presentation skills , the impact they have on your career and relationships, and how they contribute to  effective public speaking .

It is no secret that presentations are a powerful tool for communicating ideas, persuading others, and sharing information. Mastering  presentation skills  allows you to express your thoughts and messages clearly, confidently, and effectively. When you are able to deliver impactful presentations, you can capture your audience’s attention, engage them on a deeper level, and leave a lasting impression.

Public speaking skills are paramount in professional settings. Whether you are presenting a project proposal, pitching a product, or leading a team meeting, effective presentation skills set you apart from your peers and enhance your overall communication abilities. The ability to deliver a clear and concise message through presentations can boost your credibility, increase your influence, and help you achieve your career goals.

Furthermore, honing your presentation skills goes beyond professional success. The  importance of presentations  extends to various areas of personal life as well. From delivering a heartfelt speech at a wedding or family gathering to confidently expressing your ideas in social settings, acquiring  effective public speaking  skills empowers you to engage and connect with others on a deeper level.

Mastering presentation skills is a continuous journey that requires practice, preparation, and self-improvement. Throughout this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with valuable insights, techniques, and strategies to enhance your presentation abilities. By implementing the tips and tactics shared in this article, you will gain the confidence, eloquence, and mastery needed to deliver compelling presentations that leave a lasting impact.

Key Steps in Preparing for a Presentation

Preparing for a presentation is a crucial step that sets the foundation for a successful delivery. By following these key steps, you can ensure that you are well-prepared, confident, and ready to engage your audience. Let’s dive into the essential elements of  presentation preparation :

1. Research Your Topic

An effective presentation starts with thorough research. Take the time to explore your topic, gather relevant information, and become an expert in your subject matter. This will enable you to deliver credible and compelling content that resonates with your audience.

2. Organize Your Content

Organizing your presentation content is essential for clarity and coherence. Create a logical structure by dividing your content into relevant sections or key points. This will help you stay focused and guide your audience through a cohesive narrative.

3. Create Impactful Visuals

Visual aids  can enhance the effectiveness of your presentation by making complex information more accessible and engaging. Use impactful visuals such as images, charts, graphs, or videos to support your key messages and help your audience better understand and remember your content.

4. Rehearse Effectively

Rehearsal is the key to delivering a confident presentation. Practice your delivery, paying attention to your tone of voice, gestures, and body language. This will help you feel more comfortable and natural on stage, ensuring a seamless and impactful delivery.

5. Prepare for Potential Challenges

A successful presentation requires preparation for potential challenges. Anticipate questions or objections that your audience may have and prepare thoughtful responses. This will demonstrate your expertise and enable you to address any concerns or doubts effectively.

By following these key steps in preparing for a presentation, you can lay a solid foundation for a successful and impactful delivery. Remember to research your topic, organize your content, create impactful visuals, rehearse effectively, and be prepared for potential challenges. With thorough preparation, you’ll feel confident and ready to deliver a memorable presentation that captivates and engages your audience.

Techniques for Engaging Your Audience

When delivering a presentation, captivating your audience and maintaining their engagement is essential. In this section, we will explore various techniques that can help you achieve just that. By incorporating  effective delivery techniques , you can create  captivating presentations  that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

1. Body Language

Your body language plays a crucial role in  audience engagement . Maintain an open posture, make eye contact, and use gestures that complement your message. This not only conveys confidence but also helps establish a connection with your audience, making them more receptive to your presentation.

2. Vocal Variety

Utilizing vocal variety adds depth and interest to your delivery. Vary your pitch, tone, and pace to emphasize important points, convey emotions, and keep your audience engaged throughout. The strategic use of pauses can also create suspense and highlight key moments in your presentation.

3. Storytelling

Captivate your audience by incorporating storytelling techniques. Craft compelling narratives that relate to your topic, purpose, or personal experiences. Stories have the power to evoke emotions, capture attention, and make information more memorable for your audience.

4. Effective Use of Visual Aids

Visual aids , such as slides, charts, and diagrams, can enhance  audience engagement  by providing visual representation and supporting your key points. Ensure your visuals are well-designed, uncluttered, and easy to understand. Use them selectively and effectively to reinforce your message without overwhelming your audience.

To truly engage your audience, it is important to combine these techniques in a seamless manner. By mastering body language, vocal variety, storytelling, and  visual aids , you will not only capture your audience’s attention but also deliver  captivating presentations  that leave a lasting impression.

Strategies to Overcome Presentation Anxiety

Public speaking fears  and presentation anxiety are common challenges that many individuals face. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to overcome these fears and build the confidence needed to deliver successful presentations.

Here are some practical techniques to help you overcome presentation anxiety and establish a strong presence when speaking in front of an audience:

• Prepare and practice:  Thoroughly prepare your presentation and practice it multiple times. Familiarize yourself with the content, and rehearse your delivery to build confidence and ensure a smooth presentation.
• Visualize success:  Visualize yourself delivering a successful presentation. Imagine the positive reactions from the audience, and envision yourself speaking confidently and eloquently. This visualization technique can help reduce anxiety and boost your self-assurance.
• Breathe and relax:  Deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can help calm your nerves before and during a presentation. Take slow, deep breaths to relax your body and mind, allowing yourself to remain focused and composed.
• Shift your focus:  Instead of fixating on your anxiety or fear of judgment, shift your focus to the value you are providing to your audience. Remember that your presentation is an opportunity to share knowledge and make a positive impact.
• Engage with the audience:  Interacting with your audience can help distract you from anxiety and foster a sense of connection. Make eye contact, ask questions, and encourage participation to create a more engaging and supportive environment.

By implementing these strategies, you can gradually overcome presentation anxiety and build the confidence necessary to deliver compelling and impactful presentations.

Remember,  overcoming presentation anxiety  is a process that takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate each small victory along the way. With perseverance and the application of these strategies, you will become a more confident and skilled presenter.

Adapting Your Presentation to Various Audiences

Each audience is unique, and tailoring your presentation to their needs and preferences is crucial for success. To deliver a truly impactful presentation, it is essential to conduct  audience analysis , understand their expectations, and adapt your content, style, and language accordingly. By customizing your presentation, you can effectively engage your audience and ensure that your message resonates with them.

Analyzing Your Audience

Before you start preparing your presentation, take the time to conduct a thorough  audience analysis . This involves gathering information about your audience’s demographics, knowledge level, interests, and any specific challenges they may face. By understanding these factors, you can adapt your content to be more relevant and engaging. Additionally, consider the size of your audience, the setting of the presentation, and the time available to deliver your message.

Understanding Audience Expectations

Each audience has different expectations when it comes to presentations. Some audiences may prefer a more formal and structured approach, while others may respond better to a casual and interactive style. It is important to understand their expectations in terms of content delivery, tone, and level of detail. This will help you strike the right balance and create a presentation that meets their needs.

Adapting Content, Style, and Language

Once you have analyzed your audience and identified their expectations, it’s time to adapt your presentation. Tailor your content to address their specific needs and interests. If possible, include examples, case studies, or anecdotes that are relevant to their industry or field of interest. Adjust your style of delivery to match their preferences, whether it’s a more formal or conversational approach. Additionally, consider their language proficiency and choose words and phrases that are easily understandable.

Utilizing Visual Aids

Visual aids can greatly enhance your presentation and help you communicate your message more effectively. Choose visuals that resonate with your audience and support your key points. Whether it’s graphs, charts, images, or videos, make sure they are clear, visually appealing, and easy to understand. Visual aids can help you capture and maintain your audience’s attention, increasing their engagement throughout the presentation.

Strategies for Effective Q&A Sessions

During presentations, it is common for presenters to face questions and challenges from the audience. Handling these situations confidently and professionally is essential to ensure a successful presentation. In this section, we will provide you with strategies to effectively manage  Q&A sessions , address challenging questions, and navigate unexpected situations with grace.

1. Be Well-Prepared

Anticipate potential questions and prepare thorough answers in advance. Familiarize yourself with the subject matter and gather additional information to support your responses. This will help you feel more prepared and confident during the Q&A session.

2. Actively Listen

When an audience member asks a question, give them your full attention. Listen carefully to understand the question and their concerns. Maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in their inquiry. Active listening demonstrates respect and helps you provide relevant and thoughtful answers.

3. Clarify and Paraphrase

If a question is unclear or ambiguous, ask for clarification to ensure you fully understand what the audience member is asking. Paraphrase the question to confirm your understanding and to ensure everyone in the audience is on the same page.

4. Stay Calm and Composed

Remain composed, even if faced with challenging or confrontational questions. Take a deep breath, maintain a calm demeanor, and respond in a professional manner. Avoid getting defensive or reacting emotionally. Remember that your response reflects your credibility and expertise.

5. Stay Concise and Relevant

When answering questions, provide concise and relevant information. Make your points clearly and avoid going off-topic. Keep your responses focused and aim to address the audience member’s concerns directly. This will help keep the Q&A session engaging and prevent it from becoming overly lengthy.

6. Utilize Visual Aids

Consider using visual aids, such as charts, graphs, or slides, to support your answers during the Q&A session. Visual aids can help clarify complex information and make your responses more impactful. Be prepared to explain and interpret any visuals you use.

7. Be Honest and Transparent

If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest about it. Instead of guessing or providing incorrect information, admit that you don’t have the knowledge on that specific topic. Offer to follow up with the person later or direct them to an appropriate resource for further information.

By implementing these strategies, you will be well-equipped to handle  Q&A sessions  effectively, address challenging questions with confidence, and overcome any unexpected challenges that may arise during your presentations.

