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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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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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Ideas and insights from Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning

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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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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Presentation Skills: 50 Tips & Examples to Improve Yours

If you’re looking for practical strategies that you can use on your presentation today, then you’ll love this article.

Inside, you’ll get access to:

– A presentation skills “checklist” infographic – A complete guide breaking down proven strategies, word-for-word formulas, expert tips and examples to help you dramatically improve your presentation skills

But first, I’d like to start with a very quick, 3-point introduction.

(Hint: when you finish reading it, you’ll know why presentation skills are crucial to your success).

There are three tiny things you need to know about presentation skills before we jump into strategies and tactics:

1) What are presentation skills?

Presentation skills are your ability one to deliver presentations that educate, engage, or entertain your audience.

2) Why we give presentations

According to the california state university employee development center , we usually of give presentations to:, inform persuade educate, for instance:, inform -> “abc engineering: q4 sales results” persuade -> “xyz marketing: how we help you x3 your conversions” educate -> “10 advanced seo techniques from the pros”, 3) why bad presentation skills have hidden costs, it’s because they’re the difference between getting what you want (educating people, persuading them to do something, closing a deal, etc)…., …or nothing at all., let me give you an example: a prospective client, let’s call him joe, schedules a meeting with your company because he’s looking for an agency that will handle his yearly event activities., the current supplier isn’t up to par so joe wants to find a new company to make events that help him look good and bring more traffic to his store., joe has an annual budget of  $100,000 dollars (not bad, eh). you get in the meeting room. you make your presentation., “we are a professional team of event experts”., it’s about you, your history, services, clients you used to work with, and some case studies., joe is feeling a bit bored because you’re not actually showing him what you can do to help him design better events.  you’re not tying your services to specific benefits he’s looking for (like increasing his customer footfall by 20% within 3 months)., basically , your pitch is bad., wanna know what happens next, joe is going to meet with other event agencies that know how to sell themselves and communicate on the value they’re bringing to the table., he’ll chose the best one., the one that solves his problems., the one that is best positioned to help him get what he wants ., and it won’t be you., he’ll be thinking “if that guy can’t put a solid pitch together, he won’t be able to handle my events in a way that satisfies me”., you lost 100,000 bucks., the lesson here, good presentation skills are the difference between getting what you want, or nothing at all., 50 proven ways to dramatically improve your presentation skills, click here to enlarge, lay out the foundations, 1. anticipate. seriously., [tweet “if your presentation is important to you, then act like it is.”], when i asked ed from clear preso what was his #1 advice for improving presentation skills, here’s what he said:, “do not leave it till the last minute to craft your message. do not create the sides the night before the presentation or go out there without having rehearsed. if the presentation matters to you, then put in some serious time and effort, or don’t bother at all”., ed fidgeon-kavanagh, chief presentationist at  clear preso, 2. be audience-centered (hfd), “when people encounter you, they ask themselves four questions that determine your likeability or “l-factor”. first, they seek friendliness. then, they ask themselves if you are relevant to them. next, they ponder whether you have empathy for them. finally, they ask themselves if you are ‘real’ — that is, authentic and honest”., tim sanders ,  sales & leadership keynote speaker, author of the likeability factor, if you want your audience to like you, learn as much as you can about them, specifically:, where are they from what’s their age range what do you have in common have they had any bad news recently what do they fear what do they want (aka what are their key motivators), bottom line : be precise, not random. find out the h opes, f ears and d reams (hfd) of your audience and plan to communicate with that unique group only, no other., how to identify your audience’s hopes, fears and dreams, 3 proven strategies to identify what your customers want, additional ways to learn more about your audience:, quora (check out questions + best answers related to your topic) amazon (read reviews about products/services/topics related to yours) udemy (see what people are saying about courses related to your topic) google  (instant results and related searches to identify what people are looking for), 3. define your goal, [tweet “if you can’t explain in one sentence what the goal of your presentation is, you don’t have one.”], “if you want results, you need to start by setting goals. when your goals are set, you need to find out how to best achieve them”., michael aagaard,  via content verve, crucial, especially when trying to build effective presentations that convey a powerful message., here’s an example:, if you’re trying to build a relationship with a prospective client (to be able to sell your products), your goal isn’t to make a creative presentation. your goal is to show your client you + your products are perfectly positioned to solve their problems., answer this question:, why are you making this presentation (aka why do you wanna talk to them)., get an order of $10,000 today build a relationship with them (so two years from now they wanna purchase from you), bottom line :  have one goal.  set your smart goals before you write a single word., 4. identify your audience’s motivation level, the way we’re going to think about your audience today is rooted in this guy named b.j. fogg who famously came up with the behavior model :, let me simplify that for you:, for a person to perform a target behavior (aka help you reach your goal) he must be sufficiently motivated and have the ability to perform the behavior., which is why you really need to understand  what stage of the buying cycle your audience members are in ., answer these questions:, has your audience heard of your company/product before are they intending to make a purchase do they have all of the information they need to make an informed decision what fears / anxieties could be holding them back, bottom line : knowing the context helps you to determine your choice of words and level of information, but also to structure your delivery and motivate your audience., map out a crystal-clear message, 5. build your core message, [tweet “you can have the best product but if you can’t communicate well about it, you have nothing. “], your core message is the #1 thing you wanna your audience to remember., the most critical one. the one they can’t miss. if they remember one thing, they’ll remember you., use this formula to build your core message:, action verb + who + what, show these shanghai-based consultants how my company can help them get more leads . motivate my directory board to increase the marketing budget . convince the prospect to sign that contract today ., bottom line : you core message must be articulated around a) helping you reach your goal and b) giving your audience what they want., 6. craft your elevator speech, [tweet “your elevator speech answers this question: why should i listen to you “], effective elevator speeches include:, benefits the word you are geared toward solving your audience’s problems, use these elevator pitch builder formulas:, today, i am going to teach you about [ result they care about ], today, you will get / discover  [ outcome ], if you agree to meet with us, you will [ result they care about ], if you read that presentation, you will [ result they care about ], today, you will discover the 5 strategies we’re using to triple our conversions . today, i am going to teach you  the 3-step process i used to double my website traffic in 2 months . if you agree to meet with us, you will learn how to launch events that increase footfall and instantly separate you from the competition ., bottom line :  your elevator speech must be angled toward helping your audience do do/get/discover something that benefits to them., 7. break down your core message in small bits, answer these questions:, what are the top 5 big reasons that will motivate my audience members to do what i want what messages will drive them toward my goal, if you don’t know, ask your actual customers why they’ve decided to work with you (aka what they like about you)., 8. backup everything with data (supportive points), [tweet ““in god we trust, all others must bring data.””], if you want people to trust you, make sure to provide research, data-rich points that prove what you’re saying (aka case studies, statistics, testimonials, money-back guarantees…), don’t say: we’ve helped companies increase their sales. say: we’ve has helped bryan from abc marketing to increase their sales by 34% in two months., rule of thumb : opinions are bullshit. do research .  n o opinions unchecked. , build a powerful structure, 9. treat your presentation as if it were a movie, [tweet “treat your presentation as a movie: set up a conflict that needs to be resolved.”], when asked what she thinks a great presentation advice is, graphic designer  elly whiley  had this to say…, “treat your presentation as if it were a movie., have a solid introduction that will intrigue your audience, a climatic middle where you raise problems and/or questions and finally a powerful conclusion where you answer and resolve everything raised and leave the audience with something to think about.”, elly whiley ( via canva ), the most effective presenters use the same techniques as great storytellers again and again. they remind people of the status quo (i.e. your audience’s pain points)… and then reveal the path to a better way., let’s illustrate this with one of my favorite example:.

10. Use PRD and PCR frames to tell stories

[tweet “”a story is a series of actions that overcome obstacles in order to achieve a goal””], let’s take a quick look at how the harvard business review editor bronwyn fryer describes what a story is :, “essentially, a story expresses how and why life changes., it begins with a situation in which life is relatively in balance : you come to work day after day, week after week, and everything’s fine. you expect it will go on that way., but then there’s an event —in screenwriting, we call it the “inciting incident”—that throws life out of balance . you get a new job, or the boss dies of a heart attack, or a big customer threatens to leave., the story goes on to describe how, in an effort to restore balance, the protagonist’s subjective expectations crash into an uncooperative objective reality”., story : balance + something happens (that throws life out of balance) + how to restore balance, the prd frame, p roblem : the current situation for your audience. do you suffer from/sick of being… r elief : it can change . it doesn’t have to be that way/there’s a solution… d ream : your solution. imagine if you could…how your life would be if you could…, the  pcr frame, p rotagonist : climate change / small farmers providing food to restaurants c onflict : how climate change affects the growing season” r esolution :  policies that are or should be in place or discussion about how people in other regions are mitigating the effects of climate change on local resources.  source ., tweet these story frame techniques –, 11. each slide has one message, idea, goal, one slide = one idea, one message, one core point, when asked what was his # 1 advice to build effective presentations skills, haiku deck co-founder adam tratt had this to say:, “the first is focus on one idea at a time. we do this by limiting the number of words you can put on a slide., less is more. remember, your audience can either listen to you, or ready your slide. avoid loading up your presentations with too many words”., adam tratt . co-founder at h aiku deck ., to help you be laser-focused on  your message,  use this formula every time you’re building a slide:, the purpose of this slide is to [ fill the blank ], for example: the purpose of this slide is to [ show that our sales grew by 16% this year ] the purpose of this slide is to [ demonstrate that our app features are the best in the market ], craft your irresistible content , here are 4 ways to craft attention-grabbing headlines that’ll motivate your audience to keep reading., [tweet “5 times as many people read advertising headlines than copy.”], if advertisers haven’t done some selling in their headlines, they’ve wasted 80% of their clients’ money. david ogilvy ., headlines have two purposes:  grab your audience’s attention + motivate them keep them reading., powerful headlines have four qualities:, 1) self-interest (focused on your audience) 2) news (teach them something) 3) curiosity (get them want to know more) 4) ultra-specific (aka use figures), 12. craft powerful headlines using the “brain dump” method, you’re gonna make a couple of subject lines and start filling them in.  for instance, your slide is about the weight-loss problem., let’s start writing:, subject 1: how to write lose weight  (sucky) subject 2: how to write lose weight effectively  (meh)  subject 3:  5 best-ever weight-loss secrets from thin people   (good) subject 4:  3 things experts won’t tell you about weight-loss   (catchy), bottom line : practice, practice, practice. write as many subject lines as needed. review them later, pick the best one (ask friends or colleagues if you’re unsure)., 13. steal your headlines from amazon, for example, let’s say i want to figure out some good headlines for copywriting services i have., the first step is to slap the term “copywriting” into amazon and see what comes up:, browse through the best ranked book titles., book title: “copywriting: a beginner’s blueprint. how to write amazing copy that compels readers to take action without selling your soul.”, headlines we can make out of this book title:, learn how to write amazing copy that compels readers to take action, right now., you don’t have to sell your soul to write amazing copy that sells, tweet this headline building tip –, 14.use these 7 attention-grabbing headline starters, new now here’s announcing presenting introducing look , source:  ca$hvertising, for example:, our powerful new seminar teaches marketers the power of persuasion to drive people into a buying frenzy now you can stop worrying about your traffic announcing the hottest new lobster roll from cali presenting the easiest way to engage your customers here’s why our digital marketing services are a great fit for you look it’s that easy, tweet these proven headline starters –, 15. use “lenses” to write headlines, copywriter neville medhora came up with the concept of lenses to write headlines that appeal to a specific audience.  lenses work especially well for sales presentations . there are three types of “lenses” you can instantly apply to your headlines:, “competitive” lens : “dominate the search results, and leave page 2 of google for your competitors”., “benefit driven” lens:  “80% faster than any other internet provider”., “inspirational” lens:  “what if you could learn the exact system to rank a website that generates traffic, sales & customers 24/7”, check out neville’s video to dig deeper into the lenses concept:.

