what are 5 qualities of a good presentation

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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What are the 10 Qualities of a Good Presentation?

The 10 qualities of a good presentation include creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, knowledge, using visual aids, engaging the audience, body language, eye contact, and the use of a clear and impactful human voice. In today’s competitive business world, being able to deliver a good presentation is a valuable skill that can set you apart and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Whether you’re pitching a new product, presenting a report, or delivering a speech, a good presentation requires certain qualities to ensure its effectiveness. One of the key qualities of a good presentation is creativity. Being able to think outside the box and present information in an engaging and unique way can capture the attention of your audience and make your presentation memorable.

Additionally, self-confidence plays a crucial role in delivering a successful presentation. Confidence in your abilities and in the content you’re presenting helps to establish credibility and build trust with your audience. Storytelling is another important quality of a good presentation. Using narratives, examples, and anecdotes can help to create a connection with your audience and make your message more relatable and memorable. Active listening is also essential, as it allows you to understand the needs and interests of your audience, tailor your presentation accordingly, and respond to questions or feedback effectively. Having in-depth knowledge of the topic you’re presenting is crucial for a good presentation. Being well-informed and prepared not only enhances your credibility but also allows you to provide valuable insights and answer questions confidently. In addition, the use of visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images can enhance the clarity and impact of your presentation. Engaging the audience through interactive activities, asking questions, or involving them in discussions can create a dynamic and memorable experience. Body language and eye contact are important non-verbal communication cues that can convey confidence, attentiveness, and sincerity. Maintaining eye contact with your audience helps to establish a connection and keeps them engaged throughout the presentation. Finally, using a clear and impactful human voice is essential for effective communication. Speaking clearly, using appropriate volume and tone, and utilizing pauses for emphasis can enhance the delivery of your message and make it more compelling. A good presentation requires a combination of creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, knowledge, visual aids, engaging the audience, body language, eye contact, and a clear and impactful human voice. By incorporating these qualities into your presentations, you can deliver a memorable and impactful message that resonates with your audience.

Table of Contents

Introduction To Good Presentations

Good presentation skills encompass qualities such as creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, learning, knowledge, active listening, body language, eye contact, and a clear and confident human voice. Incorporating these qualities can help deliver a powerful and impactful presentation that captivates the audience.

Importance Of Delivering A Good Presentation

Delivering a good presentation is essential for effectively conveying information and ideas to an audience. Whether you are presenting in a professional setting, academic environment, or any other context, a good presentation can make a significant impact. Here are some reasons highlighting the importance of delivering a good presentation:

• Engages the Audience: A well-delivered presentation captures the attention of the audience and keeps them engaged throughout. It creates a connection between the presenter and the listeners, facilitating better understanding and retention of the information presented.
• Builds Credibility: A good presentation showcases the presenter’s knowledge and expertise on the subject matter. It helps establish credibility and trust among the audience, making them more receptive to the ideas shared.
• Enhances Comprehension: An effective presentation utilizes visual aids, storytelling techniques, and clear explanations to simplify complex information. This ensures that the message is easily understood by the audience, increasing their comprehension and learning.
• Influences Decision Making: A well-structured presentation has the power to influence the audience’s opinions, attitudes, and decisions. It can motivate them to take action, support a cause, adopt new ideas, or make informed choices.
• Demonstrates Professionalism: Delivering a good presentation showcases professionalism and competence. It reflects positively on the presenter’s abilities and can lead to increased opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.
• Fosters Effective Communication: Presentations provide a platform for effective communication between the presenter and the audience. Through verbal and non-verbal cues, a good presentation facilitates the exchange of ideas, encourages dialogue, and promotes understanding.
• Saves Time: Well-organized presentations help convey information efficiently, saving time for both the presenter and the audience. It allows for the dissemination of key points concisely and effectively, cutting down on unnecessary repetition or confusion.
• Inspires and Motivates: An impactful presentation has the potential to inspire and motivate the audience. It can ignite their passion, spark creativity, and encourage them to think critically and innovatively.
• Generates Interest and Attention: A good presentation captures the interest and attention of the audience from the beginning. It makes use of captivating visuals, compelling storytelling techniques, and interactive elements to create an engaging and memorable experience.
• Leaves a Lasting Impression: A well-delivered presentation leaves a lasting impression on the audience. It ensures that the key messages and takeaways are remembered long after the presentation has ended.

Remember, delivering a good presentation requires careful planning, preparation, and effective delivery techniques. With the right qualities and approach, you can create presentations that captivate, inform, and inspire your audience.

Credit: www.pbcexpo.com.au

1. Clear And Concise Structure

A good presentation should have a clear and concise structure, with each point presented in a brief and easily understandable manner. This ensures that the audience can follow along and easily grasp the key information being presented.

Organizing The Presentation Logically:

A good presentation should have a clear and concise structure that allows the audience to follow along easily. The organization of the content plays a crucial role in delivering a successful presentation. Here are some key points to consider when organizing your presentation:

• Clearly outlining the main points: Start by introducing the main points or topics you will cover in your presentation. This provides a roadmap for your audience and helps them understand what to expect.
• Using effective transitions between sections: Use transitional phrases or sentences to smoothly move from one point to another. This helps maintain the flow of your presentation and keeps the audience engaged.
• Breaking down the content into sections: Divide your presentation into logical sections to make it easier for the audience to digest the information. Each section should focus on a specific aspect or topic related to your main points.

Remember, a well-organized presentation helps the audience follow the flow of your ideas and enhances their understanding of the topic. So, take the time to structure your presentation in a logical and coherent manner.

2. Engaging Visuals

Engaging visuals play a crucial role in a good presentation. They capture the audience’s attention, enhance understanding, and make the presentation more memorable.

Utilizing Relevant And High-Quality Images, Graphs, And Charts:

Effective presentations can greatly benefit from the use of engaging visuals. By incorporating relevant and high-quality images, graphs, and charts, presenters can enhance their message, capture the audience’s attention, and make complex information easier to understand. Here are some key points to consider:

• Utilize relevant visuals: Choose images, graphs, and charts that directly support the main points of your presentation. Avoid using generic or unrelated visuals that may confuse or distract your audience.
• Use high-quality visuals: Ensure that your visuals are clear, crisp, and visually appealing. Low-quality or pixelated visuals can detract from the overall professionalism of your presentation.
• Enhance understanding: Visuals are a powerful tool for conveying information quickly and effectively. Use graphs and charts to present data in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.
• Use variety: Mix up the types of visuals you use throughout your presentation to maintain interest and engagement. Incorporate images, graphs, charts, and other visual elements to keep your audience visually stimulated.

Remember, visuals should complement and enhance your presentation, not overshadow it. Use visuals strategically to reinforce your key points and make a lasting impact on your audience.

Avoiding Excessive Text On Slides:

One common mistake presenters make is overcrowding their slides with excessive text. This can overwhelm the audience and make it difficult for them to focus on the key message. To create an engaging and visually appealing presentation, follow these guidelines:

• Keep it concise: Limit the amount of text on each slide to a few key points or short phrases. Avoid long paragraphs or walls of text that may be difficult for the audience to read and absorb.
• Use bullet points: Organize your information into bullet points to make it easier for the audience to follow along. This also helps break up the text and make it more visually appealing.
• Use visuals to support text: Instead of relying solely on text, use visuals such as images or icons to convey your message. Visuals can often communicate information more effectively than text alone.
• Utilize white space: Leave ample white space on each slide to create a clean and uncluttered design. This helps focus the audience’s attention on the key points and prevents the slides from appearing overwhelming.

By avoiding excessive text on slides, you allow your audience to focus on your spoken words and create a more engaging and memorable presentation experience.

3. Effective Communication

Effective communication is crucial in delivering a good presentation. Some qualities to consider include knowing your audience, using visual aids, storytelling, engaging your audience, and effectively handling questions and feedback. Mastering these skills can help you deliver a powerful and impactful presentation.

Speaking Clearly And Confidently:

• Use a Clear and Articulate Voice: Speaking clearly involves enunciating your words and using an appropriate volume. Make sure your voice is audible to all members of the audience.
• Avoid Speaking Too Fast: Speaking at a moderate pace allows your audience to understand and process your message effectively.
• Use Appropriate Intonation: Varying your tone and pitch can help convey emotions and add emphasis to key points.
• Be Confident: Confidence in your delivery helps captivate and engage your audience. Practice your presentation beforehand to build your confidence.

Maintaining Eye Contact With The Audience:

• Establish Connection: Maintaining eye contact with your audience helps create a connection and establishes trust. Look at various audience members, avoiding focusing on just one person.
• Show Genuine Interest: Eye contact shows that you are engaged with your audience and value their presence. It helps to keep them attentive and interested in what you have to say.
• Convey Confidence and Authority: When you maintain eye contact, you appear more confident and authoritative, which enhances your credibility as a presenter.

Using Appropriate Body Language And Gestures:

• Open Posture: Maintain an open posture, with your arms relaxed by your side or gesturing naturally. This conveys approachability and invites audience involvement.
• Use Hand Gestures: Appropriate hand gestures can enhance your message and make it more engaging. Use them sparingly and purposefully to emphasize key points.
• Facial Expressions: Your facial expressions should align with the content of your presentation. Display enthusiasm, concern, or excitement when appropriate, as it helps to convey your message effectively.
• Move Purposefully: Avoid excessive movement or fidgeting, but do not remain stationary. Moving purposefully around the stage can help keep the audience engaged and make your presentation dynamic.

Remember, effective communication is essential for delivering a successful presentation. By speaking clearly and confidently, maintaining eye contact, and using appropriate body language and gestures, you can captivate your audience and effectively convey your message.

4. Relevant Content

A good presentation should have relevant content that is tailored to the audience’s needs and interests. By providing information that is valuable and applicable, the presenter can effectively engage the audience and leave a lasting impression.

Aligning The Presentation Content With The Audience’S Needs And Interests:

• Understand the target audience: Research and analyze the audience demographics, interests, and needs to ensure that the presentation content aligns with their preferences.
• Tailor the message: Customize the presentation content to resonate with the audience’s specific interests and concerns. Use language and examples that they can relate to.
• Identify key points: Prioritize and focus on the most relevant information that directly addresses the audience’s needs. Avoid unnecessary details or tangents.
• Grab attention from the start: Start the presentation with a hook that immediately captures the audience’s interest and establishes the relevance of the content.

Providing Valuable And Actionable Information:

• Offer relevant insights: Share valuable information and insights that are directly applicable to the audience’s work or personal lives. Provide actionable tips, strategies, or techniques that can be implemented after the presentation.
• Use examples and case studies: Illustrate key points with real-life examples and case studies to make the information more relatable and tangible for the audience.
• Support with data and research: Cite credible sources and incorporate data and research findings to back up your claims and enhance the overall credibility of the information presented.
• Simplify complex concepts: Break down complex ideas into easily understandable and digestible chunks. Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, or diagrams to simplify complex data.

Offering Solutions To The Audience’S Problems Or Concerns:

• Address pain points: Identify the common problems or concerns that the audience may face and provide practical solutions or suggestions to help them overcome these challenges.
• Demonstrate value: Emphasize how your presentation can directly benefit the audience by solving their problems, fulfilling their needs, or addressing their concerns.
• Showcase success stories: Share success stories or testimonials from individuals or organizations that have applied the presented solutions, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved.
• Encourage interaction: Allow opportunities for the audience to ask questions, share their experiences, or engage in discussions related to the presented solutions. Foster a collaborative and interactive environment.

5. Engaging Opening

An engaging opening is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. It captures the audience’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation.

Capturing The Audience’S Attention From The Start

A good presentation starts with an engaging opening that captivates the audience from the very beginning. Here are some effective strategies to capture the audience’s attention:

• Using a compelling story: Begin with a story that relates to the topic of your presentation. Stories have a way of connecting with people on an emotional level and can instantly grab their attention.
• Presenting a shocking statistic: Start with a surprising statistic that highlights the importance or relevance of your topic. This can make the audience sit up and take notice.
• Quoting an influential figure: Begin with a powerful quote from a well-known person that resonates with your topic. Quotes can inspire and intrigue the audience, making them curious to learn more.

The main goal is to establish the relevance and importance of the topic right from the start, ensuring that the audience is fully engaged and eager to hear what you have to say.

6. Interactive Elements

One quality of a good presentation is incorporating interactive elements, such as polls, quizzes, or live demonstrations, to actively engage the audience and make the presentation more dynamic and memorable. These elements encourage audience participation and interaction, creating a more interactive and engaging experience.