Enhancing Presentations with Technology and Visuals

When it comes to delivering impactful presentations, leveraging technology and visual aids can significantly enhance your message and engage your audience. Incorporating multimedia, slides, videos, and other visual elements effectively can help you create memorable and compelling presentations.

Here are some practical tips to make the most of  presentation technology  and visual aids:

• Choose the right tools: Select presentation software or tools that best suit your needs and preferences. Popular options include Microsoft PowerPoint , Google Slides , and Apple Keynote . Familiarize yourself with the features and capabilities of your chosen software to optimize your presentations.
• Create visually appealing slides: Design your slides with a clean and professional layout. Use images, charts, and graphs to complement your content and make it easier for your audience to understand complex information. Avoid overcrowding your slides with text, and use bullet points or short phrases to convey key points.
• Incorporate multimedia: Enhance your presentations with multimedia elements such as videos, animations, and audio clips. These can help illustrate your points, evoke emotions, and create a more immersive experience for your audience. However, use multimedia sparingly and ensure its relevance to avoid overwhelming or distracting your viewers.
• Use visual aids strategically: Visual aids, such as props or physical objects, can enhance your presentation and make it more interactive. For example, if you’re giving a product demonstration, showcasing the actual product can help your audience visualize its features and benefits. Consider using handouts or infographics to provide additional information that complements your presentation.
• Practice with your visuals: Before delivering your presentation, practice using your chosen visual aids. Familiarize yourself with the technology, transitions, and timings to ensure a smooth and seamless delivery. This will help you build confidence and minimize any technical glitches that may arise.

Remember, the purpose of incorporating technology and visual aids is to support and enhance your presentation, not to overshadow your message. Keep your visuals relevant, visually appealing, and easy to understand, ensuring they effectively contribute to the overall impact of your presentation.

By effectively utilizing  presentation technology  and visual aids, you can deliver engaging and memorable  multimedia presentations  that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools to master effective presentation skills. By implementing the techniques and strategies discussed throughout this article, you will be well-equipped to deliver impactful presentations, captivate your audience, and achieve your communication goals.

Mastering presentation skills is not only important for professional success but also for personal growth.  Effective public speaking  can help you build confidence, establish credibility, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Whether you are delivering a business presentation, giving a speech at a social event, or simply engaging in everyday conversations, the skills you have acquired will prove invaluable.

Remember, preparation and practice are key to delivering a successful presentation. Take the time to thoroughly research your topic, organize your content in a logical manner, and create visually appealing visuals that support your message. Engage your audience through compelling storytelling, confident body language, and effective use of vocal variety.

Additionally, don’t forget to adapt your presentation to the specific needs and preferences of your audience. Conduct  audience analysis  to understand their expectations, and tailor your content, style, and language accordingly. By addressing their interests and concerns, you can ensure that your message resonates with them on a deeper level.

Lastly, embrace technology and visual aids to enhance your presentations. Incorporate multimedia, slides, videos, and other visual elements strategically, using them to reinforce your key points rather than distract from them. With the right blend of content, delivery, and visual appeal, you will be able to create memorable presentations that leave a lasting impact.

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Why are effective presentation skills important?

Effective presentation skills are important because they allow you to communicate your ideas, information, and messages clearly and persuasively. Whether you’re presenting in a professional setting or in your personal life, mastering presentation skills can help you make a lasting impact and achieve your desired outcomes.

How can mastering public speaking impact my career?

Mastering public speaking can have a significant impact on your career. It can enhance your professional credibility, increase your visibility, and open doors for new opportunities. By confidently delivering presentations, you can showcase your expertise, influence others, and position yourself as a valuable asset in your field.

What are the essential steps for preparing a successful presentation?

The essential steps for preparing a successful presentation include researching your topic thoroughly, organizing your content in a logical and coherent manner, creating impactful visuals to support your message, and rehearsing your delivery to build confidence and ensure a smooth presentation.

How can I engage my audience during a presentation?

There are various techniques you can use to engage your audience during a presentation. These include maintaining eye contact, using dynamic body language, varying your vocal tone and cadence, telling compelling stories, and utilizing visual aids effectively. By incorporating these techniques, you can capture and hold your audience’s attention throughout your presentation.

How can I overcome presentation anxiety?

Overcoming presentation anxiety  requires a combination of strategies. These include thorough preparation, deep breathing exercises to manage nerves, positive self-talk to build confidence, and visualization techniques to envision a successful presentation. With practice and exposure, your anxiety can diminish, allowing you to deliver presentations with ease and poise.

Why is adapting presentations to different audiences important?

Adapting presentations  to different audiences is important because it allows you to connect with your listeners on a deeper level. By conducting audience analysis, understanding their expectations, and tailoring your content, style, and language accordingly, you can ensure that your message resonates with and effectively addresses their specific needs and interests.

How can I handle challenging questions during a presentation?

Handling challenging questions during a presentation requires quick thinking and adaptability. It’s important to listen actively, clarify vague questions, respond confidently and professionally, and seek assistance or input from the audience if necessary. By maintaining composure and providing thoughtful answers, you can navigate challenging questions and preserve the integrity of your presentation.

What are some tips for incorporating technology and visuals into presentations?

When incorporating technology and visuals into presentations, it’s important to remember that they should enhance your message rather than distract from it. Use multimedia, such as slides, videos, or interactive elements, sparingly and purposefully. Ensure that the technology works seamlessly, practice using it beforehand, and be prepared with a backup plan in case of technical difficulties.

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Mastering Presentation Skills: Strategies for Effective Communication

In the realm of client services, the ability to present information effectively is crucial. This skill set is not just about what you say, but also how you say it. Alongside avoiding filler words, staying organized, and maintaining focus, the tone of voice and speaking speed play pivotal roles in how your message is received. This guide is designed to help you hone these essential skills, ensuring your next presentation leaves a lasting impression.

The Art of Clear Communication

• Self-Awareness : Recognize and reduce the use of “um,” “uh,” and “like.”
• Practice and Rehearse : Regularly practice presentations, focusing on smooth delivery.
• Mindful Pausing : Use pauses strategically instead of filler words.
• Structured Content : Outline your presentation with a clear structure.
• Key Point Emphasis : Highlight main points for clarity.
• Visual Aids : Use slides or charts to support your message effectively.
• Direction : Use an agenda to guide the presentation flow.
• Expectation Setting: Inform your audience about the presentation structure.
• Efficiency : Cover all necessary points within the allotted time.
• Engage with Your Audience : Use eye contact and address audience questions.
• Minimize Distractions : Create a distraction-free environment.
• Rehearse in Real Conditions : Practice in settings similar to the actual presentation environment.

Tone of Voice and Speaking Speed

• Your tone conveys your attitude and can significantly impact how your message is perceived.
• Modulate Your Voice : Use a varied tone to emphasize points and maintain interest.
• Be Enthusiastic : Show enthusiasm for your subject to engage your audience.
• Stay Professional : Maintain a tone that is confident and authoritative, yet approachable.
• The speed at which you speak can either facilitate or hinder understanding.
• Pace Yourself : Speak slowly enough to be understood, but briskly enough to keep attention.
• Pause for Emphasis : Use pauses to let important points sink in.
• Adapt to Your Audience : Be mindful of the audience’s reaction and adjust your speed accordingly.
• Enhanced Credibility : Clear, well-paced speaking enhances your professional image.
• Increased Confidence : Effective use of tone and speed builds confidence in your abilities.
• Positive Client Perception : A well-delivered presentation fosters trust and respect from clients.

Mastering presentation skills involves a holistic approach to communication. By focusing on eliminating filler words, maintaining a clear agenda, staying organized, keeping focused, and paying attention to your tone of voice and speaking speed, you enhance not only your personal skill set but also the professional image and success of our agency. Each presentation is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. Remember, effective communication is a powerful tool in building lasting client relationships.

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7 Essential Presentation Skills Examples, Techniques & Tips for Freelance Trainers

With some very simple and basic but essential tips, you can quite quickly learn effective presentation skills and become a more effective trainer or teacher. So in this post, here are 7 tips for you that you can use, whether you are a freelance or corporate trainer, teacher, someone doing a presentation at work, or a student learning to do presentations. These tips should help you all!

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Taken from our >> ‘ Online Train the Trainer Course ‘.

Page Contents

Tip 1: Body Language (Face and Hands)

One of the first things to consider when presenting is to think about how you use your face and hands.

Always make eye contact and look at all of your participants . Do not stare at them but do make an effort to appear to speak to each and every person present.

If the venue is big and the number of attendees numerous (let’s say more than 20) then at least look or glance at each section of people from time to time.

A word of warning though! In some cultures, it is considered rude or aggressive to look someone in the eye . So do factor in the culture and audience to whom you are speaking or teaching, and adapt accordingly.

KEY TIP : Make a point to sometimes speak and do gestures (positive ones of course) to those sitting the furthest from you to make them feel included.

Do also remember to use facial expressions that are congruent with your words. In other words, what you say should match your facial expression so as to avoid confusion. If you are saying something exciting try and look excited by it, for example.

Avoid : No playing with markers, touching your head, or crossing your arms; no hands in pockets unless it is to show informality and relaxation! A great way to avoid these things is to record yourself at home with any camera (a cellphone will do) and practice presenting. You will soon see the habits you have!

Tip 2: Posture and Body Language When Presenting

If you want to make the right impression with your students or whoever you are presenting to, it is important to maintain good posture .

Good posture also helps to project the voice better , in addition to making you look more confident.

