How to deliver a presentation
Checklist
- Prepare yourself mentally: remind yourself that you have a good presentation which people want to hear.
- Familiarise yourself with the room. How many will attend the presentation, where will they sit in relation to you, where the presentation equipment is positioned.
- Check your preparations. Ensure your notes and visual aids are in order and any equipment is working.
- Introduce yourself and explain your role.
- Ask questions - for example, about their particular areas of interest - and adjust your presentation in light of the responses.
- Start your presentation with an overview of its structure and the key points you intend to make.
- Encourage questions. Explain that you will try to answer them as they arise, but will postpone complex answers till after the presentation.
- Cover the key points in turn. Show visual aids only when relevant.
- Speak clearly. Concentrate on speaking slowly if you are nervous and use pauses for emphasis.
- Project positive body language with a confident, open posture. Smile naturally - there is nothing more off-putting than a forced grin.
- Talk to the audience, not the images behind you when using a screen or projector. Turn equipment off when not in use so the audience is not distracted.
- Continually scan the audience, maintaining eye contact. Watch for inattention, fidgeting and other signs of boredom.
- Use questions and names to recapture attention and involve them.
- Respond to the audience. Be ready to change your approach in light of their degree of interest.
- Finish the presentation with a summary of the key points; stress the benefits of taking action.
- Provide any handouts after the presentation, when they can no longer distract the audience and may remind them of your message.
- Deal with any remaining questions and ask for feedback
- Establish the next step, and note any follow-up action required from you.
Cardinal rules
Do:
- check your preparations
- involve your audience and respond to them
- project confidence and enthusiasm
- maintain eye contact
- deal with questions immediately
- establish the next step
Don't:
- worry about being nervous - use it as a source of energy
- read from a script
- speak too quickly
- provide handouts until after the presentation
