Tips on Conducting a Successful Presentation
Presenting can be one of the most intimidating tasks in the world. It's not just speaking to a group of people, it's speaking in front of them, using all your wit and charm, giving your best performance possible so that they're entertained and learn something at the same time! But even though presenting is a big feat, there are some tips you can use to help make sure you don't trip up or lose your cool. Here are some ways to keep yourself focused throughout the process, as well as some smaller tricks for making it easier for you on stage!
1) Plan a cohesive and engaging set-up
Before going on any presentation give yourself plenty of time to plan out what should happen when. How and when should you start? What happens once you get the ball rolling? Even though you will have your notes, a script, or some other form of preparation you can use to help guide your audience through your presentation, it's still wise to know what will happen if something goes amiss. There is nothing worse than knowing you have a plan to follow but not knowing what that plan is!
2) Create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable going with the flow
The more loose your audience is, the better chance you have at making a good impression. No one wants to feel like they're walking on eggshells or are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Give the audience plenty of time to feel comfortable with you, and also give yourself plenty of time. Bring snacks or drinks for them to munch on if they're hungry or thirsty, and have something that they can look at, listen to, or touch while you're in your presentation. Try to make things as engaging as possible so they don't feel like they're just sitting there on their couch watching you do the presentation.
If the goal is for them to understand your concepts and procedures, then explain what those are as well. [i]E.g, explain what a PowerPoint is, how to export a file, etc.
3) Use jokes or other devices to engage the audience
Most good presenters will have some kind of joke during their presentation, but do not be afraid to use this as part of your presentation! People enjoy jokes and light-hearted comments and making people laugh will really help get them win over. [ii] If you seek success in this manner, it's important that you do so in an appropriate way. Don't just say something stupid or offensive for the sake of going off topic which will ruin your credibility.
4) Emphasize important points with metaphors or visuals
It can be easy to become so engrossed in your topic that you feel like you have to say everything in absolute detail. It's easy to get stuck and lose track of a major point. If possible, use metaphors and other devices that will help people keep track of what you're trying to get across.
5) Look towards the end of the presentation
When you are speaking, it can be too easy for your mind to wander off. This can make it difficult for others to follow along with what you're saying and they may not understand what it is you are getting at with those last few sentences. This is why it's important to look towards your end before you begin to get a sense of where you're heading with everything as a whole.
6) Have fun
Remember that this is not the end all be all of your presentation. Look at this as a job, and if you did a good job then that can be good for you, but if you messed up then the worst thing that happens is no one remembers what happened. It can be easy to get nervous and feel like this is the end all be all, so don't let that pressure take over!
7) Use templates to help you.
Presentation templates can be a great tool for getting your ideas out there and getting your point across. TemplateLab [iii] is a great place to start if you're looking for a template for any kind of presentation, but you can also use Google Docs, or PowerPoint if it's necessary. If you use PowerPoint then consider using the template on Microsoft Office [iv] to help make sure that everything is organized and put together in the best way possible.
8) Keep an eye on your time
Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up with what you're saying and forget how much time you have left. If you feel like you're going a bit too long, then make a note for yourself to try and wrap up sooner. If you feel like the audience is enjoying your presentation too much, then keep going! You want to make sure that once this presentation is over, everyone leaves satisfied.
9) Use gestures or actions that are appropriate for the tone of your presentation
You do not have to use overly dramatic gestures but doing so when it's called for in intense situations will help engage the audience even more than they already are.
10) Keep a glass of water with you on stage
You should always make sure that there is plenty of water on hand, just in case something like this happens:
Depending on how bad it is, it might be best to excuse yourself then apologize to the audience. If you can, grab a cup of water and pour it in front of you so that people know what's going on. Just because one thing goes wrong does not mean your entire presentation is ruined!
11) Don't let a small mistake ruin your whole presentation
So you made a few mistakes, who hasn't? No one is perfect but no matter how small or large they are they shouldn't take away from the overall presentation. If you have made a mistake, then acknowledge it, make an effort to fix it and move on. Sometimes mistakes happen and there isn't anything you can do to stop that from happening. However, if there is something that can go wrong then do everything in your power to prevent that from happening!
12) Make sure you have what you need!
It's important not only to have the things you need for your presentation but also to know where they are as well. If someone asks for a stick pen and all you have are pens, then handing one over might lead to an uncomfortable situation while they try to unjam it or take apart the pen in order to write with it.
Conclusion
Presentations are a great way to get your ideas out there and let people know what you're doing. It's better to practice and make sure that everything is in order before you stand in front of an audience, so do not be afraid to give this some time! No one likes a sloppy job, but even more than that no one likes bad surprises. Be clear about your intentions and desired effects from the start, and then you should be good to go!
Facts:
- The average attention span these days is 8 seconds, which means that it's important to be as concise as possible.