good presentation traits

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Beginner Guides

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

 We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

• Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
• Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
• Doubting when asked to answer a question
• Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious.  Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task. 

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

• What do you do 
• What’s the problem to solve
• Why is your solution different from others 
• Why should the audience care about your expertise

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

• Identifying problems and needs
• Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
• Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
• Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
• Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
• Handling rejection
• Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
• Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
• Having confidence
• Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

• Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
• Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions. 

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise. 

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

• Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
• Patience and a constant learning mindset
• Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
• Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
• Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember. 

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury. 

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

• Attention to detail
• Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
• Creative thinking
• Powerful diction
• Working on pauses and transitions
• Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

• Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
• Putting ego aside
• Creative communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
• Voice training
• Using powerful words

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic. 

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

• Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
• Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
• Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
• Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it). 

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.  

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

• A PDF not opening
• Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
• A computer not booting up
• Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
• Not knowing how to change between slides
• Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
• Internet not working
• Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design). 

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech. 

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process. 

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up. 

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

Like this article? Please share

Business Presentations, Presentation Approaches, Presentation Skills Filed under Education

Related Articles

Filed under Design • March 27th, 2024

How to Make a Presentation Graph

Detailed step-by-step instructions to master the art of how to make a presentation graph in PowerPoint and Google Slides. Check it out!

Filed under Presentation Ideas • February 29th, 2024

How to Make a Fundraising Presentation (with Thermometer Templates & Slides)

Meet a new framework to design fundraising presentations by harnessing the power of fundraising thermometer templates. Detailed guide with examples.

Filed under Presentation Ideas • February 15th, 2024

How to Create a 5 Minutes Presentation

Master the art of short-format speeches like the 5 minutes presentation with this article. Insights on content structure, audience engagement and more.

Leave a Reply

How it works

Transform your enterprise with the scalable mindsets, skills, & behavior change that drive performance.

Explore how BetterUp connects to your core business systems.

We pair AI with the latest in human-centered coaching to drive powerful, lasting learning and behavior change.

Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement.

Unlock performance potential at scale with AI-powered curated growth journeys.

Build resilience, well-being and agility to drive performance across your entire enterprise.

Transform your business, starting with your sales leaders.

Unlock business impact from the top with executive coaching.

Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Accelerate the performance and potential of your agencies and employees.

See how innovative organizations use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce.

Discover how BetterUp measurably impacts key business outcomes for organizations like yours.

A demo is the first step to transforming your business. Meet with us to develop a plan for attaining your goals.

• What is coaching?

Learn how 1:1 coaching works, who its for, and if it's right for you.

Accelerate your personal and professional growth with the expert guidance of a BetterUp Coach.

Types of Coaching

Navigate career transitions, accelerate your professional growth, and achieve your career goals with expert coaching.

Enhance your communication skills for better personal and professional relationships, with tailored coaching that focuses on your needs.

Find balance, resilience, and well-being in all areas of your life with holistic coaching designed to empower you.

Discover your perfect match : Take our 5-minute assessment and let us pair you with one of our top Coaches tailored just for you.

Research, expert insights, and resources to develop courageous leaders within your organization.

Best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth.

View on-demand BetterUp events and learn about upcoming live discussions.

The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace.

• BetterUp Briefing

The online magazine that helps you understand tomorrow's workforce trends, today.

Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more.

Founded in 2022 to deepen the understanding of the intersection of well-being, purpose, and performance

We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Join us and create impactful change.

Read the buzz about BetterUp.

Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.

For Business

For Individuals

How to give a good presentation that captivates any audience

Jump to section

What are the main difficulties when giving presentations?

How to create an effective presentation, after that, how do i give a memorable presentation, how to connect with the audience when presenting.

If you’ve ever heard someone give a powerful presentation, you probably remember how it made you feel. Much like a composer, a good speaker knows precisely when each note should strike to captivate their audience’s attention and leave them with a lasting impression.

No one becomes a great public speaker or presenter without practice. And almost everyone can recall a time one of their presentations went badly — that’s a painful part of the learning process.

Whether you’re working within a small creative team or a large organization, public speaking and presentation skills are vital to communicating your ideas. Knowing how to present your vision can help you pitch concepts to clients, present ideas to your team, and develop the confidence to participate in team meetings.

If you have an upcoming presentation on the horizon and feel nervous, that’s normal. Around 15-30% of the general population experience a fear of public speaking . And, unfortunately, social anxiety is on the rise, with a 12% increase in adults over the last 20 years . 

Learning how to give a good presentation can dismantle your fears and break down these barriers, ensuring you’re ready to confidently share your point of view. 

It’s the week before your presentation, and you’re already feeling nervous . Maybe there’ll be an important mentor in the room you need to impress, or you’re looking for an opportunity to show your boss your value. Regardless of your countless past presentations, you still feel nervous. 

Sharing your vision and ideas with any sized group is intimidating. You’re likely worrying about how you’ll perform as a presenter and whether the audience will be interested in what you offer. But nerves aren’t inherently negative — you can actually use this feeling to fuel your preparation.

It’s helpful to identify where your worries are coming from and address your fears. Here are some common concerns when preparing for an upcoming presentation:

Fear of public speaking: When you share your ideas in front of a group, you’re placing yourself in a vulnerable position to be critiqued on your knowledge and communication skills . Maybe you feel confident in your content, but when you think about standing in front of an audience, you feel anxious and your mind goes blank.

It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms when presenting . Some people experience nausea and dizziness as the brain releases adrenaline to cope with the potentially stressful situation . Remember to take deep breaths to recenter yourself and be patient, even if you make a mistake.

Losing the audience’s attention: As a presenter, your main focus is to keep your audience engaged. They should feel like they’re learning valuable information or following a story that will improve them in life or business.

Highlight the most exciting pieces of knowledge and ensure you emphasize those points in your presentation. If you feel passionate about your content, it’s more likely that your audience will experience this excitement for themselves and become invested in what you have to say.

Not knowing what content to place on presentation slides: Overloading presentation slides is a fast way to lose your audience’s attention. Your slides should contain only the main talking points and limited text to ensure your audience focuses on what you have to say rather than becoming distracted by the content on your slides.

Discomfort incorporating nonverbal communication: It’s natural to feel stiff and frozen when you’re nervous. But maintaining effective body language helps your audience stay focused on you as you speak and encourages you to relax.

If you struggle to incorporate body language into your presentations, try starting small by making hand gestures toward your slides. If you’re working with a large audience, use different parts of the stage to ensure everyone feels included. 

Each presenter has their own personal brand and style. Some may use humor to break the ice, while others might appeal to the audience’s emotional side through inspiring storytelling. 

Watching online presentations, such as TED talks, is an excellent way to expose yourself to various presentation styles and develop your own. While observing others, you can note how they carry themselves on stage and learn new ways to keep your audience engaged.

Once you’ve addressed what’s causing your fears, it’s time to prepare for a great presentation. Use your past experience as inspiration and aim to outshine your former self by learning from your mistakes and employing new techniques. Here are five presentation tips to help you create a strong presentation and wow your audience:

1. Keep it simple

Simple means something different to everyone.

Before creating your presentation, take note of your intended audience and their knowledge level of your subject. You’ll want your content to be easy for your intended audience to follow.

Say you’re giving a presentation on improving your company’s operational structure. Entry-level workers will likely need a more straightforward overview of the content than C-suite leaders, who have significantly more experience. 

Ask yourself what you want your audience to take away from your presentation and emphasize those important points. Doing this ensures they remember the most vital information rather than less important supporting ideas. Try organizing these concepts into bullet points so viewers can quickly identify critical takeaways.

2. Create a compelling structure

Put yourself in your audience member’s shoes and determine the most compelling way to organize your information. Your presentation should be articulate , cohesive, and logical, and you must be sure to include all necessary supporting evidence to strengthen your main points.

If you give away all of your answers too quickly, your audience could lose interest. And if there isn’t enough supporting information, they could hit a roadblock of confusion. Try developing a compelling story that leads your audience through your thought processes so they can experience the ups and downs alongside you. 

By structuring your presentation to lead up to a final conclusion, you’re more likely to keep listeners’ attention. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you can offer a Q&A period to put any of their questions or concerns to rest. 

3. Use visual aids

Appealing to various learning styles is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure they absorb your content. Visual aids are necessary for visual learners and make it easier for people to picture your ideas.

Aim to incorporate a mixture of photos, videos, and props to engage your audience and convey your key points. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation on anthropology subject matter, you could show your audience an artifact to help them understand how exciting a discovery must have been. 

If your presentation is long, including a video for your audience to watch is an excellent way to give yourself a break and create new jumping-off points for your speech.

4. Be aware of design techniques and trends

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and tools, you have numerous platforms at your disposal to create a good presentation. But keep in mind that although color, images, and graphics liven things up, they can cause distraction when misused.

  Here are a few standard pointers for incorporating visuals on your slides: 

• Don’t place blocks of small text on a single slide
• Use a minimalistic background instead of a busy one
• Ensure text stands out against the background color
• Only use high-resolution photos
• Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
• Don’t overuse transitions and effects

5. Try the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki, a prominent venture capitalist and one of the original marketing specialists for Apple, said that the best slideshow presentations are less than 10 slides , last at most 20 minutes, and use a font size of 30. Following this strategy can help you condense your information, eliminate unnecessary ideas, and maintain your audience’s focus more efficiently.

Once you’re confident in creating a memorable presentation, it’s time to learn how to give one. Here are some valuable tips for keeping your audience invested during your talk: 

Tip #1: Tell stories

Sharing an anecdote from your life can improve your credibility and increase your relatability. And when an audience relates to you, they’re more likely to feel connected to who you are as a person and encouraged to give you their full attention, as they would want others to do the same.

Gill Hicks utilized this strategy well when she shared her powerful story, “ I survived a terrorist attack. Here’s what I learned .” In her harrowing tale, Hicks highlights the importance of compassion, unconditional love, and helping those in need.

If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal stories, that’s okay. You can use examples from famous individuals or create a fictional account to demonstrate your ideas.

Tip #2: Make eye contact with the audience

Maintaining eye contact is less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, you don’t have to look your audience members directly in their eyes — you can focus on their foreheads or noses if that’s easier.

Try making eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each. This timing ensures you don’t look away too quickly, making the audience member feel unimportant, or linger too long, making them feel uncomfortable.

If you’re presenting to a large group, direct your focus to each part of the room to ensure no section of the audience feels ignored. 

Tip #3: Work on your stage presence

Although your tone and words are the most impactful part of your presentation, recall that body language keeps your audience engaged. Use these tips to master a professional stage presence:

• Speak with open arms and avoid crossing them
• Keep a reasonable pace and try not to stand still
• Use hand gestures to highlight important information

Tip #4: Start strong

Like watching a movie trailer, the first seconds of your talk are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. How you start your speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation and tells your audience whether or not they should pay attention. Here are some ways to start your presentation to leave a lasting impression:

• Use a quote from a well-known and likable influential person 
• Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue
• Start with an anecdote to add context to your talk 
• Spark your audience’s curiosity by involving them in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle

Tip #5: Show your passion

Don’t be afraid of being too enthusiastic. Everyone appreciates a speaker who’s genuinely excited about their field of expertise. 

In “ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ,” Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the importance of passion in research and delivery. She delivers her presentation excitedly to show the audience how excitement piques interest. 

Tip #6: Plan your delivery

How you decide to deliver your speech will shape your presentation. Will you be preparing a PowerPoint presentation and using a teleprompter? Or are you working within the constraints of the digital world and presenting over Zoom?

The best presentations are conducted by speakers who know their stuff and memorize their content. However, if you find this challenging, try creating notes to use as a safety net in case you lose track.

If you’re presenting online, you can keep notes beside your computer for each slide, highlighting your key points. This ensures you include all the necessary information and follow a logical order.

Tip #7: Practice

Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes progress. There’s no way of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, but thorough practice means you’ve done everything you can to succeed.

Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or to a trusted friend or family member. Take any feedback and use it as an opportunity to fine-tune your speech. But remember: who you practice your presentation in front of may differ from your intended audience. Consider their opinions through the lens of them occupying this different position.

Tip #8: Read the room

Whether you’re a keynote speaker at an event or presenting to a small group of clients, knowing how to read the room is vital for keeping your audience happy. Stay flexible and be willing to move on from topics quickly if your listeners are uninterested or displeased with a particular part of your speech.

Tip #9: Breathe

Try taking deep breaths before your presentation to calm your nerves. If you feel rushed, you’re more likely to feel nervous and stumble on your words.

The most important thing to consider when presenting is your audience’s feelings. When you approach your next presentation calmly, you’ll put your audience at ease and encourage them to feel comfortable in your presence.

