In a world where information is accessible to everyone at the click of a button, presentations that are long and not very visual become tiresome and unattractive to the audience.
Most of the presentations we have attended have not captured our interest and, at times, we have become bored. Here we will recommend the most important tips to achieve good communication and interaction with the audience.
Summary
- Don’t make the audience feel like they are wasting their time.
- Grab the attention of your listeners to make a difference.
- Always keep in mind the type of audience you are addressing.
The best tips and advice for your presentations: The definitive list
In this guide, we will give you the best tips to succeed in your presentation. So, before starting with the first tip, you should make an outline of the ideas you want to discuss.
1. Create a good introduction
An essential idea is to avoid technicalities, especially in the introduction. The audience can easily get confused if they do not understand anything. Try to explain the concepts in an easy and entertaining way. Keep in mind that if you do not understand the message, the rest will not understand it either.
It is advisable not to overdo it and to introduce concepts little by little. Remember that the more the listener identifies with your presentation, the greater your influence will be.
2. Use images to make it visual
It is important not to overload the presentation with information. On the contrary, it is advisable to put the main ideas.
This advice is the most common and at the same time the most important. Our brain will integrate less information if it is not supported by visual elements. So you should include images, tables, graphs, and statistics, which will bring understanding to your speech.
3. Speak with confidence
Communicating with a correct tone is fundamental. At the beginning of the presentation, it is important not to be destructive or start by saying that the subject is complex or with a defeatist attitude. Repeating your speech over and over again out loud is a good way to internalize it and reduce mistakes. In addition, practising will help your audience notice you with confidence.
Here is a summary of the keys to a good presentation.
4. Avoid “Em”, “Eh”, “You know”
The way you communicate and the language you use will have a great impact on how people will perceive your presentation. You should be aware that the way you speak will change during the presentation, especially under pressure or nerves.
You have probably heard in conferences: “Em”, “Eh”, “Um”, “You know”: these are the most frequent mistakes, but we must stop making them. One way to avoid them is to try not to speak, order your thoughts, and continue with clearer ideas. This will give more strength to your speech. Knowing your speech perfectly generates credibility. Hesitating when speaking will work against you when it comes to persuading, remember that all eyes will be on you. Reading will not only distract listeners, but will also convey the feeling that you do not understand your own message.
5. Give examples
Fundamentally complex topics can be better understood with examples or stories that exemplify the main theme of your presentation. On the other hand, overconfidence or overuse of colloquialism during examples will make the presentation informal. What you use as an example, such as a story, should be entertaining, something that everyone in the room can relate to. Capturing interest early on and introducing the main ideas in an entertaining way will help you control the presentation.
It is a good way for the audience to identify with us. It allows the audience to be more receptive and not to put obstacles when we deliver the message (1).
Use concrete, precise language, and few words when explaining to the audience. Too much language can be “noise” or cause distractions (2).
7. Use appropriate body language
Proper use of body language is important if we are facing a face-to-face presentation at our school or work. However, due to the rise of teleworking, it is even more important, since the camera will focus on the face and neck, so we cannot use the rest of the body to communicate, such as the hands. On the other hand, it is not advisable to overdo it with hand movements, facial gestures, or moving from one side to the other, as this will draw the audience’s attention to these movements instead of your speech.
Looking directly into the eyes is the most effective way to persuade and capture attention. Your listeners should feel that the speech was designed especially for them, taking into account their needs and interests, so take time to make eye contact with each person who attended the event. 8.
8. Focus the presentation on the topic or main idea
Not forgetting the topic we want to deal with is an aspect that some people do not take into account. Keeping the main idea in mind at all times will make your speech stronger, the listener will grasp it better and will not lose attention.
In recent years, digital skills have been the most in-demand when looking for staff and new employees.
The more original your digital presentation is, the more attention you will get and the better impression you will give in terms of demonstrating that you have skills with technology and digital media.
9. Explain the necessary concepts one at a time
The audience will generally come to your presentation without having a very broad knowledge of the subject. Explaining the concepts in an orderly and coherent manner is essential for a better understanding of the listeners.
It is not advisable to explain the topic with an over exposition of concepts or technicalities that the listeners will not understand.
10. End with a brief summary or conclusion with the key ideas
Perhaps the audience has received a lot of information in a short time. Ending with a brief summary or clarification of the key ideas of the presentation is very important for the audience to leave with a good impression and have learned new concepts. It is important that at the end of your presentation, the main message remains clear and strong in the minds of the listeners. Verbalized words disappear in their articulation, therefore, to fix it you will need to reiterate them at least three times during the presentation.
In the summary, it is recommended that you include one or two main ideas of the topic in question and a brief explanation of each of them.
Conclusion
When communicating, it is not only about knowing or knowing a lot about a topic. There are also other elements such as visual or oral tools that will make your topic more understandable and interactive.
Our main goal in making a presentation is for the listener to gain more knowledge about a specific topic. Don’t forget to thank your listeners for their time and attention at the end of the presentation. And most importantly: relax and have fun! Enthusiasm is contagious. If you feel good about what you do, that feeling will be transmitted to the audience and your oral presentation will be a success. Good luck!