Encouraging Audience Participation Through Questions, Polls, Or Activities:

• Incorporating interactive elements in a presentation is essential for engaging the audience and making them active participants in the learning process.
• Ask thought-provoking questions that encourage the audience to think critically and share their opinions.
• Conduct live polls or surveys to gather instant feedback and involve the audience in decision-making during the presentation.
• Include activities or exercises that allow the audience to apply the concepts being discussed and interact with one another.
• By involving the audience in the presentation, you create a more dynamic and memorable experience that encourages active learning.

Incorporating Multimedia Elements Such As Videos Or Live Demonstrations:

• Use videos to provide visual demonstrations, showcase examples, or share testimonials that support the content of your presentation.
• Incorporate live demonstrations to provide a real-time experience and show the practical application of the concepts being discussed.
• Multimedia elements add variety to the presentation and help to break up the monotony of slides or text.
• Videos and live demonstrations can be powerful tools for capturing the audience’s attention and enhancing their understanding of the topic.
• Ensure that the multimedia elements used are relevant, high-quality, and seamlessly integrated into the presentation.

Creating Opportunities For Discussion Or Group Exercises:

• Foster a collaborative learning environment by providing opportunities for the audience to engage in discussions related to the presentation topic.
• Divide the audience into smaller groups and assign them exercises or discussions that require them to apply the information presented.
• Encourage active participation by setting clear guidelines for group discussions and providing prompts or questions to guide the conversation.
• Allocate time for each group to share their insights or solutions with the larger audience, promoting knowledge sharing and a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Group exercises help to create a sense of community and enable participants to learn from one another’s perspectives.

Remember, interactive elements in a presentation enhance audience engagement, make the content more memorable, and promote active learning. Incorporating multimedia elements and creating opportunities for discussion or group exercises will result in a more impactful presentation.

7. Well-Prepared Delivery

A well-prepared delivery is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. It involves knowing your audience, using visual aids, engaging your audience, and handling questions and feedback effectively. With these skills, you can deliver a powerful and impactful presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

Well-Prepared Delivery

A good presentation not only depends on the content and slides, but also on the delivery. A well-prepared delivery ensures that the presenter effectively communicates their message and engages the audience. Here are some key qualities of a well-prepared delivery:

• Practicing the presentation multiple times: Practicing helps the presenter become more familiar with the flow of the presentation and ensures a smoother delivery. It allows them to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes before the actual presentation.
• Familiarizing oneself with the content and slides: A presenter should thoroughly understand the content and be familiar with the slides. This helps in delivering the presentation confidently and clearly conveying the key points.
• Being prepared to handle unexpected situations or technical difficulties: Presentations can encounter unexpected situations, such as interruptions or technical difficulties. A good presenter is prepared to handle such situations calmly and efficiently, without losing focus or composure.

Overall, a well-prepared delivery demonstrates professionalism and enhances the effectiveness of a presentation. It allows the presenter to connect with the audience, hold their attention, and effectively convey the intended message. By practicing the presentation multiple times, familiarizing oneself with the content and slides, and being prepared to handle unexpected situations or technical difficulties, presenters can deliver an impactful presentation.

8. Adaptability To The Audience

Adaptability to the audience is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. By understanding the needs and preferences of the audience, a presenter can tailor their content, language, and delivery to effectively engage and connect with their listeners.

Tailoring The Presentation To Suit The Audience’S Knowledge And Background

When delivering a presentation, it’s crucial to adapt and tailor the content to suit the audience’s knowledge and background. By doing so, you can effectively engage them and ensure that they understand and connect with the information being presented. Here are some key ways to achieve adaptability to the audience:

• Assess the audience: Before the presentation, take the time to research and understand your audience. Consider their demographics, education level, professional background, and any specific interests or preferences they may have.
• Use language and terminology they understand: Avoid jargon, technical terms, or industry-specific language that may confuse or alienate the audience. Instead, use plain language that is easily accessible and relatable to them.
• Provide relevant examples: Use relatable examples that resonate with the audience’s experiences or interests. This can help them understand complex concepts or ideas by providing real-world context.
• Address specific concerns or questions: Anticipate and address the audience’s specific concerns or questions throughout the presentation. This shows that you value their input and are actively interested in meeting their needs.
• Encourage interaction: Engage the audience by encouraging questions, discussions, or participation during the presentation. This fosters a sense of inclusion and creates a more dynamic and interactive environment.
• Adapt the pace and level of detail: Gauge the audience’s level of knowledge and adjust the pace and depth of the presentation accordingly. Avoid overwhelming them with excessive information or speaking at a level that is too basic for their understanding.
• Consider cultural and diversity factors: Be mindful of cultural sensitivities, diversity, and inclusivity when tailoring your presentation. Avoid assumptions or stereotypes that may inadvertently exclude or offend certain audience members.
• Personalize the content: Whenever possible, customize the presentation to include examples or references that are relevant to the audience’s industry, company, or individual roles. This demonstrates your effort to make the content meaningful and applicable to their specific context.
• Adapt visuals and media: Use visuals, images, and media that resonate with the audience and enhance their understanding. Consider their preferences and visual learning styles when selecting and designing presentation materials.
• Seek feedback: After the presentation, seek feedback from the audience to assess their understanding and satisfaction. This can help you further refine and improve your adaptability to different audiences in the future.

By tailoring your presentation to suit the audience’s knowledge and background, you can create a more engaging and impactful experience for them. Remember to be flexible and responsive throughout the presentation, ensuring that the content remains relevant and accessible to everyone in attendance.

9. Effective Use Of Time

Delivering a good presentation requires effective use of time. By knowing your audience, using visual aids, and engaging your audience, you can ensure that your presentation is concise, engaging, and impactful.

Managing The Presentation Within The Allocated Time Frame:

• Start by understanding the time limit for your presentation and plan accordingly.
• Break down your content into sections based on the time available for each.
• Practice timing your presentation to ensure you stay within the allocated time frame.
• Use visual aids or slides to help you keep track of time and pace your delivery.
• Be mindful of your speaking speed and avoid rushing through the presentation.
• Rehearse transitions between sections to maintain a smooth flow without wasting time.
• Consider using a timer or clock visible to you to stay aware of the time remaining.
• Adjust your content in real-time if you notice you’re running out of time, focusing on the most crucial points.
• Stay flexible and be prepared to adapt if unexpected circumstances occur.

Prioritizing And Emphasizing Key Points:

• Identify the key message or main objective of your presentation.
• Structure your content to highlight these key points effectively.
• Use repetition and emphasis techniques to reinforce important information.
• Consider using visual aids or infographics to make key points more memorable.
• Use clear and concise language to ensure the audience understands the main ideas.
• Consider using storytelling or real-life examples to illustrate key points.
• Practice emphasizing critical points with your voice and body language.
• Avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information and prioritize the most relevant points.

Allowing Sufficient Time For Questions And Discussion:

• Allocate a specific portion of your presentation for questions and discussion.
• Signal the availability for questions throughout the presentation.
• Pause after presenting each section to allow the audience to process and ask questions.
• Be attentive and actively listen to the questions asked by the audience.
• Encourage participation by creating a safe and inclusive environment for discussion.
• Allocate enough time for each question to be fully addressed.
• Clarify any potential misunderstandings and provide further explanations if needed.
• Summarize and reiterate key points discussed during the Q&A session.
• If time is limited, suggest alternative ways for the audience to reach out with further questions or follow-up.

Remember, managing time effectively, prioritizing key points, and allowing for questions and discussion are critical aspects of delivering a good presentation. By following these guidelines, you can engage your audience and ensure a successful presentation.

10. Conclusion With A Call To Action

Deliver a powerful and impactful presentation by incorporating these 10 qualities: creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, continuous learning, knowledge of the subject matter, good presentation skills, active listening, body language, eye contact, and a clear and confident voice. Wow your audience with these essential skills.

Summarizing The Main Points And Key Takeaways

• A good presentation should leave the audience with a clear understanding of the main points and key takeaways.
• It should effectively summarize the information presented and highlight the most important aspects.
• By providing a concise recap, the audience can easily remember and recall the main points after the presentation.
• Summarizing the main points and key takeaways helps reinforce the message and ensures that the audience’s comprehension is retained.

Inspiring The Audience To Take Action Or Consider The Presented Ideas

• A good presentation should not only inform but also inspire the audience to take action or consider the ideas presented.
• It should motivate the audience to think differently, challenge their existing beliefs, or adopt new behaviors.
• By presenting compelling arguments and real-life examples, the speaker can ignite a desire within the audience to take action.
• Inspiring the audience to act or consider the presented ideas is crucial for the success and impact of the presentation.

Providing Clear Next Steps Or Resources For Further Engagement

• After delivering a powerful presentation, it is important to provide the audience with clear next steps or resources for further engagement.
• This could include recommending relevant books, articles, or websites for additional learning.
• The speaker can also encourage the audience to participate in follow-up activities, such as workshops, webinars, or discussions.
• By providing clear next steps or resources, the audience can continue their journey of exploration and learning beyond the presentation.

A good presentation should be summarized to ensure the audience retains the main points. It should also inspire the audience to take action or consider the presented ideas by presenting compelling arguments and real-life examples. Additionally, providing clear next steps or resources for further engagement allows the audience to continue their learning journey.

By following these qualities, speakers can deliver impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 7 presentation skills.

Presentation skills are important for delivering a powerful and impactful presentation. The 7 key skills include knowing your audience, storytelling, using visual aids, body language, voice and tone, engaging your audience, and handling questions and feedback.

What Are Qualities Of Good Presentation?

Qualities of a good presentation include creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, body language, eye contact, and engaging the audience.

What Are The 5 Essential Skills For Making A Successful Presentation?

The 5 essential skills for making a successful presentation include knowing your audience, storytelling, using visual aids, body language, and engaging your audience.

What Are The 6 Requirements For An Effective Presentation?

The 6 requirements for an effective presentation are: 1. Clear and concise content 2. Engaging delivery 3. Well-structured organization 4. Appropriate visuals and multimedia 5. Audience interaction and engagement 6. Effective communication skills

To deliver a good presentation, several key qualities are necessary. First and foremost, a good presenter must be creative, finding unique ways to engage the audience and make the content memorable. Additionally, self-confidence plays a vital role in capturing the audience’s attention and effectively conveying the message.

Storytelling is another crucial quality, as it helps connect with listeners on an emotional level and make the information more relatable. A good presenter should continuously seek opportunities for learning, constantly improving their skills and knowledge. Moreover, active listening is essential to understand the audience’s needs and tailor the presentation accordingly.

Body language, eye contact, and using the human voice effectively are all important aspects that contribute to a successful presentation. Lastly, effective communication skills and engaging the audience through interactive activities and questions can leave a lasting impact. By incorporating these qualities into their presentations, speakers can create memorable and impactful experiences for their audience.

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Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

 We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

• Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
• Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
• Doubting when asked to answer a question
• Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious.  Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task. 

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

• What do you do 
• What’s the problem to solve
• Why is your solution different from others 
• Why should the audience care about your expertise

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

• Identifying problems and needs
• Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
• Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
• Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
• Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
• Handling rejection
• Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
• Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
• Having confidence
• Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

• Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
• Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions. 

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise. 

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

• Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
• Patience and a constant learning mindset
• Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
• Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
• Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember. 

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury. 

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

• Attention to detail
• Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
• Creative thinking
• Powerful diction
• Working on pauses and transitions
• Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

• Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
• Putting ego aside
• Creative communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
• Voice training
• Using powerful words

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic. 

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

• Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
• Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
• Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
• Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it). 

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.  

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

• A PDF not opening
• Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
• A computer not booting up
• Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
• Not knowing how to change between slides
• Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
• Internet not working
• Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design). 

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech. 

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process. 

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up. 

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

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How to give a good presentation that captivates any audience

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What are the main difficulties when giving presentations?

How to create an effective presentation, after that, how do i give a memorable presentation, how to connect with the audience when presenting.

If you’ve ever heard someone give a powerful presentation, you probably remember how it made you feel. Much like a composer, a good speaker knows precisely when each note should strike to captivate their audience’s attention and leave them with a lasting impression.

No one becomes a great public speaker or presenter without practice. And almost everyone can recall a time one of their presentations went badly — that’s a painful part of the learning process.

Whether you’re working within a small creative team or a large organization, public speaking and presentation skills are vital to communicating your ideas. Knowing how to present your vision can help you pitch concepts to clients, present ideas to your team, and develop the confidence to participate in team meetings.