If you wish to, you can also highlight a new section in the presentation by changing your posture or position. Opening up your shoulders and arms, for example, could be used to express the idea of something starting.

KEY TIP: The key from our experience is that it often simply comes down to practice! The more times you run through your speech or lesson, the smoother and more fluent you will become. The TRUTH is that most great speakers are only the best because they practice and practice. It is that simple. With this in mind, avoid continuously reading off a piece of paper or script.

Tip 3: Positioning Your Body When Presenting

Body language is also important and given that most eyes will be on you, as the trainer at the front of the room, any unusual actions you do will of course easily be noticed and can distract your audience from focusing on the content that you are delivering.

So, when standing at the front of the room, plant your feet and do not shift your weight, and avoid pacing back and forth on the same spot.

Also, be aware that sitting changes the tone and makes the atmosphere informal. If teaching or presenting to a small group of people (i.e. everyone can easily see you if you are sitting down), you might want to use sitting down as a strategy for mixing the formal with informal.

Never have your back to the group (or as little as possible if you are writing on a board).

Tip 4: Voice – Volume, Pitch, and Pauses

I was at a conference recently and a well-renowned academic was presenting in front of 100+ people and, despite being in the front row, it was impossible to make out what he was saying.

Make sure when presenting to project your voice ! Also, change the volume and pitch of your voice to add emphasis! If you need to, just ask the people at the back of the venue if they can hear you okay?

KEY TIP : Also learn to use pauses to emphasize something important. Furthermore, pauses are also useful to give time to reflect and for you to observe participants. Do not be afraid of silence!

Tip 5: Fillers and Elocution

One of the things that most of us do when first learning how to give effective presentations, is to use fillers!

Fillers are the words we unconsciously use to try and fill in between the things we are meant to say. Common fillers include ‘ah’, ‘err’, ‘ok’, ‘like’, ‘er’, ‘um’, and ‘right then’.

We all use fillers and trying to avoid using them is not easy at first.

To learn to stop using fillers the best way is the tip I gave earlier and which is to record yourself speaking and play it back. Just grab your iPhone and use the camera on the phone, for example, and record a 3-minute speech (it doesn’t matter what you speak about or how you look). Then play the video back and see what fillers you used when speaking. Keep practicing and you will begin to avoid fillers very quickly.

Finally, do not rush the end of sentences, and do not be afraid to use an informal voice. You want to sound professional of course, but you also want to speak in a way that is friendly and warm.

Tip 6: Making Use of Space in the Training Room or Classroom

Think carefully also about the space that you have available to you in the training room or classroom.

It can be a great idea to move around among participants . Move around the room looking first at a group, then another group. Do not neglect any section of the room.

Also, never sit behind a desk (unless used temporarily and as part of an intentional informal act). You might, for example, want to sit down whilst your participants are doing an activity or task that you have set them.

Or you might sit to emphasize something. Generally speaking though, for the most part, you should be standing when presenting. Also, stand close to the class unless you are using the board a lot.

Tip 7: Extra Presentation Skills Ideas

Let’s finish with four final tips.

It can be difficult when teaching or providing training to find the balance between providing enough explanation and information and giving too much.

Do not though, go on and on about something and be too repetitive. You can lose the attention of your audience if you do this too much.

Be Careful with Jargon

You will also want to be careful with the jargon you use (or what is known as ‘discourse’ in academia). In different social and cultural circles, we have different ways of speaking in terms of terminology. Even between the UK and the United States, for example, our ways of speaking are different. Differences can include:

• soccer (USA) = football (UK)
• pants (USA) = trousers (UK)
• gasoline (USA = petrol (UK)

The key is to make sure you are speaking with your audience in mind . Know who your audience is and tailor your speech, if necessary, for them.

The best presenters are the best really because of one key reason. They practice and they learn to be great presenters.

That really is the secret! Having interviewed hundreds of presenters, the idea of practicing to improve and become a good presenter was always mentioned as the key tip to presenting well.

Certainly, a few people (the lucky ones) are born with a natural ability just to be brilliant presenters.

The majority though become proficient through practice.

Watching Great Presenters

It can also be worth watching some TED talks to get a feel for what great presenting looks like.

When watching these presentations, observe the pauses at key moments, the way they move or do not move around the stage, the change of intonation for emphasis, the way they use their hands or not, and their facial expressions. And what do they do wrong that you don’t like? Try these two videos:

• Tyler DeWitt : Hey science teachers. Make it fun!
• Nadia Lopez : Open a school to close a prison!

Show Enthusiasm!

If you are not actually that interested in the topic you are teaching or presenting, TRY TO FIND something about it interesting and show enthusiasm.

If you really can find nothing to be enthusiastic about in terms of what you are teaching, then looking for a new job might be the best option here. Otherwise, be cheerful and you will find that this alone can help you win over those sitting in front of you as you speak. Smiling and being happy can be infectious!

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Explanation is simple and clear. Very useful tips.

This analysis is outstanding ,thank you

Thank you, great post. I have learned a lot about presentation skills. Thank you.

The post is great… I have learnt alot as a teacher student in Kenya

Helped me a lot! Thank you.

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The ability to deliver confident presentations is a skill that transcends industries and roles. Whether your company includes executives presenting a business strategy, an analyst defending their research, or a salesperson pitching to clients, mastering presentation skills is essential. This article addresses the intricacies of presentation techniques, offering valuable insights into overcoming challenges such as presentation anxiety and creating compelling content that resonates with your audience.

Know Your Audience

The foundation of any successful presentation lies in understanding your audience. Tailoring your content to their expectations and needs is critical. Begin by identifying their level of familiarity with the topic. Are they experts, novices, or somewhere in between? Conduct thorough audience research to uncover their interests, pain points, and aspirations. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to address their concerns and deliver a presentation that genuinely resonates. Moreover, remember that your audience is likely to comprise diverse individuals . Assessing for varying levels of understanding will help you strike the right balance between simplicity and depth in your content.

Structure Your Presentation for Impact

Crafting an impactful presentation hinges on the art of structuring your content. Begin by constructing a clear and cohesive organization that guides your audience through a seamless journey. This involves arranging your ideas logically and creating a narrative flow that captivates attention. Effective structuring techniques include adopting a problem-solution framework, a comparative analysis, or a chronological progression. As you structure your presentation, remember its role in simplifying complex concepts. Your chosen structure should act as a roadmap, making intricate ideas more accessible and understandable to your audience.

Craft Compelling Content

The power of visual storytelling cannot be overstated when creating impactful presentations. Visual aids, such as slides and multimedia elements, add an extra layer of engagement. They help convey complex information in an accessible manner and reinforce your key points. Alongside visuals, the structure of your message matters. Craft a clear and engaging storyline that seamlessly guides your audience through your content. Incorporating storytelling techniques, such as relatable anecdotes or case studies , fosters an emotional connection with your audience, making your message all the more memorable.

Delivery to Connect With the Audience

Effective presentation extends beyond words; it encompasses body language, voice modulation, and audience engagement. Much like active listening , you should maintain eye contact with your listeners to establish a connection and build trust. Leverage nonverbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, to emphasize key points and maintain their interest. Your voice is powerful: vary your tone and pace to underscore important information. Pacing and pauses provide breathing room for your audience to absorb your message. Practicing these delivery techniques will enable you to foster a deeper connection with your audience.

Prepare Yourself for Presentation Success

Confidence is at the heart of a successful presentation. Practice builds your confidence and familiarizes you with the presentation tools and equipment you'll be using. Authenticity in your delivery resonates with your audience and makes you more relatable. In the world of virtual presentations, technical glitches can be nerve-wracking. Stay composed and have contingency plans in place to navigate unexpected issues gracefully. To combat presentation anxiety, adopt anxiety reduction techniques like deep breathing and visualization. By mastering both the art of confident presentations and the science of audience engagement, you'll be well-prepared to conquer any presentation scenario.

Training for Effective Presentation Skills

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6 presentation skills and how to improve them

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What are presentation skills?

The importance of presentation skills, 6 presentation skills examples, how to improve presentation skills.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety

Learn how to captivate an audience with ease

Capturing an audience’s attention takes practice. 

Over time, great presenters learn how to organize their speeches and captivate an audience from start to finish. They spark curiosity, know how to read a room , and understand what their audience needs to walk away feeling like they learned something valuable.

Regardless of your profession, you most likely use presentation skills on a monthly or even weekly basis. Maybe you lead brainstorming sessions or host client calls. 

Developing effective presentation skills makes it easier to contribute ideas with confidence and show others you’re someone to trust. Although speaking in front of a crowd sometimes brings nerves and anxiety , it also sparks new opportunities.

Presentation skills are the qualities and abilities you need to communicate ideas effectively and deliver a compelling speech. They influence how you structure a presentation and how an audience receives it. Understanding body language , creating impactful visual aids, and projecting your voice all fall under this umbrella.

A great presentation depends on more than what you say. It’s about how you say it. Storytelling , stage presence, and voice projection all shape how well you express your ideas and connect with the audience. These skills do take practice, but they’re worth developing — especially if public speaking makes you nervous. 

Engaging a crowd isn’t easy. You may feel anxious to step in front of an audience and have all eyes and ears on you.

But feeling that anxiety doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t worth sharing. Whether you’re giving an inspiring speech or delivering a monthly recap at work, your audience is there to listen to you. Harness that nervous energy and turn it into progress.

Strong presentation skills make it easier to convey your thoughts to audiences of all sizes. They can help you tell a compelling story, convince people of a pitch , or teach a group something entirely new to them. And when it comes to the workplace, the strength of your presentation skills could play a part in getting a promotion or contributing to a new initiative.

