For business professionals today, presentation and public-speaking skills are more important than ever.
Strong presentation skills and the ability to engage and connect with your audience can truly set you apart from the crowd.
Here are 5 Tips to help you present more professionally:
1. Be passionate
Be passionate about your topic and let that enthusiasm come out. Yes, you need great content. Yes, you need professional, well designed visuals. But it’s all in vain if you don’t have a deep, genuine belief in your topic.
The biggest thing that separates mediocre presenters from world class ones is the ability to connect with an audience in an honest and exciting way. Don’t hold back. Be confident. And let your passion for your topic come out for all to see.
2. Start strong
You’ve heard it before: First impressions are powerful. Believe it! The first 2-3 minutes of the presentation are the most important. The audience wants to like you and they will give you a few minutes at the beginning to engage them – don’t miss the opportunity.
Most presenters fail here because they ramble on too long about superfluous background information or their personal/professional history, etc.
3. Keep it short
People have short attention spans when it comes to passively sitting and listening to a speaker. Audience attention is greatest at the opening and then again when you say something like “In conclusion….” This is just the human condition, especially so for the busy (often tired) knowledge worker of today.
So, if you have 30 minutes for your presentation, finish in 25 minutes. It’s better to have the audience wanting more (of you) than to feel that they have had more than enough. Professional entertainers know this very well!
4. Move away from the podium
Get closer to your audience by moving away from or in front of the podium. The podium is a barrier between you and the audience, but the goal of our presentation is to connect with the audience.
Removing physical barriers between you and the audience will help you build rapport and make a stronger connection.
5. Go remote
To advance your slides and builds, use a small, wireless handheld remote. This will allow you to move away from the podium. This is an absolute must and frees you up from the need to remain close to your computer.
Avoid fiddling with the remote or gesturing too much with it in your hand – if you know you’re not going to use it for the next minute or so, place it on the desk.
