100+Tips+for+Effective+Presentations


 * Preparing for your presentation **
 * Remember your objective **
 * You may need to inform or persuade, or both
 * Be confident with your material and delivery
 * Anticipate the questions **
 * Consider the points your audience is likely to ask for further information about
 * Practice, practice, practice **
 * Make several "dry runs" before the actual presentation
 * Rehearse in front of a mirror, with a tape recorder, and/or a video camera
 * Time your presentation
 * Stop, go back, and repeat the segments you did not present the way you intended


 * Verbal communication strategies **
 * Volume **
 * Make sure everyone can hear you; ask people sitting in the back if they can hear you
 * If you speak too quietly, it will be hard to hear; if you speak too loudly, it will be annoying
 * If you are comfortable, slightly lower the volume to draw people in, and then raise the volume to make key points
 * Pauses **
 * Use pauses to punctuate the flow of your presentation
 * Strategically-placed pauses can help you dramatize or clarify a point
 * Use pauses to give participants time to think about what you just said
 * Use pauses combined with eye contact when you think you have lost your audience or when some audience members seem to be involved in a side conversation
 * Use pauses of no more than 10 seconds when you need to collect your own thoughts and think through what you will say next
 * Inflection **
 * Don’t use a monotone voice
 * Tone **
 * The tone for most oral presentations is relaxed but serious
 * This is especially the case when presenting to peers and colleagues
 * Avoid Artificial Fillers **
 * Avoide using such fillers as "Y'know,” "Uhh,” "Like,” "So,” "Well”


 * Nonverbal communication strategies **
 * Research has shown that most of a message is delivered through nonverbal means **
 * 7 % is conveyed by actual words or content
 * 38% is transmitted by tone of voice and volume of speech
 * 55% is delivered via non-verbal information, such as facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, and how you carry yourself
 * Body Positioning **
 * Stand to the side of the screen or board and use your hand, pointer, or mouse to direct attention to important points, with the information to your writing-hand side
 * Direct all speech at your audience; don't talk into the screen or flip chart
 * Don’t hide behind a podium or table, or sit in such a way that some or all audience members cannot see and/or hear you


 * Movement **
 * Be animated as you present your material
 * Move around somewhat, even if you must remain in the area of the podium or projector
 * Hands **
 * Gesture naturally, not mechanically, with your hands
 * Do not use your hands excessively, unless it fits your personality
 * Facial Expressions **
 * Use facial expressions to show concern, enthusiasm, empathy, and understanding
 * Smile as much as possible, naturally
 * Eye Contact **
 * Practice establishing eye contact with your audience to make them feel included
 * Spend several seconds looking at one person before moving your visual focus to another person
 * Eye contact of longer than 3-5 seconds can make a participant uncomfortable
 * When the audience stops looking at you, it can be the first sign that they’ve also stopped listening


 * Nervousness **
 * Accept it **
 * Recognize and accept the signs of nervousness—they’ll diminish as you proceed through your presentation
 * Remember that a certain degree of nervousness can be very positive in giving you the energy and drive you need for an enthusiastic presentation
 * Be prepared **
 * Reduce nervousness by knowing your content and presentation ahead of time
 * Rehearse several times prior to presenting


 * At the podium **
 * Appearance **
 * Be aware of the image you are projecting as the speaker—you never get a second chance to make a good first impression
 * Dress appropriately for the occasion and audience
 * Avoid distracting colors and patterns in your clothing
 * Opening and introduction **
 * The opening should capture and hold the listeners’ attention
 * In the first minute, you should state the problem (need or opportunity) that is the focus of your discussion
 * Delivery **
 * Be convincing, know your material, and present your logical points in a confident and organized way
 * Stress the main points of the content; reiterate them throughout your presentation
 * Conclusion **
 * Tie all your ideas together in a summary that clearly and neatly packages your message
 * When you end your presentation, the audience should leave with an unmistakable understanding of your message