Resources for your headlines:

Portent  (headline generator) title generator (headline generator) internet marketing course (headline generator) over 139 formulas, from +30 different online author  (aka joanna wiebe’s supreme guide to writing amazing headlines fast), 16. avoid the me-too syndrome (here’s how), [tweet “nobody cares about you, people care about what you can do for them.”], the problem with 80% of business presentations and sales pitches, let’s take a look at this really bad example:, can you spot what’s wrong with this spam email, well, i’ll tell you:, the me-too syndrome aka the number of time it’s about them vs. the number of time it’s about me., here’s the breakdown:, them (aka “i”; “us”, “our”): 15, me (aka “you”): 11, me-too score: 58% (15/26), to avoid the me-too syndrome, make sure me-too score is under 50%, but more importantly… don’t talk about you, talk about what you can do for them., how will you improve their business how will you educate them on a specific topic they’re interested in how will your skills/services/products will make their life better, don’t be like that dumb chris who says:, if you’re interested in hearing what we can do for you…, instead, say this:, we have closely analyzed your website and based on this, we believe there are two challenges you’re looking at:the first is x, the second is y. we’ve done a lot of work on x and y. in fact, we’ve already helped abc firm to grow their traffic by 200% the last 6 months. we’d love to help you do the same., 17. be ultra-specific, if i asked you right now, “what makes your company different”, what would you say 90% of us would something like this: “we provide premium services” or “we’re a great team of professional people”. yeah, i like to breathe oxygen too., be specific., don’t say:, how to improve your finance quickly and claim back your freedom., 18. apply the svo principle, sentences that have a subject-verb-object order are more readable than those that don’t. source ., the technique was recommended by the american concrete institute., the american concrete institute recommends the technique., 19. write to a friend, [tweet “write for the ear, not the eye. old adage.”], there’s nothing worse than getting junk content from another  me-too company that rambles on and on about how amazing they are., but on the other hand, when you read something that’s written to you – like a personal note – you’ll devour every word. because you’ll want to know what’s in it for you., bottom line : act as your audience members are your best friends (think, how would i write to name of friend)., 20. use questions, rhetorical — interesting, aren’t they, 21. hit specific emotions, you know which emotions you want them to feel at every paragraph (anger, curiosity, relief, happiness)., learn how to identify the emotions you want to evoke + find out the perfect matching words., 22. do not overwhelm them, keep it simple., [tweet “79% of people scan read, rather than read every single word.”], no, your audience doesn’t need to know everything. prioritize and focus truly brings value to them aka here’s what we really do that’s gonna make a meaningful impact on your life / business / sexuality / happiness., bottom line : every word must earn its place on the slide, seriously., 23. do the chimpanzee brain test, read out loud every single sentence in your deck and ask yourself:, is it easy to understand or not, if the answer is no, shorten the phrase or break it down in smaller pieces., bottom line : you don’t need complex words or perfect grammar. don’t make them think and express only one though in a sentence. use your next sentence to say the next thing., 24. apply the 6×7 rule, “remember, your audience can either listen to you, or read your slides. avoid loading up your presentations with too many words”., adam tratt. co-founder at haiku deck ., your audience should be listening to you, and not reading slides. plus, you should be looking at them while speaking (not reading slides)., no more than 6 lines per slide no more than 7 words per line source, design your stunning presentation, 25. customize your deck size, learn how (and why) to do that here ., 26. prepare your opening slides, here’s the deal, your opening slides have two targets:, assure your audience they’re in the right place (aka your core topic), remind them what they’re going to hear (which is gonna hook them because they want to get the answer), left side cover shows you the result you’ll get by reading the deck: learn 100 marketing growth hacks right side cover shows you the result you’ll get by reading the deck: learn facts about the spine you probably didn’t know, how to create a brilliant cover slide in 5 minutes, 27. each content slide has 3-4 elements, image source, headline to grab the attention, sub-headlines give you more information and further, illustration : to get your attention and to illustrate the point more fullyspee, copy : to convey the main selling message of the slide, download your free, professional-looking template here, 28. use visuals, many folks out there urge you to use visuals, few tell you why you should., so here’s why:, we process visuals 60,000 times faster than text., 40% of learners respond better to visual information than text alone., people who use visual aids are 43% more persuasive than those who don’t ., here’s my go-to-list of breathtaking, free-to-use photography resources:, gratisography  (crisp, fun, humorous visuals) death to the stock photo  (as the first one) startup stock photos  (genuine looking pics) pexels (lots of themes, beautiful photo) unsplash  (stunning nature related visuals) little visuals  (as unsplash) pic jumbo  (urban-related pictures), learn how to design  attention-grabbing cover slide  here., 29. build a powerful color theme, [tweet “color accounts for 85% of the reason why someone decides to purchase a product.”], so, what’s the bottom line, color sell products. make sure the colors you chose are:, strongly associated with your organization (color increases brand recognition by up to 80%), aligned with your audience’s characteristics. find out how to align your colors with your consumer’s backgrounds here , page 6 and 7., complementary: colors opposite each other on the color wheel., create your winning color themes:, colorcode colour lovers adobe kuler  ♥ the basics of color theory (fun, interactive article), 30. use icons, this post shows you how to integrate icons in your presentation slides. here are great icon resources:, flaticon freepik  ♥ icon finder the noun project, 31. steal like an artist, you don’t have to start building a presentation from scratch., instead, do what i’m doing:, create a folder on your desktop and title it “swipe file.” anytime you see a beautiful design or great copy, just add it to your swipe file.  set up individual folders or labels (e.g. “great cover slides”, “headlines”, etc). pretty soon, you’ll have a repository of inspiration that you can tap into when you are working on your own presentations., here’s how my personal swipe file looks like:, amazing sources of design inspiration:, dribbble graphic river note & point slideshare  ♥ the 3-step process to hack slide design, 32. choose the right typography, people are more likely to engage in a given behavior the less effort it requires ( source ), helvetica is apple’s office font. amazing, isn’t it,  for free and creative font options, check out:, the 10 most popular typefaces used by the top 100 u.s newspapers the top 10 fonts web designers love (free and paid) dafont font squirrel  ♥ fonts2u fonts fabric, 33. use the crap principle, there are not a hundred but one principle of design that i want you to get under your belt., the crap principle: contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity., contrast is all about making things stand out. it can be achieved using three major tactics:  manipulation of space (near / far, empty / filled), color choices (dark vs. light / cool vs. warm) and text (typography style / bold vs. narrow)., repetition , for instance making a headline and a sub-message the same color, makes scanning your deck much easier. repetition helps you create a cohesive look to your presentation., alignment . newspapers use this to great effect. aligning a whole bunch of elements with one another makes them scan faster. alignment makes things easier to read., proximity means that things are associated with one another. let me explain that for you: the closer things are, the more they are associated the farther they are away from one another, the less they are associated., 34. make closing slides, repeat your agenda aka your deck’s plan to remind the audience of what they just got. in the final slide confirms that the presentation is over., thank you contact information, “according to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. number two is death. death is number two. does that sound right” jerry seinfeld, deliver like a boss, [tweet “you only have 7 seconds to make a great first impression”], it takes only seven seconds for us to judge another person when we first meet them , says linda blair, clinical psychologist. which leads us to the following question:, what is the best way to start a presentation and make a killer opener, well, to succeed, three things must happen:, 1) get them to pay attention to you 2) answer the why should i listen to you question 3) give them a hint about the direction of your speech, here are 4 ways to craft a killer opener that’ll grab your audience’s attention (and improve your presentation and public speaking skills), 35. begin with a story, [tweet “your audience recalls only 10 to 30% of what they hear.”], “two years ago, my life changed forever. my wife kalcy and i welcomed our daughter leila to the world.”, the first 20 hours — how to learn anything | josh kaufman | tedxcsu, 36. make a provocative statement, “hey are you excited to be here are you ready to learn some stuff are you ready to get humped up and get excited, motivated if that’s you…you came to the wrong place because we’re not doing any of that today. we’re gonna learn actual stuff, usable, in the real word. and you’re gonna come away from here with things you can use, make money with”. oren klaff, you might want another example, am i right, check out will stephen’s amazingly provocative tedx intro:, x how to sound smart in your tedx talk | will stephen | tedxnewyork, “hear that that’s nothing which is what i, as a speaker at today’s conference, have for you all: i have nothing nada zip nothing smart nothing inspirational i have absolutely nothing to say whatsoever.”, like this presentation opener tip click here  to tweet it –, 37. use statistics/quotes in your opener, one of the best ways to start a speech, numbers and quotes , “46% of us small businesses feel they are being “sold to” instead of “spoken to” by other businesses “. “you only have 7 seconds to make a great first impression”. “before we get started i wanna tell you about a quote from a guy named adam nash: growth is important and all good companies take it seriously”.   growth hacking – neil patel – pioneers festival 2014, to find reliable statistics or quotes, head over to google and try these search strings:, site:edu + “your keyword” + “data”, site:edu + “your keyword” + “percent”, inurl:research + “your keyword” + “statistics”, “your keyword” + quote, 38. make a huge promise (gts formula), get your audience’s excited about what they’ll be able to do or know by the end of your speech., use the gts (give them something) formula:, you will get you will learn today, i’m going to show you [ statement that benefits your audience ]. by the end of this presentation, you will [ result they’re interested in ]., by the end of today’s presentation, you will join an elite group of speakers who can changes lives of their audience members for the better. you will learn secret techniques that only a few of the world’s best speakers are using and that’ll make every speech an outstanding one., people will listen because they really want to get what you promise., bottom line : don’t over-promise, ever., tweet this gts technique –, 39. share a plan, if your speech is longer than 30 minutes, give em a plan. a plan makes it easy for your audience to follow through aka see where you are at any point in time., “5 steps for financial freedom and you’re taking about 3: they know you’re at the middle of the speech”., command with your body, 40. stand facing the people you’re taking too, 41. use high-power poses, according to harvard business school professor amy j.c. cuddy , high-power poses decrease cortisol (“the stress hormone”) by about 25% and increase testosterone by about 19% for both men and women., nonverbal expressions of power and dominance are about expanding:, stretch out open up make yourself taller, seriously, set aside 15 minutes to watch this amazing tedx talk:, body language, the power is in the palm of your hands | allan pease .

Bottom line : Don’t use defensive postures such as arms crossed, hands in pockets, hands clasped behind or in front of your body. These postures limit your gestural ability and will make your audience close off as well.

42. use eye contact, eye contact is crucial in keeping you and your audience connected. here are two things you should do to keep them engaged:, spend a few seconds with each person you look at, for bigger lecture halls, use an m or a w pattern to spread eye contact throughout ( source )., 43. keep moving, “human beings are drawn to movement. if you move when you speak, you’ll get people’s attention., it can be especially effective to move toward the audience before making a key point, and away when you want to signal a break or a change of subject. you can also use space to reinforce your ideas. for example, if you’re presenting three issues, talk about each of them from a different physical position”., carole kinsey goman (via forbes)., convince with your voice, 44. use pauses to add expression and feeling to  your speech, [tweet “pausing is to speaking as punctuation is to writing.”], look, pauses are super important because they:, reduce the overall rate of speaking, give the audience time to reflect + absorb what you’re saying, tell your listeners you are moving from one thought to the next, here are a few tips from the presentation coach diane windingland :, pause before you speak, look at your audience first, pause before and after important/difficult words or concepts, pause after changing visual, pause before and after a punch line ( e.g take my wife….please),  plus, when saying something important, speak slowly., slowness implies what you’re going to say is extremely important—so important that they need time for it to sink in. plus, a clear speech is easier to understand., 45. use a conversational tone, verbal presentation skills are crucial to your success and there are two things you should do to increase engagement with your audience:, first, use the words “you” and “i”  so your audience relates with what you’re telling them., do you reme mber the last time you….[client problem]. i understand that. you know that feeling when… [bad situation]. i think it’s crazy, don’t you you ’re stuck in [bad situation], you ’re dealing with… [problem]… i feel your pain. let me be honest with you, if you ’re serious about [benefit they want]…, second, you can also use rhetorical questions:, pretty sneaky, isn’t it you guys know what i’m talking about, right, 46. use sensory phrases, using sensory phrases while you’re presenting will help you get your audience to feel something:, does it feel like…. can you imagine… let me show you… let me tell you… you don’t need to…, if you’re like me you’ll love to get your brain juice going with concrete examples., check out these lists of emotion, trigger words and phrases:, 47. eliminate filler words (aka the dreaded “um”), since being kids, we’ve been conditioned to answer questions immediately.  and that’s why we’re using filler words such as “uh”, “um”, “well”, “like”… that make us look dumb and unprepared., here are a few ways eliminate these words from your vocabulary:, video or audio record yourself: find out just how bad it really is. if you’re aware of it, you can work on it, don’t speak while looking at your notes (look at your notes, look up and then speak), be silent while you are trying to come up with the right word, apply the pta formula : pause, think, answer, tweet this filler words elimination technique –, 48. apply the sdt principle.

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. Anton Chekhov

The SDT (aka Show Don’t Tell) principle has one purpose: enable your audience  to experience the story through action, words, senses, and feelings.