If you have an upcoming presentation on the horizon and feel nervous, that’s normal. Around 15-30% of the general population experience a fear of public speaking . And, unfortunately, social anxiety is on the rise, with a 12% increase in adults over the last 20 years . 

Learning how to give a good presentation can dismantle your fears and break down these barriers, ensuring you’re ready to confidently share your point of view. 

It’s the week before your presentation, and you’re already feeling nervous . Maybe there’ll be an important mentor in the room you need to impress, or you’re looking for an opportunity to show your boss your value. Regardless of your countless past presentations, you still feel nervous. 

Sharing your vision and ideas with any sized group is intimidating. You’re likely worrying about how you’ll perform as a presenter and whether the audience will be interested in what you offer. But nerves aren’t inherently negative — you can actually use this feeling to fuel your preparation.

It’s helpful to identify where your worries are coming from and address your fears. Here are some common concerns when preparing for an upcoming presentation:

Fear of public speaking: When you share your ideas in front of a group, you’re placing yourself in a vulnerable position to be critiqued on your knowledge and communication skills . Maybe you feel confident in your content, but when you think about standing in front of an audience, you feel anxious and your mind goes blank.

It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms when presenting . Some people experience nausea and dizziness as the brain releases adrenaline to cope with the potentially stressful situation . Remember to take deep breaths to recenter yourself and be patient, even if you make a mistake.

Losing the audience’s attention: As a presenter, your main focus is to keep your audience engaged. They should feel like they’re learning valuable information or following a story that will improve them in life or business.

Highlight the most exciting pieces of knowledge and ensure you emphasize those points in your presentation. If you feel passionate about your content, it’s more likely that your audience will experience this excitement for themselves and become invested in what you have to say.

Not knowing what content to place on presentation slides: Overloading presentation slides is a fast way to lose your audience’s attention. Your slides should contain only the main talking points and limited text to ensure your audience focuses on what you have to say rather than becoming distracted by the content on your slides.

Discomfort incorporating nonverbal communication: It’s natural to feel stiff and frozen when you’re nervous. But maintaining effective body language helps your audience stay focused on you as you speak and encourages you to relax.

If you struggle to incorporate body language into your presentations, try starting small by making hand gestures toward your slides. If you’re working with a large audience, use different parts of the stage to ensure everyone feels included. 

Each presenter has their own personal brand and style. Some may use humor to break the ice, while others might appeal to the audience’s emotional side through inspiring storytelling. 

Watching online presentations, such as TED talks, is an excellent way to expose yourself to various presentation styles and develop your own. While observing others, you can note how they carry themselves on stage and learn new ways to keep your audience engaged.

Once you’ve addressed what’s causing your fears, it’s time to prepare for a great presentation. Use your past experience as inspiration and aim to outshine your former self by learning from your mistakes and employing new techniques. Here are five presentation tips to help you create a strong presentation and wow your audience:

1. Keep it simple

Simple means something different to everyone.

Before creating your presentation, take note of your intended audience and their knowledge level of your subject. You’ll want your content to be easy for your intended audience to follow.

Say you’re giving a presentation on improving your company’s operational structure. Entry-level workers will likely need a more straightforward overview of the content than C-suite leaders, who have significantly more experience. 

Ask yourself what you want your audience to take away from your presentation and emphasize those important points. Doing this ensures they remember the most vital information rather than less important supporting ideas. Try organizing these concepts into bullet points so viewers can quickly identify critical takeaways.

2. Create a compelling structure

Put yourself in your audience member’s shoes and determine the most compelling way to organize your information. Your presentation should be articulate , cohesive, and logical, and you must be sure to include all necessary supporting evidence to strengthen your main points.

If you give away all of your answers too quickly, your audience could lose interest. And if there isn’t enough supporting information, they could hit a roadblock of confusion. Try developing a compelling story that leads your audience through your thought processes so they can experience the ups and downs alongside you. 

By structuring your presentation to lead up to a final conclusion, you’re more likely to keep listeners’ attention. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you can offer a Q&A period to put any of their questions or concerns to rest. 

3. Use visual aids

Appealing to various learning styles is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure they absorb your content. Visual aids are necessary for visual learners and make it easier for people to picture your ideas.

Aim to incorporate a mixture of photos, videos, and props to engage your audience and convey your key points. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation on anthropology subject matter, you could show your audience an artifact to help them understand how exciting a discovery must have been. 

If your presentation is long, including a video for your audience to watch is an excellent way to give yourself a break and create new jumping-off points for your speech.

4. Be aware of design techniques and trends

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and tools, you have numerous platforms at your disposal to create a good presentation. But keep in mind that although color, images, and graphics liven things up, they can cause distraction when misused.

  Here are a few standard pointers for incorporating visuals on your slides: 

• Don’t place blocks of small text on a single slide
• Use a minimalistic background instead of a busy one
• Ensure text stands out against the background color
• Only use high-resolution photos
• Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
• Don’t overuse transitions and effects

5. Try the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki, a prominent venture capitalist and one of the original marketing specialists for Apple, said that the best slideshow presentations are less than 10 slides , last at most 20 minutes, and use a font size of 30. Following this strategy can help you condense your information, eliminate unnecessary ideas, and maintain your audience’s focus more efficiently.

Once you’re confident in creating a memorable presentation, it’s time to learn how to give one. Here are some valuable tips for keeping your audience invested during your talk: 

Tip #1: Tell stories

Sharing an anecdote from your life can improve your credibility and increase your relatability. And when an audience relates to you, they’re more likely to feel connected to who you are as a person and encouraged to give you their full attention, as they would want others to do the same.

Gill Hicks utilized this strategy well when she shared her powerful story, “ I survived a terrorist attack. Here’s what I learned .” In her harrowing tale, Hicks highlights the importance of compassion, unconditional love , and helping those in need.

If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal stories, that’s okay. You can use examples from famous individuals or create a fictional account to demonstrate your ideas.

Tip #2: Make eye contact with the audience

Maintaining eye contact is less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, you don’t have to look your audience members directly in their eyes — you can focus on their foreheads or noses if that’s easier.

Try making eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each. This timing ensures you don’t look away too quickly, making the audience member feel unimportant, or linger too long, making them feel uncomfortable.

If you’re presenting to a large group, direct your focus to each part of the room to ensure no section of the audience feels ignored. 

Tip #3: Work on your stage presence

Although your tone and words are the most impactful part of your presentation, recall that body language keeps your audience engaged. Use these tips to master a professional stage presence:

• Speak with open arms and avoid crossing them
• Keep a reasonable pace and try not to stand still
• Use hand gestures to highlight important information

Tip #4: Start strong

Like watching a movie trailer, the first seconds of your talk are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. How you start your speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation and tells your audience whether or not they should pay attention. Here are some ways to start your presentation to leave a lasting impression:

• Use a quote from a well-known and likable influential person 
• Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue
• Start with an anecdote to add context to your talk 
• Spark your audience’s curiosity by involving them in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle

Tip #5: Show your passion

Don’t be afraid of being too enthusiastic. Everyone appreciates a speaker who’s genuinely excited about their field of expertise. 

In “ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ,” Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the importance of passion in research and delivery. She delivers her presentation excitedly to show the audience how excitement piques interest. 

Tip #6: Plan your delivery

How you decide to deliver your speech will shape your presentation. Will you be preparing a PowerPoint presentation and using a teleprompter? Or are you working within the constraints of the digital world and presenting over Zoom?

The best presentations are conducted by speakers who know their stuff and memorize their content. However, if you find this challenging, try creating notes to use as a safety net in case you lose track.

If you’re presenting online, you can keep notes beside your computer for each slide, highlighting your key points. This ensures you include all the necessary information and follow a logical order.

Tip #7: Practice

Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes progress. There’s no way of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, but thorough practice means you’ve done everything you can to succeed.

Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or to a trusted friend or family member. Take any feedback and use it as an opportunity to fine-tune your speech. But remember: who you practice your presentation in front of may differ from your intended audience. Consider their opinions through the lens of them occupying this different position.

Tip #8: Read the room

Whether you’re a keynote speaker at an event or presenting to a small group of clients, knowing how to read the room is vital for keeping your audience happy. Stay flexible and be willing to move on from topics quickly if your listeners are uninterested or displeased with a particular part of your speech.

Tip #9: Breathe

Try taking deep breaths before your presentation to calm your nerves. If you feel rushed, you’re more likely to feel nervous and stumble on your words.

The most important thing to consider when presenting is your audience’s feelings. When you approach your next presentation calmly, you’ll put your audience at ease and encourage them to feel comfortable in your presence.

Tip #10: Provide a call-to-action

When you end your presentation, your audience should feel compelled to take a specific action, whether that’s changing their habits or contacting you for your services.

If you’re presenting to clients, create a handout with key points and contact information so they can get in touch. You should provide your LinkedIn information, email address, and phone number so they have a variety of ways to reach you. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for an effective presentation, as your unique audience and subject matter play a role in shaping your speech. As a general rule, though, you should aim to connect with your audience through passion and excitement. Use strong eye contact and body language. Capture their interest through storytelling and their trust through relatability.

Learning how to give a good presentation can feel overwhelming — but remember, practice makes progress. Rehearse your presentation for someone you trust, collect their feedback , and revise. Practicing your presentation skills is helpful for any job, and every challenge is a chance to grow.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

How to write a speech that your audience remembers

6 presentation skills and how to improve them, 3 stand-out professional bio examples to inspire your own, tell a story they can't ignore these 10 tips will teach you how, how to make a presentation interactive and exciting, your guide to what storytelling is and how to be a good storyteller, reading the room gives you an edge — no matter who you're talking to, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips, how to disagree at work without being obnoxious, the importance of good speech: 5 tips to be more articulate, the 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, 30 presentation feedback examples, fear of public speaking overcome it with these 7 tips, how to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really), 8 clever hooks for presentations (with tips), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

The secret structure of great talks

The beauty of data visualization

TED's secret to great public speaking

How to speak so that people want to listen

How great leaders inspire action

Ideas and insights from Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning

Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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How to Give a Good Presentation: 11 Top Tips for Killer Presentations

Written by: Orana Velarde

Giving a good presentation takes practice. Not everyone is born a natural public speaker, which is  why we’re here today.

In this article, we’ll give you some of the best tips for killer presentations. These are techniques used by all the best public speakers, and yes – even they had to practice to get this good.

If you need to give a presentation for work, be it a pitch about a new project or product idea, a quarterly marketing report, a product launch or as an industry expert in a summit, we’ve got you covered.

How to Give a Good Presentation [Presentation]

To learn more about our top 11 tips for giving a killer presentation, keep reading throughout this article. But for those of you who are skimmers, feel free to browse through this presentation rounding up our top tips.

How to Give a Good Presentation

Here’s a quick look at the 11 tips on how to give a good presentation. Plus, you’ll find a bonus resource you won’t want to miss, The Visme Presentation Guru Course.

• Rehearse What You’re Planning to Say
• Prepare Mentally, Emotionally and Technically
• Start Strong
• Follow the Outline You Practiced With
• Finish With Confidence
• Use a Storytelling Technique on Your Slides
• Keep Your Slides Short
• Use Templates
• Learn From Your Mistakes
• Keep Yourself Inspired for the Future

Let’s dive in.

1 Rehearse What You’re Planning To Say

Before you even give a good presentation, you need to prepare.

This part has two steps – to rehearse what you’re going to say and to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. These two tips go hand in hand, but we’ll explain what each one is about individually.

Notice that we didn’t say “memorize your presentation.” There’s a big difference between memorizing a speech and practicing telling a story. The difference is that a memorized speech can end up sounding robot-like and practiced storytelling sounds effortless. 

You’ll be better off if you have at least a rough outline of your slides before you start rehearsing.

Section 1, Pause, Section 2, Pause, Repeat

Rehearse what you’re planning to say during your presentation by using a written outline, index cards, printed out versions of your presentation slides or whatever works for you.  

Practicing the spoken part of your Visme presentation is easy when you use the presentation notes feature . 

Separate your presentations into sections. The best way to do this is by topic. Try and keep all the sections about the same length, that way you can plan your pauses. 

Presenter’s Notes

Add presenter’s notes to your slides to help you along as you present. Visme makes this easy for you. As you go through each slide, you’re able to see the notes, what slide you’re on and what slide is next. There’s also a timer to help you pace each slide switch.

