Top Ten Tips For Effective Presentations

In this lesson, I share my top ten tips for making effective presentations and I give some additional tips on using slides. Enjoy watching and let me know what your favourite presentation tips are!
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The Tips:
1.) Write everything down first
Put all your ideas down on paper before you start thinking about Powerpoint or other visuals. When you have all your ideas down on paper, try to structure them in a logical way. Take your time and write several drafts of your script until you’re happy with everything. Ask a friend, family member or a colleague to read your script and give you feedback.
2.) Have a clear beginning, middle and end
At the start, tell your audience what you’re going to talk about and why it’s relevant for them. In the middle, go into more detail about your key points. At the end, quickly summarise and tell your audience what you told them, then in your conclusion remind them why the topic is relevant and try to leave them with a message they will remember. And finally, thank your audience and invite them to ask questions
3.) Make an impact in your opening
Why not try something different in your opening? If you do something different, it can help you to get your audience’s attention quicker. If you can make an impact at the start, the audience will probably stay interested for longer – hopefully until the end.
4.) Using slides
Don't use too much text
Make sure that the font size is not too small
Check your slides for spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes
Use blank slides
This can be very effective to get your audience’s attention. Use a blank slide at moments in your presentation when you really want the audience to listen and take in what you’re saying. It can be especially effective when you’re making your conclusion.
5.) Use pauses
Pauses can help your audience to take in what you’re saying – they can also help your audience to follow your presentation and stay focussed – pause for 1-2 seconds to show that you’re finished with one topic and that you’re getting ready to start with the next topic.
Pause for 1- 2 seconds after asking a rhetorical question or sharing a surprising or shocking fact.
Try writing your pauses into your notes so you remember exactly when you want to include them.
6.) Know your audience and anticipate questions
Find out as much as you can about your audience so you can tailor your presentation and make it relevant to them. Think carefully about who they are. Think about what questions they might ask.
7.) Choose a topic that you are enthusiastic about
If you can choose the topic, make sure it’s one you’re interested in and can be enthusiastic about. Your enthusiasm will have a positive effect on your audience, will help them to focus and will make you more confident and relaxed.
On the other hand, if you can’t choose the topic, try to make it your own. Is there anything about it you can relate to – can you turn it into a story that you are excited to tell?
8.) Record yourself
Use a video camera or smartphone to make a video of yourself giving the presentation. Watch the video and check your body language and your voice. Are you moving around too much? Are you playing with your hands? Does your voice sound monotone? How’s your intonation – is your voice rising and falling at the right times? Are you pausing when you planned to?
9.) Arrive early and check equipment
Give yourself enough time to arrive at the location and also to get a feel for the room and to know the layout. Where are you going to stand? Is all of the technical equipment you need working correctly? Is there someone there to help you get set up if you need it?
10.) Be Yourself
Don’t be afraid to show your personality while presenting. Being yourself will help you to feel relaxed and confident. If your confidence comes across to the audience, they’ll be more engaged and this could play a big part in the success of your presentation. If you’re very well-prepared and have practised a lot, then you should feel more relaxed and be able to be yourself and engage with your audience.
Being yourself when presenting does take practise, but it really is something you should always aim for.
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Music credits:
Intro music: Far Away by MK2
Background music: Honey and Milk by The 126ers