Here’s a kickass example from zendesk  customer service software:, bottom line : get your audience to picture what you’re telling them.,  great resources on body language techniques:, your hand gestures are speaking for you  (with pictures), the secrets of body language: why you should never cross your arms again, amy cuddy: your body language shapes who you are  (ted talk), 49. avoid the lecture (here’s why), “for the first 5-10 minutes of a typical 50 minute lecture a student remembers a high proportion of the information presented, after which the proportion of information preserved rapidly declines. students typically retain 70% from the first 10 minutes of lecture, and 20% from the last 10 minutes . source ., yup… our brains don’t pay attention during a lecture., “research has shown that the lecture, aka “a dump of information”, is quite literally the worst way to receive content. we cannot retain, interact, or engage with it. the research of james hartley and ivor davies revealed that in the first seven minutes of a lecture, all were engaged. shortly after that window of time, attention dropped and plateaued for the next forty minutes., don’t make the mistake of doing a brain dump. ponder how to create small moments between 7-10 minute chunks of content that allow the audience to stop, pause, and think for a while. avoid the lecture”, bryan kelly (via bryan paul kelly), 50. rehearse, when asked what he thinks the most costly presentation mistake is, scott schwertly  of ethos3  had this to say…, “rehearse. embrace the mindset that every presentation requires a number of rehearsals. if your boss wants you to present on a piece of subject matter you have never seen before, it requires a minimum of 7-8 rehearsals. back in 1981, jerry seinfeld practiced 200 times for his comedy bit on the tonight show with johnny carson., if you think practicing your presentation 2x the night before and 1x the morning of your talk will make you succeed, you are dead wrong.”, scott schwertly , ceo of ethos3, here are two effective ways to rehearse your speech:, audio record yourself: it will help you assess which phrases sound good and which just look weird. don’t forget to listen for filler words and heck out the time., get feedback. grab a friend or a colleague and ask him: what can i improve what’s your favorite element of the speech, it’s time to put your new presentation skills into action , it’s no secret that effective presentation skills can skyrocket your success – a new job, a boost for your business, or even fund raising for your startup., no wonder why 90% of american people are saying communicate skills are most important for their children to get ahead in the world today ., some years back, when i was just starting to get serious about building persuasive presentations and pitches, i scoured the web for checklists that would help me remember all these new things that i was learning., i found nothing, other than seamless list of tips like “arrive early” (duh), “be entertaining” or “tell stories”., i felt frustrated, and that’s why i decided to create this piece of content., i believe this infographic would be a great little addition to keep on your own computer desktop. whenever you build or deliver a presentation….just check out the list to make sure you’re on track., hope you’ve enjoyed and learnt., additional resources you’ll love, pptpop’s best resources : a hand-curated list of articles, templates, and life-changing books that will help you become a better you, faster than anyone else., make a killer sales presentation : my personal blueprint to designing high-converting sales decks form scratch., [tweet “how to hack your presentation skills [infographic] “], join pptpop, if you join pptpop, you’ll get one or two monthly emails where i share crazy-effective advice designed  to help you craft irresistible pitches and presentations that hook. and sell. a lot. no fluff. no b.s. click that fat blue button to subscribe., recommended for you.

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The ULTIMATE guide to presentation skills

• Written by: Kieran Chadha
• Categories: Presentation skills
• Comments: 32

Presenting well isn’t a gift you’re born with. It’s true that some people are naturally more charismatic than others, but this doesn’t always make them good presenters. For a lot of people this common misconception can lead to crippling nerves, poor preparation, and lots of money in lost revenue as your sales deck doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. Good presentation skills can absolutely be taught, and even the most nervous, or clueless of presenters can learn how to present like professionals just by following some key advice.

Before we jump into that though, I’ll begin with a disclaimer. When a presentation fizzes and fails like a damp firework on New Year’s Eve, it’s rarely the presenter’s fault. In fact, often the blame sits with the slides. Unless your slides are at least half-decent, it’s pretty hard to make your presentation go off with a bang. Slides should be visual, exciting, and compelling and it’s the presenter’s job to bring them to life. Even with good presentation skills, for most normal people, if your slides are more sad squibs than rainbow rockets, you’ll lose your audience’s attention.

So once you’ve got effective, visual slides then – and only then – is it time to focus on the soft skills that will polish your delivery.

How to use this article

This guide contains lots of helpful tips on how to improve your presentation skills. We’ve divided it into sections so you can work through your preparation chronologically. We’d recommend starting at the beginning, but feel free to click below to jump to your favourite bit.

Before your presentation

A note on presentations nerves

Preparing your content

Pre-empt the worst (and best)

During your presentation

How to master the art of body language

A note for introverts

After your presentation

How to train your team to  present

A note on presentation nerves

We’ve all felt it – that heavy feeling in your stomach waiting for your name to be announced, the pacing up and down in the corridor before the door opens, the slightly sweaty palms as you open up your laptop. Everyone gets presentation nerves. And the truth is, a little extra adrenaline pumping through your veins probably gives your performance a lift. But chronic, debilitating nerves are unpleasant, and are a real issue for many people.

But are avoiding sweaty palms and practicing deep breathing really effective presentation skills?

Yes, because the real problem with nerves is that they might adversely affect your audience. The physical symptoms are distracting – beads of sweat on the forehead, restlessness, and fidgeting are all pretty obvious to a watchful crowd. The audience will notice you are uncomfortable and become distracted from your content. Breathiness – which happens when a presenter takes lots of short, shallow breaths – disrupts the flow of information and makes it difficult for people to follow a narrative. Your nerves also undermine your confidence, and – in turn – your audience’s confidence in you. It’s a tad unfortunate that many of the symptoms associated with nervousness are also associated with guilt, untrustworthiness and deceit. So, while you may have every confidence in the validity of your claims, it might not come across that way.

When it comes to tackling nerves, there is no single infallible method, but preparing your content and then rehearsing properly will you get them under control. Even if you never get nervous (lucky you!) these presentation tips will still help improve your delivery.

Preparedness is your number one ally. Often nerves are the result of feeling uncertain about what lies ahead. You can’t control everything or anticipate what is going to happen, but you can take steps to ensure that your role is locked down and certain.

The key is to practise, and to really know your content inside out. It seems a simple point to make – and it is – but often people confuse ‘knowing their content’ with ‘being able to get through their content’. Here, we’re aiming for the former. You may know your slides, and can present them well start-to-finish, but can you do the same if they’re out of order? Can you pick up where you left off after a 10-minute interruption? Can you keep your narrative going if the slide doesn’t progress? Can you paraphrase the final 10 slides if you run out of time? What if you fall off the stage half-way through your presentation ? If your laptop fails, can you deliver the content without any slides at all?

Most people massively underestimate the amount of time this requires, which is often why they end up feeling so nervous. It’s only with this level of ‘whatever-the-world-throws-at-me’ familiarity that will enable you to push past your presentation nerves. Often people stop rehearsing when they can get through the deck. In truth, your rehearsals only  begin  once you can get through the deck.

Giving you the benefit of the doubt, you probably get that you need to know your content well. However, there are a few things outside of your script or notes that you should keep in mind too:

• Learning the clicks. If you know where the clicks are in your presentation, you’ll know what’s coming up next, so you’ll say the right thing and the right time. Connecting chunks of content to certain clicks means those animations or transitions will help trigger your memory. You won’t have to learn a script word for word and you’re less likely to sound like a robot – success!
• Write down the key benefits or advantages of your proposition. Committing these to memory (rather than the history of your organisation or the particular specifications of a product) and using them whenever possible in your presentation, will keep the audience front and centre as you speak.
• Another effective presentation skill is planning for questions to ask or other ways to engage you audience. Think of this as extra content to memorise or note down – planning ahead for these interactions will help your presentation feel both slick and engaging.

“Don’t think about it! It will all be fine!” This is not advice you’ll hear from us. In fact, we want you to think about everything that could possibly go wrong; power failures, laptop glitches, and unreliable projectors are all quite common. But there’s no need to worry or panic because if you think about it ahead of time you can arrive with a fall-back option should the worst happen.

Beyond that, you need to prepare to deal with the most uncertain element of your presentation: your audience .

• What are the most difficult and awkward questions your audience could ask you? It’s worth planning responses that answer them in a positive way.
• What are the most likely objections that could be raised? Come up with ways to overcome them, address them or dismiss them.
• You should pay particular attention to the audience members themselves – who are they? What are their interests? What are their challenges? What will they be expecting from you? What will they want to hear? What won’t they want to hear?

Thinking in these terms helps you plan and prepare effectively and helps remove the dreaded element of uncertainty.

And just in case you thought this was beginning to sound a little pessimistic, your preparedness needs to extend to best-case scenarios as well as worst. Are you prepared for them to sign then and there? Even if it’s a preliminary meeting, do you have prices to hand in case they are swayed by your early slides and don’t need to see any more? What if they are so engrossed, they want you to carry on past your 10-minute allotted time? Or they want to put you in front of the CEO then and there? Remember, as well as going wrong, things might go better than you expect!

You can be as prepared as possible, and think you know all your content, yet your delivery may still need some work. There are plenty of things you can do when rehearsing to improve your delivery technique and boost your confidence.

• Rehearse in situ: When you’re rehearsing your slides, try to make the environment as similar to the event as possible. If you can get into the actual space with the actual equipment – great. You’ll get a better feel for the space and become more comfortable with the physical side of your delivery. If you can’t, hook your laptop up to a screen or projector – whatever you’ll be using on the day – rather than just using your laptop screen.
• Rehearse in front of people: Get them to interrupt, ask questions and act as close to how your real audience will act. Presenting in front of strangers is tough but doing so in front of colleagues is even harder, however, it’s a great way to improve your presentation skills. If you can become comfortable delivering your material in a room of your peers, chances are you’ll be fine on the day. This is also a good opportunity to practise techniques such as pressing the ‘B key’ to take a break from your PowerPoint. This will replace your slides with a blank screen and provide you with an opportunity to go off topic, answer audience questions or stop for a tea break! A short break can also help boost audience attention.
• Rehearse alone: If you’re struggling to find an appropriate space or a willing group of volunteers, fear not. You can still rehearse effectively by yourself. Put your laptop in show mode and click through your slides, speaking your narration out loud. This is really important. You might feel a little foolish, but everyone presents well in their head – doing so out loud is tougher. There’s no point giving yourself an easy ride now and struggling later on. It’s a good idea to stand up, rather than sit at your desk to get a better sense of how it will feel when you’re presenting. You can even practice pointing towards your visuals and engaging with them in the same way you will when you’re in front of an audience.
• Record yourself: Many people recommend rehearsing in front of a mirror. This seems a little strange to us. While you’ll get a good idea of how you look when you present, it’s important to remember the audience will (and should) be looking at the slides as well as at you. Rehearsing without them (and without an appreciation of how you’ll interact with them) seems a bit pointless. A better technique is to rehearse your performance in context – that is, clicking through and interacting with the slides. Why not set up a video camera or your smartphone and record your delivery? Review the recording as if you were an audience member and try to spot the things that didn’t work; be your own critic. If you’re honest (but not too harsh) with yourself, it will work a treat and you’ll get more confident, and less nervous with each delivery.

Back to top

The first piece of advice is to take a breath, physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s very easy to work yourself up into a state before you present. You automatically think of all the things that could go wrong and worry that your presentations skills aren’t up to scratch and the audience will judge you poorly for your performance. Try to drop all that baggage. There is no ‘you and them’, no one is waiting for you to mess up, and no one will judge you if you do. Take ‘business’ out of the equation and remember the crowd in front of you are people too. They’re here to learn from what you have to say, and you both want the presentation to go smoothly.

So, why is body language important? Well, I’m a firm believer that no one means to give out negative signals when they present – no one intentionally looks hostile or lazy; no one means to come across as over familiar or timid. However, the truth is that it can be all too easy to fall into one of these traps. Remember that body language is just one of the vehicles for delivery. Getting the message right, the content, the language, the follow-up, the technology are all big priorities. Yet, body language can have a real impact on your audience, which then has a knock-on effect on how well your audience perceive your message, so it’s a really good presentation skill to get right.

What is good body language?

Because interpreting body language is a highly individual thing, coming up with a list of 1-to-1 substitutions (i.e. this behaviour means this) is impossible. However, there are certain traits that are broadly and universally interpreted in certain ways. What’s interesting is that often the same behaviour can fall on either side of the spectrum, depending on its intensity.

For example: movement . If you move around too much, you look like you’re uncomfortable and nervous – wanting to be anywhere but where you are. Alternatively, if you’re too stationery, your unnatural stillness is disconcerting and too intense.

In this respect, positive body language is about balance – about not being too much one thing, nor too much the other. To put it another way, effective body language is best defined by what it isn’t, rather than by what it is.

With that is mind, it is more helpful to look at some of the behaviours you should avoid, rather than try to write a prescriptive list of behaviours to follow. Striking a balance between extremes of behaviour is often the best route to ironing out any issues you might have with your non-verbal communication. Take a look at the diagram below, which roughly groups together the interpretation of certain behaviours.

Generally, there are two metrics for the impression that presenters give off – enthusiasm and confidence. Too little or too much of either can be perceived negatively.

• Your posture is a key indicator of your mood. Looking too relaxed or comfortable is going to come across poorly. However, being too still and rigid in your posture can make you look nervous or too intense.
• Your arms and hands also play an important role – keeping your arms folded or tucked away in your pockets can come across as being over-familiar and unprofessional, confrontational and aggressive in extreme cases.
• On the other end of the spectrum, overly-expressive and wild gesturing makes you look unfocused, erratic or just too intense.
• Your positioning is also crucial. The old adage that you should never turn your back to the audience is unhelpful; it’s fine to turn away if you’re directing the audience’s attention to the screen. However, be wary of spending too long facing in either direction and neglecting the other.

So, what does that leave us with? As I said, the key is to achieve a balance, so the ideal impression to portray would sit bang in the middle of the diagram above – shown by the dark purple circle.

• You should aim for a natural, relaxed posture – engaged but not intense.
• Use open, expressive gestures , dividing your attention between the audience and the screen.
• Aim for a little movement , and an open, friendly demeanour.
• Try not to copy someone else’s stance or gestures, keep it natural and authentic and you’ll make a much better impression.

How do you assess and improve your own body language?

Increase awareness: The first step to making your body language work effectively is to actually become aware of how you present at the moment. Often problems develop because people disregard it – letting their subconscious take over. It’s this inattention that allows bad habits to creep in.

The best way to become more aware of how you present is to see yourself do it. Mirrors don’t give you the full impression, it’s better to record yourself presenting something. Obviously it would be great to do so in a ‘live’ environment, but a dummy run in a meeting room would work perfectly well. Watch the footage and objectively assess yourself using the following questions:

• What message would my posture convey to a stranger?
• Am I moving around too much, or not enough?
• Do I come across as professional?
• How enthusiastic am I? Does it look like I’m just going through the motions?
• Do I look like I know my material?
• How open is my body language? How expressive am I being?