This tool will help if you can have a computer close by as you give the presentation. But if you are giving a presentation on a stage without a screen to help you, you’ll have to practice without notes. 

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How to Give A Good Presentation With Mnemonic Tools

Create some mnemonic tools into your presentation to help you remember what comes next. For some people, this comes as second nature and is easy. For others, it can become convoluted and cause you to overthink things. 

Try out a variety of different techniques until you find the one you feel the most comfortable and confident with.

Ask For Feedback

For better results and to know if you’re improving, record yourself or ask someone to watch you.  Ask them to give you honest feedback. Don’t accept feedback like “that was great.” Insist they go into the details. Offer them a pen and paper to take notes as you present.

You’ll notice as you practice and rehearse, that when you follow an outline, all the information you want to share is easier to remember. The TED talk below by Dr. Bolte Taylor was rehearsed 200 times and it’s one of the most famous TED Talks ever. 

You don’t need to practice that many times – just enough so it feels effortless. Needless to say, rehearsing is key to learning how to give a good presentation.

2 Prepare Mentally, Emotionally and Technically

It’s highly likely that you’ve already had to give presentations before, most probably at school. But let’s be honest, a classroom and a TED stage are a little different. So is an online summit via Zoom, which as you know are even more common now!

Let’s get one thing straight, though. We’re not talking about just any presentation here – we’re talking high stakes, high-quality presentations.

Preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for a weekly sales report meeting is not as important as doing so for one that will be in front of thousands of people and recorded for posterity.

This tip includes mental, emotional and technical preparation. Let’s focus on each one.

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Mental Preparation

While you’re rehearsing the outline and general speech for your presentation, notice the times when you feel like things flow and when they don’t. 

Why do you think that’s happening? 

If it flows well it’s because you feel comfortable with the content. You know what you’re talking about. You might even be passionate about it!

On the other hand, if you’re having trouble, maybe the content is still new to you. You might need to do a little more research to feel more knowledgeable about that topic. If you are unsure, you might completely forget what you had to say next during the presentation. 

That’s why rehearsing, adjusting and creating mnemonic cues will help.

Emotional Preparation

Not everyone needs to get emotionally prepared before a presentation. Conscientious rehearsing can usually be enough. But not everyone is the same. 

Many people that suffer from glossophobia or the fear of public speaking. Some have anxiety or social anxiety and just being close to that many people is difficult for them. Many successful speakers used to be riddled by fear before their first few presentations. 

Some of them still are, every single time. The difference is that they have learned how to manage their fear and lean into it. As soon as they step on the stage, the fear and anxiety melt away and all the rehearsing and practicing take over. 

To get emotionally prepared, you can try some mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques. 

Wear clothes that make you feel powerful and confident. Try doing the power pose and high five some people before you go on stage. Sing your favorite song and have a little quick uplifting dance. 

Technical Preparation

You might be wondering what technical things you need to give a good presentation. It’s all in the details. 

Regardless if you’ll be speaking in a venue or an online summit, you have to test all technicalities.

If you’ll be speaking in a venue, visit the space and stand in the place where you’ll speak. Have a look around and pinpoint some elements or aspects that make you comfortable.

If there’s anything that bothers you, like a weird smell or a column in the middle of the room, think of ways to overcome that. 

Always ask to test the technical aspects in the room. Connect your computer or tablet to their system to check if your slides will look good with their setup. Also, test the audio. These detailed checks might not always be possible but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

If your presentation will be online, test all your tech beforehand. Locate a spot with the strongest wifi or hardwire your computer to the router.

Check your background and the lighting. Organize with housemates or family for some quiet time during the time of your presentation.

3 Start Strong

The day and time of your presentation have arrived! Now it’s time to shine.

Starting strong is a huge factor in achieving a good presentation. The first few seconds and minutes that you’re on stage will make a first impression on your audience . And yes, you can leverage that to your advantage!

How To Give A Good Presentation Through Impactful Body Language

The first thing people will notice is your body language. The way you carry yourself says a lot about how confident you are at that specific moment. If you prepared emotionally and mentally before your turn, then you’re as ready as you’ll ever be.

Watch the video below to learn about the power pose and how body language affects both you and your audience.

Make An Impressionable Statement

Starting a presentation with a joke, for example, can make the audience relate or feel more familiar with you. Letting them laugh a little will clear the air in the room and it’ll be easier to continue. 

Other opening techniques include:

• Be Provocative
• Incite Curiosity
• Shock the Audience
• Ask a Question
• Tell A Story

Use your first slide as a visual and impactful complement to start your presentation.

We have an article all about starting strong with plenty of inspiration. Check it out here – it’ll inspire you to think of new ideas for your presentation.

4 Follow The Outline You Practiced With

If you followed our tip above, you used an outline or a ‘section, pause, section’ technique to practice with. Maybe you even used some mnemonic tools or presenters’ notes. 

It’s time to put them all to use.

As long as you follow what you practiced you’re gold. This tip, as you can see, is a short one. It’s more of a reminder that the rehearsing step is more important than you might think at first. 

Only when you practice and rehearse a lot will you feel more comfortable when you present.

5 Use Props

Are you wondering how to give a good presentation with props? Good, that means you’re thinking creatively. Using props is a technique that not many consider when preparing for a presentation. 

Props can help not only to get the message across but also to serve as emotional support for the speaker! Just make sure it’s obviously a prop and not an emotional crutch.

A prop can be as small as a book, as big as a washing machine, or as weird as a preserved human brain. 

Of course, the prop must make sense with your presentation and topic. Not only that, but you must also practice with it. It’s important to be comfortable with your prop or props as you talk and switch slides. 

Actually, if you use props you might not need slides at all!

To get you inspired, watch this TED talk where Hans Rosling uses a washing machine as his prop.

6 Finish With Confidence

The end of the presentation is just as important as the beginning. You have to bring it all full circle. Knowing how to give a good presentation is like knowing how to structure a story, essay or article. The beginning and end are connected and must be relevant to each other.

For example, if you made a joke at the beginning, make the same joke but with a fun twist. If you made a provocative statement, close it up with a similar statement or question about it.

Closing Statement

Your presentation’s closing statement is a section in itself. Even if you do as we suggest above, the entire closing statement must be a conclusion of what you talked about during the entire presentation.

The last sentence you say will stay in your audience’s memory. At least until the next speaker takes the stage. If someone in your audience noted down your last sentence, you’ve hit the mark 100%.

Q and A Session – Yes or No?

Ending a presentation with a Q and A session is a bit iffy. If you ended your presentation with impact, a Q and A section can fizzle that out.

What you can do is ask the host to let the audience know that if they have questions, they can find you in the lobby for a conversation. For a digital summit, offer your Twitter handle where people can get in touch. 

In the case of webinars or instructional lectures though, Questions and Answers is a great idea. These can help familiarize you with the audience and make them more confident to work with you in the future. 

Consider the purpose of your presentation and make a decision according to what impact you’re looking to make.

Here's a great example of the chat section from Visme's webinars , where viewers make comments and ask questions throughout. In our webinars, we have someone help the presenter by gathering questions and ensuring everyone gets answers.

7 Use A Storytelling Structure

Moving on to the tips for the creation of your slides.  It’s important to remember the role your slides will play in your presentation. The audience’s attention should be on you, not your slides. These are meant to be complementary, not a crutch, nor even a text to follow.

With that said, this tip is the most important. It applies to your slides AND your spoken speech. They should both follow a storytelling structure that you and the audience will follow together.

Some of the most common storytelling structures are:

• Fact and Story – Go back and forth between facts and stories, or “what is” and “what could be.”
• The Explanation – Inform about a process or plan to fix something or to learn something new.
• The Pitch – Take your audience uphill over a hurdle and onto a positive resolution.
• The Drama – AKA “The Hero’s Journey,” this follows the plight of a main character from beginning to end.

You can also check out our quick video on how to structure a presentation like the experts to learn even more.

8 Keep Your Slides Short and Visually Balanced

There are two ways to design slides for a good presentation:

• As a standalone presentation
• As visual support, while you speak

Either way, you need to keep your slides short in text and visually impactful. For a visual support deck, the slides need even less text than a standalone presentation. 

If that idea worries you, and you have tons of information to share, you can always create a full-fledged informative PDF version of your deck to give your audience, investors or guests.

Here are some important things to remember when designing the slides for your presentation:

• The flow from start to finish
• Visual hierarchy
• Keeping the words to around 6 per slide
• Visual impact
• Balanced compositions

The 29 Best Presentation Layout Templates for 2020 [Plus Design Ideas]

9 Use Presentation Templates

Creating presentation slides doesn’t need to be difficult or a stressful affair. When you use a Visme presentation as a foundation, you’re on your way to being an expert on how to give a good presentation. 

To select a presentation template, you can either go for a topic-based template or a style based template. Both have their merits, you just need to figure out what’s easier for you. 

Topic-based templates are fully designed templates with color themes, graphics, images, icons, etc. You’d only have to adjust the content and maybe the colors and graphics. 

Style-based templates are better for those of you that need more freedom in terms of colors and visuals. The Visme slide library is full of layouts organized into categories that you can choose from. 

Presentation Templates

Ecommerce Webinar Presentation

Buyer Presentation

PixelGo Marketing Plan Presentation

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10 Learn From Your Mistakes

When the presentation is over and you feel like you just conquered the world, it’s not the end just yet. Celebrate the moment but remember, there will be more presentations in the future. 

If your presentation was filmed, watch the recording. If there was anyone in the audience that you can fully trust to be honest with their feedback, ask them for it. Take mental notes and the next time you’ll be even more prepared.

The secret sauce to know how to give a good presentation is to always keep learning the ways to improve.

11 Keep Yourself Inspired for Future Presentations

When you keep learning, you keep growing. This also applies to the art of giving good presentations. Follow well-known presentation experts like Nancy Duarte and Carmine Gallo. Read their book, their stories and their theories about giving good presentations. 

Watch famous speeches or TED talks to get inspired. Take notes of what you notice in those speeches that you think would suit your personality. You don’t want to copy how other people speak, but you can definitely be inspired!

Bonus: The Visme Presentation Guru Course

To top off your knowledge base for giving good presentations with killer slides, we present you with the Visme Presentation Guru Course .

How to Give a Good Presentation Every Time

As long as you’re prepared, your slides are well-balanced and your speech is rehearsed, you’re ready to give an impactful presentation.

Plus, never underestimate the power of templates! Check out the Visme slide library to visualize the possibilities. Take our presentation course and improve your abilities as a public speaker and slide creator.

Learn how to give a good presentation with all the resources Visme has in store for you. Sign up for a free Visme account today to get started.

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Orana is a multi-faceted creative. She is a content writer, artist, and designer. She travels the world with her family and is currently in Istanbul. Find out more about her work at oranavelarde.com

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6 Key Elements of a Great Presentation

Whether you're presenting to co-workers or conference attendees, a strong presentation can create buy-in, generate interest, and even further your career..

Whether you're presenting in a boardroom or at a conference, a strong presentation can go a long way toward furthering your career. If you project confidence and competence, you'll be able to engage and impress any audience.

But as you might imagine, pulling off a great presentation or conference talk isn't easy. A confident speaker can still be foiled by a low-quality presentation deck , and likewise, a great deck can't make up for lack of preparation .

I've had the question of what makes a great presentation on my mind a lot lately. On March 9, I'll be speaking at SXSW for the third year in a row. My talk is called " The Visual-First Method: Boost Conversions Now ," and will explain how organizations can transition into making visual communication their primary means of communicating both internally and externally. After nine years running a visual communication agency, it's a topic I know well. Even so, a great deal of preparation goes into this and all the talks that I deliver, which total dozens a year.

With all of this in mind, I'll outline the six elements that every successful presentation needs.

1. It has a clear objective.

What are you trying to achieve with this presentation? Should your audience walk away impressed and informed with what you achieved? Ready to learn more about your company? Excited to download your ebook?

Define your goals clearly, right at the outside. The objective of your presentation will drive everything from your script to your slide deck.

2. It's useful to your audience.

No one likes to sit through an hour-long sales pitch. Nor do they want to hear a talk that doesn't teach them something, or benefit them in some way. So if you think that talking about what your company does for the entirety of your next conference presentation is a good idea, you're sorely mistaken.

Every presentation should genuinely and meaningfully offer value to its audience. That means sharing key strategies that have worked for you; offering up enlightening data or insights; or telling a story that they may be able to learn from. Only in considering your audience's needs will you gain their confidence and trust.