To fully understand the impact these skills have on creating a successful presentation, it’s helpful to look at each one individually. Here are six valuable skills you can develop:

1. Active listening

Active listening is an excellent communication skill for any professional to hone. When you have strong active listening skills, you can listen to others effectively and observe their nonverbal cues . This helps you assess whether or not your audience members are engaged in and understand what you’re sharing. 

Great public speakers use active listening to assess the audience’s reactions and adjust their speech if they find it lacks impact. Signs like slouching, negative facial expressions, and roaming eye contact are all signs to watch out for when giving a presentation.

2. Body language

If you’re researching presentation skills, chances are you’ve already watched a few notable speeches like TED Talks or industry seminars. And one thing you probably noticed is that speakers can capture attention with their body language. 

A mixture of eye contact, hand gestures , and purposeful pacing makes a presentation more interesting and engaging. If you stand in one spot and don’t move your body, the audience might zone out.

3. Stage presence

A great stage presence looks different for everyone. A comedian might aim for more movement and excitement, and a conference speaker might focus their energy on the content of their speech. Although neither is better than the other, both understand their strengths and their audience’s needs. 

Developing a stage presence involves finding your own unique communication style . Lean into your strengths, whether that’s adding an injection of humor or asking questions to make it interactive . To give a great presentation, you might even incorporate relevant props or presentation slides.

4. Storytelling

According to Forbes, audiences typically pay attention for about 10 minutes before tuning out . But you can lengthen their attention span by offering a presentation that interests them for longer. Include a narrative they’ll want to listen to, and tell a story as you go along. 

Shaping your content to follow a clear narrative can spark your audience’s curiosity and entice them to pay careful attention. You can use anecdotes from your personal or professional life that take your audience along through relevant moments. If you’re pitching a product, you can start with a problem and lead your audience through the stages of how your product provides a solution.

5. Voice projection

Although this skill may be obvious, you need your audience to hear what you’re saying. This can be challenging if you’re naturally soft-spoken and struggle to project your voice.

Remember to straighten your posture and take deep breaths before speaking, which will help you speak louder and fill the room. If you’re talking into a microphone or participating in a virtual meeting, you can use your regular conversational voice, but you still want to sound confident and self-assured with a strong tone.

If you’re unsure whether everyone can hear you, you can always ask the audience at the beginning of your speech and wait for confirmation. That way, they won’t have to potentially interrupt you later.

Ensuring everyone can hear you also includes your speed and annunciation. It’s easy to speak quickly when nervous, but try to slow down and pronounce every word. Mumbling can make your presentation difficult to understand and pay attention to.

6. Verbal communication 

Although verbal communication involves your projection and tone, it also covers the language and pacing you use to get your point across. This includes where you choose to place pauses in your speech or the tone you use to emphasize important ideas.

If you’re giving a presentation on collaboration in the workplace , you might start your speech by saying, “There’s something every workplace needs to succeed: teamwork.” By placing emphasis on the word “ teamwork ,” you give your audience a hint on what ideas will follow.

To further connect with your audience through diction, pay careful attention to who you’re speaking to. The way you talk to your colleagues might be different from how you speak to a group of superiors, even if you’re discussing the same subject. You might use more humor and a conversational tone for the former and more serious, formal diction for the latter.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to presenting. Maybe you’re confident in your use of body language, but your voice projection needs work. Maybe you’re a great storyteller in small group settings, but need to work on your stage presence in front of larger crowds. 

The first step to improving presentation skills is pinpointing your gaps and determining which qualities to build upon first. Here are four tips for enhancing your presentation skills:

1. Build self-confidence

Confident people know how to speak with authority and share their ideas. Although feeling good about your presentation skills is easier said than done, building confidence is key to helping your audience believe in what you’re saying. Try practicing positive self-talk and continuously researching your topic's ins and outs.

If you don’t feel confident on the inside, fake it until you make it. Stand up straight, project your voice, and try your best to appear engaged and excited. Chances are, the audience doesn’t know you’re unsure of your skills — and they don’t need to.

Another tip is to lean into your slideshow, if you’re using one. Create something colorful and interesting so the audience’s eyes fall there instead of on you. And when you feel proud of your slideshow, you’ll be more eager to share it with others, bringing more energy to your presentation.

2. Watch other presentations

Developing the soft skills necessary for a good presentation can be challenging without seeing them in action. Watch as many as possible to become more familiar with public speaking skills and what makes a great presentation. You could attend events with keynote speakers or view past speeches on similar topics online.

Take a close look at how those presenters use verbal communication and body language to engage their audiences. Grab a notebook and jot down what you enjoyed and your main takeaways. Try to recall the techniques they used to emphasize their main points, whether they used pauses effectively, had interesting visual aids, or told a fascinating story.

3. Get in front of a crowd

You don’t need a large auditorium to practice public speaking. There are dozens of other ways to feel confident and develop good presentation skills.

If you’re a natural comedian, consider joining a small stand-up comedy club. If you’re an avid writer, participate in a public poetry reading. Even music and acting can help you feel more comfortable in front of a crowd.

If you’d rather keep it professional, you can still work on your presentation skills in the office. Challenge yourself to participate at least once in every team meeting, or plan and present a project to become more comfortable vocalizing your ideas. You could also speak to your manager about opportunities that flex your public speaking abilities.

4. Overcome fear

Many people experience feelings of fear before presenting in front of an audience, whether those feelings appear as a few butterflies or more severe anxiety. Try grounding yourself to shift your focus to the present moment. If you’re stuck dwelling on previous experiences that didn’t go well, use those mistakes as learning experiences and focus on what you can improve to do better in the future.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety 

It’s normal to feel nervous when sharing your ideas. In fact, according to a report from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, public speaking anxiety is prevalent in 15–30% of the general population .

Even though having a fear of public speaking is common, it doesn’t make it easier. You might feel overwhelmed, become stiff, and forget what you were going to say. But although the moment might scare you, there are ways to overcome the fear and put mind over matter.

Use these tactics to reduce your stress when you have to make a presentation:

1. Practice breathing techniques

If you experience anxiety often, you’re probably familiar with breathing techniques for stress relief . Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help you stop worrying and regulate anxious feelings. 

Before a big presentation, take a moment alone to practice breathing techniques, ground yourself, and reduce tension. It’s also a good idea to take breaths throughout the presentation to speak slower and calm yourself down .

2. Get organized

The more organized you are, the more prepared you’ll feel. Carefully outline all of the critical information you want to use in your presentation, including your main talking points and visual aids, so you don’t forget anything. Use bullet points and visuals on each slide to remind you of what you want to talk about, and create handheld notes to help you stay on track.

3. Embrace moments of silence

It’s okay to lose your train of thought. It happens to even the most experienced public speakers once in a while. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, gather your thoughts, and refer to your notes to see where you left off. You can drink some water or make a quick joke to ease the silence or regain your footing. And it’s okay to say, “Give me a moment while I find my notes.” Chances are, people understand the position you’re in.

4. Practice makes progress

Before presenting, rehearse in front of friends and family members you trust. This gives you the chance to work out any weak spots in your speech and become comfortable communicating out loud. If you want to go the extra mile, ask your makeshift audience to ask a surprise question. This tests your on-the-spot thinking and will prove that you can keep cool when things come up.

Whether you’re new to public speaking or are a seasoned presenter, you’re bound to make a few slip-ups. It happens to everyone. The most important thing is that you try your best, brush things off, and work on improving your skills to do better in your next presentation.

Although your job may require a different level of public speaking than your favorite TED Talk , developing presentation skills is handy in any profession. You can use presentation skills in a wide range of tasks in the workplace, whether you’re sharing your ideas with colleagues, expressing concerns to higher-ups, or pitching strategies to potential clients.

Remember to use active listening to read the room and engage your audience with an interesting narrative. Don’t forget to step outside your comfort zone once in a while and put your skills to practice in front of a crowd. After facing your fears, you’ll feel confident enough to put presentation skills on your resume.

If you’re trying to build your skills and become a better employee overall, try a communications coach with BetterUp. 

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7.1: Effective Presentation Skills

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Ensure the slideshow meets the needs of the presentation
• Craft a strong presentation hook
• Identify the key skills for presenting in front of an audience
• Describe the importance of a strong closing

A well-crafted set of slides is essential for an effective presentation. Equally essential are presentation skills. In this first section, we discuss some best practices in presenting. Some people may be apprehensive about presenting in front of a group; others may welcome the challenge. At this point in your academic career, you may have also taken a course in public speaking. Regardless of your prior experience and your feelings about presenting in front of others, some practice and attention to developing your skills as a presenter will be worthwhile. We can all benefit from fine-tuning our public speaking and presenting abilities, even if we are regularly in front of a group. These skills are relevant in all types of meetings, whether in person or virtual.

One of the best ways to improve your presenting is to practice. This can help you work through all of the technological hiccups, as well as set your mind at ease. You should practice in the same space and with the same technology, if possible, as well as practice what you are going to say and your demeanor during the presentation. The importance of this prep work cannot be overemphasized. Consider recording yourself as you are practicing to give you a firsthand look at your presentation skills. This strategy is helpful even if you are presenting fully in person.

Ensuring the Final Presentation Meets Its Goals

In general, to create an effective presentation, you first need to understand the goal or intent of the presentation. Your supervisor may provide those goals, or you may determine them yourself. Regardless, setting your goals first will help you ensure that the look of your slides matches those goals. Presentations can fall into one of the following categories, as outlined in Table 7.1: persuasive, instructional, informational, or inspirational. Knowing the goal of your presentation helps you set the stage for developing the slides and constructing your narrative.