Sometimes, watching yourself back and becoming more conscious of your body language is enough to improve it. You will probably find that you have an innate understanding of the mistakes you’re making and can figure out how to fix them.

Use a third party: However, if you’re still not sure whether you have an issue, it makes sense to bring in outside opinions to help. Choose a colleague for support but do so wisely. This isn’t the time for a ‘yes man’, someone who will simply say you’re doing a great job. Pick someone who will be honest and critical. Even better, get a group together – and aggregate their responses. As with any form of research, be careful when collecting their feedback – don’t lead them in anyway. So, questions like ‘What impression did you get from the presentation?’ work better than leading ones like ‘Do I look nervous to you?’.

Listen to your colleagues and pull together the common elements of their feedback. If there is anything that comes across as universally negative, it probably needs examining. Varied feedback, or comments that aren’t particularly strong in any sense usually indicate that your body language isn’t overtly negative. As I said earlier, people will likely take slightly different messages from how you behave. Don’t worry too much about this; try to get a general appreciation of how the group felt.

Effecting change: This is the tricky part. Changing your body language can be a case of trying to undo decades of learned and cemented experiences. This is not only challenging, but even if achieved, can come across as robotic and unnatural – ironically leading to worse problems. What’s more, you don’t want to be so caught up in perfecting your presentation skills that you fail to get your message across. Your message is the most important thing so, if you can’t make it work, don’t worry about it.

Having said that, do give it a go. If you think you’re moving around too much, try to present a few slides staying still. If people have said you look bored, stand up straighter and bring more energy. Of course, the difficulty is sustaining your new behaviour and not falling into old habits. Again, it helps to have a trusted colleague with you to pull you up when you slip. The only way to improve and to keep it up is to practise – to keep presenting with your new behaviour until it becomes second nature. It’s a frustrating and often slow process, but the more you work on it, the better your results will be.

Other techniques for good presentation delivery

Along with balancing your body language, there are a few other presentation delivery techniques you can employ on the day. For example, pay attention to your tone of voice . Watch the recordings you’ve made and consider whether the emphasis and emotion in your voice helps convey your message. Is your voice a droning monotone or do you come across as enthusiastic, lively and truly passionate about your subject? Just as with body language, the key to success is practice.

Secondly, to help you feel comfortable, try to pick out a few friendly faces in the crowd. If possible, speak to some audience members one-on-one before your presentation so there are familiar faces to focus on. More importantly, ignore the grumpy faces. Some people look miserable when they are actually just concentrating. Even if some of your audience are in a bad mood, it probably has more to do with the disappointing hotel breakfast than your presentation skills.

Before we move onto our next section, I’d like to dig a bit deeper into how to deliver presentations if you’re naturally shy or introverted. It’s a myth to think that you need to be extroverted in order to be a good presenter – it’s just not true. Effective presentation skills can help any introvert delivery a persuasive pitch.

What is an introvert: Most people think introversion is about shyness. Though this is partly true, it’s actually the level of stimulation you need to function, and the amount of time it takes to recover that determines whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert. Introverts need much less stimulation, and tend to want to withdraw in order to recharge. So, it isn’t really a surprise that a highly stimulating activity like giving a presentation in front of a huge crowd of people is going to wear out introverts much faster and more intensely that extroverts. If you want to do some further reading on this, check out Susan Cain and her book Quiet.

How to present well if you’re an introvert: But all is not lost. Introverts often give far better presentations that their extrovert counterparts, because they tend to be better prepared, but that isn’t always the most reassuring thing to hear when you have a presentation on the horizon. So, here are five practical pieces of advice to help your presentation go well:

• Attitude: We all get passionate about the things we really care about, so where possible, try to present on something that really interests you. But we know this isn’t always possible, so instead spend a lot of time with the content and dig how into it relates to you and your audience so that you can bring it to life.
• Content: Creating a presentation as a team often sounds great, but in reality it can be a bit chaotic. Why not gather ideas and information from your team then create the presentation yourself? This will help you add a personal spin to the content and get more comfortable with your version of the story rather than presenting a diluted version of your message.
• Preparing to deliver: Because introverts can become over-stimulated much faster than extroverts, it’s important to desensitise the newness of delivering your presentation. The more you practice, the more familiar it will feel, and the less likely you are to get over-stimulated. Prepare extensive speaker notes, but not a script, and practice in front of a camera. Trust me, it might feel awful, but if you know what your audience is seeing when you present, you’ll be able to relax a lot more on the day! Try to visit the venue beforehand if you can so that you aren’t acclimatising to a completely new place, and try to meet with some people who will be at your presentation beforehand, so you know you’ll have a few friendly faces to look at.
• Delivery: Soft skills won’t make up for bad slides, but if you’re well prepared up to now, it’s helpful to relax yourself before you go onstage. Have a shake to get the blood flowing, have a yawn to relax you further, and then take some deep, measured breaths – this will help moderate the adrenaline surge you might feel. Once you get out there, smile at your friendly faces, and as you present, don’t be afraid to be yourself!
• Follow-up: It’s completely understandable if, after your presentation, you have no energy to have further meetings and discuss follow-up sessions. If you think you’ll need time to recharge alone or with a close friend, put that in your calendar.

Once you’ve given your presentation, you need to recover. Talking about recovery as a good presentation skill might seem odd but learning how to recover well is important. If you feel awful after every presentation it will feed into your nerves for the next time. This skill is particularly key for introverts who are more likely to find themselves feeling mentally and emotionally drained after a presentation. Saying that, everyone should schedule in recovery time – be strict! – and give yourself the time and space to collect your thoughts and relax. Maybe you need to lie down in a dark room, or perhaps a quiet cup of tea is enough. Put it in your calendar and make it a priority. If you can avoid a corporate dinner or intense networking session, do. The less traumatic the experience, the quicker your presentation confidence will grow.

Once you’ve recovered, it’s time to gather feedback from your team, chat with audience members or watch a recording of your presentation and make notes for how to improve your presentation skills for next time.

How to train your team to present

Once you are confident in your own presentation skills it’s time to spread the love and help those around you take a step up the skill ladder. If you’re a manager, training your team is a great way to positively impact their efficiency and make sure they’ve got the effective presentation skills they need to get results.

So, how do you turn your team into better presenters?

No-one is a naturally great presenter. While it’s true that some people are able to ‘wing it’ and get by on their charisma alone, this is a rare talent – and an approach that doesn’t always go down well with an audience. For most people, becoming a better presenter takes old fashioned hard work and time. We have done our fair share of presentation skills training – and are happy to come and get your team into shape – but if you prefer to go it alone, you’ll want to follow the steps below.

Ask your sales teams to click through the deck they will be presenting and run through the narrative by themselves. This is a great way for them to become familiar with the material, it won’t raise the quality of their performance in and of itself, but these private rehearsals are the helpful groundwork before a more comprehensive, group coaching session. Just like a dress rehearsal, if your team don’t know their material thoroughly before this point, they won’t get the most out of the time, so make sure you encourage them to spend time learning the slide content before you concentrate on delivery.

• Group sessions

It’s hugely important to work on how to improve presentation skills in groups. Taking the time to run through the presentation in front of peers, and refining delivery based on their feedback is when you really start to see results. Ideally, you will work with a group who are all learning to deliver the same presentation. In this scenario, each person is given the opportunity to experience the material as a presenter and as a member of the audience, and they will very quickly see how they need to hone their delivery to communicate more effectively with their audience.

If you are coaching one person, the group should be formed of colleagues – ideally a mix of those with a good understanding of the subject matter, and those without. This will allow feedback that focuses on clarity of delivery as well as accuracy of content.

We learn best in a group of peers – each sees something slightly different, which enables a balanced and broad review of the delivery. But even for seasoned presenters, the prospect of presenting to colleagues isn’t an enticing one, so it’s important you encourage an atmosphere that is sympathetic, supportive, while still critical enough to be effective.

Facilitating group presentation skills training, though, is a skill in itself, so here are a few tips to help you run things well for you and your team:

Get everyone involved: Where there are multiple presenters, everyone gets a chance to present and a chance to watch and critique. If you only have one presenter, it’s a good idea to get a couple of other group members to have a go too. This not only takes the pressure off the trainee, and can boost their confidence, but also allows them to see the material from the audience’s point of view.

While the chance to present in front of an audience is helpful, I’d argue that the most beneficial element of a coaching session is the opportunity to watch how others present, see what they do well and where they go wrong. As you progress, the entire room’s delivery will improve as one presenter builds on the quality of the last.

Have multiple run-throughs: Once you’ve got everyone together, start running through the slides. This isn’t the time to talk about whether the message is right or whether the design looks perfect, you’re here to focus on delivery. Hopefully your team has learned their material, but even if not, encourage them to begin presenting anyway. They will learn the slides as they go through, and it’s more efficient than having the rest of the team sit around and wait.

• First run-through: Give everyone a chance to run through the presentation once without interruption and encourage those watching to make notes. Provide feedback after the first run and invite comments and suggestions from those watching. It’s important for the first run-through to be uninterrupted; you want the presenters to become comfortable with the flow and the audience to get a feel for the presentation in its entirety.
• Second run-through: Then get everyone to run through a second time and, this time, direct the presenters to focus on putting into practice the comments that came up. Begin to interrupt if a mistake already commented upon creeps into delivery: stop the presentation, suggest a correction and give the presenter the opportunity to retry that section. As you progress, begin interrupting for any mistakes, even if they haven’t been brought up so far.

Your role is to facilitate. Don’t allow others to interrupt a run through, and make sure you militantly chair feedback sessions. Invite comments from others, but don’t let the session descend into a free-for-all. There needs to be ground rules, so the learning experience is seen as fair, organised and effective.

Manage the feedback: Receiving criticism isn’t easy; all feedback should be constructive and never personal ( more on that here ). To be truly effective, it also needs to be mutual. I like to start with something positive, follow it with something more critical, then end on a positive, which I’ve found allows you to critique whilst supporting confidence. Make note of two or three positives and one or two negative elements from each delivery. Begin by summarising the delivery and picking out a couple of positive things you noticed. Invite the group to do the same. Then move on to areas that you think could use some work, presenting each as a learning opportunity, not a criticism. Again invite the others to do the same, and address any comments you think unduly harsh or damaging. Finally, sum up with a final, strong positive from your observations.

It is important to follow this pattern each and every time. Negative comments alone will damage confidence, while positive comments alone reduce your credibility and the effectiveness of the exercise. As you progress and the strength of delivery increases, you will find your negative comments become more and more minor, whilst your positive comments become more significant.

Encouraging group feedback keeps the session interactive and enjoyable for all. Slowly, you will see the strength of the presentation delivery increase, as presenters learn from one another’s mistakes and build on their successes. Taking time to coach your team in presentation skills, to ensure they are delivering your message in a powerful, confident and consistent way will never be time wasted.

So there you have it! Our ultimate guide to the presentation skills you need to ensure a great delivery every time. Just remember, positive body language and calm nerves are lovely, but they won’t save your presentation if your slides are rubbish! Our ultimate guide to sales presentations is a great place to start if you want to learn how to create effective, visual slides.

Kieran Chadha

Principal consultant; head of brightcarbon academy, related articles, review: glisser online interactive presentations.

• Presentation skills / Sales presentations / Presentation technology
• Comments: 1

Glisser is an online platform that allows you to create interactive presentations that can be used for marketing, training or any other type of events. The site has different functions available for presenters, attendees at events and event planners which all focus on allowing for increased presenter-audience interaction. Since creating engaging visual presentations is what we do, I decided to take a closer look at Glisser and see what it’s all about and how the various functionalities work.

Tips for tongue-tied presenters

• Presentation skills
• Comments: 2

As with many things in life, when you’re presenting, getting started is often the most challenging part. Often, once people get into the flow on a particular slide, they are fine. But starting off strongly, pulling together the first few words or phrases once you've clicked on to a blank new slide is typically something that people struggle with. Here are a few handy tips to keep up your sleeve for those mind-blank moments. 

How to make presentation handouts

• Presentation skills / Visual communication

Presentation handouts and leave-behinds are a great resource in giving your audience a tangible reminder of you and the company you represent. The problem is that they're oft-neglected and oft-ignored. So how do we create handouts that not only accurately represent our content, but look great and don't take a fortnight to create?

Thanks for your presentation skills guide. Well, apparently I’m looking for a skill training since I want to master that area. I have been scared of speaking my mind to a wider audience and I wanted to overcome that fear. Good thing I’ve read your piece. I like what you said about how practice is the key to really know my content inside out when presenting.

Great learning tools

Great informations and learning tools.

Very useful

Thank you❤️

Good and informative article

Really helpful

Well done for this!

Good information it’s really helpful me

really helpful and informative

Having a positive mind will make you achieve more

Great learning album

Great learning and Thankyou very much

Thank you for the information

Thank you for the information .Great learning .

Good info. thank you a lot

Amazing information. thanks a lot

Amazing information. Thanks

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9 Tips for Improving Your Presentation Skills For Your Next Meeting

By Hannah Tow , Feb 03, 2020

Presenting to an audience is one thing, but presenting ideas in a persuasive manner to the key stakeholders of your business is a whole other ball game.

