Big end-of-year presentation just a few weeks away? Don’t wait until the last minute—learn how to wow your crowd with the YES! Your Human Resources Solutionseries all about giving a great presentation. In Part 1, we talked about how to plan your presentation, from choosing a killer topic to practicing it to perfection. In Part 2, we discussed how to make your production pop with powerful visuals and interactive strategies. In Part 3, we’ll talk about how to make the most of your delivery strategy.

DELIVERING YOUR PRESENTATION

You’ve planned, practiced, produced, and now you’re ready to deliver your big presentation. Try these tips to draw in listeners!

• Have confidence. Before your first word hits the microphone, command the audience’s attention with your stage presence. Avoid nervous small-talk or long introductions. Your demeanor should convey confidence, even if you’re feeling nervous. If you feel jittery, try visualizing giving a strong presentation that everyone enjoys. You can also think positive thoughts about yourself, such as “I’m beautiful/charming/courageous” to help bolster your confidence.
• Talk to your audience. Well of course talk to your audience, not to the air—they will notice the difference, so make eye contact. Try to be relaxed and conversational, like you are talking to old friends. Your presentation will seem warmer and more natural.
• Show emotion. Are you passionate about your topic? Do you have fun just talking about it? Then let it show! And whether you’re sharing an anecdote or a tearjerker, let your emotions shine through there, too. Try personalizing the heart of your stories to tap into your own emotional experiences. Delivering with emotion will help your audience form a deeper connection with your message.
• Watch your time. Remember back to when you practiced your delivery in front of a mirror? Now that you’re presenting the real thing, be careful your nerves aren’t making you talk like an auctioneer. If you’re speeding through, make a conscious effort to breathe, slow down, and add pauses between your thoughts. You can also keep an eye on the clock to see how much time you have left, and whether you may need to stretch out or speed up your presentation.
• Improvise, but stay on point. You may know your presentation by heart, but if the feeling strikes, feel free to improvise. You can flesh out some of your best stories by seizing the moment. Improvisation also keeps your presentation fresh, no matter how many times you deliver it. Just remember to stay on track; some stories can wind into tangents that don’t contribute to your message.
• Close big. Leave your audience with a lasting impression. Try ending your presentation with a call to action (something you want your audience to do as a result of your presentation), a compelling story, or a powerful quote. You could also end with a provocative question, an evocative image, or a surprising fact. When appropriate, humorous cartoons are always crowd-pleasers. Whatever ending you choose, aim to make your message resonate.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our series on how to give a great presentation. Through careful planning, preparation, and presentation, you’ll be sure to deliver a powerful message that will leave a lasting impression on your listeners. Thanks for reading!