PowerPoint Training (5 of 5): 10 Steps to Presentations without Hesitation

Presenting can be difficult. Any PowerPoint product is made stronger through the addition of tips to the presenter, to help him or her feel more comfortable in presenting. Here are some highlighting some tips and techniques I recommend for the new presenter to help him or her present more effectively.

1. Stay mobile. Moving around helps keep people attention focussed, and actively participating. This is especially important for
younger audiences

2. Make eye contact. This is the best tool for maintaining a personal connection with each participant.

3. Be enthusiastic. Show your interest in the subject and passion for the communication and the energy will communicate.

4. Connect conversationally with your audience. The presentation is just like a conversation, not a speech. Encourage the presenter to talk using the points in the slide, but not just reading the points in the slide. Don’t use a script, as much as a rough outline from which you can extrapolate conversationally.

5. Rehearse. Once the presenter knows what she wants to say, she should practice in real time, out loud, not just in her head. This helps you to be aware of the time, and avoid elements that can trip you up.

6. Know the material. This should be encouragement to read through the TE and become familiar with the specific topic.

7. Encourage response. Allowing for times when the presentation can become a conversation can loosen everyone up.
Get equipment early and set up early.

8. Make sure everyone can see the screen, and that the presenter can see everyone.

9. Make it real. Relate the topic to specifics will make it more interesting for Participant and Presenter.

10. Be flexible. Once you;ve rehearsed and rehearsed and got the presentation down, be ready with a couple of planned “stalls.” These will help you in case of the presentation being delayed, or equipment failure in mid-stream, or the presentation going much shorter than you anticipated. Small canned jokes about the subject matter, which presenters will typically start a presentation with, can also be useful in pocket to pull out at these awkward junctures.