For example, if you want to create a lively, inspirational presentation to encourage the audience to donate to a nonprofit cause, a gray-tone slide presentation dominated by text will not be effective in meeting your goals.

Opening a Presentation

There are many ways to start a presentation to engage your audience. What you do not want to do is jump right into the content or start by simply introducing yourself. You want your audience to be interested and engaged right away and to want to know more about what you are presenting.

To get your audience interested and engaged in the presentation from the get-go, consider developing a strong opener, or hook . A hook is a statement, story, or question designed to get participants’ attention and pique their interest.

For example, if you are presenting WorldCorp’s sales goals, you could begin with a personal anecdote about how you once set a goal and achieved it. Alternatively, you could ask the audience to think about a time when they faced a lofty goal and found a way to overcome the challenges. Be creative—think about a time when you were in a meeting or presentation and found yourself engaged from the beginning. What did that speaker do to get your attention? Did the presentation include compelling statistics? Maybe a short video or bit of humor got your attention. The hook helps set the tone of the entire presentation and can establish rapport with the group. It is your way to connect with the audience from the initial stages of the presentation.

Also, think about your goals and how they are relevant to the type of presentation you are giving. Do you want to inspire the group and leave them with a call to action? Perhaps your presentation is a training session where you will be assessing the participant’s learning at the end. Keeping the type of presentation in mind can help you craft an impactful hook. After you have delivered the hook, transition into the introduction of the slideshow, drawing the connection between the hook and the goal of the slideshow.

Spotlight on Ethics - Inclusivity and Presentations

When delivering presentations, consider the needs of all audience members and ensure accessibility for all individuals, including those with disabilities. Presentations should be designed and delivered in a way that accommodates individuals with visual, hearing, or other impairments, to ensure equal access to information and an inclusive experience. Here is an example:

Imagine WorldCorp is conducting a large-scale conference at which it provides handouts of presentation slides to attendees. In this case, it would be important to consider whether the handouts are available in alternative formats, such as braille or accessible electronic formats. This ensures that individuals with visual impairments can access the same information as everyone else.

Additionally, in the context of delivering presentations, presenters should consider incorporating accessible features in their slides and delivery style. Some key considerations include the following:

• Clear and readable text: Use legible fonts, appropriate font sizes, and high contrast between text and background colors to ensure readability for individuals with visual impairments.
• Alt text for visuals: Provide alternative text descriptions for images, graphs, and charts. This allows individuals with visual impairments who use screen readers to understand the content presented visually.
• Captioning and transcripts: If the presentation involves audio or video elements, provide closed captions or transcripts. This helps individuals with hearing impairments or those who may have difficulty understanding the spoken language.
• Verbal descriptions: When demonstrating visual elements, ensure that the presenter provides verbal descriptions of what is being shown on the screen. This assists individuals who are visually impaired and cannot see the visuals.
• Inclusive language and tone: Use inclusive language, and avoid making assumptions or generalizations that could marginalize or exclude certain groups of individuals.

By considering these guidelines, presenters can create a more inclusive and accessible environment, ensuring that their presentations are accessible to a broader range of individuals.

Key Presentation Skills

Specific skills can vary by the type of presentation. For example, if you are giving a persuasive presentation, you might use more humor than you would in an informational presentation. There is no single standard set of skills that all presenters should possess, and what defines a good presenter versus a bad presenter can be quite subjective. However, there are some skills that pertain in all situations. A good presenter is one who is prepared, professional, and able to communicate effectively with the audience.

First, consider what you are going to wear to the presentation. You should choose attire that is professional and appropriate for the type of presentation you are giving. Make sure you feel comfortable too. Do not wear clothing that you think you will be fidgeting with or accessories that you might handle if you are feeling nervous, such as coins or keys in your pocket. If your hair falls on your face often, you may want to pull it back for the presentation. The fewer distractions there are, the better. Consider the type of footwear you will wear. If you will be moving around the room during the presentation, choose comfortable shoes that you are confident walking in. The type of flooring in the room is also something to consider. Carpet is typically much quieter when walking during the presentation. Certain shoes on tile floors can be quite loud and distracting.

Also, think about the temperature in the room. When you are presenting, you may warm up quickly because of nerves and because you are active. Choose attire that will not show signs of sweat and will not let you become overheated. You might also want to consider what fragrances you typically wear. In a smaller or warm room, strong fragrances can quickly become overwhelming and distracting.

But first and foremost, be on time for your presentation. In fact, you should plan to arrive early. Arriving early will help set your mind at ease and leave time for you to work out any issues that may arise. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least thirty minutes before your presentation is scheduled to start. Get the slideshow set up before any participants arrive, and get prepared to begin. Remember, you will start with your hook. Be sure to use your slides as a supplement to what you are saying. The slides should not be the centerpiece; they are secondary and complementary to what you want to convey. Reference the content on the slides as necessary to keep the audience engaged.

During the presentation, be aware of your body language. You want to appear confident and prepared. Make eye contact with the audience, making sure you look at all sides of the room. Also, you should display body language that shows the audience you are engaged and excited about the presentation. This means good posture, using hand gestures as appropriate, and pausing to make sure the audience is following. There is nothing worse than sitting through a presentation where the speaker appears disengaged and bored. Try not to rely on the slides or your notes too much, and avoid turning your back to the audience. It is acceptable to walk out into the room a bit and not stay in the front of the room or behind a computer desk or podium. However, too much moving around can be distracting to the audience and make you appear nervous and unprepared.

Think about how your voice is coming across to the audience. Have good voice projection without yelling. Maintain a conversational style of speaking, rather than sounding monotone and memorized. Avoid swearing and inappropriate jokes. Be sensitive to audience members and aware of words or phrases that may reflect any bias or discrimination. Use pauses and voice inflection when you want to draw attention to certain parts of the presentation. Throughout the presentation, you can also repeat or rephrase important points for emphasis. Speak slowly and clearly. Keep a bottle of water close in case you need it, especially if you will be speaking for an extended period. If you lose your train of thought or are searching for the next phrase, avoid using filler words such as “uh” and “um.” Instead, try silently counting to yourself for a few moments; this is one strategy that can help you avoid using words to fill pauses. Sometimes a little silence is okay. You do not need to fill every spare moment with speaking.

Again, consider recording yourself presenting to see where you can improve. Use the available technological tools such as the Rehearse with Coach feature in PowerPoint. Your skills and comfort level will improve with practice and preparation. The more you practice and present in front of others, the better you will get at it.

Real-World Application - TED Talks

One way to hone your presentation skills is to watch other presenters. TED Talks are an excellent source. One TED Talk that is often recommended for its exceptional presentation skills and storytelling is “The power of vulnerability” by Brené Brown. In this talk, Brown, a renowned research professor and author, explores the topic of vulnerability and its connection to human connection and personal growth.

Brown’s talk stands out for several reasons:

• Engaging storytelling: Brown captivates the audience with personal anecdotes, humor, and relatable stories that make the topic accessible and relatable to a wide range of people. She uses storytelling as a powerful tool to connect with the audience emotionally.
• Authenticity and vulnerability: As she discusses vulnerability, Brown displays a genuine and vulnerable presence on stage. She shares personal experiences and openly acknowledges her own struggles and fears. This authenticity creates a strong connection with the audience, making her talk even more impactful.
• Research-based content: Brown supports her talk with research findings, which adds credibility and depth to her message. She presents her research in a way that is easily understandable and relatable, helping the audience grasp complex concepts.
• Humor and wit: Brown infuses her talk with humor and wit, using well-timed jokes and lighthearted moments. This keeps the audience engaged and creates a pleasant atmosphere during the presentation.

"The power of vulnerability" has millions of views and has resonated with people worldwide. It serves as an excellent example of how effective storytelling, authenticity, and research-based content can create a powerful and memorable presentation.

Closing a Presentation

Just as you need a strong hook to start off a presentation, you also need a strong closing statement. It should be more than simply a summary of what you discussed in the presentation. Your closing statement should be a few words that leave a lasting, positive impression and that convey the essence of the slideshow. You want your audience to remember the presentation, especially your key points. This is your last chance to bring it all together for the audience.

To prepare your closing statement, start by making a list of the top three to five items you hope the audience will walk away with after listening to your presentation. For Amir’s presentation at WorldCorp, he may want the audience to remember his leadership skills, his teamwork ability, and a few items about his background. In your closing, you can reemphasize these items in a creative way rather than simply listing them one by one. For example, your closing slide might include a collage of pictures that visually represent your main points. If you are giving a persuasive or inspirational presentation, you may want to close with a call to action—what you hope the participants will be motivated to do after hearing your presentation.

For example, if you are giving a presentation to encourage people to donate to a nonprofit organization, in the closing you can specifically ask about how to donate. Another option is to end the presentation with a story or joke that sums up the main points. If you started with a story as your opening hook, you can come back to that story and add more to it. Finally, you may want to use a quote from a famous historical or contemporary figure that encapsulates what you hope the audience will take away from your presentation.

As you can see, there are many ways to close a presentation that go beyond simply ending with a “Thank You” or “Questions” slide. Your main goal should be to get the audience to remember the presentation and the message you set out to convey.

Link to Learning

One technique to engage the audience during a presentation is to tell a story rather than give a speech. People are intrigued by stories. Using this approach encourages your listeners to create mental images. See this blog on storytelling techniques used by the TED presenters for some tips on using storytelling in presentations.