Tip #10: Provide a call-to-action

When you end your presentation, your audience should feel compelled to take a specific action, whether that’s changing their habits or contacting you for your services.

If you’re presenting to clients, create a handout with key points and contact information so they can get in touch. You should provide your LinkedIn information, email address, and phone number so they have a variety of ways to reach you. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for an effective presentation, as your unique audience and subject matter play a role in shaping your speech. As a general rule, though, you should aim to connect with your audience through passion and excitement. Use strong eye contact and body language. Capture their interest through storytelling and their trust through relatability.

Learning how to give a good presentation can feel overwhelming — but remember, practice makes progress. Rehearse your presentation for someone you trust, collect their feedback , and revise. Practicing your presentation skills is helpful for any job, and every challenge is a chance to grow.

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

6 presentation skills and how to improve them

How to write a speech that your audience remembers, how to make a presentation interactive and exciting, 3 stand-out professional bio examples to inspire your own, reading the room gives you an edge — no matter who you're talking to, tell a story they can't ignore these 10 tips will teach you how, your guide to what storytelling is and how to be a good storyteller, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips, similar articles, the importance of good speech: 5 tips to be more articulate, the 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, 30 presentation feedback examples, how to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really), how the minto pyramid principle can enhance your communication skills, 8 clever hooks for presentations (with tips), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

• Platform Overview
• Integrations
• Powered by AI
• BetterUp Lead
• BetterUp Manage™
• BetterUp Care™
• Sales Performance
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Case Studies
• Why BetterUp?
• About Coaching
• Find your Coach
• Career Coaching
• Communication Coaching
• Life Coaching
• News and Press
• Leadership Team
• Become a BetterUp Coach
• BetterUp Labs
• Center for Purpose & Performance
• Leadership Training
• Business Coaching
• Contact Support
• Contact Sales
• Privacy Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Trust & Security
• Cookie Preferences

• PRESENTATION SKILLS

Top Tips for Effective Presentations

Search SkillsYouNeed:

Presentation Skills:

• A - Z List of Presentation Skills
• General Presentation Skills
• What is a Presentation?
• Preparing for a Presentation
• Organising the Material
• Writing Your Presentation
• Deciding the Presentation Method
• Managing your Presentation Notes
• Working with Visual Aids
• Presenting Data
• Managing the Event
• Coping with Presentation Nerves
• Dealing with Questions
• How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
• 7 Qualities of Good Speakers That Can Help You Be More Successful
• Self-Presentation in Presentations
• Specific Presentation Events
• Remote Meetings and Presentations
• Giving a Speech
• Presentations in Interviews
• Presenting to Large Groups and Conferences
• Giving Lectures and Seminars
• Managing a Press Conference
• Attending Public Consultation Meetings
• Managing a Public Consultation Meeting
• Crisis Communications
• Elsewhere on Skills You Need:
• Communication Skills
• Facilitation Skills
• Teams, Groups and Meetings
• Effective Speaking
• Question Types

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and start improving your life in just 5 minutes a day.

You'll get our 5 free 'One Minute Life Skills' and our weekly newsletter.

We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

This page draws on published advice from expert presenters around the world, which will help to take your presentations from merely ‘good’ to ‘great’.

By bringing together advice from a wide range of people, the aim is to cover a whole range of areas.

Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you to improve.

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

It’s hard to be relaxed and be yourself when you’re nervous.

But time and again, the great presenters say that the most important thing is to connect with your audience, and the best way to do that is to let your passion for the subject shine through.

Be honest with the audience about what is important to you and why it matters.

Be enthusiastic and honest, and the audience will respond.

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

Your presentation needs to be built around what your audience is going to get out of the presentation.

As you prepare the presentation, you always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what you can tell them.

While you’re giving the presentation, you also need to remain focused on your audience’s response, and react to that.

You need to make it easy for your audience to understand and respond.

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question:

What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away?

You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly.

Some experts recommend a 30-second ‘elevator summary’, others that you can write it on the back of a business card, or say it in no more than 15 words.

Whichever rule you choose, the important thing is to keep your core message focused and brief.

And if what you are planning to say doesn’t contribute to that core message, don’t say it.

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

This sounds very easy, but a surprisingly large number of presenters fail to do it.

If you smile and make eye contact, you are building rapport , which helps the audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you to feel less nervous, because you are talking to individuals, not to a great mass of unknown people.

To help you with this, make sure that you don’t turn down all the lights so that only the slide screen is visible. Your audience needs to see you as well as your slides.

5. Start Strongly

The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience’s attention and hold it.

They will give you a few minutes’ grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you’re dull. So don’t waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them.

Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide.

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should:

• Contain no more than 10 slides;
• Last no more than 20 minutes; and
• Use a font size of no less than 30 point.

This last is particularly important as it stops you trying to put too much information on any one slide. This whole approach avoids the dreaded ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

As a general rule, slides should be the sideshow to you, the presenter. A good set of slides should be no use without the presenter, and they should definitely contain less, rather than more, information, expressed simply.

If you need to provide more information, create a bespoke handout and give it out after your presentation.

7. Tell Stories

Human beings are programmed to respond to stories.

Stories help us to pay attention, and also to remember things. If you can use stories in your presentation, your audience is more likely to engage and to remember your points afterwards. It is a good idea to start with a story, but there is a wider point too: you need your presentation to act like a story.

Think about what story you are trying to tell your audience, and create your presentation to tell it.

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

To effectively tell a story, focus on using at least one of the two most basic storytelling mechanics in your presentation:

Focusing On Characters – People have stories; things, data, and objects do not. So ask yourself “who” is directly involved in your topic that you can use as the focal point of your story.

For example, instead of talking about cars (your company’s products), you could focus on specific characters like:

• The drivers the car is intended for – people looking for speed and adventure
• The engineers who went out of their way to design the most cost-effective car imaginable

A Changing Dynamic – A story needs something to change along the way. So ask yourself “What is not as it should be?” and answer with what you are going to do about it (or what you did about it).

For example…

• Did hazardous road conditions inspire you to build a rugged, all-terrain jeep that any family could afford?
• Did a complicated and confusing food labelling system lead you to establish a colour-coded nutritional index so that anybody could easily understand it?

To see 15 more actionable storytelling tips, see Nuts & Bolts Speed Training’s post on Storytelling Tips .

8. Use your Voice Effectively

The spoken word is actually a pretty inefficient means of communication, because it uses only one of your audience’s five senses. That’s why presenters tend to use visual aids, too. But you can help to make the spoken word better by using your voice effectively.

Varying the speed at which you talk, and emphasising changes in pitch and tone all help to make your voice more interesting and hold your audience’s attention.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

9. Use your Body Too

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of communication is non-verbal.

That means that as well as your tone of voice, your body language is crucial to getting your message across. Make sure that you are giving the right messages: body language to avoid includes crossed arms, hands held behind your back or in your pockets, and pacing the stage.

Make your gestures open and confident, and move naturally around the stage, and among the audience too, if possible.

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

If you find presenting difficult, it can be hard to be calm and relaxed about doing it.

One option is to start by concentrating on your breathing. Slow it down, and make sure that you’re breathing fully. Make sure that you continue to pause for breath occasionally during your presentation too.

For more ideas, see our page on Coping with Presentation Nerves .

If you can bring yourself to relax, you will almost certainly present better. If you can actually start to enjoy yourself, your audience will respond to that, and engage better. Your presentations will improve exponentially, and so will your confidence. It’s well worth a try.

Improve your Presentation Skills

Follow our guide to boost your presentation skills learning about preparation, delivery, questions and all other aspects of giving effective presentations.

Start with: What is a Presentation?

Continue to: How to Give a Speech Self Presentation

See also: Five Ways You Can Do Visual Marketing on a Budget Can Presentation Science Improve Your Presentation? Typography – It’s All About the Message in Your Slides

28 Qualities of a Skillful Presenter

• Communication
• Presentation Skills

Outstanding presenters continually pursue these qualities

“Wow! Now I understand why it’s so difficult to become a good presenter,” gushed one of my students in a recent class I conducted on presentation skills. I had just put up a slide that, one by one, enumerated 28 qualities that every good presenter not only exhibits, but also embodies. These qualities seem to flow effortlessly from skillful presenters.

Twenty-eight qualities. Outstanding presenters continually pursue these qualities. Here they are, listed alphabetically accompanied by a brief descriptions of each quality. Because it might be easier to understand a quality by knowing its opposite, I’ve listed those too. You can see how diametrically opposed these qualities can be.

One last point. Try to visualize each of these qualities to get a better idea of how to exhibit them.

1. Adept nonverbally: clear communication with body language. Your nonverbal communication—body movements, gestures, posture, and facial expressions—speak louder than your words. Opposite: stilted.

2. Adept verbally: full speaking command; uses great words. Your verbal communication—the way you speak—can carry an audience: your tone, inflection, and volume, and how you pace, pause, and enunciate. Opposite: speechified (in other words, as if you are reading a written speech—for the first time. Yikes, how boring!)

3. Animated: full of life and excitement. Act alive! Opposite: lethargic.

4. Assertive: being strong and forceful (but not overbearing). This is in between the bookends of aggressive and passive. Opposite: timid.

5. Astute: keen ability to accurately assess a situation or person and turn it into an advantage. Opposite: unintelligent.

6. Cheerful: noticeably happy and optimistic. Simply smile while you present. Opposite: dreary.

7. Clear: easy to perceive, leaving no doubt. Attain clarity by testing your message beforehand. Opposite: vague.

9. Confident: being self-assured; a quality that is catchy. Opposite: uncertain.

10. Credible: convincing and believable. That seems inherently obvious. Opposite: unconvincing.

11. Dynamic: stimulating. Make your audience think; it’s one way to garner participation. Opposite: halfhearted.

12. Effective: successful in producing the desired result. Ultimately, this is what your presentation is all about. Ensure your audience gets what they expect and want. Opposite: ineffective or weak.

13. Energetic: demonstrating vitality. Pace yourself as you move about the room. Opposite: lifeless.

14. Engaging: attracting and occupying interest. Another key quality: connect individually with both large and small audiences. Opposite: unappealing.

15. Engrossing: absorbing all attention. Keep all eyes up on you, and not down on mobile devices. Opposite: boring, which is the kiss of death for any presentation.

16. Enthusiastic: showing intense and eager enjoyment. Opposite: depressed.

17. Focused: paying particular attention to the topic at hand. Keep on point; don’t allow your audience to take control. Opposite: flighty.

18. Innovative: original and creative thinking. Give your audience more than what they expect. Opposite: hackneyed.

19. Knowledgeable: intelligent and well-informed. Know a concept well enough to explain it to the uninitiated. Opposite: uninformed.

20. Logical: clear, sound reasoning. What you present must make immediate sense. Opposite: illogical or irrational.

21. Memorable: easily remembered; worth remembering. Make sure your audience takes something away with them. Opposite: forgettable.

22. Natural: smooth and polished. All this takes is a bit of concentrated practice. Opposite: self-conscience or awkward.

23. Organized: structured and in control. Respect your audience by taking the time to adequately prepare. Opposite: disorganized or inefficient.

24. Passionate: showing strong feelings. If you are not passionate, how can you expect your audience to follow suit? Opposite: apathetic.

25. Poised: graceful and elegant. This is the quality that encompasses many of the others. All the synonyms apply here: self-assured, composed, dignified, in complete control. Opposite: clumsy.

26. Present: fully aware and engaged in the current situation. Focus on what’s happening, as it happens. Opposite: distracted.

27. Relaxed: being comfortable (not tense or anxious). Set a calm tone for your presentation. Opposite: uptight.

28. Understandable: easily understood—by your audience, which is the critical part. Opposite: incomprehensible.

So there they are. Twenty-eight qualities to embrace and embody; twenty-eight to eschew. Now it’s up to you. All it takes is practice and performance to master these skills.

—Rich Maggiani

Leave a Comment or Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ace the Presentation

What Makes a Great Presenter? 9 Key Qualities to Look for!

Any successful public speaker will tell you that great presenters and public speakers are not born, they are made. So, What makes a great Presenter?

Mastering presentation skills can be done by anyone, provided they are committed to recognizing and understanding the 9 essential skills to look for. 

World-class presenters all exhibit the following qualities:

• Passion About Their Topic.
• In-Depth Knowledge About Their Topic.
• They Keep Their Message Simple.
• They Exude Sincerity.
• They Exude Confidence.
• The Ability to Connect with Their Audience.
• They are Great Storytellers.
• Their Presentations are Memorable.

