3 Tips to Deliver Powerful Presentations
Have you ever sat through a boring presentation that almost puts you to sleep? Professional presentations are almost inevitable in every work field, yet presenters often fail to hit the mark and are sadly diagnosed with a case of PPD, Pathetic Presentation Disorder.
Great presenters are not rare talents but people who have honed public speaking skills by understanding PowerPoint, Connecting with the audience, and earnestly practicing. Jerry Weisman, presentation coach and author, and Guy Kawasaki, inspirational presenter and author, share three tips to avoid PPD and create and execute engaging presentations successfully.
1. Be PowerPoint smart
PowerPoint can either be your prized tool or the source of your demise. Many feel prompted to fill every single slide with tons of information however overloading a slide can overwhelm an audience member, which will more than likely cause them to lose interest fast. Weisman explains, PowerPoint is supposed to be used as an aid, not a crutch. It is best to follow the 10/20/30 rule: No more than ten slides, twenty minutes, and 30-point font. Remember, less is more, so use but don’t overuse PowerPoint.
2. Connect with your audience
Nothing is more boring than a dull, lifeless presenter. A good presenter must come to life by break down the barrier between the audience and presenter and connecting with the audience. A presenter can do this by sharing personal anecdotes or explaining what motivated your presentation. Revealing a little about yourself will create a familiarity between you and the audience, serving as a major plus when keeping an audiences’ attention. The audience listens to a charismatic presenter, so whatever you are presenting, do it with passion.
3. Practice, practice, practice
The confidence of being sure of what you are saying is fundamental to a successful presentation. Fumbling through note cards, stuttering, and blank speech like “umm’s” can really distract an audience and lessen your impact on the listeners. Practicing will strengthen your presentation and evolve you into a confident speaker!
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