PSUK understand that not everyone might be as fluent at presentations as the next person. So we have compiled our top tips to help you along the way to becoming a confident and successful presenter.

 

Write It Down

The best way to help you along with you presentation is to write down key bullet points to talk about on small cards. This way, if you stumble or lose your way, you can glance down at these and pick up from where you were. But remember, don’t read from them! If you can memorise as much as possible and just use them as a reference.

 

Practice

Record yourself doing a run through of your presentation. You can look back over this and then see areas that might be weaker than the rest and in turn, improve on these areas. Use it to build up your confidence with speaking in front of an audience.

 

Don’t Leave Everything Until Last Minute

Leave more than the night before to prepare for the presentation. You want it to go well and to impress your audience so leave plenty of time to prepare and practice.

 

Prepare The Room You’re Using In Advance

Get to know the space that you’re going to be working in. Run through everything prior to the presentation and make sure that all equipment in working ok. The last thing you want is to arrive on the day and not know how to use the equipment or trip over a loose piece of carpet!

 

Try Not To Over Prepare

You don’t want your presentation to look too rehearsed so pick a few key points, as well as your opening and closing to be memorable to your audience.

Be Yourself

Use the skills you already have and use them to your advantage. Be expressive and use gestures to connect with your audience. Show enthusiasm for what you’re talking about and this will be conveyed to who you’re presenting to.

 

Be Nervous But Not Too Nervous

A certain amount of nerves is a positive thing. The extra energy will encourage you to do well and overcome the nerves you’re feeling. Remember to breathe and to stay relaxed because as soon as you become uptight and stiff, this will be obvious to your audience.

 

Find Something To Do With Your Hands

Its proven that your body will feel better when you have something else to do, to take your mind off what you’re doing slightly. By picking up and holding something as simple as a pen, your nerves will be displaced and make you feel more relaxed. Just don’t over fiddle and distract yourself and your audience.

Go Slow And Pace Yourself

Nerves and adrenaline will naturally cause you to speed up what you’re doing, even if you might feel that you’re going at a normal speed. Slow it all down to a steady pace to avoid babbling and losing the attention of your audience.

 

Use Visual Aids

Using graphics and charts, along with key points and phrases will help to strengthen your message. This will grab the attention of your audience more than it would if you’re just speaking at them.

Use Examples And Metaphors

Using examples and metaphors will help you connect with your audience on a whole other level and will create a different kind of understanding between both parties.

 

Interact

Observe your audience, look for facial changes and gauge reactions. Engaging with people will prove effective in providing your audience with what they want to hear. Get them to converse with you and use their feedback to propel your point further. This will also help you know that you’re heading in the right direction.

Use Pauses

Pauses in a presentation can be very effective and give your listeners time to think about what you’re saying. They need to be poignant and well places, ensuring maximum impact. But be careful not to pause for too long.

 

Leave Handouts

A lot of time and effort has gone into preparing your presentation so leave some handouts containing key information. This will help to reinforce your message and give your audience something to read over and think about after the presentation has finished. Always leave your contact details on the handouts so should anyone have any further questions for you, they can contact you directly in the future.

 

Feedback

Get it from the people who you practice in front of and from your final audience. This can then help you to improve and get better with your presentation skills for next time. Also remember to never take criticism too much to heart, use it to make yourself better.