3. It's well-rehearsed.

Yes, you absolutely need to practice. What you say should not only be said clearly, it should be delivered in an organized fashion and should be carefully coordinated with what you show on screen. Practice also helps you project confidence as a speaker, and that, too, will be more compelling for your audience.

And even if you've done this presentation a dozen times, rehearsal is essential. After all, every audience is different, so you may need to adjust your presentation each time to your audience's unique needs and interests.

4. Your presentation deck uses as little text as possible.

We've all attended one of those presentations where the slide deck had too much text. It's impossible to read more than a few words at a time while also listening attentively to the speaker.

Don't give attendees a reading assignment. It'll make the overall experience of your presentation less enjoyable. Your audience is liable to feel distracted and even a little stressed. Instead, focus on visualizing the topics you're discussing and supplementing them in meaningful ways -- with the help of graphs, for example.

5. Your contact information is clearly featured.

On my conference presentation, I include my company's logo and our Twitter handle on every slide. I want to make sure that the audience has ample opportunity to learn who we are, and to reach out and connect. This is especially useful for conference presentations, and may not be necessary for internal presentations at your place of work. Still, don't forget to make sure that everyone has a way to reach out to you, and remind them of your name and contact information on your last slide.

6. It includes a call-to-action.

Just as every presentation has a clearly defined goal, so too must it have a clear call-to-action. What do you want your audience to do at the end of your presentation? You'll need to give them an easy way to follow through on next steps.

At conferences, I like to leave audiences with a way to learn more about the topic I've been discussing. That's why I'll often share a link to an ebook at the end of my talks.

Still, when it comes to calls-to-action, there are as many options as there are goals. Determine what's right for you.

Incorporate these strategies into your next presentation, and you'll see more engagement and improved conversions. It will also make for more satisfied audiences, no matter where you're presenting.

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• Full Guide To Captivate Your Audience With Good Presentation Qualities

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Welcome to the world of presentations, where the magic of communication unfolds. In today’s fast-paced world, good presentation qualities are essential for success. Whether you pitch an idea, deliver a report, or share a story, how you present your information matters.

In this guide, you’ll be able to explore the importance of good presentation qualities . It will also highlight the necessary skills to captivate your audience. From clarity and engagement to effective delivery and adaptability, mastering these qualities will elevate your presentations to new heights. Begin a journey of discovery and unlock the secrets to impactful presentations.

In this article

Clarity and conciseness, engaging visuals, effective delivery, audience interaction, adaptability, the power of ai presentation tools, advantages of using ai tools for generating presentations, key features and benefits, how to create a presentation using presentory ai online, part i. key qualities of a good presentation.

Get ready to delve into the key attributes that make a presentation remarkable. Good presentation qualities encompass clarity, engaging visuals, effective delivery, audience interaction, and adaptability.

A good presentation flows effortlessly like a clear stream, carrying its message to the audience. Clarity ensures that your ideas are easily understood, while conciseness keeps your message focused and to the point. You can clearly communicate and capture your audience’s attention from the start by eliminating unnecessary jargon and complexity.

Visuals play a crucial role in capturing the audience’s interest in presentations. Incorporating engaging visuals such as images, charts, and infographics can reinforce your message and make complex concepts easier to grasp. Remember, a well-chosen visual can speak volumes and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

How you deliver your presentation is just as important as the content itself. Effective delivery involves tone of voice, body language, and pacing. You can command attention and keep your audience engaged throughout your presentation by speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures to emphasize key points.

A good presentation is not a one-way street; it’s a dialogue between the presenter and the audience. Encouraging interaction through Q&A sessions, polls, or group activities can make your presentation more dynamic and memorable. Inviting participation and listening to your audience’s feedback will bring a more engaging and interactive experience for everyone involved.

Finally, a good presenter is adaptable and responsive to the needs of their audience. Whether adjusting your content on the fly, responding to unexpected questions, or adapting your delivery style to suit the situation, being flexible is key to delivering a successful presentation. Every audience is different, so be prepared to adapt your approach accordingly.

By mastering these key attributes, you can create presentations that inform, inspire, and leave a lasting impact on your audience. Stay tuned for the next part of this guide, where you’ll explore the role of technology in enhancing presentation qualities.

Part II. Role of Technology in Enhancing Presentation Qualities

In today’s digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in transforming how people create and deliver presentations. AI (Artificial Intelligence) presentation tools are one such innovation revolutionizing the presentation landscape.

Gone are the days of painstakingly crafting presentations from scratch. With AI presentation tools like Wondershare Presentory , users can streamline the presentation creation process with AI. These tools leverage advanced algorithms to automate content generation, template customization, and design optimization, allowing presenters to focus on delivering compelling messages rather than getting bogged down by tedious formatting.

AI presentation tools offer a host of advantages for enhancing presentation qualities, from saving time and ensuring consistency to enabling customization and boosting efficiency. Check out more of its advantages below:

• Time-saving. AI tools significantly reduce the time and effort required to create presentations, enabling presenters to produce high-quality content in a fraction of the time.
• Consistency. AI ensures consistent design elements and messaging across slides, maintaining a professional and cohesive presentation aesthetic.
• Customization. AI-powered templates can be easily customized to suit specific branding guidelines or presentation themes, providing flexibility without sacrificing visual appeal.
• Efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, AI tools enhance efficiency and productivity, allowing presenters to devote more time refining their message and engaging with their audience.
• Accessibility. AI presentation tools are user-friendly and accessible to individuals of all skill levels, making professional-quality presentations attainable for everyone.

Incorporating these innovative tools into your workflow allows you to elevate your presentations to new heights and captivate your audience with impactful content.

Part III. Try Wondershare Presentory – Your Online AI Presentation Generator

Are you tired of spending hours crafting presentations from scratch? Say hello to Wondershare Presentory – the innovative AI generator that will revolutionize your presentation creation.

Presentory is your go-to solution for creating stunning presentations in minutes. Powered by advanced AI technology, Presentory eliminates the hassle of presentation creation. It allows you to focus on delivering impactful content without the stress of design and formatting. It allows users to generate PPT files, which include images, texts, formatting, etc.

Check out the amazing features Presentory’s AI Presentation Generator online version offers:

• High efficiency. Say goodbye to long hours spent on PowerPoint. With Wondershare Presentory, input your theme or key information and let AI do the rest. Perfect for busy professionals and students looking to save time.
• Personalized design. Stand out from the crowd with personalized templates and layout suggestions. Presentory offers a range of visual styles to ensure your presentation is both unique and captivating.
• Content optimization suggestions. I’m not sure if your content is hitting the mark. Presentory provides optimization suggestions to enhance the professionalism and persuasiveness of your presentation.
• Ease of use. No design skills? No problem. Wondershare Presentory features a user-friendly interface and intuitive operation process, making it effortless for anyone to create professional-level presentations.
• Integration of resources. Need to spice up your presentation? Presentory’s AI technology intelligently searches for external resources like AI graphics to enrich your content and enhance visual effects.

If the online version meets your needs, you may want to explore Presentory’s desktop version for even more features. Here are the extra features of the desktop version:

• Innovative for education. Elevate your teaching materials with seamless multimedia integration and dynamic effects. Get inspired by AI-generated projects to take your presentations to the next level.
• Easy for knowledge sharing. Set yourself apart from competitors with compelling presentations that highlight your expertise. Leverage Presentory’s rich resources for personalized, visually captivating content that maximizes audience engagement.
• Powerful for business. Supercharge your business presentations with Presentory. Create impactful reports and training materials. Present your ideas in online meetings with just one click. With Presentory, changing the layout of anything on your screen is a breeze.

Creating your next presentation with Presentory is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow this guide below:

Step 1: Open your browser and navigate to Wondershare Presentory’s official website . Click the ONLINE button to start creating your presentation right on your browser.

Step 2: Click the Create Presentation AI butt on on the new page.

Step 3: Choose Begin with a topic if you need more inspiration to create your presentation.

Step 4: Enter the topic in the search box then click Continue .

Step 5: Presentory will automatically generate an outline for your presentation on the next page. Review the AI-generated content. If you’re satisfied with it, click Continue to proceed. If not, click Regenerate to get another response.

Tip: You may also download the AI-generated content as a txt file. Click the “ Download ” icon to do this.

Step 6: Choose a template for your presentation on the next page. Once done, click the Generating button to proceed.

Step 7: Review the presentation and make the necessary modifications. You may change each page’s Theme , Layout , and Content using the tools in the right panel. Use the left panel if you wish to re-arrange the pages of your slide. Drag each page to its correct order.

Tip: Presentory also lets you preview, duplicate, delete, or add new pages to your presentation.

Step 8: After customizing, export your presentation by clicking the Share button. Choose the format you prefer, either PDF or Powerpoint , then click Export presentation.

Say goodbye to hours of tedious work and hello to professional-quality presentations in minutes. Presentory’s AI technology can streamline the process and enhance your work efficiency. Whether you’re a student, professional, educator, or business owner, Presentory has everything you need to captivate your audience and make a lasting impression.

Mastering good presentation qualities is essential for captivating your audience. It also helps deliver impactful messages a lot better. With the help of technology, such as Presentory, creating compelling presentations has never been easier. It’s the ultimate tool for creating professional presentations with ease.

No matter your presentation needs, Presentory’s AI-powered solution has you covered. From enhancing efficiency to providing personalized design options, technology is crucial in elevating presentation standards. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve your presentations effortlessly. Try Wondershare Presentory today and experience the difference for yourself. Your audience will definitely thank you for it!

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Presentation Skills: The Essential Abilities You Need to Deliver Engaging and Impactful Presentations

Delivering a powerful presentation isn’t just about having great content. It’s about how effectively you communicate your ideas, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impact.

Mastering presentation skills is key to succeeding in business meetings, sales pitches, conferences, or any other scenario where you need to deliver information clearly and confidently. Here’s a breakdown of the essential presentation skills that will help you elevate your performance.

1. Effective Communication: The Core of Every Successful Presentation

Clear and concise communication is the foundation of any presentation. Your ability to express ideas in a way that’s easily understood and remembered is what differentiates a good presenter from a great one.

Simplifying complex ideas and presenting them in a structured, logical flow.

How to Develop it:

Practice speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless your audience is familiar with it.

2. Storytelling: Engage and Captivate Your Audience

Humans are wired to respond to stories. Incorporating storytelling into your presentations helps you connect with your audience on an emotional level, making your message more relatable and memorable.

Crafting a compelling narrative that aligns with your presentation’s goals.

When structuring your presentation, think about how you can weave real-life examples, anecdotes, or success stories into your content to make it more engaging.

3. Audience Engagement: Keeping Their Attention from Start to Finish

Even the best content won’t matter if your audience loses interest. Strong presentation skills include the ability to keep your audience engaged throughout your talk.

Using techniques like asking questions, incorporating interactive elements, and responding to audience feedback.

During your presentation, periodically check in with your audience. Use polls, ask questions, or invite them to share their thoughts, keeping the session dynamic and interactive.

4. Body Language: Conveying Confidence and Authority

Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in how your message is received. Your posture, gestures, and facial expressions can either enhance or detract from your message.

Using open body language, maintaining eye contact, and leveraging gestures to emphasize key points.

Practice presenting in front of a mirror or record yourself. Pay attention to your posture, hand movements, and facial expressions. Aim for a confident stance with controlled, purposeful gestures.

5. Adaptability: Adjusting on the Fly

Even the most carefully planned presentations can run into unexpected issues. Being adaptable allows you to handle disruptions, audience questions, or technical glitches with composure.

Thinking on your feet and modifying your approach based on audience reactions or unforeseen circumstances.

Prepare backup plans for potential issues and practice scenarios where things go off-script. Stay flexible and be ready to shift your focus if necessary.

6. Visual Design: Enhancing Your Message with Compelling Visuals

Visual aids, when used correctly, can significantly enhance your presentation. Good presentation skills include designing slides and other visuals that are clear, appealing, and support your message.

Creating slides that highlight key points without overwhelming your audience.

Use tools like Canva or PowerPoint to design clean, minimalist slides. Stick to key visuals and avoid cluttering your presentation with too much text or overly complex graphics.

7. Time Management: Staying On Track and Respecting Your Audience’s Time

Effective time management ensures that you cover all your content without running over or rushing through important points.

Pacing your presentation to fit within the allotted time while delivering all key information.

Rehearse with a timer to refine your pacing. Plan buffer time for questions or discussions, and be prepared to adjust your delivery based on real-time conditions.