The fact of the matter is that successfully presenting to a room full of people is a skill that’s mastered by very few. It takes practice, practice, and even more practice to start feeling comfortable with everyone’s eyes focused on you so you can effectively get your point across. 

The reality of presenting is that you can’t escape it. Especially as you start to move up in your career. If you’re yearning to improve, this article will walk you through the top nine tips to use to enhance your presentation skills for your next big meeting as well as throughout your life. Let’s get started.

9 top tips for improving your presentation skills:

• Practice speaking in front of others
• Use less text and more visuals in your presentation
• Leverage your personality
• Welcome questions and comments during
• Be passionate and engaging
• Maintain eye contact with your audience
• Obsess over your listeners
• Focus on confident body language
• Keep it as short as possible

Constantly practicing, refining and improving upon your presentation skills will not only make you a more confident individual, but you will find that you rise quicker to success in your career. However, having great presentation skills does not just affect your work-life. Great presentation skills are truly life skills that you should integrate into more areas than just the conference room.

1. Practice speaking in front of others 

Practice always makes perfect. 

It doesn’t matter how well you know what you’re talking about, the moment you have to persuade, engage, or teach in front of an audience, you will probably stumble a bit. This is a natural reaction that affects pretty much everyone when all eyes are pointed in one direction and the anxiety sets in. 

It’s important to remember that the overwhelming feeling of stress you probably feel is the result of your unfamiliarity with the situation, not from your lack of preparedness. The more comfortable you are with taking the stage and having everyone’s attention on you, the less nervous you’ll get. 

The greater confidence you have in your presentation skills will allow you to focus on what actually matters–which is the material that you’re presenting. 

The best way to implement this practice is by starting off small. Prepare a presentation to give to your friends, family, or closest co-workers. This sounds easy, but you will learn that it’s not necessarily who is listening to you that causes nerves, but it’s the fact that all of the attention is on you. 

You’ll become more comfortable with the attention when you begin practicing in front of others more often, which will allow you to effectively present your ideas next time it’s your turn to speak in the conference room.

RELATED: Learn the top ten public speaking tips to better prepare you for your practice sessions. 

2. Use less text and more visuals in your presentation

We’ve all been there before: sitting at the conference table trying our very best to stay interested and engaged with the presentation before us. The presentation lacks color, images, and all sense of creativity while containing an over-abundance of text and long-form paragraphs. 

These types of presentations are horrible for two reasons: 

The first reason being that the minute you have words on the screen, your audience will direct their attention away from you to begin reading and completely tune you out. 

The second reason is if your presentation skills are poor, not only will your presentation be dull to listen to, but it will be unbelievably boring to look at as well. You’ll quickly find out how easy it is to lose most of the room’s attention when you create a lackluster presentation. 

If you feel lost attempting to design your slides into an exciting work of art, try using creative presentation templates . PowerPoint templates make it simple to produce something beautiful, and they can also make you feel like an accomplished designer after seeing the outcome, such as this business presentation example . 

In addition to nicely designed slides, you should always try to use infographics and charts to help you better summarize the complex information you’re relaying to your audience. It will be much easier for your listeners to understand what you’re explaining when they have something to visualize it with. Plus, there are plenty of resources out there to help you craft these visuals.

Learn how to make an infographic in five easy steps or produce an impressive graph .

If you feel worried that your presentation doesn’t hold enough content, you must remember the main reason for visual aids: 

They are to enhance what you’re speaking about, not lead it! 

If you’ve done enough practicing, you should feel confident in your presentation skills to thoroughly explain your main ideas and you won’t need to rely on the screen anyhow.

TIP: If you’re looking for even more ways to engage your audience with your visuals, check out 120+ presentation ideas that are sure to wow and delight! 

3. Leverage your personality

As cliche as it sounds, you should always be true to who you are, especially if when you’re presenting. 

It’s incredibly easy to tell if someone is faking it for the sake of their audience, so you should never pretend to act in a way that you don’t typically do. Not only will you feel unnatural and uncomfortable doing it, but you can also risk embarrassment when you try to tell a forced joke and no one laughs or your new-found trait of sarcasm doesn’t sit well with your boss. 

It should bring you comfort knowing that most everyone in your meeting knows who you are. Use this to your advantage and start the presentation by playing up your best personality traits. Use your humor if you’re known to crack jokes or throw in your typical mannerisms.

These little additions will make your presentation feel much more relaxed for everyone involved. In addition to your own unique quirks, you should also bring a level of personability to your meeting.

Be empathetic, smile more, and look around the room.  Doing so will improve your presentation skills, make you more likable, and allow your audience to be more receptive to you. 

In many cases, you may be presenting virtually, rather than in person. You can still allow your personality to shine through and energize your virtual presentation. Lisa Schneider, Chief Growth Officer at Merriam-Webster, wrote for Venngage on how to adapt an in-person presentation into a virtual presentation . Check it out.

4. Welcome questions and comments during your presentation

Be flexible throughout your presentation. Answer questions and respond to any comments your audience may have either through hand raising or an audience response tool . Don’t worry if it veers you off your script. Chances are if one person has a question or comment, the others in the room are thinking it too. 

Use this as an opportunity to prove how well you understand the material you’re presenting–your audience will take notice.

Also, take some time out at the start or your presentation to ask your audience some icebreaker questions and slowly transition into the more important stuff. 

Taking this minute to talk through anything that your audience is thinking of is a good thing because it means they are engaged with you and really paying attention to the words coming out of your mouth. Doing so will also relax the format of your presentation, allowing you to feel more confident and relaxed as well.

5. Be passionate and engaging 

When creating your presentation, craft it in such a way that makes your audience curious and makes them have questions for you. A persuasive presentation is the best way to get the positive reactions you are looking for, so be as passionate as you can be about your subject matter to seal the deal. 

Remember that questions and comments during your presentation are a good thing, especially if you’re the one prompting them! 

The more excited you are to present your ideas and show off your expertise, the more excited and engaged your audience will be. Own your subject matter and know what you’re talking about, it’s one of the most important presentation skills to have.

6. Maintain eye contact with your audience

This is a very obvious tip that will go a long way with your audience. 

When the people you’re speaking to feel like you’re taking notice of them, they are much more likely to take notice of you and pay better attention to everything that you’re saying. 

It’s important to remember that losing eye contact and looking everywhere but at the people that you’re presenting to is a common nervous behavior. Pay extra close attention to whether or not you’re guilty of that, and work to ensure you have your eyes on at least one person.

7. Obsess over your listeners 

Be receptive to your listeners. You can’t forget that what you’re presenting is for the audience, and it has nothing to do about you! 

Focus on the value you can provide to the people in the room. The more serving you are to them, the greater chance you have at driving your point home and nailing your presentation. 

It’s also important not to forget about those listening to you remotely over video conferencing . Make sure they know you’re aware of them and engage them as well! 

8. Focus on confident body language 

Smiling, hand gestures, eye contact, and a powerful stance all exude confidence. 

If you don’t have strong body language and are showing physical signs of nervousness (ie. tapping, bouncing, shaking, darting eyes, and more) your audience will have a hard time focusing on the material you’re presenting and hone in on the fact that you’re nervous and probably don’t know what you’re talking about as much as you say you do.

No matter how nervous you are, take a deep breath and pretend otherwise. You might actually start to believe it!

9. Keep it as short as possible

Every single person’s time is valuable ( especially at work), so don’t waste precious meeting time. If you can say everything you need to in half of the time that is allotted, you should do so. 

Ensure that you’re only sharing the most important information. All of the extra fluff will bore your audience and you will lose their attention very quickly.

It’s a great idea to wrap up your presentation with key takeaways and action items. Doing so will ensure that no matter how quickly your meeting ended, your team understands their next steps. You can send out a quick, summarizing slide deck or an easy to read one-pager for their reference later. These visuals will make sure all of your bases are covered and that everyone is on the same page upon leaving the meeting.

A good presentation makes all the difference. Check out the top qualities of awesome presentations and learn all about how to make a good presentation to help you nail that captivating delivery.

Never stop refining your presentation skills 

Possessing great presentation skills doesn’t come naturally to most people–it’s something that’s learned and practiced over time. As with most things in life, you must continuously work on refining your skills to get better and better. 

Use these nine proven presentation tips that we covered in this article to improve your presentation skills and ace different presentation styles . By doing so, you will find that presenting at your key meetings becomes easier and easier and you’ll begin to nail it every single time.

More presentation guides:

How to Make a Persuasive Presentation

120+ Best Presentation Ideas, Design Tips & Examples

33 Presentation Templates and Design Tips to Hold Your Audience’s Attention

Presentation Design Guide: How to Summarize Information for Presentations

Unlocking PhD Success pp 82–101 Cite as

Presentation Skills

• Eelko K. R. E. Huizingh 2 , 3  
• First Online: 19 November 2023

133 Accesses

Oral presentations are used to share research ideas or results, but they also include teaching. Effective presentations require careful preparation, from determining a key message and studying the audience to developing a structure that reflects a story. As many presentations use slides, the chapter provides detailed guidelines for designing effective slides. To deliver a presentation well, prepare it both at home and in the presentation room. It also concerns how you speak, body language, dealing with notes, and time management. Many presentations are followed by a Questions and Answers session. Five steps are discussed for dealing well with questions. As research is often presented at academic conferences, the chapter discusses presenting at conferences, attending presentations, and planning conference visits.

The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives . Lilly Walters .

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Coles ( 2022 ).

Abrahams ( 2014 ).

https://www.cbs.de/en/blog/15-effective-presentation-tips-to-improve-presentation-skills/ . Accessed 25 September 2023.

Check the TED Talk of Allan Pease, Body language, the power is in the palm of your hands , TEDx Macquarie University, November 17, 2013 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZZ7k8cMA-4 .

Abrahams, Matt (2014), Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques, Stanford Graduate School of Business, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAnw168huqA .

Coles, Nicholas A. (2022), Why Lectures Are Like Blind Dates, Nature , 607, 7 July, S3-4.

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Huizingh, E.K.R.E. (2023). Presentation Skills. In: Unlocking PhD Success. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40651-5_5

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7 Presentation Skills to Wow Your Audience

We’ve all been there, sitting in a presentation or speech, struggling to keep our eyes open as the presenter drones on. Maybe the content is interesting, but the delivery is lacklustre. Or maybe the delivery is fantastic, but the content is disorganised or hard to follow. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that effective presentation skills are critical to captivating and inspiring your audience.

So, whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a novice presenter, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your skills. That’s why in this blog post, we’ll be covering seven effective presentation skills that are sure to wow your audience. From knowing your audience to engaging with them, these skills will help you deliver powerful presentations that leave a lasting impact.

So, let’s dive in and explore these seven effective presentation skills that will take your speaking abilities to the next level. And to help you hone these skills, we’d like to introduce you to our specialised effective presentation skills training  programs.

Skill 1: Knowing Your Audience

One of the most effective presentation skills is knowing your audience. Understanding your audience helps you tailor your presentation to their needs, interests, and expectations.

Knowing your audience allows you to focus on the topics that are most relevant to them and speak in a language they can understand. Failure to know your audience can lead to a disengaged and uninterested audience, which can ultimately derail your presentation.

Tips for Identifying and Understanding Your Audience

When it comes to delivering a presentation, understanding your audience is essential. Identifying their needs, interests, and expectations can help you tailor your presentation to keep them engaged and interested throughout. Here are some tips to help you better identify and understand your audience:

1. Research your audience

Before your presentation, research your audience to understand their demographics, interests, and expectations. This can be done through social media, surveys, or by asking the event organisers for details about the attendees.

2. Ask questions

During your presentation, ask questions that engage the audience and help you understand their needs and interests. This can help you tailor your presentation to meet their expectations.

3. Analyse non-verbal cues

Pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. This can help you gauge the audience's level of engagement and adjust your presentation accordingly.

4. Consider the occasion

The type of event can affect the expectations of your audience. If you're presenting at a formal event, your audience may expect a more polished and structured presentation. On the other hand, if you're presenting at a more casual event, your audience may appreciate a more relaxed and conversational tone.

5. Use social media

Social media can be a great tool for understanding your audience. Look for groups or hashtags related to your topic to see what people are saying about it. You can also use social media to ask questions and get feedback from your audience.

Skill 2: Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can make your presentation stand out from the rest. It can help you engage your audience emotionally and make your message more memorable.

A well-crafted story can take your audience on a journey, creating a connection between you and them. In a world where attention spans are short, storytelling can be an effective way to hold the attention of your audience and keep them engaged.

Tips for crafting a compelling story for your presentation

Crafting a compelling story for your presentation takes some effort, but the result can be powerful. Here are some tips to help you create a story that resonates with your audience:

1. Start with a clear message

Before you begin crafting your story, identify the key message you want to convey. This will help you structure your story around the central idea and ensure that it aligns with your overall goal.

2. Use a simple structure

A simple structure can help you keep your story focused and easy to follow. Consider using a traditional story arc, which includes an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

3. Create relatable characters

Characters are an important part of any story. Create characters that your audience can relate to, and make them feel human and believable. This will help your audience connect with your story on an emotional level.

