Not sure how to prepare for a presentation?
Although it’s essential to create a fantastic and captivating presentation, it’s equally important to practice that presentation and ensure it runs smoothly.
Being well-prepared on the day can exude confidence, professionalism, and passion to the audience.
Here are three tips to guide you during your presentation preparation:
Outline Your Presentation
Here’s how to plan a presentation:
Creating an outline for your presentation ensures you focus on the main points you’re trying to convey.
Your outline should follow this structure:
- Begin with your conclusion in mind
- Think of 3 words that could create impact below your title as in Di Veni DI Vidi Di Vici
- Answer the why of your presentation immediately ,followed by the what when where who and how
- Evidences that support the answers to the above
- Call to action
While creating an outline, ensure you include information that the audience wants to know – not what you can tell them. Additionally, remember how and when the audience will react to specific sections of your presentation, as you’ll need to respond to those moments.
Practice Your Presentation Ahead of Time
It’s crucial to practice your presentation ahead of time. This can help you feel more confident on the big day.
Not sure how to practice for a presentation?
If you can, try to practice your presentation in front of family members or work colleagues. This way, you can present to a real audience, and they can give you constructive feedback. You can also videotape yourself but do not practice in front of a mirror! While rehearsing your presentation, ensure you practice making eye contact and smiling. These factors can help you connect with your audience and showcase your passion for the topic. Smiling can also help you feel less anxious and more comfortable while delivering the presentation.
Another great idea is rehearsing the presentation in the actual room where you’ll present. This will help you familiarize yourself with the surroundings and how to use the space. Ensure you rehearse with the relevant technology and setup in place, as you don’t want to run into technical difficulties or any unexpected mishaps on the day.
On the day of the presentation, ensure that the room is well lit. This way, the audience can see the slides and your face.
Read and Revise Your Presentation
While preparing for a presentation, ensure you have an open mind about irrelevant or unimpactful points that should probably be removed. Picture yourself as the audience and consider how specific topics would impact the audience. And remember to make any changes to make your presentation flow better and easier to understand.
Additionally, you need to consider your audience’s persona – are they knowledgeable professionals, newcomers to the industry, or experts? The persona of your audience will guide how you address them and the jargon you use. For example, if you’re speaking to people new to your industry or topic, you’ll need to explain basic terms and deliver the presentation in a simple and accessible way. On the other hand, you won’t need to explain industry terms to experts as you’d expect them to already have comprehensive knowledge in the field.
If you want to learn more about how to prepare for a presentation and improve your speaking skills, visit the Corporate Class website today.
We offer a one full day course, a Lunch and Learn or private coaching. In the 1-day experiential presentation skills training workshop, you’ll receive training from expert facilitators who will equip you with the skills, tools, and practice you need to hone your business communication skills. During the Lunch and Learn for groups, you will learn everything you need to know about structure and delivery. In private coaching we will focus on your delivery style, your message, your body language and use our Figaro Social Intelligence platform to analyze your delivery.
Participants will walk away with a newfound ability to deliver engaging presentations, convey leadership and authority, increase their influence and persuasion, and speak with maximum impact.
Contact us today to learn how to prepare for a presentation properly.