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Presentation Skills: 16 tips for effective presentations

A successful presentation requires good presentation skills and effective presentation techniques. Here we provide you with 15 presentation tips for effective presentations. Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you improve your presentation skills.

Presenting successfully: 16 tips to improve your presentation skills and give a killer presentation 

How do you give a good presentation this is how to succeed.

In order to be able to present successfully, not only the layout and the content of the presentation must be convincing. The decisive step is to convey the content of the presentation to the audience in the best possible way by presenting it correctly. The tips listed below should help you do this by improving your presentation skills. The most important thing to keep in mind is a healthy combination of the tips listed below. (The order of the tips does not give any information about their importance).

Not every tip will lead to a successful presentation. What is important in a presentation?

As mentioned earlier, you should try to implement a combination of the tips to give a successful presentation. It should be noted that not every one of these tips needs to fit in your own presentation. In addition, too many of these tips can make the presentation look overloaded and too "rehearsed". Therefore, think carefully in advance about what you want to pay particular attention to.

Here are 16 tips for killer presentations:

Tip 1: maintain eye contact while presenting and smile.

In order to give each of your listeners the feeling of being important and to make them feel personally addressed, it is particularly important to maintain eye contact with the audience during the presentation. Not only does this exude confidence, but it also helps your audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you feel less nervous.  Easier said than done right? Here's what can help:

Find someone in the audience who seems to be genuinely interested in the topic and is listening attentively (for example, your lecturer). Make eye contact with this person at the beginning of the presentation. Once you start feeling more calm and confident let your gaze drift over the audience to address the other listeners as well. Keep returning your gaze to the initial person to stay calm throughout the whole presentation.

Another alternative is to find a fixed point in the room (preferably on the wall behind the audience) which you fix at the beginning of the presentation. Similar to the first example, after you have achieved confidence, you can let your gaze wander over the audience and return to the previously selected fixed point again and again.

Don't look at the screen! Don't look at the floor! Don't just look at your index cards! Don't just look at the laptop!

Tip 2: Use of gestures and facial expressions

To emphasize the content of your presentation, it is advisable to use appropriate gestures and body language to get your message across. Avoid crossed arms, hands behind your back, or in your pockets during a presentation.  Always stand up straight, and try not to appear tense or stressed. You can do that by using your hands and arms to emphasize what you are saying and get your message across.  Your facial expressions should always be friendly and open. Smile and show that you enjoy the topic and you are confident in the information you are presenting.

Tip 3: Avoid distractions

Often you will not be able to avoid the use of aids. For example, you may need to use a laser pointer to show something on the screen, or you may need to use a pen to write something down on a flipchart. To avoid distractions for you and the audience, get into the habit of putting down tools you don't need! That way you will not be tempted to deal with them in the first place. You will also have your hands free for gestures.

Tip 4: Be prepared: Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect, right? If you prepare well before the presentation, you will feel more relaxed and confident while presenting and it will also improve your body language. 

Here are some ways to help you prepare for a presentation:

Rehearse in front of a crowd

Time yourself

Record yourself

Tip 5: Be confident

By appearing self-confident, you convey to the listener that you are confident in your topic and have prepared yourself sufficiently. Try to relax and not appear too stressed or nervous. Another tip for advanced speakers: Step out in front of the podium and walk around the room and get closer to the audience. This also exudes self-confidence and helps in attracting your audience's attention.

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Tip 6: Effective beginning/end

Good presentation skills can help you in captivating your audience straight away. In order to do that, you should start your presentation with a bang. Many studies show that if you can capture someone’s interest straight away, there’s a good chance they’ll listen to the rest of the presentation. Shock the audience, ask them to imagine something or think of a what-if situation, share a personal story, share a joke, u se a quote, or a video. You should also give an overview of the time and structure of your presentation. This outline should run through your presentation so that you can always assign the individual contents to an outline point. It is also helpful for your audience to have the outline displayed in a slimmed-down form during the whole presentation.

How you end the presentation is as important as how you start it. A weak ending will leave the audience uninspired. But a good ending will motivate them and help them walk away on a positive note. For example, include a call to action, end the presentation with a memorable quote, or a personal story, and don't forget to thank and acknowledge the audience. 

Tip 7: Speak freely

The headline speaks for itself. To make the presentation as lively and enjoyable as possible, you should avoid reading it off. Speak freely, slowly, and clearly. If you are not yet confident in what you are presenting, try using note cards. But keep in mind: No continuous text, but only short, concise bullet points! If you use note cards to support you, it is especially advisable at this point to memorize at least the beginning and end of your presentation, as eye contact is crucial at these points.

Tip 8: Avoid filler words

In order to make your presentation flow as smoothly and confidently as possible, you should avoid using filler words such as "um," "so," and so on. For your listeners, these words convey insecurity and inadequate preparation.

Tip 9: Bring along something to share

In addition to a handout, other small takeaways can also significantly improve your presentation. For example, if you are giving a presentation on gummy bears, why not offer some to your audience? If you are giving a presentation about your fishing hobby, why not show the audience your fishing equipment?

Tip 10: Use different types of media

A presentation can quickly become boring and monotonous. To avoid this, it is advisable to use different types of media. For example, combine videos and flipcharts, use the whiteboard, or show something practical on a model. This will increase the attention of your audience enormously and will help in keeping them engaged until the end.

Tip 11: Use effective pauses

When giving a presentation, you should keep in mind that you have already heard the content several times - your audience probably hasn't! Therefore, give your audience enough time to read and understand the content of your slides.

Effective use of speech pauses is a master technique. It is one of the most versatile tools in a presenter's toolbox. Yet very few people perform it well. A pause, if used correctly, can add a great deal to your presentation or speech. Pause before, during, or after saying something that you would like to emphasize. Pausing between two different parts of your presentation can indicate to the audience that something new is coming. A quick pause could also help you in remembering your next point, without the audience noticing that you forgot what to say.

Tip 12: Speak the language of the audience

When creating your presentation, you should already think about your target audience. This will help you present successfully later on. It is especially important that you speak the language of the audience. Use appropriate and relevant examples. Use "strong" and meaningful words in short sentences to avoid losing the audience. Make sure to use appropriate analogies and anecdotes and avoid foreign words, empty phrases, and clichés. If you have to use foreign words, explain them in a handout or footnote within the presentation.

Tip 13: Engage with the audience

Always try to keep the attention of your audience and keep them engaged during a presentation. To do this, it is advisable to regularly involve the audience. One way to do this is to ask questions. Deliberately ask "easy" questions so that can easily be answered by your audience. Another way to involve the audience in your presentation is by interacting with them. To make a point clearer, you can use an example to explain it in more detail, using a person (whose name you should know). You can address participants directly and refer to their work.

Tip 14: Don't fight the stage fright & take deep breaths

Stage fright is one of the biggest enemies of a presentation, yet you shouldn't let yourself be a victim of your feat. Do not fight it, rather address your fear and try and accept it, and transform it into positive enthusiasm. Don't let your stage fright get you all worked up and nervous. Take a couple of deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

Tip 15: Choose the right angle on standing during a presentation

One of the most frequent questions that speakers ask themselves during a presentation is, how do I best position myself, and where do I stand in front of the audience?

You have a free stage without a podium

In many cases, you will be facing your audience in a "free space", without a podium. This gives you a lot of room to move, but at the same time, it creates uncertainty because you don't know how to position yourself properly or how to move. Avoid standing frontally in front of the audience! This frontal facing is unconsciously perceived negatively by the audience. It is perceived by the audience as a kind of frontal attack and causes stress in your audience. Make sure to stand slightly to the side of the audience. If you notice during the presentation that you are again standing frontally in front of your audience, simply move your right or left foot 20 cm forward.

You have a podium at your disposal

A podium makes it easier to decide how to position yourself and where to stand in front of the audience. In order not to make your presentation too monotonous, it is advisable to leave the "safe position" behind the lectern from time to time, e.g. to walk to the other side of the screen or to show something on the flipchart. This brings movement into your presentation and helps keep the connection with your audience.

Tip 16: Create something with the whiteboard during the lecture

PowerPoint is no longer the tool of choice for a successful presentation. Photo collages, company logos on every slide and flashing text boxes often distract from the essentials. A presentation convinces the audience especially when they witness how something is being created. In addition to the classic flipchart, the whiteboard is recommended for this purpose. This is because diagrams, keywords and the results of a brainstorming session are written in real time on a whiteboard. Board markers allow a wide range of colors and the magnetic property of pinning additional information. The result of the presentation produced in this way is remembered longer than ready-made slides.

Björn Rolleter

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• DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx235
• Corpus ID: 7526699

Effective presentation skills

• Robert Dolan
• Published in FEMS Microbiology Letters 29 December 2017

15 Citations

Enhancing learners’ awareness of oral presentation (delivery) skills in the context of self-regulated learning, positive effects of a programme on oral presentation skills: high- and low-proficient learners’ self-evaluations and perspectives, determining presentation skills gaps among healthcare professionals, importance of presentation skills in contemporary business, using english in presentation skills for personal and professional endeavors in the multicultural setting, developing virtual communication skills in online learning based on modified pbl during the covid-19 pandemic, developing presentation skills in the esp course for students majoring in control systems and robotics, evaluation of students’ feedback after neonatal immediate care and basic resuscitation cooperative learning course, the influences of “public speaking-attractive training” to the public speaking anxiety (psa), the effect of public speaking training on students’ speaking anxiety and skill, related papers.

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Presentation Skills

Course overview.