8. Handling Questions and Feedback: Navigating Interactions with Ease

Q&A sessions or spontaneous audience questions are common in most presentations. Handling these interactions gracefully is a critical skill.

Listening carefully, responding clearly, and managing difficult or unexpected questions professionally.

Prepare for likely questions in advance. Practice maintaining your composure when addressing challenging or unexpected queries, and always keep your responses respectful and concise.

Mastering these presentation skills takes practice, but they are essential for anyone looking to deliver impactful presentations consistently. Whether you’re presenting to a small group of colleagues or addressing a large audience, honing these skills will help you communicate your ideas effectively, engage your listeners, and leave a lasting positive impression.

Table of contents

• PRESENTATION SKILLS

Top Tips for Effective Presentations

Search SkillsYouNeed:

Presentation Skills:

• A - Z List of Presentation Skills
• General Presentation Skills
• What is a Presentation?
• Preparing for a Presentation
• Organising the Material
• Writing Your Presentation
• Deciding the Presentation Method
• Managing your Presentation Notes
• Working with Visual Aids
• Presenting Data
• Managing the Event
• Coping with Presentation Nerves
• Dealing with Questions
• How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
• 7 Qualities of Good Speakers That Can Help You Be More Successful
• Self-Presentation in Presentations
• Specific Presentation Events
• Remote Meetings and Presentations
• Giving a Speech
• Presentations in Interviews
• Presenting to Large Groups and Conferences
• Giving Lectures and Seminars
• Managing a Press Conference
• Attending Public Consultation Meetings
• Managing a Public Consultation Meeting
• Crisis Communications
• Elsewhere on Skills You Need:
• Communication Skills
• Facilitation Skills
• Teams, Groups and Meetings
• Effective Speaking
• Question Types

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How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

This page draws on published advice from expert presenters around the world, which will help to take your presentations from merely ‘good’ to ‘great’.

By bringing together advice from a wide range of people, the aim is to cover a whole range of areas.

Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you to improve.

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

It’s hard to be relaxed and be yourself when you’re nervous.

But time and again, the great presenters say that the most important thing is to connect with your audience, and the best way to do that is to let your passion for the subject shine through.

Be honest with the audience about what is important to you and why it matters.

Be enthusiastic and honest, and the audience will respond.

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

Your presentation needs to be built around what your audience is going to get out of the presentation.

As you prepare the presentation, you always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what you can tell them.

While you’re giving the presentation, you also need to remain focused on your audience’s response, and react to that.

You need to make it easy for your audience to understand and respond.

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question:

What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away?

You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly.

Some experts recommend a 30-second ‘elevator summary’, others that you can write it on the back of a business card, or say it in no more than 15 words.

Whichever rule you choose, the important thing is to keep your core message focused and brief.

And if what you are planning to say doesn’t contribute to that core message, don’t say it.

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

This sounds very easy, but a surprisingly large number of presenters fail to do it.

If you smile and make eye contact, you are building rapport , which helps the audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you to feel less nervous, because you are talking to individuals, not to a great mass of unknown people.

To help you with this, make sure that you don’t turn down all the lights so that only the slide screen is visible. Your audience needs to see you as well as your slides.

5. Start Strongly

The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience’s attention and hold it.

They will give you a few minutes’ grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you’re dull. So don’t waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them.

Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide.

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should:

• Contain no more than 10 slides;
• Last no more than 20 minutes; and
• Use a font size of no less than 30 point.

This last is particularly important as it stops you trying to put too much information on any one slide. This whole approach avoids the dreaded ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

As a general rule, slides should be the sideshow to you, the presenter. A good set of slides should be no use without the presenter, and they should definitely contain less, rather than more, information, expressed simply.

If you need to provide more information, create a bespoke handout and give it out after your presentation.

7. Tell Stories

Human beings are programmed to respond to stories.

Stories help us to pay attention, and also to remember things. If you can use stories in your presentation, your audience is more likely to engage and to remember your points afterwards. It is a good idea to start with a story, but there is a wider point too: you need your presentation to act like a story.

Think about what story you are trying to tell your audience, and create your presentation to tell it.

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

To effectively tell a story, focus on using at least one of the two most basic storytelling mechanics in your presentation:

Focusing On Characters – People have stories; things, data, and objects do not. So ask yourself “who” is directly involved in your topic that you can use as the focal point of your story.

For example, instead of talking about cars (your company’s products), you could focus on specific characters like:

• The drivers the car is intended for – people looking for speed and adventure
• The engineers who went out of their way to design the most cost-effective car imaginable

A Changing Dynamic – A story needs something to change along the way. So ask yourself “What is not as it should be?” and answer with what you are going to do about it (or what you did about it).

For example…

• Did hazardous road conditions inspire you to build a rugged, all-terrain jeep that any family could afford?
• Did a complicated and confusing food labelling system lead you to establish a colour-coded nutritional index so that anybody could easily understand it?

To see 15 more actionable storytelling tips, see Nuts & Bolts Speed Training’s post on Storytelling Tips .

8. Use your Voice Effectively

The spoken word is actually a pretty inefficient means of communication, because it uses only one of your audience’s five senses. That’s why presenters tend to use visual aids, too. But you can help to make the spoken word better by using your voice effectively.

Varying the speed at which you talk, and emphasising changes in pitch and tone all help to make your voice more interesting and hold your audience’s attention.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

9. Use your Body Too

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of communication is non-verbal.

That means that as well as your tone of voice, your body language is crucial to getting your message across. Make sure that you are giving the right messages: body language to avoid includes crossed arms, hands held behind your back or in your pockets, and pacing the stage.

Make your gestures open and confident, and move naturally around the stage, and among the audience too, if possible.

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

If you find presenting difficult, it can be hard to be calm and relaxed about doing it.

One option is to start by concentrating on your breathing. Slow it down, and make sure that you’re breathing fully. Make sure that you continue to pause for breath occasionally during your presentation too.

For more ideas, see our page on Coping with Presentation Nerves .

If you can bring yourself to relax, you will almost certainly present better. If you can actually start to enjoy yourself, your audience will respond to that, and engage better. Your presentations will improve exponentially, and so will your confidence. It’s well worth a try.

Improve your Presentation Skills

Follow our guide to boost your presentation skills learning about preparation, delivery, questions and all other aspects of giving effective presentations.

Start with: What is a Presentation?

Continue to: How to Give a Speech Self Presentation

See also: Five Ways You Can Do Visual Marketing on a Budget Can Presentation Science Improve Your Presentation? Typography – It’s All About the Message in Your Slides

17 Presentation Skills That Every Effective Presenter Must Develop

• Written by HIGH5 Content & Review Team
• August 8, 2024
• Professional skills

It’s no secret that effective presentations can help you get ahead in business. After all, what better way to show off your knowledge and expertise than by delivering a well-crafted presentation? The right presentation skills give you the ability to share your ideas with an audience convincingly and engagingly.

Unfortunately, not everyone is born a natural presenter. If you’re not used to standing up in front of an audience, the prospect of doing so can be daunting. Fortunately, understanding your unique strengths can help you overcome these challenges and improve your presentation skills. The HIGH5 strengths assessment is a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into your natural abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop strategies to address areas for improvement.

With the right guidance, there are a few simple things you can do to enhance your presentation skills and become a more confident and effective communicator. In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to do just that, allowing you to deliver an effective presentation. Let’s get right into it.

What are presentation skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities you need to deliver a clear and effective presentation. After all, a good presenter is someone who can communicate their ideas in a way that engages and motivates their audience.

There are many different aspects to presentation skills, from knowing how to structure your talk to using visuals effectively, to dealing with nerves. Developing strong presentation skills will help you to communicate your ideas more effectively and make a positive impression on your audience.

Presentation skills are important because they can help you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. A good presentation can make a big impact on your audience and can help to persuade them of your point of view. Presentation skills are also important in other areas of life, such as job interviews, sales pitches, and networking events. Being able to present your ideas clearly and concisely can give you a big advantage over others who are not as confident in their presentation skills.

Importance and benefits of presentation skills

One of the most important reasons to recognize presentation skills is because they are a valuable asset for any profession. Good presentation skills can help you in your career by making it easier to sell your ideas, get promoted, and be successful in business. Identifying your unique strengths through the HIGH5 assessment can provide invaluable insights into your natural communication abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop targeted strategies to enhance your presentation skills. By understanding your strengths, you can tailor your approach to deliver more impactful and persuasive presentations, increasing your chances of success in any professional setting.

In addition, good presentation skills can also help you in your personal life by making it easier to give speeches, make presentations, and teach classes. In addition, recognizing presentation skills can also help you improve your presentations. If you are not aware of the importance of presentation skills, you may not be using them to their full potential. By taking the time to learn about presentation skills and how to use them effectively, you can make your presentations more effective and persuasive.

Here’s a list of benefits that come with good presentation skills:

• Increased confidence
• The ability to think on your feet
• Improved public speaking skills
• Enhanced written communication skills
• The ability to lead and motivate others
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Improved negotiation skills
• Stronger time management skills
• Greater creativity
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on others

Pro Tip From HIGH5 Take the HIGH5 strengths assessment to gain a deeper understanding of your natural communication style and preferences. Use this knowledge to play to your strengths when preparing and delivering presentations, such as leveraging your creativity for engaging visuals or your analytical skills for structured content.

17 crucial presentation skills

Let’s now explore some practical examples of presentation skills that will help you ace your next big presentation.

Body language

Effective body language, including posture and gestures, enhances your message and engages your audience.

Active listening

Active listening helps you respond appropriately and adjust your presentation based on audience feedback.

Storytelling

Storytelling is a great way to engage your audience and make your points more memorable. And while it might not seem like a traditional presentation skill, it can be extremely effective. If you possess strengths like creativity, communication, or persuasion, you may find it easier to weave captivating stories into your presentations.

The HIGH5 strengths assessment can help you identify these natural storytelling abilities and provide strategies for leveraging them to captivate your audience. So, if you can find ways to weave stories into your presentation, it’ll go a long way in captivating your audience and making your message more impactful.

• Verbal communication

Clear and concise verbal communication ensures your message is understood and retained by your audience.

Voice projection

Projecting your voice confidently ensures that your message is heard clearly by everyone in the room.

Stage presence

Good stage presence involves commanding attention through confident movement and engagement with the audience.

Self-awareness

Being self-aware helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing for continuous improvement in your presentation skills.

Facial expressions

Using appropriate facial expressions adds emotion and clarity to your spoken words, making your message more impactful.

Avoid filler words

Minimizing filler words like “um” and “uh” helps maintain your credibility and keeps your audience focused on your message.

Choose the right angle for standing

Standing at the right angle, typically facing the audience while occasionally turning to your visuals, keeps the audience engaged and ensures they follow along with your presentation.

Engagement with your audience

Another key presentation skill is the ability to engage with your audience. This means making eye contact, using gestures, and speaking in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

If you’re just standing there reading off a slide, chances are your audience is going to get bored pretty quickly. But if you can find ways to keep them engaged, they’ll be more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Good eye contact

One of the best ways to engage with your audience is through eye contact. When you make eye contact with someone, it shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and that you’re engaged in the conversation. It also helps to build trust and rapport. So, if you can find ways to make eye contact with your audience members, it will go a long way in keeping them engaged.

Natural gestures

Another great way to engage with your audience is through natural gestures. Using your hands and arms to gesture can help emphasize points and keep your audience engaged. Just be sure not to go overboard – too much gesturing can be distracting.

The use of visual aids

Visual aids can be a great way to engage your audience and make your points more clear. Using slides, charts, and graphs can help illustrate your ideas and make them easier to understand. Similar to using gestures, just be sure not to overdo it – too many visuals can be overwhelming and confusing.

The ability to handle questions

At some point during your presentation, you’re likely going to get questions from your audience; how you handle those questions can make or break your presentation. If you’re able to answer them confidently and without getting flustered, it’ll show that you know your stuff.

But if you start to get tongue-tied or defensive, it’s going to reflect poorly on you. So, be prepared for questions and try to stay calm when answering them.

An organized structure

Another important presentation skill is having a well-organized structure. This means having an introduction, main body, and conclusion to your presentation. It also means using transitions between sections to help your audience follow along. If your presentation is all over the place, it’s going to be hard for your audience to stay engaged and they’ll quickly tune out.

Last but not least, confidence is one of the most important presentation skills you can have. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying, it’s going to show – and your audience is going to pick up on it. So, even if you’re not feeling 100% sure of yourself, try to project confidence. It’ll make a big difference in how your audience perceives you and your message.