Every professional speaker contends with self-doubt.  But they all follow a recipe which helps to guide them from anxiety to success.  And their first step on the road to success always begins with a subject they are enthusiastic about.

I Highly Recommend also checking:

7 Basic Elements of Public Speaking

9 Traits of a BAD Public Speaker

The 9 Qualities of a Great Presenter and How They Work.

The topic that a professional presenter undertakes to discuss is always something that inspires them personally.  That they care deeply about their subject will always be evident to an audience.

Passion is critical to being an effective speaker. To engage an audience, the audience must be drawn into your topic; your passion is what grabs their attention and creates a desire to learn more. Passion also drives the other 8 characteristics. 

The fact that you are giving a presentation means that you have a great deal of expertise on the subject.  Noting will substitute for in-depth knowledge. 

With a mastery of your subject matter, you will be able to deliver your message with confidence and natural ease.  Moreover, the depth of understanding allows the speaker to boil down their subject into the simplest elements.  

A simple presentation on any subject, no matter the complexity, allows the audience to learn at their own pace and encourages a desire to learn more. 

A good presentation shares passion and understanding to a wide range of people.  Consider the famed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson and Brian Greene .  These are two world-renowned scientists who are also master’s of describing complex phenomena in a way even non-scientists can comprehend.

Authenticity is directly transmitted to your audience and is something that cannot be faked. 

Authenticity is being yourself.  After all, you have passion and knowledge about your subject, so you can present it from your core, in your own voice. 

A good technique to practice if this sounds like a challenge is to convince yourself of what you are trying to convey about your topic.  If you can convince yourself, you can convince your audience.

Those who exude confidence have come to trust their own voice and ideas.  If you trust your passion and your knowledge then you can meld the four preceding characteristics into a whole, confidence is the result. 

Confidence comes through in your body language and your gestures.  Consider Tony Robbins and his speaking style; he is eminently confident, and it shows in his physical demeanor.  His hand gestures are never large and overbearing but direct – confident.

• Connection.

The connection is a grounding element that serves your ability to deliver great presentations.  Connection allows for greater ease of communication and results in more creativity and energy both for you and your audience.

• Storytelling.

There are few better ways to convey an important message than to tell a story.  A story engages the hearts and minds of those who are listening.  A story captures people’s attention and makes a presentation memorable. 

The best stories are those based on your personal experience. Think of what challenges you faced and the journey you took in meeting those challenges.  Your stories will inspire your audience.

Remember, it takes continued practice to obtain this skill.  In developing an effective presentation concentrate on the following approach: “What do I want to say? How do I want to say it? What’s my point?”  

What makes a presentation memorable?  You do! 

Your energy and enthusiasm about your topic ensure that audience will remember you and have a deeper appreciation of your subject. 

The preceding 8 characteristics are enough in themselves but when you bring them all together into a seamless package, you have the makings of a memorable presentation.  

Last Words.

Whenever the latest research on phobias, what people fear, hits the headlines there is always a consensus around public speaking being one of our top fears.  It can be higher on one list and lower on another, but it is always in there somewhere.  And the reason is simpler than you might think.

Public speaking exposes you, the real you, in a public setting to an audience of strangers and, moreover, there is no “ Fight or Flight” from this particular situation.  And when there is no way out all one can do is go deeper in.

Challenging though it is, these fears can be overcome.  Look at them rationally and decide if there really is anything to be afraid of.  Being grounded in and trusting yourself is the first step along the path to a wonderfully fulfilling life and, not least, exciting, and energizing presentations that your audience will love.

The 9 characteristics of a great presenter are effective only if one is willing to practice.  There is no substitute for rehearsing your presentation.  Rehearsing is not memorizing; it is simply the act of ingraining the ideas that you wish to convey.  Even the experts in the field routinely practice the delivery of their topics.  

By considering the 9 characteristics your next presentation will be powerful because you have confidence, because you are sincere in your approach and because you will forge an intimate connection with your audience.

Thanks, and I hope you have a proper answer to the question: What makes a great Presenter?

Similar Posts

12 Great Communication Skills for the Workplace – A True Leader’s Mark

Through the exchange of information, you can build trust and respect, align actions, execute plans and strategies, and ultimately improve bottom-line performance. I am sharing below 12 communication skills for the workplace, they are effective communication skills required of every employee, especially from a leader. You have someone whom you think of when we consider…

Business Presentation: 21 Tips For A Persuasive Business Speech

When it comes to having a persuasive and convincing business presentation, it goes way beyond just having a bunch of colorful slides.  So, whether your business presentation is for prospective clients or board members of an organization, what matters most is ensuring that your presentation is impressive and convincing.  In this article, we shall be…

11 Tips for Delivering Entertaining Virtual Presentations

A Virtual Presentation is when the Speaker Delivers the Presentation remotely, and for some reason, it is not necessary to meet in person. For instance, when you want to make a presentation to people from different countries or physical locations.  Virtual Presentations cuts the costs by 50% or even more, which is why they are…

9 Tips for Creating Great Slide Presentations

Just like a conversation can be tedious, a presentation can be boring; their many options we can use to make our presentations engaging and out of this world, and one of them is using slides. Slides can be productive if we use them wisely by selecting the right images and data so we can use…

7 Steps for Writing an Inspiring Graduation Speech 

You were chosen to make the graduation speech of your class, you were pleased by the trust placed by your colleagues, but now you face a problem: the blank page of Word waits to be filled with inspirational words. First thing, breathe out and relax; everyone who has ever made a graduation speech has faced…

80+ Impromptu Speech Topics & 7 Ways to Nail One

What is an impromptu speech? An impromptu speech is one delivered without prior notification and preparation. For certain persons who may not be easily open to giving public speeches, an impromptu speech may be a total scare in general. However, there are ways to make sure that impromptu speeches are not as scary as it…

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Presentation Websites dot com

What Makes a Good Presentation?

When you are selling a concept, idea or a product through a presentation, it is paramount to make it as good as possible since the perception of the audience will lie solely on the quality of the presentation. So we ask ourselves, what makes a good presentation? We will strive to answer this intriguing question in the paragraphs that follow.  Ignore these at your own peril.

Here are 10 Essentials for a Memorable Presentation

Emotions are evident in facial expressions and tonal variations. What is so important about emotions in a presentation? Emotions connect one with the audience on a personal level. This way the audience is able to identify with you. It keeps the audience engaged and interested in what you have to say. If you are selling a product or concept, you will require the buyer to have interested in whatever you are offering. Emotions also emphasize your human qualities which makes it different from listening to a machine explain a concept.

2. Sparse Content on the Slides

When making a presentation, it is important to note that the imagery you are using for the presentation is meant only to act as a complement to what you are saying instead of being a repetition. The word on the presentation should also be few so that the audience will focus on what you are saying and not on the screen. People do not typically read and listen at the same time, so having too much text on your slides can have serious consequences on the quality of your presentation. To keep the audience engaged, always have few words in the slides and a lot of content on your scripts. This way your presentation will be awesome as all attention will be on you.

3. Passion and/or Strong Conviction

The most convincing speakers in history all had conviction – a deep belief in what they were doing is right.  Being passionate about the topic of presentation is an indispensable quality one should always have. You should always strive to present the information to the audience in a way that they can easily understand the concepts and ideas you are putting across. You should think of ways in which you can make the audience to be at the center of the story and not just an observer. Unless it is a technical presentation, use words that are easily understood by everyone. It is not always true that using big words will make you sound smarter. However, it is good to limit the amount of information that you put across to the audience. The audience cannot remember everything you tell them thus it is necessary to reduce the information to the main points that you need to get across. If you are strongly convinced on the topic of presentation and you present it with a lot of passion, your audience will also be captivated and will want to know more about your topic of presentation.

4. Credibility or Authority

Another component of a good presentation is the credibility of the speaker. You have to find ways of building and gaining credibility. A good reputation can go a long way to developing credibility with your audience. However, the presentation must confirm prior assumptions of the audience. Being natural in the presentation also helps to build your credibility. This can be done by either providing persuasive information, establishing a rapport with the audience using wits and humor. This helps you seem more genuine rather than as if you are reading from a bunch of index cards or a script. It is always good to display your human qualities while maintaining a sense of professionalism throughout the presentation.

5. Good Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact with the audience throughout the presentation also makes the presentation great. It increases the level of interaction with the audience and increases their confidence in you. The presentation becomes a one to one presentation rather than a one to many talk. Eye contact also helps to make the audience trust you and your words.

6. Loud and Audible Voice

Having an audible voice which is loud enough shows your passion and confidence during the presentation. The audience can easily tell when you don’t believe even in what you are saying simply from the loudness of your voice. It is therefore necessary to ensure that everyone in the audience can hear you clearly and no one is left behind or straining to hear. This will make a big difference in the audience’s perception towards you.

7. Tonal Variations

It is not enough to just have a loud enough voice. Your voice should also be varied with intonations when emphasizing on certain concepts and clarifying details. Having a variety in the voice also goes a long way to keep the audience engaged and interested in the topic being presented.

8. Be Relaxed Yet Professional

The presenter should always strive hard to look relaxed. Having a relaxed look gives the audience the confidence that you know what you are talking about and that you have a fairly good coverage of the concepts. With a relaxed look, the audience is also relaxed and they can be able to follow the presentation easily gaining new concepts along the way.

9. Organization of Ideas and Concepts

The way in which your presentation is organized also has a significant effect on whether it will be a good or bad presentation. The flow of ideas and concepts should be gradual and smooth ensuring that the audience is comfortable with one concept before moving on to another. This is very important in presentations such as sales pitches as it reveals the products gradually giving the audience a whole picture in bits which fit together nicely.

10. Interesting Examples and Stories

Having a dull and dry presentation is one thing to be avoided at all costs. This can be rectified by mixing the presentation with interesting examples and funny stories that will help the audience understand the topic being presented better. The examples and stories, however, have to be relevant to the topic at hand or else they will seem strange and out of place. These stories also have the ability to bring life into a dry subject.

Final Thoughts on Making Great Presentations

In conclusion, what makes a good presentation mainly depends on the way in which it is delivered, the way in which the presentation is organized and how the presenter feels about the topic, the audience and themselves.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Blog > Tips for good PowerPoint Presentations

Tips for good PowerPoint Presentations

08.14.21   •  #powerpoint #tips.

If you know how to do it, it's actually not that difficult to create and give a good presentation.

That's why we have some examples of good PowerPoint presentations for you and tips that are going to make your next presentation a complete success.

1. Speak freely

One of the most important points in good presentations is to speak freely. Prepare your presentation so well that you can speak freely and rarely, if ever, need to look at your notes. The goal is to connect with your audience and get them excited about your topic. If you speak freely, this is much easier than if you just read your text out. You want your audience to feel engaged in your talk. Involve them and tell your text in a vivid way.

2. Familiarize yourself with the technology

In order to be able to speak freely, it is important to prepare the text well and to engage with the topic in detail.

However, it is at least as important to familiarize yourself with the location’s technology before your presentation and to start your PowerPoint there as well. It is annoying if technical problems suddenly occur during your presentation, as this interrupts your flow of speech and distracts the audience from the topic. Avoid this by checking everything before you start your talk and eliminate any technical problems so that you can give your presentation undisturbed.

• Don't forget the charging cable for your laptop
• Find out beforehand how you can connect your laptop to the beamer. Find out which connection the beamer has and which connection your laptop has. To be on the safe side, take an adapter with you.
• Always have backups of your presentation. Save them on a USB stick and preferably also online in a cloud.
• Take a second laptop and maybe even your own small projector for emergencies. Even if it's not the latest model and the quality is not that good: better bad quality than no presentation at all.

3. Get the attention of your audience

Especially in long presentations it is often difficult to keep the attention of your audience. It is important to make your presentation interesting and to actively involve the audience. Try to make your topic as exciting as possible and captivate your audience.

Our tip: Include interactive polls or quizzes in your presentation to involve your audience and increase their attention. With the help of SlideLizard, you can ask questions in PowerPoint and your audience can easily vote on their own smartphone. Plus, you can even get anonymous feedback at the end, so you know right away what you can improve next time.

Here we have also summarized further tips for you on how to increase audience engagement.

4. Hold eye contact

You want your audience to feel engaged in your presentation, so it is very important to hold eye contact. Avoid staring only at a part of the wall or at your paper. Speak to your audience, involve them in your presentation and make it more exciting.

But also make sure you don't always look at the same two or three people, but address everyone. If the audience is large, it is often difficult to include everyone, but still try to let your eyes wander a little between your listeners and look into every corner of the room.