4. Use sensory language

Sensory language can help bring your story to life. Use descriptive words to paint a picture in the minds of your audience. This can help them better understand and remember your story.

5. Incorporate humour

Humour can be an effective way to engage your audience and create a memorable presentation. However, be sure to use humour that is appropriate, relevant and not sexist, ageist or ableist. 

Skill 3: Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a powerful tool to enhance your presentation and improve its effectiveness. They can help you convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way and make your presentation more engaging and memorable. 

The human brain processes visual information much faster than text, so incorporating visual aids in your presentation can help your audience understand your message more quickly and effectively.

Tips for creating effective visual aids

Now that we've covered the importance of visual aids, here are some tips for effective presentation skills :

1. Keep it simple

Visual aids should be simple and easy to understand. Avoid cluttered or complicated images, and use clear and concise language. Your audience should be able to quickly and easily understand the information you are presenting.

2. Use high-quality images

Low-quality images can be distracting and detract from your message. Use high-quality images that are relevant to your message and enhance the overall tone of your presentation.

3. Avoid too much text

Visual aids should be used to support your message, not replace them. Avoid using too much text on your slides or graphs, and instead, use bullet points or brief phrases to convey your message.

4. Use colour strategically

Colour can be a powerful tool to help emphasise important information, but it should be used strategically. Avoid using too many colours or bright colours that can be distracting.

5. Incorporate multimedia

Videos and audio can be effective tools to help engage your audience and make your presentation more interactive. Just be sure to use multimedia that is relevant to your message and supports the overall tone of your presentation.

Skill 4: Body Language

Body language is a critical aspect of effective communication skills for presentation , especially in a presentation setting. The way you use your body can have a significant impact on how your message is received by your audience. 

Your body language can convey confidence, interest, enthusiasm, and many other emotions and attitudes that can affect how your audience perceives you and your message.

Tips for using effective body language

Here are some tips for effective presentation skills :

1. Stand up straight

Good posture is key to projecting confidence and authority. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Make eye contact

Eye contact is a powerful way to connect with your audience and build trust. Try to make eye contact with different members of your audience throughout your presentation.

3. Use hand gestures

Appropriate hand gestures can help emphasise your message and make your presentation more engaging. However, be careful not to overdo it or use gestures that are distracting or inappropriate.

4. Avoid fidgeting

Fidgeting can be distracting and convey nervousness or anxiety. Try to stand still and avoid pacing, tapping your feet, or playing with objects.

5. Use facial expressions

Your facial expressions can convey a wide range of emotions and attitudes, from enthusiasm and interest to boredom and disengagement. Use appropriate facial expressions to match the tone of your message.

Skill 5: Voice and Tone

The way you use your voice can have a significant impact on how your presentation is perceived by your audience. 

Your voice and tone can convey a range of emotions and attitudes, such as confidence, authority, enthusiasm, and interest. Your tone can also indicate the level of importance or urgency of your message.

Tips for using effective voice and tone

Now that we understand the impact that voice and tone can have on a presentation, let's explore some tips for effective presentation skills:

1. Practice speaking with intention

Before your presentation, take some time to practice your speaking with intention. Think about the key messages you want to convey and how you want your audience to feel while listening to your presentation. This will help you deliver your message with a clear and purposeful voice and tone.

2. Vary your pace

Varying your pace can help keep your audience engaged and interested in your presentation. Slow down during important or complex points, and speed up during lighter or more exciting parts. By varying your pace, you can also create a sense of urgency or importance in your message.

3. Use pitch to convey emotion

Varying the pitch of your voice can help convey different emotions and attitudes in your presentation. For example, a higher pitch can convey excitement, while a lower pitch can convey seriousness or importance.

4. Pay attention to your volume

Be sure to project your voice so that everyone in the room can hear you. However, be careful not to speak too loudly, which can be distracting or overwhelming for your audience.

5. Pause for emphasis

Pausing at strategic moments can help emphasise important points and give your audience time to process your message. Take a breath and pause before making an important point to give it more weight.

Skill 6: Engaging Your Audience

One of the most important aspects of giving a presentation is engaging your audience. Without audience engagement, your presentation can quickly become boring, forgettable, or even frustrating for your listeners. Engaging your audience is a crucial skill that can help you build rapport, gain trust, and effectively communicate your message through your communication skills for presentation .

Tips for engaging your audience throughout your presentation

Engaging your audience is a crucial skill that can help you build rapport, gain trust, and effectively communicate your message using your communication skills for presentation . In this section, we will explore some tips for effective presentation skills .

1. Use storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can help you capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged. Use personal stories, anecdotes, or case studies to illustrate your points and make your presentation more relatable.

Asking questions can help you create a dialogue with your audience and make them feel like they are part of the conversation. Use open-ended questions to encourage participation and discussion.

3. Use humour

Appropriate humour can help lighten the mood and create a sense of rapport with your audience. Use jokes, puns, or funny anecdotes to break up the monotony of your presentation and keep your audience engaged.

4. Use visual aids

Visual aids, such as graphs, charts, or videos, can help illustrate your points and make your presentation more dynamic. Use them strategically to support your message and keep your audience engaged.

5. Use audience participation

Incorporating interactive elements, such as polls, quizzes, or games, can help keep your audience engaged and create a sense of excitement or competition. Use them strategically to break up your presentation and keep your audience engaged.

Skill 7: Handling Questions and Feedback

Handling questions and feedback is a critical skill that can make or break a presentation. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, address any concerns, and show your audience that you value their input.

Tips for handling questions and feedback effectively

Handling questions and feedback can be daunting, but with some practice, it can become an opportunity to showcase your expertise and engage with your audience. Here are some tips on how to handle questions and feedback effectively:

1. Listen carefully

Listen carefully to the question or feedback, and take a moment to think about your response. This shows that you respect the person asking the question and value their input.

2. Repeat or rephrase the question

This ensures that you have understood the question correctly, and it also helps the audience hear the question clearly. Rephrasing the question can also help clarify any misunderstandings or confusion.

3. Be concise

Keep your answers concise and to the point. Avoid giving long-winded answers that might confuse or bore the audience.

4. Use real-life examples

Using examples or stories can help illustrate your points and make them more relatable to the audience. It can also help keep the audience engaged.

5. Be honest

If you don't know the answer to a question, it's okay to say so. You can offer to follow up with the person after the presentation or suggest resources where they can find more information.

Wrapping It Up

In conclusion, effective presentation skills are an essential part of being a successful communicator. Knowing your audience, storytelling, using visual aids, body language, voice, and tone, engaging your audience, and handling questions and feedback are all key skills that can help you deliver a powerful and impactful presentation.

By following the tips and strategies we've shared, you can improve your communication skills for presentation  and leave a lasting impression on your audience. And if you're looking to take your skills to the next level, some.Education provides presentation skills training that can help you develop and hone these skills.

Remember, a great presentation isn't just about the content - it's also about the delivery. By mastering these skills, you can engage your audience, build your credibility, and leave a lasting impression. So go out there and wow your audience!

Useful Resources :   10 importance of speech communication |  Communication skills presentation |  Grapevine communication

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One of the most important skills any person can learn is how to present themselves to the world. This holds true whether you're attending a job interview, making a good first impression with a client, or assigning a project to your team.

While it may seem like the best speakers are naturally gifted in the art of speaking, that's not always the case. By learning and honing a few key self-presentation skills, you too can become an articulate and engaging speaker that people will enjoy listening to.

Here are eight self-presentation skills that can help you engage and educate your audience better.

1. Tell Engaging Stories

People love a good story. Stories invite listeners to empathize with you and engage in your message. A well-told story can also make complex topics relatable and easier to understand. According to one study , using stories to relay a message improves audience retention by 22 times more than purely data-driven facts.

When you're giving a presentation, find ways to incorporate stories into it. Weaving stories into your content helps listeners put themselves in the shoes of the presenter, making it easier for them to relate to your message.

2. Shift Anxiousness to Enthusiasm

The anxiety bug can affect anyone, even the most seasoned public speakers. The key to managing this stage fright is to channel it into positive energy. It may seem easier said than done, but there are techniques to help you manage those pre-presentation jitters !

On the day of the presentation, avoid eating greasy or sugary foods and eat light and healthy foods instead. Also, don’t forget to dress your best, care for your clothing, and accessorize too — no one wants to be lectured by someone who doesn’t dress well.

Moments before the presentation itself, take a few deep breaths. Instead of stressing about how your message will be received, envision the audience being interested and receptive to it. If you find a familiar friendly face, don't be afraid to direct your attention to that person. This will help calm you down and keep you focused on what you're about to say.

3. Chat with the Audience

When you're presenting to a new audience, it can be helpful to chat with them beforehand. This will put you at ease, help you gauge the level of knowledge of your audience, and give you a chance to develop rapport .

If time allows, try to arrive early and introduce yourself to a few people in the audience. If you're presenting virtually, send a quick email to your participants beforehand and introduce yourself.

In either case, talking to these people will help ground you and give you a better sense of who you're speaking to. The insights you can draw from this will help craft your message to better resonate with them.

4. Practice Makes Perfect

The importance of practice when it comes to public speaking can't be overstated.

Practicing your content out loud will help minimize those awkward moments of fumbling over what to say next or forgetting what you were going to say entirely.

When practicing, it's best to take advantage of your environment and what's made available to you. For example, consider recording yourself in a camera and hearing how you sound. Are you speaking too fast or too slow? Is your voice monotone? Are you using a lot of filler words?

You can also look at the mirror and assess how your body language is as you attempt to present your piece. Are you animated and expressive, or are you slumped over? Always remember that to be an engaging speaker, you need to look like one too!

5. Pause Intentionally

When you're speaking in public, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and rush through your content. But pauses have powerful psychological effects on your audience.

For one, pausing allows you to take a few deep breaths before continuing to speak. This can help you regain composure, collect your thoughts, and feel more in control.

Pauses also signal to the audience that you're in full control of the content and pace of your speech. This not only signals confidence , but it can also help build their trust in your message since they know that you're going to take them through the process step by step.

Pausing also allows space for your audience to absorb the information and ask questions if they have any. This allows you to further engage with them and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

6. Make Use of Visual Aids

No one likes reading large blocks of text. And when you're presenting in front of an audience, it's important to hold their attention. And what better way to do that than by using colorful visual aids?

Visual aids can be anything from PowerPoint slides to physical props. These visuals can help break up the monotony of your presentation and add another layer of depth for your audience to ponder over. And if you’re having trouble finding relevant, unique graphics, you can always create AI-generated art from text prompts.

7. Leave Time for Q&A

At the end of your presentation, always leave time for questions and answers . This allows your audience to interact with you and clears up any confusion they may have about your message.

It also helps build rapport and trust as it shows that you're open to feedback and willing to engage in discussion. This opens the door for a more catered and value-adding discussion, warming the audience and incentivizing them to truly listen to you.

8. Know Your Call to Action

Think of a call to action (CTA) as a way to close your presentation on a high note. This is the part where you tell your audience what they need to do next, and how their involvement will help them reach their goals.

For example, if you're giving a presentation to government officials about the importance of investing in renewable energy, your CTA might be for them to pass a bill that gives tax incentives to companies who switch to this form of energy. For sales pitches or webinars, your CTA would be to have your audience buy your product or sign up for your service.

Continue to: Top Tips for Effective Presentations Presenting Data

See also: Presenting to Large Groups and Conferences Preparing for a Presentation How to Get People to Actually Listen to What You’re Saying

10 Presentation Skills That Every Great Presenter Must Have

It’s no secret that effective presentations can help you get ahead in business. After all, what better way to show off your knowledge and expertise than by delivering a well-crafted presentation? The right presentation skills give you the ability to share your ideas with an audience convincingly and engagingly.

Unfortunately, not everyone is born a natural presenter. If you’re not used to standing up in front of an audience, the prospect of doing so can be daunting. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your presentation skills.

In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to do just that, allowing you to deliver an effective presentation.

Let’s get right into it.

What are Presentation Skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities you need to deliver a clear and effective presentation. After all, a good presenter is someone who can communicate their ideas in a way that engages and motivates their audience.

There are many different aspects to presentation skills, from knowing how to structure your talk to using visuals effectively, to dealing with nerves.

Developing strong presentation skills will help you to communicate your ideas more effectively and make a positive impression on your audience.

Presentation skills are important because they can help you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. A good presentation can make a big impact on your audience and can help to persuade them of your point of view.

Presentation skills are also important in other areas of life, such as job interviews, sales pitches, and networking events. Being able to present your ideas clearly and concisely can give you a big advantage over others who are not as confident in their presentation skills.

Why Is it Important To Recognize Presentation Skills & Their Benefits?

One of the most important reasons to recognize presentation skills is because they are a valuable skill for any profession. Good presentation skills can help you in your career by making it easier to sell your ideas, get promoted, and be successful in business.

In addition, good presentation skills can also help you in your personal life by making it easier to give speeches, make presentations, and teach classes.

In addition, recognizing presentation skills can also help you improve your presentations. If you are not aware of the importance of presentation skills, you may not be using them to their full potential.

By taking the time to learn about presentation skills and how to use them effectively, you can make your presentations more effective and persuasive.

