How to Be a Great Presenter: 5 Tips from the Experts

Public speaking and presentations can be daunting, and with the right approach, anyone can become a great presenter. In this blog, we'll share five valuable tips from the experts that will help you captivate your audience, convey your message effectively, and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting, these tips will elevate your presentation skills to new heights.

Tip #1 - Preparation: Lay the Foundation for Success 

Identify Key Points: 

Begin by planning your communication strategy (try using The Power To Connect). Determine the three key points you want your audience to remember. It can be less than three, and not more. People won’t remember more than three things, so don’t overwhelm them with more. Focus on clarity, simplicity and make it relevant to them to ensure your message is easily understood and remembered.  

Passion and Authenticity:

Speak about a topic you know, understand, and believe in. When you're genuinely passionate about the subject matter, your authenticity will shine through, and you'll naturally exude confidence.

Tip #2 - Relating to the Audience: Establish a Connection 

The Audience is on Your Side: 

Remember that your audience has chosen to listen to you, and they want you to succeed. Approach your presentation with the mindset that you're having a friendly conversation with them. They want their time to be well spent, and making the examples and stories you share relevant to your audience will ensure your presentation will count as that! 

Personal Connections:

Prior to starting your presentation, interact with a few attendees, if possible. This will help you feel more at ease, as you'll already have friendly faces in the audience. 

Two-Way Communication:

 Even though you may be the only one speaking doesn’t mean there is not two-way communication happening. Engage in regular eye contact with your audience and pay attention to their reactions (head nods or lack thereof). This will help you gauge their level of understanding, and you can adapt your approach or expand on a point as needed.

Tip #3 - Delivery: Engage and Connect with Your Audience 

Conversational Language: 

There is a difference between memorizing and remembering. Avoid using a rigid, formal script. The reason you are speaking is because you know what you are talking about, you don’t need to memorize anything. If you remember your three key points and keep coming back to them, it will keep you on track. So, opt for conversational language to create a relaxed atmosphere and encourage engagement. The occasional unfinished sentence or minor grammatical error won't overshadow the impact of your message. And the audience doesn’t have a copy of your “script”, so they don’t know if you missed a point or said it differently when you were practicing (oh by the way – practice! Watch this tip for an interesting technique to get started) 

Emphasis on Emotional Connection: 

One thing your audience doesn’t need more of is information, we have the internet for that. Focus on creating an emotional connection rather than overwhelming your audience with a data overload. Incorporate personal experiences, stories, metaphors, and colorful examples to make your presentation come alive and resonate with your listeners.

Tip #4 - Dealing with Challenges: Embrace and Address Differences

Addressing Challenging Questions: 

Be prepared for the possibility of challenging questions or differing opinions from the audience. Instead of becoming defensive, approach these situations with openness and empathy. Have an answer ready to go for the questions that you hope nobody asks, because guess what? Someone is going to ask it. 

Find Common Ground:

Move toward the person posing the challenge and actively listen to their views, ask follow up questions. Look for areas of agreement and show confidence in your own opinion while respecting theirs. If the exchange is taking you too far off track, suggest that you meet after to continue your discussion and offer anyone else to join you.

Tip #5 – Finishing Strong: Leave a Lasting Impression 

Recap Key Points: 

As you conclude your presentation, summarize the three key points you want the audience to remember. This reinforces your main message and ensures it sticks in their minds. 

Call-to-Action:

This is not where the sale takes place. If you have done a good job, the sale has already happened throughout your presentation. The CTA is simply the next logical step in the process of them saying yes. So, clearly state the decision you want the audience to make and the specific action you want them to take. Be precise about "who needs to do what by when" and leave no room for ambiguity.

Conclusion: 

Becoming a great presenter is within anyone’s reach if they want to improve. Following these five tips from the experts—preparing effectively, delivering with passion, connecting with your audience, handling challenges gracefully, and finishing off with clarity—will have you well on your way to leaving a positive and lasting impact on your listeners. Embrace these strategies, practice, and watch your presentation skills soar to new heights. And if you need extra support, click on this link for information about our upcoming Encore Communication Coaching Program starting in October!