Many studies have found that public speaking is the number one fear amongst most people, outranking flying, snakes, spiders and even death. Ironically, it is also an important skill to master for personal and professional development. Our Presentation Skills program will give participants the skills they need to make speaking in front of a group less terrifying - and even enjoyable!

During this training program, participants will engage in discussions, activities and practices around these program topics:

• Understand different types of presentations (i.e. informative, persuasive, problem-solving, etc).
• Learn best practices for preparing and delivering successful presentations, from design to delivery.
• Feel capable and confident when presenting to different audiences.
• Know time management tips and techniques to deliver a relevant, applicable and engaging presentation.
• Create and manage presentations by utilizing current technology.
• Understand how to tailor presentations to specific audiences utilizing Adult Learning Principles.

Learning Outcomes

• Increase the clarity of the presentation to quicken audience engagement
• Deliver relevant presentations that generate true interest
• Learn to prepare and deliver effective presentations every time
• Increase confidence, presence and enjoyment of public speaking

Business Outcomes

Increased clarity of communication, deliver presentations that make an impact, effectively provide information that generates trust, engaged employees through purposeful and productive presentations, program format.

One-to-Two-day onsite instructor-led sessions that can be split into shorter sessions to accommodate schedules.

Live Remote Training options are also available.

Presented in a multi-media, fun, interactive manner with group exercises to engage participants.

Materials and job aids to support additional learning reinforcement.     

Contact us to explore how we can meet your training goals! [email protected] / 800-888-4893

Who should attend?

This workshop can be customized to train your salespeople, in-house trainers, leaders and anyone that is tasked with giving a presentation.

Acquire presentation techniques that create a lasting impression on your employees.

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Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial

As part of their academic studies and future career, students may be required to develop and deliver oral presentations. Students may also have opportunities to present a class project, thesis, or dissertation, to give a presentation at a student organization meeting, or to present their proposed project to a client. How they prepare, develop, and deliver presentations to communicate effectively can help them achieve their goal and make a good impression on their audience. According to Lucanus (2017), “Communication skills are vital for a student’s academic success and future career prospects.” Others have also noted that communication is a prominent attribute and core competency for graduates (Stevens, Mills, Kuchel, 2019; Jones, Yates, Kelder 2011; American Association for the Advancement of Science 2009).

Developing and delivering a presentation doesn’t need to be a lot of work compared to writing a report. However, presentations can make a more immediate impression. Northern Illinois University has a new online resource that provides guidance, support, and recommendations to promote quality oral presentation skills. The Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial is now available for graduate and undergraduate students. The tutorial offers six major topics related to developing and delivering effective presentations, including 1) preparing for the presentation, 2) organizing the presentation, 3) designing effective presentation materials, 4) rehearsing the presentation, 5) delivering the presentation, and 6) handling questions and answers.

In an example where the discussion focuses on the value of a speaker knowing their audience, the tutorial provides contrasting video clips demonstrating speakers who are presenting at a level that is either appropriate or inappropriate for their audience.

This tutorial was design to incorporate a number of features that enhance the learning experience. Users are not required to log in, and no information is collected, stored, or shared. Users can scroll through a topic of a tutorial to study or review the content, advance to the next or a previous topic area, or simply use the convenient Tutorial Sections menu to navigate to a desired topic. Users can also view the embedded video clips, which are closed captioned, to demonstrate and reinforce specific concepts. There is also a Presentation Skills quiz that users can take to test the knowledge they gained from the tutorial. The tutorial also provides additional resources, including a presentation preparation checklist and a list of common reasons for ineffective presentations.  The Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial can be viewed either on a desktop or laptop computer or on mobile devices.

The material was compiled, formatted, and recorded as a tutorial by staff from the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, faculty and students of the School of Theater and Dance, and the former Integrated Media Technologies. In addition, the project was partially funded by the Committee for the Improvement of Undergraduate Education at Northern Illinois University.

American Association for the Advancement of Science 2009. “Cultivating Biological Literacy.” In  Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology: A Call to Action , edited by C.A. Brewer and D Smith, 10–19. Washington, DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Jones, S., B. Yates, and J. Kelder. 2011.  Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Project: Science. Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Statement . Sydney: Australian Learning and Teaching Council. http://www.acds-tlcc.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2015/02/altc_standards_SCIENCE_240811_v3_final.pdf

Lucanus, A. (2017, November 21). Oral Communication Skills are Important for Students. Retrieved from https://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/oral-communication-skills-are-important-for-students/

Stevens, S., R. Mills, L. Kuchel.(2019, Feb. 20) Teaching communication in general science degrees: highly valued but missing the mark. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education. Retrieved from   https://srhe.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02602938.2019.1578861?needAccess=true#.XHg1IKJKhaQ

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

 We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

• Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
• Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
• Doubting when asked to answer a question
• Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious.  Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task. 

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

• What do you do 
• What’s the problem to solve
• Why is your solution different from others 
• Why should the audience care about your expertise

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

• Identifying problems and needs
• Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
• Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
• Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
• Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
• Handling rejection
• Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
• Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
• Having confidence
• Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

• Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
• Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions. 

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise. 

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

• Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
• Patience and a constant learning mindset
• Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
• Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
• Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember. 

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury. 

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

• Attention to detail
• Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
• Creative thinking
• Powerful diction
• Working on pauses and transitions
• Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

• Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
• Putting ego aside
• Creative communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
• Voice training
• Using powerful words

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic. 

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

• Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
• Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
• Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
• Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it). 

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.  

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

• A PDF not opening
• Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
• A computer not booting up
• Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
• Not knowing how to change between slides
• Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
• Internet not working
• Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design). 

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech. 

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process. 

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up. 

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

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The 8 key leadership skills you need to know in 2024

Anyone can be placed in a leadership role, but  to be good and thrive in that position requires solid leadership skills . Leadership skills are typically at the top of the list of competencies that recruiters focus on when hiring, or when managers are promoted from within an organization.

Effective leadership skills are crucial, both in a professional and personal capacity and are vital in facilitating effective team dynamics, driving success, managing change, and promoting personal and professional development.

Some of the world’s largest companies hunt for people with well-honed leadership skills to fill their most sought after executive positions.

8 key leadership skills you need to know about:

• Relationship building
• Agility and adaptability
• Innovation and creativity
• Employee motivation
• Decision-making
• Conflict management
• Negotiation
• Critical Thinking

1. Relationship building (the foundation of a high-performing team)

Some leaders will say they that they do not need to be loved in the workplace to succeed. This may be true, but to build a cohesive and more engaged team, great managers need the  leadership skills  to forge strong working relationships with their employees.

Leaders with strong, trusting and authentic relationships with their teams know that investing time in building these bonds makes them more effective as a leader, and creates a foundation for success.

Good working relationships increase employee engagement and according to Gallup’s meta-analysis of employee engagement, business units with good employee engagement have 41% fewer quality defects and 37% less absenteeism. A 21% increase in productivity was also seen to result from higher employee engagement.

So even if you think you don’t need to be loved in the workplace, you will definitely need to be skilled in building good relationships in order to be an  effective leader.  

If your team is highly engaged and happy in the workplace, you are likely to be well  respected as a leader  with employees who love what they do, and hopefully the strong relationships you cultivate will help your team perform at their highest level.

Tips for leaders to navigate relationships in the workplace »

2. Agility and adaptability (stay at the cutting edge as a leader)

In a study conducted by Development Dimensions International in 2008, one of the most important leadership qualities, was the ability to facilitate change. Fast-forward to 2024, adaptability is  one of the most important  leadership skills. 

Leaders need to contend with a hyper-competitive business environment, geo-politics, climate change, the changes advanced by the COVID-19 pandemic and many more factors, all of which require leaders to adapt and develop agility.

Effective leaders must be able to adapt to both internal, and external changes – even if that means working outside of your comfort zone. As a leader you need to develop a lifelong learning mentality to ensure that you are not left behind by shifts in your industry, and can give your business the competitive edge. This is where as a leader you need to be agile and adaptable, which is easier said than done.

One key way to develop  leadership agility and adaptability  is to be accountable and assume your responsibilities, making sure that you have laid out a plan on how you should respond to change.

This plan should contain an achievable timeline, allowing you to constantly check your progress on how well you are adapting to the change and how you are exemplifying this to your team.

Read IMD article on agile leadership in an age of digital disruption »

3. Innovation and creativity (learn to push your boundaries)

Innovation in leadership  is of utmost importance for every company. Successful innovation begins with ideation — the phase where outstanding ideas are developed and become the foundation of innovation success.

Consider some of the industry leaders, what did it take for Apple to become a leader technology industry? They made innovations to products with their customers in mind.

Steve Jobs, and perhaps even more so Tim Cook led the innovation and creativity for Apple Inc. by continuously forging ahead of the competition, and this probably made them some of the most  innovative leaders  within the tech industry.

The increasing demand for creativity and innovation will continue to be a driving force for executives, as  who must harness their leadership skills in these areas to be effective and competitive.

4. Employee motivation (improve engagement and efficiency)

In close connection with relationship building, the ability to  motivate your workforce  is as important as keeping employee engagement high. One of the most effective  leadership skills  is knowing how to continuously motivate employees, which requires leaders to be connected to their teams and attentive to what is going on around them.

In a study done by the firm Interact on 10,000 employees in the US which cited that the number 1 complaint (63%) from employees concerning their managers is lack of appreciation, and, conversely, when managers appreciate their contribution, their engagement increases by 60%.

In another study by Westminster College, it was found that boosting morale is the top (32%) motivational technique employees prefer. If employees are not motivated, the company can be negatively affected (financially) with absenteeism, attrition and low productivity.