Here’s a list of benefits that come with good presentation skills:

• Increased confidence
• The ability to think on your feet
• Improved public speaking skills
• Enhanced written communication skills
• The ability to lead and motivate others
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Improved negotiation skills
• Stronger time management skills
• Greater creativity
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on others

10 Examples of Presentation Skills

Let’s now explore some practical examples of presentation skills that will help you ace your next big presentation.

A Clear And Confident Voice

One of the most important aspects of a great presentation is having a clear and confident voice. If you’re mumbling or speaking too quietly, your audience is going to have a hard time understanding you.

On the other hand, if you’re shouting or speaking too fast, they’re going to get overwhelmed and tune out. So, it’s important to find that happy medium where your voice is audible and easy to understand.

The Ability To Engage With Your Audience

Another key presentation skill is the ability to engage with your audience. This means making eye contact, using gestures, and speaking in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

If you’re just standing there reading off a slide, chances are your audience is going to get bored pretty quickly. But if you can find ways to keep them engaged, they’ll be more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Good Eye Contact

One of the best ways to engage with your audience is through eye contact. When you make eye contact with someone, it shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and that you’re engaged in the conversation. It also helps to build trust and rapport.

So, if you can find ways to make eye contact with your audience members, it will go a long way in keeping them engaged.

Natural Gestures

Another great way to engage with your audience is through natural gestures. Using your hands and arms to gesture can help emphasize points and keep your audience engaged. Just be sure not to go overboard – too much gesturing can be distracting.

Positive Body Language

Your body language is also important when it comes to presentations. If you’re slouching or looking down at your feet, it’s going to show that you’re not confident in what you’re saying.

On the other hand, if you’re standing up straight and making strong eye contact, it’s going to give off a positive impression. So, be aware of your body language and try to project confidence through it.

The Use Of Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a great way to engage your audience and make your points more clear. Using slides, charts, and graphs can help illustrate your ideas and make them easier to understand. Similar to using gestures, just be sure not to overdo it – too many visuals can be overwhelming and confusing.

The Ability To Handle Questions

At some point during your presentation, you’re likely going to get questions from your audience; how you handle those questions can make or break your presentation. If you’re able to answer them confidently and without getting flustered, it’ll show that you know your stuff.

But if you start to get tongue-tied or defensive, it’s going to reflect poorly on you. So, be prepared for questions and try to stay calm when answering them.

An Organized Structure

Another important presentation skill is having a well-organized structure. This means having an introduction, main body, and conclusion to your presentation.

It also means using transitions between sections to help your audience follow along. If your presentation is all over the place, it’s going to be hard for your audience to stay engaged and they’ll quickly tune out.

The Use Of Storytelling

Storytelling is a great way to engage your audience and make your points more memorable. And while it might not seem like a traditional presentation skill, it can be extremely effective. So, if you can find ways to weave stories into your presentation, it’ll go a long way in captivating your audience.

Last but not least, confidence is one of the most important presentation skills you can have. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying, it’s going to show – and your audience is going to pick up on it.

So, even if you’re not feeling 100% sure of yourself, try to project confidence. It’ll make a big difference in how your audience perceives you and your message.

How To Identify & Master Presentation Skills

The good news is that presentation skills are not rocket science. Anyone can develop and master them with the right guidance.

Here’s a 5-step process to help you identify and master presentation skills.

Determine The Purpose Of Your Presentation

Are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience? Knowing the purpose of your presentation will help you focus on the right content and delivery.

Know Your Audience

Who will be watching or listening to your presentation? What are their needs, wants, and concerns? The better you understand your audience, the more effectively you can address their needs.

Structure Your Content

Organize your thoughts into an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your presentation. The body should contain the meat of your argument, and the conclusion should drive home your main points.

Choose Your Delivery Method

Will you be using slides, props, or other visual aids? Will you be speaking extemporaneously or reading from a script? Choose a delivery method that best suits your content and audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The only way to become a master presenter is to practice, practice, practice! Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. Then keep practicing until it becomes second nature.

Also, consider that the right strengths test can help you understand your presentation skills better – both the strong ones and the ones to get better at. To this extent, the High5test.com strengths test is a great resource.

How To Improve Presentation Skills in The Workplace

The workplace is one of the most important places to hone your presentation skills. After all, in the business world, first impressions are key, and being able to deliver a polished and professional presentation can make all the difference in whether or not you’re successful.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your presentation skills in the workplace:

Preparation Is Key

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. When you’re preparing for a presentation, take the time to do your research and gather all of the necessary information. This will help ensure that your presentation is well-organized and flows smoothly.

Be Aware Of Your Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re communicating with your nonverbal cues. Make sure you’re standing up straight, making eye contact, and using gestures appropriately. These small tweaks can make a big difference in how your audience perceives you.

One of the best ways to improve your presentation skills is simply to practice as much as you can. The more you present, the more comfortable you’ll become and the better you’ll be at thinking on your feet and handling questions from the audience.

Seek Feedback

After each presentation, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. If possible, seek feedback from your colleagues or boss. This will help you learn from your mistakes and continue to improve.

By following these tips, you can start to improve your presentation skills and make a positive impression in the workplace.

How To Highlight Presentation Skills In Resume & Job Interview

Another important skill that is often overlooked is the ability to highlight presentation skills in both a resume and a job interview. This can be the difference between getting the job and not.

When you are applying for a job, your resume is often the first thing that potential employers will look at. It is important to make sure that your resume includes any relevant presentation skills that you may have.

You can do this by including any experience you have in public speaking, leading presentations, or teaching courses. If you do not have any experience in these areas, consider listing any other relevant skills that could transfer over into presenting, such as customer service or sales experience.

In addition to your resume, it is also important to be able to highlight your presentation skills during a job interview. This is often done through behavioral interviewing, where you will be asked to describe specific examples of times when you have presented in the past. It is important to be prepared for this type of question and to have a few examples ready to go.

When you are highlighting your presentation skills, it is important to focus on any successes that you have had. This could be anything from getting positive feedback from an audience to successfully teaching a new course.

No matter what the specific example is, it is important to focus on how you were able to positively impact the situation. This will show potential employers that you can effectively present information and that you are someone they would want on their team.

Bonus Tip: How to Improve Presentation Skills in School As a Student

School students often have to present in front of their classmates and teachers. This can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t feel confident in your abilities. However, there are some things you can do to improve your presentation skills while you’re still in school.

Join A Club Or Organization That Requires Presentations

This will force you to get up in front of people regularly and hone your skills. If no club or organization at your school requires presentations, start one!

Give speeches in front of the mirror.

Practicing in front of a mirror can help you identify any nervous habits you have (like fidgeting or pacing) and correct them before you have to give a real speech.

Use Note Cards Instead Of A Script

Reading from a script can make you sound robotic and unauthentic. Note cards will help you stay on track without sounding like you’re reciting memorized lines.

Record Yourself Giving A Presentation

Then, watch the recording back to see how you can improve. This exercise can be painful, but it’s one of the best ways to identify your weaknesses and work on them.

Find A Mentor

Ask a teacher or another adult you trust to give you feedback on your presentations. They can offer helpful tips and criticism that will help you improve.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great presenter in no time!

Presentation Skills FAQs

What are the 7 presentation skills.

The 7 presentation skills are:

• Eye contact

What are the 4 types of presentation skills?

The 4 types of presentation skills are:

• Verbal communication
• Visual aids
• Non-verbal communication
• Listening skills

What is the rule of presentation?

The rule of presentation is to always keep the audience in mind. This means knowing who your audience is, what they want to hear, and how to best deliver your message so that they will listen and be able to understand it.

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Top 12 Presentation Specialist Skills to Put on Your Resume

A compelling resume is essential for landing a job as a presentation specialist, where showcasing your unique skill set can set you apart from the competition. Highlighting the top presentation specialist skills on your resume demonstrates to potential employers your ability to create engaging and informative presentations that captivate audiences and convey complex information effectively.

Presentation Specialist Skills

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Storytelling
• Data Visualization
• Infographics
• Public Speaking
• Audience Engagement
• Slide Design
• Video Editing

1. PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentation software developed by Microsoft, used for creating and displaying slide shows to support a presentation, incorporating text, images, animations, and multimedia elements.

Why It's Important

PowerPoint is essential for a Presentation Specialist as it provides a versatile platform for creating visually appealing and structured presentations, enabling effective communication of ideas and information to audiences.

How to Improve PowerPoint Skills

Improving PowerPoint presentations as a Presentation Specialist involves focusing on design, content, and engagement. Here are concise tips:

• Design: Keep slides visually appealing yet simple. Use high-quality images and consistent fonts. Canva's Design School offers great design tips.
• Content: Make content concise and to the point. Use bullet points to break down information. The Better Presenter provides insights on crafting impactful content.
• Engagement: Use animations and transitions sparingly to maintain audience interest without distraction. Duarte has resources on engaging presentations.
• Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery. Toastmasters International offers tips on public speaking and rehearsing.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from peers before the final presentation to identify areas for improvement. Harvard Business Review discusses the importance of feedback in presentations.
• Technology: Stay updated with the latest PowerPoint features and plugins for enhanced presentations. Microsoft's PowerPoint Blog is a good resource.

By integrating these strategies, Presentation Specialists can significantly enhance the effectiveness and impact of their PowerPoint presentations.

How to Display PowerPoint Skills on Your Resume

Keynote is a presentation software developed by Apple Inc. that allows users to create and deliver visually appealing presentations, incorporating text, images, charts, and multimedia elements.

Keynote is important for a Presentation Specialist as it provides advanced tools for creating visually compelling and engaging presentations, enabling effective communication of ideas and information to audiences.

How to Improve Keynote Skills

To improve your Keynote presentations, follow these concise strategies:

Design Consistency : Use a consistent theme, font, and color scheme throughout your presentation. Apple's Keynote User Guide on Themes provides insights into selecting and using themes effectively.

Visual Hierarchy : Organize information using size, color, and layout to guide the audience's attention. Canva’s Design School offers principles that can be applied to Keynote slides.

Engaging Visuals : Use high-quality images, graphics, and animations sparingly to support your message. Unsplash and Pexels are great sources for free, high-quality images.

Clear and Concise Text : Keep text minimal, using bullet points or short sentences. Grammarly can help ensure clarity and conciseness.

Data Visualization : Use charts, graphs, and infographics to present data clearly. Keynote’s own tools can be leveraged, but also consider external tools like Infogram for more complex visualizations.

Interactive Elements : Incorporate videos, links, and interactive charts to make your presentation more engaging. Learn how to add and manage these elements in Keynote here .

Practice and Rehearse : Use Keynote’s Presenter Notes and Rehearse Mode to practice your delivery. Check out Apple's guide on rehearsing for more tips.

Feedback and Iterate : Share your presentation with colleagues or friends for feedback. Keynote’s collaboration features make it easy to work together and make revisions.

By implementing these strategies, you'll enhance the effectiveness of your Keynote presentations, making them more engaging and impactful for your audience.

How to Display Keynote Skills on Your Resume

Prezi is a cloud-based presentation software that allows users to create visually dynamic and interactive presentations through a zoomable canvas, offering a more engaging alternative to traditional slide-based formats.

Prezi is important for a Presentation Specialist because it offers a dynamic, zoomable canvas that enables the creation of engaging, visually compelling presentations that can better captivate and retain the audience's attention compared to traditional slide-based formats.

How to Improve Prezi Skills

To enhance your Prezi presentations as a Presentation Specialist, focus on these concise strategies:

Design Consistency : Maintain a consistent theme with fonts, colors, and imagery. Prezi's design tools help unify your presentation's look.

Clear Structure : Organize your content logically. Use Prezi's path feature to guide your audience through the presentation smoothly.

Engaging Visuals : Incorporate high-quality images and videos. Prezi supports embedding YouTube videos directly into presentations for dynamic content.

Interactivity : Use zooming to focus on details and the overview effect to provide context. Explore Prezi's zoom reveal feature to make your presentation more interactive.

Concise Content : Keep text brief and to the point. Use bullet points or icons as visual cues to deliver your message efficiently.

Practice and Feedback : Rehearse your presentation and seek feedback. Prezi Analytics ( Prezi Analytics ) can offer insights into how your audience engages with your presentation.

Use Templates : Start with Prezi's template gallery for inspiration and customize to fit your needs.

By implementing these strategies, you'll create more effective and engaging Prezi presentations.

How to Display Prezi Skills on Your Resume

4. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software used for creating and editing complex illustrations, logos, and graphics, ideal for Presentation Specialists to craft visually compelling presentations.

Adobe Illustrator is essential for a Presentation Specialist because it provides advanced vector graphics tools to create scalable, high-quality visual content, ensuring professional and engaging presentations.

How to Improve Adobe Illustrator Skills

To improve your skills in Adobe Illustrator as a Presentation Specialist, focus on these key areas:

Master the Basics : Ensure you have a strong foundation in Illustrator's core tools and functions. Adobe's official tutorials are a great starting point.

Learn Typography : Effective text handling can elevate your presentations. Explore Adobe's typography tutorials to refine your skills.

Use Templates : Streamline your workflow by utilizing Illustrator templates. Adobe Stock offers a wide range of options.

Incorporate Infographics : Visual data representation is key in presentations. Improve your infographic skills through dedicated infographic tutorials .

Stay Updated : Adobe Illustrator is constantly updated. Keep abreast of new features and tools via the Adobe Blog .