Pro Tip From HIGH5 Use the HIGH5 assessment to understand your unique storytelling style and preferences. Incorporate personal anecdotes, analogies, or case studies that align with your strengths to make your presentations more engaging and memorable.

How to identify presentation skills?

To identify your presentation skills you will need the help of self-assessment tools and feedback from your colleagues or friends. One of the self-assessment tools that we recommend is the HIGH5 strengths test which will help you discover your strengths and talents. From there you can connect your strengths with presentation skills to see which strength boosts your skill.

The second way is also called peer feedback. Ask your colleagues, friends or close family members to give you feedback on your presentation skills. From there you can identify what presentation skills you have and what skills you need to improve.

How to improve presentation skills in the workplace?

The workplace is one of the most important places to hone your presentation skills. After all, in the business world, first impressions are key, and being able to deliver a polished and professional presentation can make all the difference in whether or not you’re successful. Here are a few tips to help you improve your presentation skills in the workplace:

Preparation is key

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. When you’re preparing for a presentation, take the time to do your research and gather all of the necessary information. This will help ensure that your presentation is well-organized and flows smoothly.

Be aware of your body language

Your body language speaks volumes, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re communicating with your nonverbal cues. Make sure you’re standing up straight, making eye contact, and using gestures appropriately. These small tweaks can make a big difference in how your audience perceives you.

Practice, practice and practice

One of the best ways to improve your presentation skills is simply to practice as much as you can. The more you present, the more comfortable you’ll become and the better you’ll be at thinking on your feet and handling questions from the audience.

Seek feedback

After each presentation, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Seek feedback from your colleagues or boss, and consider taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment to gain insights into your natural abilities and areas for growth. This will help you learn from your mistakes, leverage your strengths, and continue to improve.

By understanding your unique strengths, you can develop targeted strategies to enhance your presentation skills and make a more significant impact in the workplace. By following these tips, you can start to improve your presentation skills and make a positive impression in the workplace.

Pro Tip From HIGH5 After receiving feedback on your presentation, use the HIGH5 strengths assessment to identify areas where you excelled and areas for improvement. Develop an action plan that leverages your strengths while addressing your weaknesses, such as practicing more storytelling techniques if you have strong communication abilities or focusing on visual aids if you have strong creativity.

How do you highlight presentation skills in a resume and job interview?

Another important skill that is often overlooked is the ability to highlight presentation skills in both a resume and a job interview. This can be the difference between getting the job and not. When you are applying for a job, your resume is often the first thing that potential employers will look at. It is important to make sure that your resume includes any relevant presentation skills that you may have.

You can do this by including any experience you have in public speaking, leading presentations, or teaching courses. If you do not have any experience in these areas, consider listing any other relevant skills that could transfer over into presenting, such as customer service or sales experience.

In addition to your resume, it is also important to be able to highlight your presentation skills during a job interview. This is often done through behavioral interviewing, where you will be asked to describe specific examples of times when you have presented in the past. It is important to be prepared for this type of question and to have a few examples ready to go.

When you are highlighting your presentation skills, it is important to focus on any successes that you have had. This could be anything from getting positive feedback from an audience to successfully teaching a new course. No matter what the specific example is, it is important to focus on how you were able to positively impact the situation. This will show potential employers that you can effectively present information and that you are someone they would want on their team.

How to improve presentation skills in school as a student?

School students often have to present in front of their classmates and teachers, which can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t feel confident in your abilities. However, understanding your unique strengths can help you approach presentations with greater confidence and effectiveness. The HIGH5 strengths assessment is a valuable tool that can provide insights into your natural abilities, allowing you to leverage your strengths and develop strategies to address areas for improvement. With the right guidance, there are some things you can do to improve your presentation skills while you’re still in school.

Join a club or organization that requires presentations

This will force you to get up in front of people regularly and hone your skills. If no club or organization at your school requires presentations, start one! Give speeches in front of the mirror. Practicing in front of a mirror can help you identify any nervous habits you have (like fidgeting or pacing) and correct them before you have to give a real speech.

Use note cards instead of a script

Reading from a script can make you sound robotic and unauthentic. Note cards will help you stay on track without sounding like you’re reciting memorized lines.

Record yourself giving a presentation

Then, watch the recording back to see how you can improve. This exercise can be painful, but it’s one of the best ways to identify your weaknesses and work on them.

Find a mentor

Ask a teacher or another adult you trust to give you feedback on your presentations. They can offer helpful tips and criticism that will help you improve. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great presenter in no time!

Pro Tip From HIGH5 As a student, take the HIGH5 strengths assessment to identify your natural communication and leadership abilities. Use this knowledge to play to your strengths when preparing and delivering presentations, such as leveraging your analytical skills for structured content or your creativity for engaging visuals.

Presentation skills FAQ

What are the 7 presentation skills.

The 7 presentation skills are:

• Eye contact

What are the 4 types of presentation skills?

The 4 types of presentation skills are:

• Visual aids
• Non-verbal communication
• Listening skills

What is the rule of presentation?

The rule of presentation is to always keep the audience in mind. This means knowing who your audience is, what they want to hear, and how to best deliver your message so that they will listen and be able to understand it.

What are the 5 presentation skills?

The five essential presentation skills are clear communication, audience engagement, confident delivery, effective use of visuals, and proper body language.

What are 10 qualities of a good presentation?

A good presentation is clear, concise, engaging, well-structured, visually appealing, confident, interactive, relevant, well-paced, and memorable.

Every great presenter must have the majority of presenting skills already learned. It is beneficial for each individual to have some level of presentation skills, to be able to showcase and demonstrate their project, ideas and plans to their friends, family members and colleagues.

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Do You Have What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation?

by Michael Foley

Summary .   

Great presentations are all about how well you engage your audience. Here are three ways to do that:

• Be balanced: Strike the right balance between structure and improvisation during your presentation. Rather than preparing your content in a narrative form, take the time to segment it by topic. Leave room to respond to your audience’s immediate needs, even if that means going off script for a while.
• Be generous: You goal should be to offer your audience something of value. Let this  principle guide the content you choose to present.
• Be human: Rehearse to familiarize yourself with your content, but do not memorize it. If you go blank for a moment, don’t apologize and act flustered, just pause, take a breath, collect your thoughts and continue on. Your audience wants you to be relatable.

Have you ever seen a really great presentation? Honestly, they’re pretty rare.

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What Makes a Great Presenter? 9 Key Qualities to Look for!

Any successful public speaker will tell you that great presenters and public speakers are not born, they are made. So, What makes a great Presenter?

Mastering presentation skills can be done by anyone, provided they are committed to recognizing and understanding the 9 essential skills to look for. 

World-class presenters all exhibit the following qualities:

I Highly Recommend also checking:

The 9 Qualities of a Great Presenter and How They Work.

The topic that a professional presenter undertakes to discuss is always something that inspires them personally.  That they care deeply about their subject will always be evident to an audience.

Passion is critical to being an effective speaker. To engage an audience, the audience must be drawn into your topic; your passion is what grabs their attention and creates a desire to learn more. Passion also drives the other 8 characteristics. 

The fact that you are giving a presentation means that you have a great deal of expertise on the subject.  Noting will substitute for in-depth knowledge. 

A good presentation shares passion and understanding to a wide range of people.  Consider the famed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson and Brian Greene .  These are two world-renowned scientists who are also master’s of describing complex phenomena in a way even non-scientists can comprehend.

Authenticity is directly transmitted to your audience and is something that cannot be faked. 

A good technique to practice if this sounds like a challenge is to convince yourself of what you are trying to convey about your topic.  If you can convince yourself, you can convince your audience.

Those who exude confidence have come to trust their own voice and ideas.  If you trust your passion and your knowledge then you can meld the four preceding characteristics into a whole, confidence is the result. 

Confidence connects you directly with your audience and your presentation.  The trust you build with your presence allows the audience to stay open and receptive to what you have to say. 

There are few better ways to convey an important message than to tell a story.  A story engages the hearts and minds of those who are listening.  A story captures people’s attention and makes a presentation memorable. 

The best stories are those based on your personal experience. Think of what challenges you faced and the journey you took in meeting those challenges.  Your stories will inspire your audience.

Providing a coherent presentation shows that you respect your audience, your subject, and yourself; and your presentation will be a memorable one.

Last Words.

Whenever the latest research on phobias, what people fear, hits the headlines there is always a consensus around public speaking being one of our top fears.  It can be higher on one list and lower on another, but it is always in there somewhere.  And the reason is simpler than you might think.

Challenging though it is, these fears can be overcome.  Look at them rationally and decide if there really is anything to be afraid of.  Being grounded in and trusting yourself is the first step along the path to a wonderfully fulfilling life and, not least, exciting, and energizing presentations that your audience will love.

The 9 characteristics of a great presenter are effective only if one is willing to practice.  There is no substitute for rehearsing your presentation.  Rehearsing is not memorizing; it is simply the act of ingraining the ideas that you wish to convey.  Even the experts in the field routinely practice the delivery of their topics.  

By considering the 9 characteristics your next presentation will be powerful because you have confidence, because you are sincere in your approach and because you will forge an intimate connection with your audience.

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5 Characteristics Of A Great Presenter

Communication is one of the most important skills of a leader.

Yet, many people fear public speaking . Standing in front of an audience can be a nerve-racking experience – you feel vulnerable, anxious, and worry that stage fright will get the best of you. The best way to deal with your public speaking fears is to face it head on because the more experience you have presenting, the more comfortable you’ll become. 

As the presenter it’s your responsibility to execute your message in a way that’s captivating. Utilizing these five fundamental characteristics will help you master the art of presentations and transform the way you communicate to your audience. Whether you’ve been doing presentations for years or are preparing for your first one, a great presenter should always possess the following qualities: 

Giving a presentation on something implies that you’re the expert in the topic so it’s important that you know more than your audience does. You can demonstrate this by determining the demographic of your audience and presenting in a way that they can understand. This will help them perceive you as the authority figure because you’re able to translate something to their level of understanding.

How do you accomplish this? Prepare and practice! A great presenter is familiar with everything that is being covered and is comfortable speaking about the subject matter. While you might not know every single detail, you have a wide enough knowledge base to educate your audience and won’t find yourself getting stumped during the Q&A session.

Create a script and memorize the key points that will help prompt you to the next point. Once you have your script down, stand up and present it like you are standing in front of your audience – walk around, pause, use hand gestures, make eye contact. Being able to comfortably present your material builds up the next quality.

A confident presenter commands attention and inspires action. It’s the difference between an actor who simply recites his lines and one who has dynamic stage presence and is able to pull the audience into his performance.

If confidence on stage doesn’t come naturally to you, remember that no one can see how you’re feeling inside – only what you’re emitting from the outside. So if you emit confidence , they’ll see you as a confident person.

There are a few tricks you can do to appear more confident. Instead of standing behind a podium, work the stage by walking around. Don’t slouch, stand tall, and keep your shoulders down and back. Nervous presenters tend to speak fast so speak slower than you think you need to and project your voice as if you’re talking to the person sitting in the back of the room. Smile, look people in the eye, and don’t be afraid to pause when you need to.

Self-awareness

People will tell you to be witty! Be charming! Be funny! Be energetic! These are all great qualities to have as a presenter but what’s most important is you are these things within your own ability. You can try to be witty like Churchill or funny like Sedaris but it can actually work against you. People can easily sense when you’re not presenting your true self, and coming off as unauthentic makes it harder for the audience to connect with you.

Take a look at your unique personality and traits. Know yourself. Delivering quick one-liners might not come naturally to you but maybe you’re a great storyteller and have an anecdote that relates to your topic. Maybe you’re not the high-energy type but you have great vocal variety. Know what you’re capable of and play on to your strengths. Every presenter is different so just be yourself and let your natural self shine.

No one’s expecting to hear the next Martin Luther King but it’s important to present with conviction. If your subject matter is something that you truly care about, turn this energy into excitement and use it to get your audience excited too.

Presenting with passion shows a personal investment to the topic and connects people on an emotional level. Of course, this source of passion needs to come naturally. If the topic is something that you live and breathe – great! This will be easy for you. If it’s an uninspiring quarterly review filled with charts and data, find something to be excited about (may we suggest a rockin'?)

Many presentations eventually start to blend together but there are always a few that you vividly remember. Think about a presentation you saw that really stood out. What did they do to make it so memorable?

