Top tips on effective presentations

Did you know that fear of presenting (or glossophobia) frequently appears alongside other fears such as heights, enclosed spaces and failure?   Acquiring the right presentation skills can help overcome this fear.

Maybe part of this fear is driven by that the fact that delivering a great presentation is more than just speaking in front of a crowd — it’s about capturing attention, delivering a clear message, and leaving a lasting impact.  

In this blog, we share top tips on presenting effectively –  helping you engage your audience, communicate with clarity and deliver your message with impact.  

Overcoming the dread of presenting

The thought of presenting in front of a group of people (whether face-to-face or virtually) can be a daunting prospect, bringing on feelings of dread. If we are dreading the prospect of presenting, then these negative feelings can turn into physical responses such as shallow breathing or freezing on the spot. So, our mindset is key. 

Whether you’re proposing an idea, leading a meeting, or speaking at an event, strengthening your presentation skills can elevate your influence and boost your confidence.  

Top tips to elevate your presentation skills

Managing nerves  

• Rehearse: Do this out loud, time yourself, practice in front of a trusted friend or colleague.

• Breathe! This will help you to slow down your thoughts and steady your voice. Take a few deep breaths in and out before you start. 

• Shift your focus: Stop worrying about what might go wrong and instead, visualise the ending of your presentation. Think positive thoughts they will be feeling like that was a good use of their time or they will have enjoyed it and asked lots of questions which means they were listening.

• Scan your audience: At the very start, look at everyone, take in the moment and tell yourself, this is going to be a great opportunity. 

Preparation and structure 

• Tailor your messages: Find out what your audience need to know and adapt your presentation accordingly.

• Start strong: Your opening needs to grab their attention. Try to avoid “my name is Bob and I’m here to tell you about X”. Is there a short anecdote or story that you can tell at the start? Is there a small fact or statistic that will engage your audience? 

• Keep it simple: Focus on three to five key points rather than overwhelming your audience with too much information. 

• Use a clear structure: A strong beginning, a middle section that covers your key points and an impactful closing.

Engaging your audience

• Use your voice: Speak clearly and vary your tone to maintain interest. 

• Pause for impact: Where there is an important point to make, pause to emphasise this and to give your audience time to absorb the message/s. 

• Body language: Stand up straight to open airways and vocal chords. Avoid fidgeting with an object in your hand, instead plant your hands in front of you, together and then use them to emphasise your messages. 

• Encourage interaction: Ask questions, use polls or invite conversation to keep people involved. 

 Closing

• Keep it strong: By all means summarise your key points – it’s important to articulate the one or two things that you want them to remember. 

• Invite Q&A: Listen carefully, repeat the question for clarity and keep your answers concise. If you don’t know, state that you will find out the information. 

Tailored presentation skills training

Strong presentation skills are essential for making a lasting impact, whether you’re speaking to clients, colleagues or senior leaders. At People Business we deliver highly interactive training that focuses on both skill and confidence development.   

We tailor the content to suit your needs. Typically, the content of this training might include learning how to structure your message for maximum clarity, using storytelling to enhance engagement and managing nerves to project confidence. We are advocates of using body language and voice modulation to build personal confidence and style. We maximise the time for hands-on practice and personalised feedback, so that you can refine your delivery style and gain the skills needed to present with poise and impact.  

 If you would like to discuss improving your presentation skills, do get in touch and one of our consultants would be happy to have a chat.