Practice Design Principles : Apply basic design principles to your work. Websites like Canva’s Design School offer free resources to enhance your design sense.

Get Feedback : Join online communities like Behance to showcase your work and receive constructive feedback.

By focusing on these areas, you'll enhance your Adobe Illustrator skills, making your presentations more engaging and effective.

How to Display Adobe Illustrator Skills on Your Resume

5. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful digital imaging software used by Presentation Specialists for creating, editing, and enhancing visual content, including photos and graphics, for impactful presentations.

Adobe Photoshop is crucial for a Presentation Specialist because it provides advanced tools for creating, editing, and enhancing visual content, ensuring high-quality, professional-looking presentations that effectively communicate and engage audiences.

How to Improve Adobe Photoshop Skills

Improving your Adobe Photoshop skills as a Presentation Specialist involves several key strategies focused on enhancing both your technical abilities and creative prowess. Here are concise tips to help you elevate your Photoshop expertise:

Master the Basics : Ensure you have a strong foundation in Photoshop's tools and features. Adobe's official tutorials are a great starting point.

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts : Efficiency is key in presentation design. Familiarize yourself with Photoshop's keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. Adobe offers a comprehensive list of shortcuts .

Experiment with Advanced Techniques : Dive into advanced features like Layer Masks, Blending Modes, and Smart Objects to create more sophisticated designs. Tuts+ offers advanced Photoshop tutorials for deeper learning.

Stay Updated : Adobe regularly updates Photoshop with new features and improvements. Keep your software up to date and explore new features as they are released. Visit the Adobe Blog for the latest updates.

Practice Regularly : Like any skill, proficiency in Photoshop comes with practice. Challenge yourself with personal projects or take on varied assignments to apply your skills in different contexts.

Seek Inspiration : Inspiration can fuel creativity and introduce you to new design possibilities. Websites like Behance showcase professional creative work that can inspire your presentation designs.

Join Online Communities : Engaging with other professionals can provide valuable insights and feedback. Join Photoshop forums or social media groups such as the Adobe Photoshop Facebook group to connect with peers.

Attend Workshops and Webinars : Live sessions can offer real-time learning and interaction with experts. Keep an eye out for Photoshop workshops and webinars hosted by design institutions or Adobe itself.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your Photoshop skills, making you a more proficient and creative Presentation Specialist.

How to Display Adobe Photoshop Skills on Your Resume

6. Storytelling

Storytelling, in the context of a Presentation Specialist, is the art of conveying a message or information through a compelling narrative structure to engage and connect with the audience effectively.

Storytelling is crucial for a Presentation Specialist because it engages the audience, makes complex information digestible, and creates a memorable emotional connection, enhancing the impact and retention of the presented message.

How to Improve Storytelling Skills

Improving storytelling, especially for a Presentation Specialist, involves enhancing the way you convey information to captivate and engage your audience. Here are concise tips with relevant resources:

Know Your Audience : Tailor your story to the interests and understanding level of your audience. (Forbes)

Structure Your Story : Use a clear beginning, middle, and end to provide a coherent and compelling narrative. ( TED )

Use Visuals : Incorporate relevant visuals to support and enhance your story. (Harvard Business Review)

Be Authentic : Authenticity creates a connection with your audience. Share personal stories or experiences when appropriate. (Forbes)

Practice Delivery : Work on your pacing, tone, and body language to make your storytelling more engaging. (Toastmasters)

Engage the Senses : Describe scenes, sounds, or feelings to make your story more immersive. (The Muse)

Simplify Complex Ideas : Break down complex ideas into simple, relatable elements. (Harvard Business Review)

By focusing on these areas and leveraging the advice from the linked resources, you can elevate your storytelling skills for more impactful presentations.

How to Display Storytelling Skills on Your Resume

7. Data Visualization

Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data to communicate insights clearly and efficiently, using elements such as charts, graphs, and maps. It enables Presentation Specialists to present complex data in a way that is easy to understand and visually appealing for the audience.

Data visualization is crucial for a Presentation Specialist because it transforms complex data into clear, visually engaging formats that facilitate easy understanding, quick insights, and impactful storytelling, enhancing audience engagement and decision-making.

How to Improve Data Visualization Skills

Improving data visualization requires focusing on clarity, simplicity, and audience engagement. Here are concise tips for a Presentation Specialist:

Know Your Audience : Understand the audience's background and tailor the visualization complexity accordingly. Ensuring the data speaks their language increases engagement and comprehension.

Choose the Right Chart Type : Match the chart type to your data's story. Use Bar charts for comparisons, Line charts for trends, and Pie charts for proportions. Consult resources like Data to Viz for choosing effectively.

Simplify : Avoid clutter. Minimize chart junk (unnecessary labels, colors, and textures) to focus attention on the data. The Gestalt Principles can guide in making visuals appear clear and organized.

Consistent Design : Use a consistent color scheme and style throughout your presentation. Tools like Adobe Color can help select complementary colors.

Highlight Key Information : Use colors, arrows, or annotations to draw attention to the most important parts of your data. This helps in guiding the audience's focus to significant insights.

Storytelling with Data : Narrate a story around your data to make it more relatable and memorable. Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling with Data offers excellent insights into weaving narratives with data.

Accessibility : Ensure your visualizations are accessible to all audience members, including those with color blindness. Tools like Color Oracle can simulate how your visuals appear to those with color vision deficiencies.

Feedback and Iterate : Before finalizing, seek feedback from peers to identify any confusing elements or missed opportunities for clarity. Revise based on the feedback for improved understanding.

Remember, the goal of data visualization is not just to show numbers but to tell a story that resonates with the audience, driving the message home effectively.

How to Display Data Visualization Skills on Your Resume

8. Infographics

Infographics are visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. For a Presentation Specialist, they are a tool to enhance audience engagement and understanding by summarizing and illustrating key messages in a visually appealing and accessible manner.

Infographics are crucial for Presentation Specialists because they transform complex information into clear, engaging visual representations, enhancing audience understanding and retention.

How to Improve Infographics Skills

To enhance infographics for presentations, follow these concise tips:

Simplify Data : Use tools like Canva to create clear, easy-to-understand visuals. Avoid overcrowding your infographics with too much information.

Consistent Style : Ensure a uniform style (fonts, colors, icons) across your infographics for a professional look. Tools like Adobe Spark offer pre-designed themes to help maintain consistency.

Use Color Wisely : Apply color to direct attention and organize information. Coolors can help you choose a harmonious palette.

Focus on Hierarchy : Structure your information to guide the viewer’s eye through the infographic. Use size and positioning to highlight key points.

Tell a Story : Make your infographic narrative compelling. Tools like Piktochart offer storytelling templates.

Incorporate Visuals : Use icons and images to represent concepts visually, making them easier to understand at a glance. Flaticon provides a vast selection of icons.

Interactive Elements : If applicable, make your infographics interactive for deeper engagement. Visme allows the creation of interactive infographics.

Feedback and Revise : Seek feedback from colleagues or your target audience and be prepared to revise your infographic for clarity and impact.

By applying these tips, presentation specialists can create compelling, informative, and visually appealing infographics.

How to Display Infographics Skills on Your Resume

9. Public Speaking

Public speaking, for a Presentation Specialist, involves delivering oral presentations to an audience with clear, engaging content and visuals to inform, persuade, or entertain, utilizing effective communication skills and presentation tools.

Public speaking is crucial for a Presentation Specialist as it enhances the ability to effectively communicate ideas, engage the audience, and convey the intended message with clarity and confidence, thereby amplifying the impact of the presentation.

How to Improve Public Speaking Skills

Improving public speaking, especially for a Presentation Specialist, revolves around enhancing both the content and delivery of presentations. Here are concise steps for improvement:

Understand Your Audience : Tailor your message to their interests and level of understanding. Know Your Audience .

Practice : Rehearse your presentation multiple times to gain confidence. Use tools like Toastmasters for structured practice environments.

Engage with Stories : Incorporate relevant stories to make your presentation more engaging. Learn storytelling techniques from TED Talks .

Visual Aids : Use visual aids effectively to enhance understanding. Canva offers insights on Creating Effective Presentation Designs.

Body Language : Be mindful of your body language to convey confidence and openness. Amy Cuddy’s TED talk on body language provides valuable insights.

Feedback : Seek constructive feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. Consider joining a local Toastmasters club for regular feedback.

Continual Learning : Stay informed about the latest trends in presentation design and public speaking by following platforms like Presentation Zen for insights on presentation design and delivery.

Remember, effective public speaking is a skill that improves with practice, feedback, and a willingness to learn from every speaking opportunity.

How to Display Public Speaking Skills on Your Resume

10. Audience Engagement

Audience engagement refers to the degree of attention, interaction, and involvement an audience exhibits during a presentation, aiming for active participation and interest from the viewers.

Audience engagement is crucial for a Presentation Specialist because it ensures the message is effectively communicated, retains the audience's attention, promotes understanding and retention of information, and encourages active participation, making the presentation more impactful and memorable.

How to Improve Audience Engagement Skills

Improving audience engagement, particularly for a Presentation Specialist, involves a blend of strategy, content design, and delivery techniques. Here's a concise guide:

Understand Your Audience : Tailor your content to meet their interests, knowledge level, and needs. Pre-event surveys can help customize your presentation.

Interactive Elements : Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, or live quizzes. Tools like Mentimeter or Slido facilitate real-time interaction.

Compelling Visuals : Use high-quality images, infographics, and minimal text. Tools like Canva or Prezi offer dynamic design options.

Storytelling : Weave your information into a narrative. Stories are memorable and can make complex information accessible.

Clear and Concise Content : Focus on key messages. Use simple language and avoid jargon.

Energetic Delivery : Your enthusiasm is contagious. Practice your pacing, tone, and body language to maintain energy and engagement.

Feedback and Follow-Up : Post-event surveys can provide insights for future improvements. Tools like SurveyMonkey are useful for gathering audience feedback.

By integrating these strategies, you enhance the audience's engagement, making your presentations more effective and impactful.

How to Display Audience Engagement Skills on Your Resume

11. Slide Design

Slide design involves the creation and arrangement of visual elements on a presentation slide to effectively communicate information, engage the audience, and enhance the overall message, focusing on layout, color, typography, imagery, and branding consistency.

Slide design is crucial for a Presentation Specialist as it enhances audience engagement, ensures clear communication of ideas, and reinforces the speaker's message, ultimately making the presentation more effective and memorable.

How to Improve Slide Design Skills

Improving slide design involves a blend of aesthetics, clarity, and audience engagement. Here are concise tips:

Keep it Simple : Use a clean layout with a lot of white space. Avoid clutter SlideModel .

Consistent Theme : Stick to a consistent color scheme and font style throughout your presentation. Tools like Adobe Color can help choose a palette.

Use High-Quality Images : Opt for high-resolution images that enhance your message. Websites like Unsplash offer free, high-quality photos.

Focus on Readability : Ensure text is easy to read by using large, sans-serif fonts. Keep text minimal per slide.

Data Visualization : Use graphs and charts to present data clearly. Tools like Canva provide easy ways to create them.

Hierarchy and Contrast : Use size, color, and placement to signify the importance of elements on your slide.

Engage with Visuals : Incorporate videos or animations when relevant. Giphy is great for finding short, appropriate clips.

Practice Consistency : Use slide masters in PowerPoint or layouts in Google Slides to maintain consistency Google Slides .

Interactivity : Incorporate polls or Q&A sessions if your platform supports it, adding a layer of interaction Mentimeter.

Feedback and Iterate : Seek feedback from peers and adjust your slides accordingly. Continual refinement is key.

Each of these steps contributes to a compelling, visually appealing presentation that can keep your audience engaged and convey your message effectively.

How to Display Slide Design Skills on Your Resume

12. Video Editing

Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video clips to create a new work, involving cutting, adding effects, and assembling clips in a coherent sequence to effectively convey a message or story, crucial for a Presentation Specialist in enhancing storytelling and engaging the audience.

Video editing is crucial for a Presentation Specialist as it enables the precise shaping and refinement of video content to effectively communicate messages, engage audiences, and ensure a professional, polished delivery that aligns with the presentation's objectives and brand standards.

How to Improve Video Editing Skills

To improve video editing as a Presentation Specialist, focus on mastering these key aspects:

Learn the Basics : Understand the fundamentals of video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro . Explore online tutorials to get a solid foundation.

Storytelling : Enhance your storytelling skills. Crafting a compelling narrative is crucial. Check out resources like TED Talks on storytelling for inspiration.

Color Grading : Improve the visual appeal of your videos with color correction and grading. Use tutorials from Color Grading Central to learn more.

Sound Design : Good audio is half the experience. Learn to improve your sound design at Sound Design 101.

Transitions and Effects : Use transitions sparingly and focus on those that enhance the storytelling. Learn about effective transitions on Skillshare or LinkedIn Learning .

Keep Practicing : Regular practice and experimentation with different techniques and styles will help you improve over time. Join communities like Videomaker for feedback and support.

Stay Updated : The video editing landscape is always changing. Stay updated with the latest trends and software updates through blogs and forums like Creative COW .

By focusing on these areas and continually seeking out new learning resources and community feedback, you can significantly improve your video editing skills for presentations and beyond.

How to Display Video Editing Skills on Your Resume

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