If you get a room of people together and ask them what their biggest fears are, someone is bound to answer with these two terrifying words: public speaking. For many of us, standing at the front of a room – or sitting alone in front of a Zoom screen – can be nerve-wracking. That’s okay. Whether it comes naturally to you or not, you have what it takes to give a great presentation!
Great speakers know the importance and value they bring to a presentation. Great presenters can take a boring topic and make it interesting with well practiced public speaking skills. Most presentations lose the audience because the speaker was not able to capture their attention not because the material was boring. Through practice and preparation your communication skills can develop. You can become a better presenter who can make complex ideas easy to understand.
Remember, good presenters are human too and use presentation skills that are available to you. Here are four tips for your next presentation:
Yes, you do need to rehearse your presentation ahead of time if you want to be at your best. Talk through your presentation aloud, maybe in front of a mirror or a trusted friend. This can help you cut back on using filler words when you feel nervous. You can also do a video recording of your presentation to help you see what the audience will experience. Also, gather any materials you’ll need for the big day. This practice helps you make sure your core message and key points are clear. Public speaking isn't as scary when you've rehearsed your message.
The purpose of visual aids is right there in the name: you want visuals that aid your presentation. Feel free to use images, charts, maps, and whatever other graphics will add value to your presentation. Just don’t add too much text to your slides; if your audience is busy reading big chunks of text on the screen, they won’t pay as much attention to the words you’re saying. If you do plan on adding text use short phrases or bullet points. World class presenters use visual aids to add to the presentation not take away from it.
For some extra flair, you can browse templates for PowerPoint and Google Slides on SlidesCarnival and Slidesgo. Presentation software can be a great aid for a better presentation.
Effective visuals will help keep your audience interested in your presentation. Here are more ways to boost engagement:
You want your audience to leave feeling like they gained something from the time they spent with you – whether that’s knowledge, insight, inspiration, etc. A great step toward this goal is to state a clear objective for your presentation at the beginning of your time together, and a clear call to action at the end. A great presenter knows the importance of leading the audience through a presentation. Doing this will help attendees to answer two key questions:
Here are some ways you can apply these same four tips for a great virtual presentation:
In addition to rehearsing your presentation, make sure to test your lighting and audio before the Zoom meeting begins. You’ll also want to be familiar with Zoom’s controls. This free cheat sheet from Lea Pica includes some tips for mastering Zoom’s settings and keyboard shortcuts.
Make your slides even simpler than you normally would, so you don’t distract or overwhelm your audience. Also, have a clutter-free background behind you on screen.
You’ve probably been stuck in a Zoom meeting that seems to drag on forever, one you can’t wait to get out of. Here are ways to avoid that awful feeling:
Whether in-person or online, you want your presentation to offer value to attendees. Be warm and welcoming, and think about what kind of presentation will be most helpful for your audience.
Finally, remember – you’ve got this!
For more tips and advice for your school or work career, check out the rest of the IWU - National & Global blog.