5. Speaking coherently

In a good presentation it is important to avoid jumping from one topic to the next and back again shortly afterwards. Otherwise your audience will not be able to follow you after a while and their thoughts will wander. To prevent this, it is important that your presentation has a good structure and that you work through one topic after the other.

Nervousness can cause even the best to mumble or talk too fast in order to get the presentation over with as quickly as possible. Try to avoid this by taking short pauses to collect yourself, to breathe and to remind yourself to speak slowly.

6. Matching colors

An attractive design of your PowerPoint is also an important point for giving good presentations. Make sure that your slides are not too colorful. A PowerPoint in which all kinds of colors are combined with each other does not look professional, but rather suitable for a children's birthday party.

Think about a rough color palette in advance, which you can then use in your presentation. Colors such as orange or neon green do not look so good in your PowerPoint. Use colors specifically to emphasize important information.

To create good PowerPoint slides it is also essential to choose colors that help the text to read well. You should have as much contrast as possible between the font and the background. Black writing on a white background is always easy to read, while yellow writing on a white background is probably hard to read.

7. Slide design should not be too minimalistic

Even though it is often said that "less is more", you should not be too minimalistic in the design of your presentation. A presentation where your slides are blank and only black text on a white background is likely to go down just as badly as if you use too many colors.

Empty presentations are boring and don't really help to capture the attention of your audience. It also looks like you are too lazy to care about the design of your presentation and that you have not put any effort into the preparation. Your PowerPoint doesn't have to be overflowing with colors, animations and images to make it look interesting. Make it simple, but also professional.

8. Write only key points on the slides

If you want to create a good presentation, it is important to remember that your slides should never be overcrowded. Write only the most important key points on your slides and never entire sentences. Your audience should not be able to read the exact text you are speaking in your PowerPoint. This is rather annoying and leads to being bored quickly. Summarize the most important things that your audience should remember and write them down in short bullet points on your presentation. Then go into the key points in more detail in your speech and explain more about them.

9. Do not overdo it with animations

Do never use too many animations. It looks messy, confusing and definitely not professional if every text and image is displayed with a different animation. Just leave out animations at all or if you really want to use them then use them only very rarely when you want to draw attention to something specific. Make sure that if you use animations, they are consistent. If you use transitions between the individual slides, these should also always be kept consistent and simple.

10. Use images

Pictures and graphics in presentations are always a good idea to illustrate something and to add some variety. They help keep your audience's attention and make it easier to remember important information. But don't overdo it with them. Too many pictures can distract from your presentation and look messy. Make sure the graphics also fit the content and, if you have used several images on one slide, ask yourself if you really need all of them.

11. Choose a suitable font

Never combine too many fonts so that your presentation does not look messy. Use at most two: one for headings and one for text. When choosing fonts, you should also make sure that they are still legible at long distances. Script, italic and decorative fonts are very slow to read, which is why they should be avoided in presentations.

It is not so easy to choose the right font. Therefore, we have summarized for you how to find the best font for your PowerPoint presentation.

12. Do not use images as background

In a good presentation it is important to be able to read the text on the slides easily and quickly. Therefore, do not use images as slide backgrounds if there is also text on them. The picture only distracts from the text and it is difficult to read it because there is not much contrast with the background. It is also harder to see the image because the text in the foreground is distracting. The whole thing looks messy and distracting rather than informative and clear.

13. Never read out the text from your slides

Never just read the exact text from your slides. Your audience can read for themselves, so they will only get bored and in the worst case it will lead to "Death by PowerPoint". You may also give them the feeling that you think they are not able to read for themselves. In addition, you should avoid whole sentences on your slides anyway. List key points that your audience can read along. Then go into more detail and explain more about them.

14. Don't turn your back

Never turn around during your presentation to look at your projected PowerPoint. Not to read from your slides, but also not to make sure the next slide is already displayed. It looks unprofessional and only distracts your audience.

In PowerPoint's Speaker View, you can always see which slide is currently being displayed and which one is coming next. Use this to make sure the order fits. You can even take notes in PowerPoint, which are then displayed during your presentation. You can read all about notes in PowerPoint here.

15. Do not forget about the time

In a good presentation, it is important to always be aware of the given time and to stick to it. It is annoying when your presentation takes much longer than actually planned and your audience is just waiting for you to stop talking or you are not able to finish your presentation at all. It is just as awkward if your presentation is too short. You have already told everything about your topic, but you should actually talk for at least another ten minutes.

Practice your presentation often enough at home. Talk through your text and time yourself as you go. Then adjust the length so that you can keep to the time given on the day of your presentation.

16. Avoid a complicated structure

The structure of a good presentation should not be complicated. Your audience should be able to follow you easily and remember the essential information by the end. When you have finished a part, briefly summarize and repeat the main points before moving on to the next topic. Mention important information more than once to make sure it really gets across to your audience.

However, if the whole thing gets too complicated, it can be easy for your audience to disengage after a while and not take away much new information from your presentation.

17. Choose appropriate clothes

On the day of your presentation, be sure to choose appropriate clothing. Your appearance should be formal, so avoid casual clothes and stick to professional dress codes. When choosing your clothes, also make sure that they are rather unobtrusive. Your audience should focus on your presentation, not on your appearance.

18. Adapt your presentation to your audience

Think about who your audience is and adapt your presentation to them. Find out how much they already know about the topic, what they want to learn about it and why they are here in the first place. If you only talk about things your audience already knows, they will get bored pretty soon, but if you throw around a lot of technical terms when your audience has hardly dealt with the topic at all, they will also have a hard time following you. So to give a successful and good presentation, it is important to adapt it to your audience.

You can also ask a few questions at the beginning of your presentation to learn more about your audience and then adapt your presentation. With SlideLizard , you can integrate polls directly into your PowerPoint and participants can then easily answer anonymously from their smartphone.

19. Mention only the most important information

Keep it short and limit yourself to the essentials. The more facts and information you present to your audience, the less they will remember.

Also be sure to leave out information that does not fit the topic or is not relevant. You will only distract from the actual topic and lose the attention of your audience. The time your audience can concentrate and listen with attention is rather short anyway, so don't waste it by telling unimportant information.

20. Talk about your topic in an exciting way

Tell compelling and exciting stories to make your presentation really good. If you speak in a monotone voice all the time, you are likely to lose the attention of your audience. Make your narration lively and exciting. Also, be careful not to speak too quietly, but not too loudly either. People should be able to understand you well throughout the whole room. Even if it is not easy for many people, try to deliver your speech with confidence. If you are enthusiastic about the topic yourself, it is much easier to get your audience excited about it.

Related articles

About the author.

Helena Reitinger

Helena supports the SlideLizard team in marketing and design. She loves to express her creativity in texts and graphics.

Get 1 Month for free!

Do you want to make your presentations more interactive.

With SlideLizard you can engage your audience with live polls, questions and feedback . Directly within your PowerPoint Presentation. Learn more

Top blog articles More posts

How to export & print handouts in PowerPoint

Free Christmas PowerPoint Template

Get started with Live Polls, Q&A and slides

for your PowerPoint Presentations

The big SlideLizard presentation glossary

Game-based learning.

Game-based learning is a popular approach where the instrument for a learning process is a game. Game-based learning scenarios are often found online - they are often favored because they engage learners in a way that few other learning methods do.

Solution Presentation

A solution has already been found during a solution presentation. The only thing that remains is to find a solution on how to realize the decision.

Web-Based-Training (WBT)

Web-Based-Training (WBT) is an older term for learnmethods that can be accessed over the internet.

Be the first to know!

The latest SlideLizard news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox.

- or follow us on -

We use cookies to personalize content and analyze traffic to our website. You can choose to accept only cookies that are necessary for the website to function or to also allow tracking cookies. For more information, please see our privacy policy .

Cookie Settings

Necessary cookies are required for the proper functioning of the website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information about the number of visitors, etc.

Oratory Club

Public Speaking Helpline

What are the 10 Qualities of a Good Presentation?

The 10 qualities of a good presentation include creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, knowledge, using visual aids, engaging the audience, body language, eye contact, and the use of a clear and impactful human voice. In today’s competitive business world, being able to deliver a good presentation is a valuable skill that can set you apart and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Whether you’re pitching a new product, presenting a report, or delivering a speech, a good presentation requires certain qualities to ensure its effectiveness. One of the key qualities of a good presentation is creativity. Being able to think outside the box and present information in an engaging and unique way can capture the attention of your audience and make your presentation memorable.

Additionally, self-confidence plays a crucial role in delivering a successful presentation. Confidence in your abilities and in the content you’re presenting helps to establish credibility and build trust with your audience. Storytelling is another important quality of a good presentation. Using narratives, examples, and anecdotes can help to create a connection with your audience and make your message more relatable and memorable. Active listening is also essential, as it allows you to understand the needs and interests of your audience, tailor your presentation accordingly, and respond to questions or feedback effectively. Having in-depth knowledge of the topic you’re presenting is crucial for a good presentation. Being well-informed and prepared not only enhances your credibility but also allows you to provide valuable insights and answer questions confidently. In addition, the use of visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images can enhance the clarity and impact of your presentation. Engaging the audience through interactive activities, asking questions, or involving them in discussions can create a dynamic and memorable experience. Body language and eye contact are important non-verbal communication cues that can convey confidence, attentiveness, and sincerity. Maintaining eye contact with your audience helps to establish a connection and keeps them engaged throughout the presentation. Finally, using a clear and impactful human voice is essential for effective communication. Speaking clearly, using appropriate volume and tone, and utilizing pauses for emphasis can enhance the delivery of your message and make it more compelling. A good presentation requires a combination of creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, knowledge, visual aids, engaging the audience, body language, eye contact, and a clear and impactful human voice. By incorporating these qualities into your presentations, you can deliver a memorable and impactful message that resonates with your audience.

Table of Contents

Introduction To Good Presentations

Good presentation skills encompass qualities such as creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, learning, knowledge, active listening, body language, eye contact, and a clear and confident human voice. Incorporating these qualities can help deliver a powerful and impactful presentation that captivates the audience.

Importance Of Delivering A Good Presentation

Delivering a good presentation is essential for effectively conveying information and ideas to an audience. Whether you are presenting in a professional setting, academic environment, or any other context, a good presentation can make a significant impact. Here are some reasons highlighting the importance of delivering a good presentation:

• Engages the Audience: A well-delivered presentation captures the attention of the audience and keeps them engaged throughout. It creates a connection between the presenter and the listeners, facilitating better understanding and retention of the information presented.
• Builds Credibility: A good presentation showcases the presenter’s knowledge and expertise on the subject matter. It helps establish credibility and trust among the audience, making them more receptive to the ideas shared.
• Enhances Comprehension: An effective presentation utilizes visual aids, storytelling techniques, and clear explanations to simplify complex information. This ensures that the message is easily understood by the audience, increasing their comprehension and learning.
• Influences Decision Making: A well-structured presentation has the power to influence the audience’s opinions, attitudes, and decisions. It can motivate them to take action, support a cause, adopt new ideas, or make informed choices.
• Demonstrates Professionalism: Delivering a good presentation showcases professionalism and competence. It reflects positively on the presenter’s abilities and can lead to increased opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.
• Fosters Effective Communication: Presentations provide a platform for effective communication between the presenter and the audience. Through verbal and non-verbal cues, a good presentation facilitates the exchange of ideas, encourages dialogue, and promotes understanding.
• Saves Time: Well-organized presentations help convey information efficiently, saving time for both the presenter and the audience. It allows for the dissemination of key points concisely and effectively, cutting down on unnecessary repetition or confusion.
• Inspires and Motivates: An impactful presentation has the potential to inspire and motivate the audience. It can ignite their passion, spark creativity, and encourage them to think critically and innovatively.
• Generates Interest and Attention: A good presentation captures the interest and attention of the audience from the beginning. It makes use of captivating visuals, compelling storytelling techniques, and interactive elements to create an engaging and memorable experience.
• Leaves a Lasting Impression: A well-delivered presentation leaves a lasting impression on the audience. It ensures that the key messages and takeaways are remembered long after the presentation has ended.

Remember, delivering a good presentation requires careful planning, preparation, and effective delivery techniques. With the right qualities and approach, you can create presentations that captivate, inform, and inspire your audience.

Credit: www.pbcexpo.com.au

1. Clear And Concise Structure

A good presentation should have a clear and concise structure, with each point presented in a brief and easily understandable manner. This ensures that the audience can follow along and easily grasp the key information being presented.

