Top Tips for Presentation Skills

Clear Advice for Presentation Skills

Have you ever envied others’ presentation skills? The way they effortlessly work the audience, putting their points across in a clear, concise manner, confidently bringing everyone around to their point of view. Don’t you wish you or your staff could be a little more like that?

With the right training, that’s exactly what could happen.

Despite what others may tell you, presentation skills are not something you are born with; they are something you can work on and perfect. When it comes to presentations, never settle for mediocrity. Hone your skills, and achieve the results you desire.
With that in mind, here are a few top tips for improving your presentation skills.

Despite what others may tell you, presentation skills are not something you are born with; they are something you can work on and perfect.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Act

One of the most common misconceptions about people with good presentation skills is that they are talented actors; that when they give a presentation they are simply rehearsing a performance, albeit very effectively. In other words, presentation skills are nothing more than the ability act out a role.

This could not be further from the truth. Acting is a sure fire way to destroy your presentation. Don’t do it.

If you decide to act out a performance during a presentation, you throw away the single most important ingredient to success: you. Or rather, your own natural style and personality. If you are trying not to be yourself, your audience can smell it. And they won’t like it. Think about it for a second, would you trust someone who is pretending to be someone else?

When giving a presentation, you have to be authentic. Your audience wants you to be honest with them and there’s no way you can do that if you’re acting. Learn how to make the most of your natural style, and your presentation skills will increase exponentially.

Clarity Is Key

Why do people attend presentations? Because the speaker holds knowledge they don’t, and they hope to learn something valuable. But no matter how much the speaker knows, no matter how great an expert they are, it all counts for nothing unless they can convey their message clearly.

It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.

If you want your presentation to have the desired effect on your audience, you have to be clear. You have to carefully tailor it in such a way that makes it easy for the listener to understand. Don’t just make the points you want to make, think about the clearest way to do so. Make sure you decide on your content and strategy with the audience at the forefront of your mind.

Furthermore, when you know you have a clear presentation, you’ll automatically feel more relaxed and confident. And if you can give a presentation in this frame of mind, it’s much more memorable for your audience.

Involve the Audience

Ultimately, your presentation is not about you, it’s about your audience. In some form or another, your goal is to move those in attendance to action, whether it’s purchasing a specific product or service, or adopting a certain pattern of behaviour.

So, make sure you involve them.

Engaging the audience is a crucial aspect of a memorable presentation. So talk to them, rather than at them. Allow their input to influence your discourse, adapting as you go along to meet the specific needs and desires of the people who are listening to you. Your ability to respond to their questions and to react to their doubts goes a long way towards achieving the results you hoped for.

Technology is Your Friend

One of the most common weaknesses in presentation skills is a fear of technology. Many people are reluctant to learn how to use it, or lack the confidence to include it in a presentation.

But this is not to your advantage; the use of technology can greatly enhance a presentation. Embrace it, don’t fear it.

So, whether it be including a relevant video clip, or mastering the art of a slide show, it pays to learn how to use any piece of equipment which could improve your presentation. And if you have the chance to use the latest, most up to date technology; do it, and impress your audience further. After all, if you don’t, someone else will. A recent favorite among our presentation skills trainers is Prezi – technology giving presentations some movement.

Presentation Skills Training

If you’re concerned about your presentation skills, or those of your staff, and are not already using the tips outlined above, you may wish to consider professional presentation skills training. With a little expert help, you can learn how to showcase your own natural abilities, and deliver an authentic presentation which achieves the results you desire.