Giving a good presentation is more than just your delivery; substance matters. Let’s face it; few people are born giving amazing presentations; it’s more a skill that’s learned over some time. So, rather than throw your hands in the air and say, “I can’t do it,” keep reading for our take on how to give a killer presentation (as first found in the Harvard Business Review).
Frame The Story
Good talks contain good information that’s been framed and conceptualized correctly. To give a killer presentation, you’ll need to create a journey for your audience that you’ll travel through together. Failing to frame your story will take value away and diminish the point.
Plan The Delivery
Once you have the story framed, it’s crucial to spend time planning the delivery. There are three ways to deliver a presentation: Read it from a teleprompter or script, memorize it, or you can write bullet points on an index card.
Develop Stage Presence
Inexperienced speakers commonly find themselves suffering from stage fright. This step usually requires a little coaching but is worth it. Some things to keep in mind include not moving your body too much, not moving your body enough, make eye contact with the audience, and keep your nerves in check. No one is there to judge you; they just want to hear what you have to say.
Plan The Multimedia
No killer presentation is complete without multimedia. You can consider adding photographs, videos, or slides. Just remember to not overdo it, especially with a slide presentation. It should complement your words, not take from them.
Put It Together Properly
If you know a speech is coming up, ideally within six months, start planning immediately. Experts begin prepping speakers six months in advance. This provides plenty of time to memorize the information enough that you won’t even need index cards.
In the end, giving a killer presentation is all about planning and spending ample time putting it all together