Organizing The Presentation Logically:

A good presentation should have a clear and concise structure that allows the audience to follow along easily. The organization of the content plays a crucial role in delivering a successful presentation. Here are some key points to consider when organizing your presentation:

• Clearly outlining the main points: Start by introducing the main points or topics you will cover in your presentation. This provides a roadmap for your audience and helps them understand what to expect.
• Using effective transitions between sections: Use transitional phrases or sentences to smoothly move from one point to another. This helps maintain the flow of your presentation and keeps the audience engaged.
• Breaking down the content into sections: Divide your presentation into logical sections to make it easier for the audience to digest the information. Each section should focus on a specific aspect or topic related to your main points.

Remember, a well-organized presentation helps the audience follow the flow of your ideas and enhances their understanding of the topic. So, take the time to structure your presentation in a logical and coherent manner.

2. Engaging Visuals

Engaging visuals play a crucial role in a good presentation. They capture the audience’s attention, enhance understanding, and make the presentation more memorable.

Utilizing Relevant And High-Quality Images, Graphs, And Charts:

Effective presentations can greatly benefit from the use of engaging visuals. By incorporating relevant and high-quality images, graphs, and charts, presenters can enhance their message, capture the audience’s attention, and make complex information easier to understand. Here are some key points to consider:

• Utilize relevant visuals: Choose images, graphs, and charts that directly support the main points of your presentation. Avoid using generic or unrelated visuals that may confuse or distract your audience.
• Use high-quality visuals: Ensure that your visuals are clear, crisp, and visually appealing. Low-quality or pixelated visuals can detract from the overall professionalism of your presentation.
• Enhance understanding: Visuals are a powerful tool for conveying information quickly and effectively. Use graphs and charts to present data in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.
• Use variety: Mix up the types of visuals you use throughout your presentation to maintain interest and engagement. Incorporate images, graphs, charts, and other visual elements to keep your audience visually stimulated.

Remember, visuals should complement and enhance your presentation, not overshadow it. Use visuals strategically to reinforce your key points and make a lasting impact on your audience.

Avoiding Excessive Text On Slides:

One common mistake presenters make is overcrowding their slides with excessive text. This can overwhelm the audience and make it difficult for them to focus on the key message. To create an engaging and visually appealing presentation, follow these guidelines:

• Keep it concise: Limit the amount of text on each slide to a few key points or short phrases. Avoid long paragraphs or walls of text that may be difficult for the audience to read and absorb.
• Use bullet points: Organize your information into bullet points to make it easier for the audience to follow along. This also helps break up the text and make it more visually appealing.
• Use visuals to support text: Instead of relying solely on text, use visuals such as images or icons to convey your message. Visuals can often communicate information more effectively than text alone.
• Utilize white space: Leave ample white space on each slide to create a clean and uncluttered design. This helps focus the audience’s attention on the key points and prevents the slides from appearing overwhelming.

By avoiding excessive text on slides, you allow your audience to focus on your spoken words and create a more engaging and memorable presentation experience.

3. Effective Communication

Effective communication is crucial in delivering a good presentation. Some qualities to consider include knowing your audience, using visual aids, storytelling, engaging your audience, and effectively handling questions and feedback. Mastering these skills can help you deliver a powerful and impactful presentation.

Speaking Clearly And Confidently:

• Use a Clear and Articulate Voice: Speaking clearly involves enunciating your words and using an appropriate volume. Make sure your voice is audible to all members of the audience.
• Avoid Speaking Too Fast: Speaking at a moderate pace allows your audience to understand and process your message effectively.
• Use Appropriate Intonation: Varying your tone and pitch can help convey emotions and add emphasis to key points.
• Be Confident: Confidence in your delivery helps captivate and engage your audience. Practice your presentation beforehand to build your confidence.

Maintaining Eye Contact With The Audience:

• Establish Connection: Maintaining eye contact with your audience helps create a connection and establishes trust. Look at various audience members, avoiding focusing on just one person.
• Show Genuine Interest: Eye contact shows that you are engaged with your audience and value their presence. It helps to keep them attentive and interested in what you have to say.
• Convey Confidence and Authority: When you maintain eye contact, you appear more confident and authoritative, which enhances your credibility as a presenter.

Using Appropriate Body Language And Gestures:

• Open Posture: Maintain an open posture, with your arms relaxed by your side or gesturing naturally. This conveys approachability and invites audience involvement.
• Use Hand Gestures: Appropriate hand gestures can enhance your message and make it more engaging. Use them sparingly and purposefully to emphasize key points.
• Facial Expressions: Your facial expressions should align with the content of your presentation. Display enthusiasm, concern, or excitement when appropriate, as it helps to convey your message effectively.
• Move Purposefully: Avoid excessive movement or fidgeting, but do not remain stationary. Moving purposefully around the stage can help keep the audience engaged and make your presentation dynamic.

Remember, effective communication is essential for delivering a successful presentation. By speaking clearly and confidently, maintaining eye contact, and using appropriate body language and gestures, you can captivate your audience and effectively convey your message.

4. Relevant Content

A good presentation should have relevant content that is tailored to the audience’s needs and interests. By providing information that is valuable and applicable, the presenter can effectively engage the audience and leave a lasting impression.

Aligning The Presentation Content With The Audience’S Needs And Interests:

• Understand the target audience: Research and analyze the audience demographics, interests, and needs to ensure that the presentation content aligns with their preferences.
• Tailor the message: Customize the presentation content to resonate with the audience’s specific interests and concerns. Use language and examples that they can relate to.
• Identify key points: Prioritize and focus on the most relevant information that directly addresses the audience’s needs. Avoid unnecessary details or tangents.
• Grab attention from the start: Start the presentation with a hook that immediately captures the audience’s interest and establishes the relevance of the content.

Providing Valuable And Actionable Information:

• Offer relevant insights: Share valuable information and insights that are directly applicable to the audience’s work or personal lives. Provide actionable tips, strategies, or techniques that can be implemented after the presentation.
• Use examples and case studies: Illustrate key points with real-life examples and case studies to make the information more relatable and tangible for the audience.
• Support with data and research: Cite credible sources and incorporate data and research findings to back up your claims and enhance the overall credibility of the information presented.
• Simplify complex concepts: Break down complex ideas into easily understandable and digestible chunks. Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, or diagrams to simplify complex data.

Offering Solutions To The Audience’S Problems Or Concerns:

• Address pain points: Identify the common problems or concerns that the audience may face and provide practical solutions or suggestions to help them overcome these challenges.
• Demonstrate value: Emphasize how your presentation can directly benefit the audience by solving their problems, fulfilling their needs, or addressing their concerns.
• Showcase success stories: Share success stories or testimonials from individuals or organizations that have applied the presented solutions, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved.
• Encourage interaction: Allow opportunities for the audience to ask questions, share their experiences, or engage in discussions related to the presented solutions. Foster a collaborative and interactive environment.

5. Engaging Opening

An engaging opening is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. It captures the audience’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation.

Capturing The Audience’S Attention From The Start

A good presentation starts with an engaging opening that captivates the audience from the very beginning. Here are some effective strategies to capture the audience’s attention:

• Using a compelling story: Begin with a story that relates to the topic of your presentation. Stories have a way of connecting with people on an emotional level and can instantly grab their attention.
• Presenting a shocking statistic: Start with a surprising statistic that highlights the importance or relevance of your topic. This can make the audience sit up and take notice.
• Quoting an influential figure: Begin with a powerful quote from a well-known person that resonates with your topic. Quotes can inspire and intrigue the audience, making them curious to learn more.

The main goal is to establish the relevance and importance of the topic right from the start, ensuring that the audience is fully engaged and eager to hear what you have to say.

6. Interactive Elements

One quality of a good presentation is incorporating interactive elements, such as polls, quizzes, or live demonstrations, to actively engage the audience and make the presentation more dynamic and memorable. These elements encourage audience participation and interaction, creating a more interactive and engaging experience.

Encouraging Audience Participation Through Questions, Polls, Or Activities:

• Incorporating interactive elements in a presentation is essential for engaging the audience and making them active participants in the learning process.
• Ask thought-provoking questions that encourage the audience to think critically and share their opinions.
• Conduct live polls or surveys to gather instant feedback and involve the audience in decision-making during the presentation.
• Include activities or exercises that allow the audience to apply the concepts being discussed and interact with one another.
• By involving the audience in the presentation, you create a more dynamic and memorable experience that encourages active learning.

Incorporating Multimedia Elements Such As Videos Or Live Demonstrations:

• Use videos to provide visual demonstrations, showcase examples, or share testimonials that support the content of your presentation.
• Incorporate live demonstrations to provide a real-time experience and show the practical application of the concepts being discussed.
• Multimedia elements add variety to the presentation and help to break up the monotony of slides or text.
• Videos and live demonstrations can be powerful tools for capturing the audience’s attention and enhancing their understanding of the topic.
• Ensure that the multimedia elements used are relevant, high-quality, and seamlessly integrated into the presentation.

Creating Opportunities For Discussion Or Group Exercises:

• Foster a collaborative learning environment by providing opportunities for the audience to engage in discussions related to the presentation topic.
• Divide the audience into smaller groups and assign them exercises or discussions that require them to apply the information presented.
• Encourage active participation by setting clear guidelines for group discussions and providing prompts or questions to guide the conversation.
• Allocate time for each group to share their insights or solutions with the larger audience, promoting knowledge sharing and a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Group exercises help to create a sense of community and enable participants to learn from one another’s perspectives.

Remember, interactive elements in a presentation enhance audience engagement, make the content more memorable, and promote active learning. Incorporating multimedia elements and creating opportunities for discussion or group exercises will result in a more impactful presentation.

7. Well-Prepared Delivery

A well-prepared delivery is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. It involves knowing your audience, using visual aids, engaging your audience, and handling questions and feedback effectively. With these skills, you can deliver a powerful and impactful presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

Well-Prepared Delivery

A good presentation not only depends on the content and slides, but also on the delivery. A well-prepared delivery ensures that the presenter effectively communicates their message and engages the audience. Here are some key qualities of a well-prepared delivery:

• Practicing the presentation multiple times: Practicing helps the presenter become more familiar with the flow of the presentation and ensures a smoother delivery. It allows them to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes before the actual presentation.
• Familiarizing oneself with the content and slides: A presenter should thoroughly understand the content and be familiar with the slides. This helps in delivering the presentation confidently and clearly conveying the key points.
• Being prepared to handle unexpected situations or technical difficulties: Presentations can encounter unexpected situations, such as interruptions or technical difficulties. A good presenter is prepared to handle such situations calmly and efficiently, without losing focus or composure.

Overall, a well-prepared delivery demonstrates professionalism and enhances the effectiveness of a presentation. It allows the presenter to connect with the audience, hold their attention, and effectively convey the intended message. By practicing the presentation multiple times, familiarizing oneself with the content and slides, and being prepared to handle unexpected situations or technical difficulties, presenters can deliver an impactful presentation.

8. Adaptability To The Audience

Adaptability to the audience is one of the 10 qualities of a good presentation. By understanding the needs and preferences of the audience, a presenter can tailor their content, language, and delivery to effectively engage and connect with their listeners.

Tailoring The Presentation To Suit The Audience’S Knowledge And Background

When delivering a presentation, it’s crucial to adapt and tailor the content to suit the audience’s knowledge and background. By doing so, you can effectively engage them and ensure that they understand and connect with the information being presented. Here are some key ways to achieve adaptability to the audience:

• Assess the audience: Before the presentation, take the time to research and understand your audience. Consider their demographics, education level, professional background, and any specific interests or preferences they may have.
• Use language and terminology they understand: Avoid jargon, technical terms, or industry-specific language that may confuse or alienate the audience. Instead, use plain language that is easily accessible and relatable to them.
• Provide relevant examples: Use relatable examples that resonate with the audience’s experiences or interests. This can help them understand complex concepts or ideas by providing real-world context.
• Address specific concerns or questions: Anticipate and address the audience’s specific concerns or questions throughout the presentation. This shows that you value their input and are actively interested in meeting their needs.
• Encourage interaction: Engage the audience by encouraging questions, discussions, or participation during the presentation. This fosters a sense of inclusion and creates a more dynamic and interactive environment.
• Adapt the pace and level of detail: Gauge the audience’s level of knowledge and adjust the pace and depth of the presentation accordingly. Avoid overwhelming them with excessive information or speaking at a level that is too basic for their understanding.
• Consider cultural and diversity factors: Be mindful of cultural sensitivities, diversity, and inclusivity when tailoring your presentation. Avoid assumptions or stereotypes that may inadvertently exclude or offend certain audience members.
• Personalize the content: Whenever possible, customize the presentation to include examples or references that are relevant to the audience’s industry, company, or individual roles. This demonstrates your effort to make the content meaningful and applicable to their specific context.
• Adapt visuals and media: Use visuals, images, and media that resonate with the audience and enhance their understanding. Consider their preferences and visual learning styles when selecting and designing presentation materials.
• Seek feedback: After the presentation, seek feedback from the audience to assess their understanding and satisfaction. This can help you further refine and improve your adaptability to different audiences in the future.

