A good presentation doesn’t come without great effort. It doesn’t matter if you have to do a presentation for your class, or on a stage where you’re being watched by hundreds of people; the principles remain the same.
Your main goal is to educate and retain people’s attention towards your presentation, in such a way that they gain full interest in what you have to say. There are two elements that make up a good presentation: the message & the actual presentation made by you (or your team).
In today’s article, you will learn X essential tips and tricks that will help you perform a really good presentation. Let’s begin:
1. Entertainment is a Must
During many presentations, you feel like there’s something missing. An element that would complete it, but what is it? During my college years, I’ve noticed the biggest difference between successful presentations and mediocre ones: entertainment.
If you really plan on holding a speech, you’d better make it funny or entertaining. This is a MUST, and there are many ways to accomplish that. Check some public speaking tips and tricks and start practicing your “entertaining voice”
2. Eye-Contact
Eye contact is very important. It creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the audience. Unlike mailing or instant messaging, live presentations can offer the audience a better experience by making everything more personal.
The moment you establish eye contact with a person, the moment they’ll be more attentive and interested in what you have to say. It’s also important to look at everyone in the room, not just a single person. Move your eyes around and let everyone know that you’re acknowledging their presence and attention.
3. Keep It Simple, and Stick to the Point
Just like an article, a presentation has to have an outline with very few important points that are going to be emphasized. Whenever you’re planning a speech, you have to keep in mind the most important points of your presentation and focus entirely on them.
Simple presentations are way better than fancy ones, filled with statistics and other non-important fluff. You want your audience to understand your main message, not to educate them on ten things at once.
4. Tell Good Stories
Why do you think good marketers and entrepreneurs always use stories when they’re trying to make a sale? After all, marketing is about grabbing attention – just like speeches.
It is proven that a good story can speak a thousand words, and can make the person who’s listening understand a message way better than they would if there wasn’t any story.
5. Expressive Body Language
Words are not enough. When you’re in front of more people, you have to know how to stimulate more than one of their five senses. The way you move your body while delivering the speech can change things for the better, and make your presentation more entertaining and interesting.
People are stimulated by someone who knows what he’s doing, an expert in the field (or during the presentation). Using your body language efficiently can give you a powerful image. You will also express trust, knowledge, and interest.
6. Start Strong
First impressions matter. When you find yourself in front of an audience, ready to give your speech, understand a simple thing: you have two or three minutes until their impression is formed.
At first, they’re more likely to give you a chance, after all, that’s why they came to listen to you. If you fail to meet their expectations, you’ve already lost it there. Start your presentation strong, and show them why they should give you every bit of their attention.
7. Inflict Passion
If you’re holding a speech, you must be passionate about something. One of the most important tips I could give you: be passionate about what you’re doing. The moment you inflict passion into your work and ultimately in your presentations, the moment you connect with your audience on deeper levels.
They are also interested in or passionate about the topic. If they see someone holding a speech without caring or having a deep passion regarding the subject, they’ll automatically know it’s a waste of time for them to stay and listen to you.
Let everyone see how good you are at what you do, and how much value you put in what you do, including during the presentation you’re giving.
Conclusion
There are many factors that differentiate a mediocre presenter from a successful one. If you chose to pay attention to what’s required for a good presentation, you now understand that there are some specific skills you must develop in order for your presentations to reach a higher level.
It takes hard work and dedication, but after all, it’s worth it. The feeling of seeing everyone amazed by what you’re transmitting, by what you’re putting out there, it’s one of the most amazing experiences in the world.