Chances are you weren’t blown away by the company’s history or quarterly sales data. Maybe you remember the presentation because it made an emotional connection with you. The presenter had a heartfelt story and you walked away feeling inspired. It created a lasting impact and while you may not remember the finer details of the presentation, you remembered the story. Maybe they did something unique that you’ve never seen before. Take a lesson from

If you want to be a great presenter or just want to make it through your next presentation without lukewarm feedback, you need to: [1] know your material , [2] be confident , [3] be self-aware , [4] be passionate , and [5] be memorable . Watch world-class presenters and you can always find these five traits present. Keep practicing in these areas and soon you’ll look like you were born to be on stage!

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What are the qualities of a good presenter?

In the course of running our TV presenter training, there’s one question that comes up time and time again – what makes a good presenter  ? It’s a natural question to consider, as those asking it are simply wondering whether they have the necessary qualities to reach the promised land of having presenting skills that engage and clearly convey a message to the audience.

So, if that’s a question you’re currently pondering, we thought we would give you a definitive answer in the form of this blog. Here we’ll be covering the question in fine detail, as we provide 10 characteristics that you should be aiming to exude in any presentation you give.

By reading to the end, you’ll have a much better idea about whether you need presenting skills training  to develop your aptitude. So, if you’re sitting comfortably and you’ve got your notebook ready, let’s get started.

Quality 1. Confidence – When was the last time you saw a good presenter who wasn’t confident? That’s right, they don’t really exist, as confidence goes hand in hand with effective presentation. Confidence comes from being sure of the subject and properly prepped, so make sure you do your homework and this often elusive quality will be yours.

Quality 2. Charm & Charisma -Your presenting skills  are greatly enhanced when you’re able to be charming and charismatic. Closely linked to confidence, it’s a handy talent to develop as a presenter, as you’ll be able to draw in your audience and build rapport and trust at the same time.

Quality 3. Dedication & Passion – What many people forget when asking what makes a good presenter  is that the TV industry is a very competitive one, so the qualities required don’t always relate to your presenting skills . What IS always required is tenacity, dedication and passion – not just for the subject matter but also in your overall approach to everything you do.

Quality 4. Authenticity – As a TV presenter, there’s perhaps nothing more important than being yourself, because when you’re not being true to who you are, you’re going to lose some authenticity. You’re not an actor playing a character, so let your own personality and passions shine through in your presenting skills .

Quality 5. Understanding the audience -This is a quality that either comes naturally or needs to be worked upon with research, as it’s one that relates to understanding your audience and what their pain points are. A certain amount of empathy is required, but this needs to be backed up by hard work and a passion for doing the job right.

Quality 6. Enthusiastic – Another vital factor that presenters need to inject into their work is enthusiasm. It’s not something you can really do without, as all of your other presenting skills  rest upon it. No one wants to listen to a boring, lifeless presentation, so if you’re feeling tired beforehand, have a coffee and you’ll be able to deliver your message with the requisite gusto!

Quality 7. Relaxed and keep calm under pressure – What is it they say? “ Never work with children or animals? ” – well its an old adage that points towards the fact that things go wrong, particularly when broadcasting live. Technical glitches, late guests and others who won’t behave on set are not unheard of, so an ability to remain calm when others aren’t is a key talent you’ll need.

Quality 8. An active listener  – When you’re interviewing a guest on your show, all eyes are on you and the interviewee, so if you’re not listening to the answers they’re giving you properly, it’s going to stick out like a sore thumb. It’s one of the most important qualities a TV presenter needs, as it’s integral to building the rapport you need for your guest to open up.

Quality 9. Good communication skills – It’s not surprising that good communication is on our list of necessary presenting skills , as all presentations call for a clear and easy-to-comprehend voice. It’s a tricky skill to master when broadcasting live, as there’s a fair amount of pressure on you, but good presenters will always channel this energy to bolster their performance in a confident way.

Quality 10. Good team player  – Typically speaking, a TV crew will contain a tight-knit group of professionals, all supporting each other in their work. As the face of this crew, a presenter needs to be able to work well with others – again often under intense pressure. In terms of presenting skills  – it’s right up there.

What Makes a Good Presenter   ? Training!

So, there you have it – 10 qualities that any good presenter will need to have. If you’ve read to the end and you feel that you’re lacking any of those described, the good news is that all of the above can be worked on with high quality presenting skills training .

At the Presenter Academy, we’ve already taught hundreds of people that have gone on to become accomplished professionals, meaning that you could too. Want to get started? No problem. How about doing so by downloading our free 3 Tips For Perfect Presenting Course ? All you need to do is subscribe and it’s yours!

Alternatively, if you want to get serious about becoming a great presenter, you can find our full range of engaging e-courses that cover TV presenting, children’s TV presenting, online presenting and more besides. You can find everything by visiting us online at www.presenteracademy.com and you can get in touch with our friendly team by filling out our contact form .

That’s it from us for this time. We’ll see you again soon.

Start your presenting Journey Today

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10 Qualities of Powerful Intercessors

Praying spiritual protection over cities, true righteousness, intercessor shares dream about kamala harris, the source of hope for a nation, discuss issues you care about with other intercessors..

• Intercessors have a relationship with the Father.
• Intercessors pray out of love for others.

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Considering Adding a Chief AI Officer? Here are the Pros, Cons, and 5 Characteristics to Look For

The artificial intelligence explosion is leading more organizations to consider adding a new executive position to their C-suite.

The growth in chief AI officer (CAIO) roles closely tracks with the remarkable rise in AI, as nearly two-thirds of organizations say they are regularly using generative AI in their daily work, nearly double the percentage just 10 months ago, according to a McKinsey Global Survey .

But while the CAIO role is becoming more popular, it’s not yet a common sight in the C-suite. In a recent Gartner survey of over 1,800 executive leaders, more than half (54%) said they had a specific AI leader in their organization who orchestrated AI-related initiatives. Still, the great majority of those organizations (88%) said their AI leader did not have the title of chief AI officer.  

Many experts say having one high-level executive manage a company’s artificial intelligence enterprise makes sense, given AI’s relative newness and high-investment status. In the past year, companies such as IBM, Dell, and Accenture have announced the addition of CAIOs.

“Unlike past tech disruptions, which occurred gradually, AI is reshaping today’s workplace at an unprecedented pace,” says Neal Riley, chief information officer at Adaptavist, a U.K.-based digital transformation company. “While most C-suite teams occupying common focus areas (e.g., CIO/CTO) will often be able to address these domains, introducing a new boardroom dynamic by bringing in the representation of a chief AI officer in these areas may change the dynamic of the conversation positively.”

Like any top-tier management initiative, bringing an AI officer aboard has its risks and rewards.

Potential Upsides of a CAIO

Having a single voice at the top . A good chief AI officer can lead a unified vision and strategy for AI across the organization.

“The [CAIO] can provide clarity, motivation, and speed, and create an alignment of AI initiatives with overall business objectives. It also sends a clear signal to customers and Wall Street that the organization has recognized the transformative potential of AI and won’t be left behind,” says Dev Nag, CEO of QueryPal, a workplace communications technology firm in San Francisco.

Stronger data management . CAIOs would also be best suited to ensure data governance across the organization, as data feeds AI strategies and produces analytics and predictions.

“From our experience in speaking with Fortune 500 data managers, they’re seeing disparate and decentralized data ownership, and there’s no clear corporate vision on how to use this data,” says Olga Beregovaya, vice president of AI and machine translation at Smartling, a language AI translation company based in New York. “Having an organization whose function is to collect data, train models, and produce tangible outcomes will help bridge this gap.”

Raising compliance standards . A chief AI officer role also includes corporate responsibility and compliance oversight. “That’s especially the case when ensuring that safe and ethical AI implementation principles are observed,” Beregovaya says.

Potential CAIO Downsides

Leadership quarrels . As with any new C-suite title, a potential trouble spot with a new CAIO position is conflict with other C-suite roles. One area of conflict could come from chief technology officers, who may believe the AI leadership role should be under their domain.

However, experts say there are several reasons why the CTO isn’t the right person to manage the CAIO’s new responsibilities.

“Very few CTOs have the core expertise in AI technology and AI applications to keep up with the frenetic advances and continually apply these breakthroughs to business problems,” Nag says. “CTOs have a very broad scope, balancing dozens of technological priorities, preventing them from giving AI the attention it needs.”

Short-term pain. Since the chief AI officer is a new role for companies, leadership responsibilities are most likely to be blurred in the beginning. “Consequently, the CAIO role can create more chaos than good early on,” Beregovaya notes.

AI for the sake of AI. A chief AI officer could champion expensive technology transformations—as opposed to simpler, cheaper solutions—to justify the existence of their role. “Implementing an expensive AI solution is not a silver bullet for every business objective, and companies need to know that,” says Ritu Jyoti, group vice president of automation research at IDC.

5 Key Characteristics of a Good CAIO

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided to create a chief AI officer role, here are five traits that indicate a candidate who’s up to the task:

1. A robust track record in new technology management. Look for a proven track record of leading or participating in successful innovation initiatives and a deep understanding of AI’s ethical and regulatory considerations.

“These experiences should include the integration of machine learning algorithms and other AI-based solutions to enhance data processing, analysis, and utilization,” Jyoti says. “Those efforts should have helped drive innovation and fostered collaboration among business stakeholders while assisting with implementing and optimizing AI-based solutions.”

2. The ability to master the big picture . A good chief AI officer should have extensive experience driving large-scale strategic initiatives and be able to look at the AI strategy from a 30,000-foot view. “A technical degree will be of great help, but a proven track record of implementing mission-critical strategic programs would be a much stronger win,” Beregovaya says.

3. A mix of tech and collaboration skills. A good chief AI officer combines strategic foresight, technical expertise, ethical leadership, and the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration. “This mix of skills ensures that AI initiatives not only succeed technically but also deliver meaningful, long-term value to the company,” says Florin Rotar, chief AI officer at Avanade, a digital, cloud, and AI technology provider in Seattle.

Rotar says his role as CAIO at Avanade is an ongoing learning experience. “I found a strong CAIO must have the ability to align AI initiatives with the company’s overarching business goals,” he explains. “This means understanding the technology and identifying where AI can drive the most value, whether it’s through improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, or creating new revenue streams.”

4. Deep knowledge of AI technologies and ethics. While strategy is key, knowledge of AI technologies is nonnegotiable. And the right CAIO will prioritize responsible AI, ensuring that AI deployment is aligned with ethical and regulatory standards.

“A good CAIO understands which innovations will make the biggest impact and ensures AI initiatives deliver expected value,” Rotar says. “We are in an era where AI is shaping business operations. In such a scenario, a CAIO must be committed to ethical AI practices.”

5. Experience as a change expert . Implementing AI at scale often requires significant organizational change.

“A good CAIO should have experience in change management, helping to guide the company through the transition and address any resistance that might arise,” Rotar says. “This includes fostering a culture open to AI and encouraging employees to embrace AI as a tool that enhances their roles rather than replaces them.”

Simultaneously, a CAIO should focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains.

“This means looking beyond immediate AI projects to consider how AI can sustainably contribute to the company’s growth over time,” Rotar adds. “The CAIO should also be a forward-thinker, capable of anticipating future trends and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of AI innovation.”

Mistakes to Avoid in Your CAIO Hunt

One big error companies make in their search for a CAIO is doing more “chasing” and less analyzing in the rush to find a senior AI decision-maker.

“One of the biggest mistakes is treating the CAIO role as purely technical, overlooking the importance of business alignment, AI tools knowledge, and leadership qualities,” says Mitch Mitchem, AI-human synergy specialist and CEO of HIVE Interactive in Denver.

Don’t look at the CAIO position as strictly an engineering and technical role, he warns. With that mindset, companies too often seek someone with a computer science or data science background and years of technology leadership under their belt. That obviously matters, but a CAIO’s management role doesn’t end there.

“Companies often focus on technical expertise and programming at the expense of strategic vision and change management skills, which are critical for navigating the cultural shifts that AI adoption can trigger,” Mitchem explains.

Another common error: rushing the hiring process.

“Typically, organizations are driven by the fear of falling behind competitors rather than ensuring that the candidate is a holistic fit for the company’s needs and culture,” Mitchem says.

Brian O’Connell is a freelance writer based in Bucks County, Pa. A former Wall Street trader, he is the author of the books  CNBC Creating Wealth  (John Wiley & Sons, 2001) and  The Career Survival Guide  (McGraw Hill, 2004).

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