By tailoring your presentation to suit the audience’s knowledge and background, you can create a more engaging and impactful experience for them. Remember to be flexible and responsive throughout the presentation, ensuring that the content remains relevant and accessible to everyone in attendance.

9. Effective Use Of Time

Delivering a good presentation requires effective use of time. By knowing your audience, using visual aids, and engaging your audience, you can ensure that your presentation is concise, engaging, and impactful.

Managing The Presentation Within The Allocated Time Frame:

• Start by understanding the time limit for your presentation and plan accordingly.
• Break down your content into sections based on the time available for each.
• Practice timing your presentation to ensure you stay within the allocated time frame.
• Use visual aids or slides to help you keep track of time and pace your delivery.
• Be mindful of your speaking speed and avoid rushing through the presentation.
• Rehearse transitions between sections to maintain a smooth flow without wasting time.
• Consider using a timer or clock visible to you to stay aware of the time remaining.
• Adjust your content in real-time if you notice you’re running out of time, focusing on the most crucial points.
• Stay flexible and be prepared to adapt if unexpected circumstances occur.

Prioritizing And Emphasizing Key Points:

• Identify the key message or main objective of your presentation.
• Structure your content to highlight these key points effectively.
• Use repetition and emphasis techniques to reinforce important information.
• Consider using visual aids or infographics to make key points more memorable.
• Use clear and concise language to ensure the audience understands the main ideas.
• Consider using storytelling or real-life examples to illustrate key points.
• Practice emphasizing critical points with your voice and body language.
• Avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information and prioritize the most relevant points.

Allowing Sufficient Time For Questions And Discussion:

• Allocate a specific portion of your presentation for questions and discussion.
• Signal the availability for questions throughout the presentation.
• Pause after presenting each section to allow the audience to process and ask questions.
• Be attentive and actively listen to the questions asked by the audience.
• Encourage participation by creating a safe and inclusive environment for discussion.
• Allocate enough time for each question to be fully addressed.
• Clarify any potential misunderstandings and provide further explanations if needed.
• Summarize and reiterate key points discussed during the Q&A session.
• If time is limited, suggest alternative ways for the audience to reach out with further questions or follow-up.

Remember, managing time effectively, prioritizing key points, and allowing for questions and discussion are critical aspects of delivering a good presentation. By following these guidelines, you can engage your audience and ensure a successful presentation.

10. Conclusion With A Call To Action

Deliver a powerful and impactful presentation by incorporating these 10 qualities: creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, continuous learning, knowledge of the subject matter, good presentation skills, active listening, body language, eye contact, and a clear and confident voice. Wow your audience with these essential skills.

Summarizing The Main Points And Key Takeaways

• A good presentation should leave the audience with a clear understanding of the main points and key takeaways.
• It should effectively summarize the information presented and highlight the most important aspects.
• By providing a concise recap, the audience can easily remember and recall the main points after the presentation.
• Summarizing the main points and key takeaways helps reinforce the message and ensures that the audience’s comprehension is retained.

Inspiring The Audience To Take Action Or Consider The Presented Ideas

• A good presentation should not only inform but also inspire the audience to take action or consider the ideas presented.
• It should motivate the audience to think differently, challenge their existing beliefs, or adopt new behaviors.
• By presenting compelling arguments and real-life examples, the speaker can ignite a desire within the audience to take action.
• Inspiring the audience to act or consider the presented ideas is crucial for the success and impact of the presentation.

Providing Clear Next Steps Or Resources For Further Engagement

• After delivering a powerful presentation, it is important to provide the audience with clear next steps or resources for further engagement.
• This could include recommending relevant books, articles, or websites for additional learning.
• The speaker can also encourage the audience to participate in follow-up activities, such as workshops, webinars, or discussions.
• By providing clear next steps or resources, the audience can continue their journey of exploration and learning beyond the presentation.

A good presentation should be summarized to ensure the audience retains the main points. It should also inspire the audience to take action or consider the presented ideas by presenting compelling arguments and real-life examples. Additionally, providing clear next steps or resources for further engagement allows the audience to continue their learning journey.

By following these qualities, speakers can deliver impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 7 presentation skills.

Presentation skills are important for delivering a powerful and impactful presentation. The 7 key skills include knowing your audience, storytelling, using visual aids, body language, voice and tone, engaging your audience, and handling questions and feedback.

What Are Qualities Of Good Presentation?

Qualities of a good presentation include creativity, self-confidence, storytelling, active listening, body language, eye contact, and engaging the audience.

What Are The 5 Essential Skills For Making A Successful Presentation?

The 5 essential skills for making a successful presentation include knowing your audience, storytelling, using visual aids, body language, and engaging your audience.

What Are The 6 Requirements For An Effective Presentation?

The 6 requirements for an effective presentation are: 1. Clear and concise content 2. Engaging delivery 3. Well-structured organization 4. Appropriate visuals and multimedia 5. Audience interaction and engagement 6. Effective communication skills

To deliver a good presentation, several key qualities are necessary. First and foremost, a good presenter must be creative, finding unique ways to engage the audience and make the content memorable. Additionally, self-confidence plays a vital role in capturing the audience’s attention and effectively conveying the message.

Storytelling is another crucial quality, as it helps connect with listeners on an emotional level and make the information more relatable. A good presenter should continuously seek opportunities for learning, constantly improving their skills and knowledge. Moreover, active listening is essential to understand the audience’s needs and tailor the presentation accordingly.

Body language, eye contact, and using the human voice effectively are all important aspects that contribute to a successful presentation. Lastly, effective communication skills and engaging the audience through interactive activities and questions can leave a lasting impact. By incorporating these qualities into their presentations, speakers can create memorable and impactful experiences for their audience.

Similar Posts

Speech Delights You Need To Master

Speech Delights is a superb resource for speech therapists seeking creative ideas and materials to engage and motivate their clients. With a vast array of activities, games, and worksheets, Speech Delights provides a versatile and comprehensive toolkit for speech therapy sessions. Whether you are working on articulation, language development, or social skills, Speech Delights has…

What Makes A Good Presentation For A Conference?

Are you ready to captivate your audience at your next conference presentation? In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential to understand what makes a good presentation stand out from the rest. Whether you are a seasoned presenter or just starting out, this topic will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to wow your…

What are the Basic Steps to Deliver a Successful Presentation?

Delivering a successful presentation involves knowing your audience, developing your idea, planning your presentation, and creating effective visual aids. These four basic steps will help you engage and captivate your audience while effectively conveying your message. By understanding your audience’s needs and preferences, you can tailor your presentation to resonate with them. Developing a clear…

How To End A Presentation?

Are you tired of ending your presentations with a whimper instead of a bang? Do you want to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make them remember your key message? Look no further! In this article, we will dive into the art of ending a presentation with impact. From powerful closing statements to…

How to Introduce Group Members in a Presentation Script

In a presentation script, introduce group members by briefly stating their names and roles. In this introduction, we will discuss the best ways to introduce group members in a presentation script, ensuring clarity and engagement with the audience. A well-crafted introduction can set the tone for a successful presentation. When introducing group members, it is…

Representing Data in A Presentation

Representing data in a presentation effectively communicates complex information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. In today’s fast-paced world, where attention spans are short, visual data representation is crucial for engaging and retaining an audience’s interest. Through the use of charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids, data can be presented concisely, allowing viewers…

10 Presentation Skills That Every Great Presenter Must Have

It’s no secret that effective presentations can help you get ahead in business. After all, what better way to show off your knowledge and expertise than by delivering a well-crafted presentation? The right presentation skills give you the ability to share your ideas with an audience convincingly and engagingly.

Unfortunately, not everyone is born a natural presenter. If you’re not used to standing up in front of an audience, the prospect of doing so can be daunting. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your presentation skills.

In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to do just that, allowing you to deliver an effective presentation.

Let’s get right into it.

What are Presentation Skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities you need to deliver a clear and effective presentation. After all, a good presenter is someone who can communicate their ideas in a way that engages and motivates their audience.

There are many different aspects to presentation skills, from knowing how to structure your talk to using visuals effectively, to dealing with nerves.

Developing strong presentation skills will help you to communicate your ideas more effectively and make a positive impression on your audience.

Presentation skills are important because they can help you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. A good presentation can make a big impact on your audience and can help to persuade them of your point of view.

Presentation skills are also important in other areas of life, such as job interviews, sales pitches, and networking events. Being able to present your ideas clearly and concisely can give you a big advantage over others who are not as confident in their presentation skills.

Why Is it Important To Recognize Presentation Skills & Their Benefits?

One of the most important reasons to recognize presentation skills is because they are a valuable skill for any profession. Good presentation skills can help you in your career by making it easier to sell your ideas, get promoted, and be successful in business.

In addition, good presentation skills can also help you in your personal life by making it easier to give speeches, make presentations, and teach classes.

In addition, recognizing presentation skills can also help you improve your presentations. If you are not aware of the importance of presentation skills, you may not be using them to their full potential.

By taking the time to learn about presentation skills and how to use them effectively, you can make your presentations more effective and persuasive.

Here’s a list of benefits that come with good presentation skills:

• Increased confidence
• The ability to think on your feet
• Improved public speaking skills
• Enhanced written communication skills
• The ability to lead and motivate others
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Improved negotiation skills
• Stronger time management skills
• Greater creativity
• The opportunity to make a positive impact on others

10 Examples of Presentation Skills

Let’s now explore some practical examples of presentation skills that will help you ace your next big presentation.

A Clear And Confident Voice

One of the most important aspects of a great presentation is having a clear and confident voice. If you’re mumbling or speaking too quietly, your audience is going to have a hard time understanding you.

On the other hand, if you’re shouting or speaking too fast, they’re going to get overwhelmed and tune out. So, it’s important to find that happy medium where your voice is audible and easy to understand.

The Ability To Engage With Your Audience

Another key presentation skill is the ability to engage with your audience. This means making eye contact, using gestures, and speaking in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

If you’re just standing there reading off a slide, chances are your audience is going to get bored pretty quickly. But if you can find ways to keep them engaged, they’ll be more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Good Eye Contact

One of the best ways to engage with your audience is through eye contact. When you make eye contact with someone, it shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and that you’re engaged in the conversation. It also helps to build trust and rapport.

So, if you can find ways to make eye contact with your audience members, it will go a long way in keeping them engaged.

Natural Gestures

Another great way to engage with your audience is through natural gestures. Using your hands and arms to gesture can help emphasize points and keep your audience engaged. Just be sure not to go overboard – too much gesturing can be distracting.

Positive Body Language

Your body language is also important when it comes to presentations. If you’re slouching or looking down at your feet, it’s going to show that you’re not confident in what you’re saying.

On the other hand, if you’re standing up straight and making strong eye contact, it’s going to give off a positive impression. So, be aware of your body language and try to project confidence through it.

The Use Of Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a great way to engage your audience and make your points more clear. Using slides, charts, and graphs can help illustrate your ideas and make them easier to understand. Similar to using gestures, just be sure not to overdo it – too many visuals can be overwhelming and confusing.

The Ability To Handle Questions

At some point during your presentation, you’re likely going to get questions from your audience; how you handle those questions can make or break your presentation. If you’re able to answer them confidently and without getting flustered, it’ll show that you know your stuff.

But if you start to get tongue-tied or defensive, it’s going to reflect poorly on you. So, be prepared for questions and try to stay calm when answering them.

An Organized Structure

Another important presentation skill is having a well-organized structure. This means having an introduction, main body, and conclusion to your presentation.

It also means using transitions between sections to help your audience follow along. If your presentation is all over the place, it’s going to be hard for your audience to stay engaged and they’ll quickly tune out.

The Use Of Storytelling

Storytelling is a great way to engage your audience and make your points more memorable. And while it might not seem like a traditional presentation skill, it can be extremely effective. So, if you can find ways to weave stories into your presentation, it’ll go a long way in captivating your audience.

Last but not least, confidence is one of the most important presentation skills you can have. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying, it’s going to show – and your audience is going to pick up on it.

So, even if you’re not feeling 100% sure of yourself, try to project confidence. It’ll make a big difference in how your audience perceives you and your message.

How To Identify & Master Presentation Skills

The good news is that presentation skills are not rocket science. Anyone can develop and master them with the right guidance.