Motivated employees are much more engaged, they are also more self-confident in what they do, and can do. This leads them to know how to react in difficult situations and develop innovative ideas that could help optimize business performance.

5. Decision-making (leading with conviction)

A leader is tasked with making decisions all the time. To be an effective leader, those  decision making skills  need to be top notch. Critical decisions affecting your organization on a large scale need to be sound, rational and solid.

In reality, your decisions as a leader will determine your – and potentially your organization’s – success. Making decisions, however big or small, are a fundamental part of Leadership, as a leader you need to develop strong decision-making skills and have the conviction to  stand by your decisions,  whilst also recognizing the need to adapt when those decisions do not lead to the desired outcome. It is a unique balancing act.

Remember, some decisions may not always be favorable. Making an unpopular but necessary decision is probably one of the most difficult tasks as a leader, but it is vital that as a leader you are able to recognize your responsibilities and make clear decisions for your team or organization.

📝 Try an exercise for better decision making »

6. Conflict management (keeping the peace)

According to the American Management Association, managers spend at least 24% of their time managing conflict. Conflict can happen in any area of business.

A conflict is considered to be any issue between two or more individuals that can potentially disrupt work. Conflict in business may go beyond the workplace as it can involve customers, suppliers and even competitors.

When a conflict arises, an  effective leader  should be able to jump in and resolve or at least mitigate the conflict before it affects the business negatively. When properly dealt with, a conflict may even turn out to be positive for your organization, as it can often lead to stronger bonds or new ideas.

To be effective as a leader, you must be good at identifying conflict, and have foresight on how to resolve it. It is also essential to be rational when faced with confrontation. Conflict management is no doubt one of the most important leadership competencies but Robyn Short cited a study that found 60% of U.S. employees have not received any conflict management skills training.

As a leader, it is important that you are able to manage conflict, but developing these same skills in your team can help avoid conflict altogether.

How to manage conflict: Six essentials from a former FBI hostage negotiator »

7. Negotiation (winning the game)

Negotiation is a process where two parties with different ideals get together and mutually agree on what an outcome should be. According to Skills You Need, the process of negotiation involves 6 stages:

• Preparation
• Clarification of goals
• Negotiation towards a Win-Win outcome
• Implementation of a course of action

Good negotiations can be beneficial to an organization because they will build better relationships, both internally and externally. They will also help find the best long-term solution by getting the most out of two different sides. An effective leader must be well versed in his negotiation style to move an organization forward.

As a leader, negotiation is used to understand the interests of your employees and to find ways of satisfying those interests, in order to achieve organizational goals.

Tips on using negotiation to achieve positive outcomes »

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8. Critical Thinking (understand the links between ideas)

Leading a business is unquestionably challenging. To be successful, a leader must make a lot of difficult decisions, often under pressure. Research by the Brandon Hall Group shows that  critical thinking  is the most important skill required of leaders to successfully lead an organization.

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly, whilst building a logical connection between different ideas. Critical thinkers are often intelligent decision makers, highly analytical and generally always rational. Critical thinking is a learned skill, and generally involves three steps:

Step 1 – Frame

Complex problems are rarely what they appear to be on first look. To better understand what you are dealing with, frame the problem by asking yourself “What is my problem?” Hint: you can safely assume that whatever you think your problem is right now probably isn’t your actual problem.

Step 2 – Explore

Do not rely on intuition. No matter how much faith you have in your own judgment, if you rely strictly on your instincts you will miss the opportunity to see things from an alternative perspective. Instead, explore potential solutions. That is, ask yourself “How may I solve my problem?” It is equally important to explore what matters to you; that is, the various attributes of a solution that would make it more attractive to you.

Step 3 – Decide

In most cases, one solution isn’t consistently superior to all others on all attributes. To make your decision, answer your question, “How should I solve my problem?” Surface the trade-offs for each solution, identifying what you are ready to give away that you value so that you can get a little more of something else that you value even more.

Frame, explore, decide, or FrED, for short. For most complex problems, your understanding of the problem changes as you progress through the analysis. The three steps aren’t so much a linear sequence as they are elements of an iterative loop. Do not hesitate to revise previous conclusions as new evidence surfaces.

Typically,  critical thinkers will rigorously question ideas and assumptions, they will always seek to determine whether the ideas, arguments and findings represent the true picture and are commonly able to recognize inconsistencies and errors in reasoning to achieve the desired outcome.

Sharpen your critical thinking skills with IMD »

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• PRESENTATION SKILLS

Top Tips for Effective Presentations

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Presentation Skills:

• A - Z List of Presentation Skills
• General Presentation Skills
• What is a Presentation?
• Preparing for a Presentation
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• Coping with Presentation Nerves
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• How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
• 7 Qualities of Good Speakers That Can Help You Be More Successful
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How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

This page draws on published advice from expert presenters around the world, which will help to take your presentations from merely ‘good’ to ‘great’.

By bringing together advice from a wide range of people, the aim is to cover a whole range of areas.

Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you to improve.

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

It’s hard to be relaxed and be yourself when you’re nervous.

But time and again, the great presenters say that the most important thing is to connect with your audience, and the best way to do that is to let your passion for the subject shine through.

Be honest with the audience about what is important to you and why it matters.

Be enthusiastic and honest, and the audience will respond.

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

Your presentation needs to be built around what your audience is going to get out of the presentation.

As you prepare the presentation, you always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what you can tell them.

While you’re giving the presentation, you also need to remain focused on your audience’s response, and react to that.

You need to make it easy for your audience to understand and respond.

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question:

What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away?

You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly.

Some experts recommend a 30-second ‘elevator summary’, others that you can write it on the back of a business card, or say it in no more than 15 words.

Whichever rule you choose, the important thing is to keep your core message focused and brief.

And if what you are planning to say doesn’t contribute to that core message, don’t say it.

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

This sounds very easy, but a surprisingly large number of presenters fail to do it.

If you smile and make eye contact, you are building rapport , which helps the audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you to feel less nervous, because you are talking to individuals, not to a great mass of unknown people.

To help you with this, make sure that you don’t turn down all the lights so that only the slide screen is visible. Your audience needs to see you as well as your slides.

5. Start Strongly

The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience’s attention and hold it.

They will give you a few minutes’ grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you’re dull. So don’t waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them.

Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide.

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should:

• Contain no more than 10 slides;
• Last no more than 20 minutes; and
• Use a font size of no less than 30 point.

This last is particularly important as it stops you trying to put too much information on any one slide. This whole approach avoids the dreaded ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

As a general rule, slides should be the sideshow to you, the presenter. A good set of slides should be no use without the presenter, and they should definitely contain less, rather than more, information, expressed simply.

If you need to provide more information, create a bespoke handout and give it out after your presentation.

7. Tell Stories

Human beings are programmed to respond to stories.

Stories help us to pay attention, and also to remember things. If you can use stories in your presentation, your audience is more likely to engage and to remember your points afterwards. It is a good idea to start with a story, but there is a wider point too: you need your presentation to act like a story.

Think about what story you are trying to tell your audience, and create your presentation to tell it.

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

To effectively tell a story, focus on using at least one of the two most basic storytelling mechanics in your presentation:

Focusing On Characters – People have stories; things, data, and objects do not. So ask yourself “who” is directly involved in your topic that you can use as the focal point of your story.

For example, instead of talking about cars (your company’s products), you could focus on specific characters like:

• The drivers the car is intended for – people looking for speed and adventure
• The engineers who went out of their way to design the most cost-effective car imaginable

A Changing Dynamic – A story needs something to change along the way. So ask yourself “What is not as it should be?” and answer with what you are going to do about it (or what you did about it).

For example…

• Did hazardous road conditions inspire you to build a rugged, all-terrain jeep that any family could afford?
• Did a complicated and confusing food labelling system lead you to establish a colour-coded nutritional index so that anybody could easily understand it?

To see 15 more actionable storytelling tips, see Nuts & Bolts Speed Training’s post on Storytelling Tips .

8. Use your Voice Effectively

The spoken word is actually a pretty inefficient means of communication, because it uses only one of your audience’s five senses. That’s why presenters tend to use visual aids, too. But you can help to make the spoken word better by using your voice effectively.

Varying the speed at which you talk, and emphasising changes in pitch and tone all help to make your voice more interesting and hold your audience’s attention.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

9. Use your Body Too

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of communication is non-verbal.

That means that as well as your tone of voice, your body language is crucial to getting your message across. Make sure that you are giving the right messages: body language to avoid includes crossed arms, hands held behind your back or in your pockets, and pacing the stage.

Make your gestures open and confident, and move naturally around the stage, and among the audience too, if possible.

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

If you find presenting difficult, it can be hard to be calm and relaxed about doing it.

One option is to start by concentrating on your breathing. Slow it down, and make sure that you’re breathing fully. Make sure that you continue to pause for breath occasionally during your presentation too.

For more ideas, see our page on Coping with Presentation Nerves .

If you can bring yourself to relax, you will almost certainly present better. If you can actually start to enjoy yourself, your audience will respond to that, and engage better. Your presentations will improve exponentially, and so will your confidence. It’s well worth a try.

Improve your Presentation Skills

Follow our guide to boost your presentation skills learning about preparation, delivery, questions and all other aspects of giving effective presentations.

Start with: What is a Presentation?

Continue to: How to Give a Speech Self Presentation

See also: Five Ways You Can Do Visual Marketing on a Budget Can Presentation Science Improve Your Presentation? Typography – It’s All About the Message in Your Slides