Here’s a 5-step process to help you identify and master presentation skills.

Determine The Purpose Of Your Presentation

Are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience? Knowing the purpose of your presentation will help you focus on the right content and delivery.

Know Your Audience

Who will be watching or listening to your presentation? What are their needs, wants, and concerns? The better you understand your audience, the more effectively you can address their needs.

Structure Your Content

Organize your thoughts into an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your presentation. The body should contain the meat of your argument, and the conclusion should drive home your main points.

Choose Your Delivery Method

Will you be using slides, props, or other visual aids? Will you be speaking extemporaneously or reading from a script? Choose a delivery method that best suits your content and audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The only way to become a master presenter is to practice, practice, practice! Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. Then keep practicing until it becomes second nature.

Also, consider that the right strengths test can help you understand your presentation skills better – both the strong ones and the ones to get better at. To this extent, the High5test.com strengths test is a great resource.

How To Improve Presentation Skills in The Workplace

The workplace is one of the most important places to hone your presentation skills. After all, in the business world, first impressions are key, and being able to deliver a polished and professional presentation can make all the difference in whether or not you’re successful.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your presentation skills in the workplace:

Preparation Is Key

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. When you’re preparing for a presentation, take the time to do your research and gather all of the necessary information. This will help ensure that your presentation is well-organized and flows smoothly.

Be Aware Of Your Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re communicating with your nonverbal cues. Make sure you’re standing up straight, making eye contact, and using gestures appropriately. These small tweaks can make a big difference in how your audience perceives you.

One of the best ways to improve your presentation skills is simply to practice as much as you can. The more you present, the more comfortable you’ll become and the better you’ll be at thinking on your feet and handling questions from the audience.

Seek Feedback

After each presentation, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. If possible, seek feedback from your colleagues or boss. This will help you learn from your mistakes and continue to improve.

By following these tips, you can start to improve your presentation skills and make a positive impression in the workplace.

How To Highlight Presentation Skills In Resume & Job Interview

Another important skill that is often overlooked is the ability to highlight presentation skills in both a resume and a job interview. This can be the difference between getting the job and not.

When you are applying for a job, your resume is often the first thing that potential employers will look at. It is important to make sure that your resume includes any relevant presentation skills that you may have.

You can do this by including any experience you have in public speaking, leading presentations, or teaching courses. If you do not have any experience in these areas, consider listing any other relevant skills that could transfer over into presenting, such as customer service or sales experience.

In addition to your resume, it is also important to be able to highlight your presentation skills during a job interview. This is often done through behavioral interviewing, where you will be asked to describe specific examples of times when you have presented in the past. It is important to be prepared for this type of question and to have a few examples ready to go.

When you are highlighting your presentation skills, it is important to focus on any successes that you have had. This could be anything from getting positive feedback from an audience to successfully teaching a new course.

No matter what the specific example is, it is important to focus on how you were able to positively impact the situation. This will show potential employers that you can effectively present information and that you are someone they would want on their team.

Bonus Tip: How to Improve Presentation Skills in School As a Student

School students often have to present in front of their classmates and teachers. This can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t feel confident in your abilities. However, there are some things you can do to improve your presentation skills while you’re still in school.

Join A Club Or Organization That Requires Presentations

This will force you to get up in front of people regularly and hone your skills. If no club or organization at your school requires presentations, start one!

Give speeches in front of the mirror.

Practicing in front of a mirror can help you identify any nervous habits you have (like fidgeting or pacing) and correct them before you have to give a real speech.

Use Note Cards Instead Of A Script

Reading from a script can make you sound robotic and unauthentic. Note cards will help you stay on track without sounding like you’re reciting memorized lines.

Record Yourself Giving A Presentation

Then, watch the recording back to see how you can improve. This exercise can be painful, but it’s one of the best ways to identify your weaknesses and work on them.

Find A Mentor

Ask a teacher or another adult you trust to give you feedback on your presentations. They can offer helpful tips and criticism that will help you improve.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great presenter in no time!

Presentation Skills FAQs

What are the 7 presentation skills.

The 7 presentation skills are:

• Eye contact

What are the 4 types of presentation skills?

The 4 types of presentation skills are:

• Verbal communication
• Visual aids
• Non-verbal communication
• Listening skills

What is the rule of presentation?

The rule of presentation is to always keep the audience in mind. This means knowing who your audience is, what they want to hear, and how to best deliver your message so that they will listen and be able to understand it.

Related Posts

8 Key Time Management Skills: Definition, How To & Examples

10 Essential Negotiation Skills Every Professional Must Have

20 Culinary Skills That Every Great Chef Must Have

15 Dental Assistant Skills That Every Dentist’s Assistant Must Have

Critical Thinking Skills: Definition, 12 Examples & How to Improve Them

10 Crucial Interview Skills That Will Help You Get Hired

HIGH5 is a strengths test to unlock the full potential of individuals, teams and organizations by identifying and maximizing what motivates and energizes them.

Join over 4 000 000 happy test takers:

Free Strengths Test

Methodology

Affiliate Program

Feature Request

Help Center

CliftonStrengths

VIA Character Strengths

Comparisons

For individuals

For organizations

For coaches

For educators

Talent development

Leadership development 

Team development

Diversity & Inclusion

Employee engagement

Change management

Full Strengths Report

Team Strengths Report

Strengths Planner

Strengths Discovery Guide

Strengths Reference Sheets

Strength Cards

Career Guides

Professional Skills

Job Interview Guides

Strengths in the Workplace

Copyright @ 2024 HIGH5TEST. All rights reserved. Terms & Conditions . Privacy Policy . Shipping Policy . Contact Info .

• Legacy Login

What are the qualities of a good presenter?

In the course of running our TV presenter training, there’s one question that comes up time and time again – what makes a good presenter  ? It’s a natural question to consider, as those asking it are simply wondering whether they have the necessary qualities to reach the promised land of having presenting skills that engage and clearly convey a message to the audience.

So, if that’s a question you’re currently pondering, we thought we would give you a definitive answer in the form of this blog. Here we’ll be covering the question in fine detail, as we provide 10 characteristics that you should be aiming to exude in any presentation you give.

By reading to the end, you’ll have a much better idea about whether you need presenting skills training  to develop your aptitude. So, if you’re sitting comfortably and you’ve got your notebook ready, let’s get started.

Quality 1. Confidence – When was the last time you saw a good presenter who wasn’t confident? That’s right, they don’t really exist, as confidence goes hand in hand with effective presentation. Confidence comes from being sure of the subject and properly prepped, so make sure you do your homework and this often elusive quality will be yours.

Quality 2. Charm & Charisma -Your presenting skills  are greatly enhanced when you’re able to be charming and charismatic. Closely linked to confidence, it’s a handy talent to develop as a presenter, as you’ll be able to draw in your audience and build rapport and trust at the same time.

Quality 3. Dedication & Passion – What many people forget when asking what makes a good presenter  is that the TV industry is a very competitive one, so the qualities required don’t always relate to your presenting skills . What IS always required is tenacity, dedication and passion – not just for the subject matter but also in your overall approach to everything you do.

Quality 4. Authenticity – As a TV presenter, there’s perhaps nothing more important than being yourself, because when you’re not being true to who you are, you’re going to lose some authenticity. You’re not an actor playing a character, so let your own personality and passions shine through in your presenting skills .

Quality 5. Understanding the audience -This is a quality that either comes naturally or needs to be worked upon with research, as it’s one that relates to understanding your audience and what their pain points are. A certain amount of empathy is required, but this needs to be backed up by hard work and a passion for doing the job right.

Quality 6. Enthusiastic – Another vital factor that presenters need to inject into their work is enthusiasm. It’s not something you can really do without, as all of your other presenting skills  rest upon it. No one wants to listen to a boring, lifeless presentation, so if you’re feeling tired beforehand, have a coffee and you’ll be able to deliver your message with the requisite gusto!

Quality 7. Relaxed and keep calm under pressure – What is it they say? “ Never work with children or animals? ” – well its an old adage that points towards the fact that things go wrong, particularly when broadcasting live. Technical glitches, late guests and others who won’t behave on set are not unheard of, so an ability to remain calm when others aren’t is a key talent you’ll need.

Quality 8. An active listener  – When you’re interviewing a guest on your show, all eyes are on you and the interviewee, so if you’re not listening to the answers they’re giving you properly, it’s going to stick out like a sore thumb. It’s one of the most important qualities a TV presenter needs, as it’s integral to building the rapport you need for your guest to open up.

Quality 9. Good communication skills – It’s not surprising that good communication is on our list of necessary presenting skills , as all presentations call for a clear and easy-to-comprehend voice. It’s a tricky skill to master when broadcasting live, as there’s a fair amount of pressure on you, but good presenters will always channel this energy to bolster their performance in a confident way.

Quality 10. Good team player  – Typically speaking, a TV crew will contain a tight-knit group of professionals, all supporting each other in their work. As the face of this crew, a presenter needs to be able to work well with others – again often under intense pressure. In terms of presenting skills  – it’s right up there.

What Makes a Good Presenter   ? Training!

So, there you have it – 10 qualities that any good presenter will need to have. If you’ve read to the end and you feel that you’re lacking any of those described, the good news is that all of the above can be worked on with high quality presenting skills training .

At the Presenter Academy, we’ve already taught hundreds of people that have gone on to become accomplished professionals, meaning that you could too. Want to get started? No problem. How about doing so by downloading our free 3 Tips For Perfect Presenting Course ? All you need to do is subscribe and it’s yours!

Alternatively, if you want to get serious about becoming a great presenter, you can find our full range of engaging e-courses that cover TV presenting, children’s TV presenting, online presenting and more besides. You can find everything by visiting us online at www.presenteracademy.com and you can get in touch with our friendly team by filling out our contact form .

That’s it from us for this time. We’ll see you again soon.

Start your presenting Journey Today

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

5 Characteristics Of A Great Presenter

Communication is one of the most important skills of a leader.

Yet, many people fear public speaking . Standing in front of an audience can be a nerve-racking experience – you feel vulnerable, anxious, and worry that stage fright will get the best of you. The best way to deal with your public speaking fears is to face it head on because the more experience you have presenting, the more comfortable you’ll become. 

As the presenter it’s your responsibility to execute your message in a way that’s captivating. Utilizing these five fundamental characteristics will help you master the art of presentations and transform the way you communicate to your audience. Whether you’ve been doing presentations for years or are preparing for your first one, a great presenter should always possess the following qualities: 

Giving a presentation on something implies that you’re the expert in the topic so it’s important that you know more than your audience does. You can demonstrate this by determining the demographic of your audience and presenting in a way that they can understand. This will help them perceive you as the authority figure because you’re able to translate something to their level of understanding.

How do you accomplish this? Prepare and practice! A great presenter is familiar with everything that is being covered and is comfortable speaking about the subject matter. While you might not know every single detail, you have a wide enough knowledge base to educate your audience and won’t find yourself getting stumped during the Q&A session.

Create a script and memorize the key points that will help prompt you to the next point. Once you have your script down, stand up and present it like you are standing in front of your audience – walk around, pause, use hand gestures, make eye contact. Being able to comfortably present your material builds up the next quality.

A confident presenter commands attention and inspires action. It’s the difference between an actor who simply recites his lines and one who has dynamic stage presence and is able to pull the audience into his performance.

If confidence on stage doesn’t come naturally to you, remember that no one can see how you’re feeling inside – only what you’re emitting from the outside. So if you emit confidence , they’ll see you as a confident person.

There are a few tricks you can do to appear more confident. Instead of standing behind a podium, work the stage by walking around. Don’t slouch, stand tall, and keep your shoulders down and back. Nervous presenters tend to speak fast so speak slower than you think you need to and project your voice as if you’re talking to the person sitting in the back of the room. Smile, look people in the eye, and don’t be afraid to pause when you need to.

Self-awareness

People will tell you to be witty! Be charming! Be funny! Be energetic! These are all great qualities to have as a presenter but what’s most important is you are these things within your own ability. You can try to be witty like Churchill or funny like Sedaris but it can actually work against you. People can easily sense when you’re not presenting your true self, and coming off as unauthentic makes it harder for the audience to connect with you.

Take a look at your unique personality and traits. Know yourself. Delivering quick one-liners might not come naturally to you but maybe you’re a great storyteller and have an anecdote that relates to your topic. Maybe you’re not the high-energy type but you have great vocal variety. Know what you’re capable of and play on to your strengths. Every presenter is different so just be yourself and let your natural self shine.

No one’s expecting to hear the next Martin Luther King but it’s important to present with conviction. If your subject matter is something that you truly care about, turn this energy into excitement and use it to get your audience excited too.

Presenting with passion shows a personal investment to the topic and connects people on an emotional level. Of course, this source of passion needs to come naturally. If the topic is something that you live and breathe – great! This will be easy for you. If it’s an uninspiring quarterly review filled with charts and data, find something to be excited about (may we suggest a rockin'?)

Many presentations eventually start to blend together but there are always a few that you vividly remember. Think about a presentation you saw that really stood out. What did they do to make it so memorable?

Chances are you weren’t blown away by the company’s history or quarterly sales data. Maybe you remember the presentation because it made an emotional connection with you. The presenter had a heartfelt story and you walked away feeling inspired. It created a lasting impact and while you may not remember the finer details of the presentation, you remembered the story. Maybe they did something unique that you’ve never seen before. Take a lesson from

If you want to be a great presenter or just want to make it through your next presentation without lukewarm feedback, you need to: [1] know your material , [2] be confident , [3] be self-aware , [4] be passionate , and [5] be memorable . Watch world-class presenters and you can always find these five traits present. Keep practicing in these areas and soon you’ll look like you were born to be on stage!

We’d love to hear about your project.

Complete the form below and one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

<< back to SP Insights Lab

7 Qualities Of A Good Presentation

Presenting is not most people’s favourite thing to do, but it is unfortunately a significant part of the modern professional world. While it’s not easy to shake those presenting nerves, there are ways you can learn to deal with them, chief among them is by giving a good presentation. When you deliver effective and successful presentations, it builds your confidence which makes it much easier the next time you present.

If you have a big presentation lingering in the near future and want to really nail it, identify what makes a good presentation. Here are some examples:

I know this seem fairly impossible at the moment but going into a presentation with confidence really helps to sell it to your audience. People want you to succeed and they are looking to you to make them at ease. If you’re second guessing everything about your speech pattern and delivery, how can you expect those listening to buy in to what you’re selling. Prepare thoroughly and come ready to do the best job you can. The right attitude can make a big difference.

Keeping a captive audience is not an ease task, especially within the business world. While the information is no doubt important, the subject material can sometimes be dry, so it’s your job as a presenter to give it some life. Delivering the topic with passion can often times translate into your audience forming their own interest in the subject. When you can speak passionately and eloquently about a subject, it will at the very least help to hold the attention of those you’re speaking to and hopefully ignite a passion of their own.

Before getting started on your presentation, you want to learn as much as possible about the subject you’re going to speak about. Become as much an expert as is reasonable to expect. The hope is that without even preparing a presentation, you would be able to speak at length on the subject. Without having a handle on the material, you will lose the audience. No matter how many times you practice, an audience can always tell the difference between someone who really knows the subject and those who are just regurgitating facts.

Naturalness

Memorizing a presentation can help to make you feel more prepared, but an overly memorized presentation isn’t too much fun to sit through. Presentations should certainly be professional but they can also benefit from adding a bit of informality to the proceedings. Being comfortable with the material allows you to be open to a bit of naturalism when presenting which makes for a much more engaging talk. Stay on your talking points and don’t stray off course, but don’t make things too rigid or else it won’t be fun for anyone.

Organization

While a little informality can be great for a presentation, when it comes to the structure of your presentation, strict guidelines are important. When a presentation hopes around too often, even if the right points are being hit, it can cause confusion in the audience and the message to become muddled. Your points need to connect and lead from one into the other so the audience has a story to follow. This helps them to remember information more easily and actually attain what you’re trying to say.

Time-sensitive

Getting across all the necessary information in your presentation is important, but keeping the whole things to a reasonable length is also important. No matter what you’re talking about, your audience isn’t going to stay with you forever, so you need to make the presentation as concise as possible. Make cuts where necessary, understand what’s really important and what is not and be able to improvise if you’re running long.

Above all else, a presentation is meant to convey a message. You could check all the box for the above qualities but if your audience leaves the presentation not knowing what your message was, then the whole thing failed. Identify a clear and concise message that can easily be interpreted and taken from your presentation. Know each time within your presentation that you need to hammer home that message. A clear message well delivered is the absolute key to a successful presentation.

More from the SP Insights Lab:

If you liked this article, please share it!

For Organizations

For seasonedpros.

Support & General Inquiries Contact Us

Sales [email protected]

© 2021 all rights reserved, SeasonedPros.ca

Interested?

Reach out for more information.

Complete the following form to let us know who you are and what you would like more information about, and someone will get in touch within 1 business day.

10 secrets of great presenters

I watch Shark Tank (probably too much). Some potentially great products never get an offer, mostly because the person does not communicate either the value of the product, or the value of themselves. You may be amazing at your craft and at the top of your game, whether it’s UX design, app development, app testing, or digital strategy. If you can’t effectively communicate ideas or solutions, however, they may never come to fruition or get implemented. That can leave you feeling frustrated and unheard, like people just don’t “get it.”

Let me share with you some qualities of great presenters that can make a world of difference.

It’s no surprise that effective communications skills are a requirement for nearly every job, no matter the industry or level of experience. You may not have plans to be on Shark Tank, but great communication is something that’s applicable to everyone. It’s certainly essential to every task at WillowTree, from delivering a compelling client pitch to explaining a complex idea to a teammate.

Communication is one of WillowTree’s core values . We attempt to evaluate candidates’ communication skills during our interview process by emulating “real-world” situations tailored to the role. For example, Product Strategy and Design candidates present their work to a room of people from multiple disciplines, including our business development and executive leadership teams. While the content of their presentations will never be overlooked, I often find candidates’ delivery, presentation, and presence are just as important.

Here are 10 qualities common amongst successful presenters:

1) they own and organize the time ‍.

Be cognizant of the allotted time frame and organize your presentation to fit. Plan to include time for a brief and relevant introduction, discussion around your key points, and follow-up questions at the end.

2) They’re aware of their body language

‍ Nonverbal communication can help you connect with your audience and promote trust and engagement. Strong presenters own the room, carrying themselves with poise and conviction. Assess the space, and if possible, stand up. Focus on the audience, moving towards them, rather than your slides on important points. Treat it like a presentation rather than a “real-estate” tour where you stand back and show them around your slideshow.

Other ways to connect with your audience:

• Eye contact - Do you look others in the eye when talking or does your gaze wander to the floor or the walls?
• Facial expressions - smiling not only lightens the room, but eases your nerves.
• Posture and shoulder positioning - Keep your head high and shoulders back. Keep your body open, positioning your shoulders towards the audience. Crossed arms send subtle cues of being standoffish and defensive.
• Hands - Remove them from your pockets and try to avoid rubbing them together and touching your neck and shoulders, which conveys anxiety and discomfort.

3) They engage in active listening ‍

There’s definitely an art to conversation. Listening is just as important as delivery…and I mean truly listening. When asked a question, let the other person finish before you respond — making sure you fully understand their question. It’s okay to ask clarifying questions to ensure you don’t waste time answering the wrong thing. It’s common for presenters to immediately start brainstorming a response before understanding the question at hand.

4) They know when to stop talking

‍ Go over your presentation and identify areas that may require a more detailed explanation. Spend more time on these points as opposed to others that may be more self-explanatory or commonplace. To prevent boring your audience, start succinctly and then ask if there are any questions. If not, move on! Continue to gauge your audience’s attention level throughout your presentation. If you think you’re rambling and keep losing your train of thought, this may be a sign that you’re also losing them.

5) They don’t use tons of fillers

‍ Um…so…like…y’know? We’re all guilty of it, but if overused, it can distract from your content. Ask your friends and family for honest feedback. Or, if you’re really daring, try a self-awareness exercise: record your presentation and count the number of filler words. This is definitely an enlightening opportunity to experience for yourself how you come across to others.

6) They bring a positive energy to the room

‍ There’s not a specific formula for this, but those who are undeniably passionate or engaging bring a positive presence with them. If you aren’t excited about your content, why should others be? Also, don’t rely too heavily on your slide deck; it’s a supporting tool and doesn’t have to be the main focus throughout. Try humanizing your presentation through storytelling. Don’t be afraid to elaborate with interesting anecdotes.

7) They’re able to think on their feet, and pivot if necessary

‍ Expect questions and feedback. Anticipate potential questions or edge cases beforehand, particularly around fuzzy topics. Be prepared to support your ideas without being defensive, but remain open to feedback. If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to say, “Great question! I’m going to look into that.” If you try to be an expert on something that you’re clearly not, you’ll quickly lose credibility.

8) They think about the big picture

‍ Great presenters bridge their presentation to real-world application. They consider overarching business goals and requirements like cost, time, and sustainability. Understand your audience and what motivates them. When editing your presentation ask yourself why it should matter to your audience.

9) They’re comfortable being uncomfortable

‍ Being in the hot seat is tough, but it’s part of the job. They learn to go with the flow despite technical issues, and they don’t take themselves too seriously. They recover from any mishaps and remain optimistic.

10) They’re authentic

‍ The best presentations are not always the most perfect or polished. No matter how much you practice, the presentation will inevitably be different on the big day. But that’s okay. We’re not hiring your presentation, we’re hiring you and your ability to solve problems and communicate. Finally, humor and vulnerability go a long way. Remember that your audience is on your side, rooting for you.

Recent Articles

• Charlottesville, VA
• Columbus, OH
• New York, NY
• Porto Alegre, BR
• Vancouver, BC
• AI Consulting
• DEI at WillowTree
• Social Impact
• Media Inquiries
• Privacy Policy

Michael Keaton Back From the Dead in Zany ‘Beetlejuice 2’ First Look at CinemaCon: ‘It’s Really F—ing Good’

By Brent Lang

Executive Editor

• How Broadway’s ‘Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club’ Pulls Off Its Audacious, Sensual 75-Minute Prologue 7 hours ago
• Owen Teague Went to ‘Ape School’ to Pull Off a Spectacular Transformation in ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ 11 hours ago
• Maya Boyd Taking Over ‘& Juliet’ Title Role on Broadway — Just as Soon as She Graduates College (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago

Michael Keaton was blunt about what audiences can expect when “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” hits screens, more than 36 years after the first film opened.

“It’s really fucking good,” the actor told theater owners at CinemaCon . And based on the zany look at “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” that Keaton and Tim Burton shared, the collaborators have come up with something that could be out of this Netherworld. Burton, Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara, who co-starred in the original, took the stage at Caesars Palace on Tuesday for Warner Bros.’ presentation to theater owners to hype the sequel’s undead delights.

Popular on Variety

“The living. The dead. Can they co-exist?” Ryder says in the trailer that Burton and crew shared. “That’s what we’re here to find out.”

The trailer shows Keaton terrorizing a frightened looking townsperson who keeps insisting the ghost in front of him is an illusion. “Do I look like a figment of your imagination?” Keaton goads the man as he flashes him in a demonic manner.

Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe are joining the haunted house huddle for this go round. They were in Vegas, though Ryder and Ortega were not able to hit Sin City because of their production schedules.

“This cast is so good,” Keaton said. “Everyone is so friggin’ funny.”

“Over the years we would kind of kick the notion of it around,” Keaton said. When they joined forces the filmmakers tried to have everything “done as close to the way we made it the first time.” That meant dazzling, meticulously detailed, slightly macabre sets and makeup and props. “It’s like a weird big home movie for me,” Burton said in a BTS video that Warner Bros. showed before the director appeared.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” opens on Sept. 6. Filming on the sequel was briefly suspended during the 2023 actors strike, with production resuming in November after SAG-AFTRA reached a deal for a new contract.

More From Our Brands

Turning point action official resigns after election fraud allegation, a park-view aerie in one of n.y.c.’s buzziest towers lands on the market for $33 million, notre dame athletes cast as employees in new nlrb complaint, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, did young sheldon just reveal the premise of next season’s georgie and mandy spinoff, verify it's you, please log in.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

• Rebecca Knight

Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances call for different approaches.

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.

Much has been written about common leadership styles and how to identify the right style for you, whether it’s transactional or transformational, bureaucratic or laissez-faire. But according to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist best known for his work on emotional intelligence, “Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances may call for different approaches.”

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

Partner Center

• Awards & recognition
• Executive biographies
• Bank of America Institute
• Media contacts
• Media content library
• Report center

Bank of America Reports First-Quarter 2024 Financial Results

April 16, 2024 at 6:45 AM Eastern

CHARLOTTE, NC – Bank of America reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings .

Investor Conference Call information:

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795.  Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company’s Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call:

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on April 16 through 11:59 p.m. ET on April 26. 

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America Phone:  1.980.388.6780 [email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income) Phone: 1.212.449.3112 [email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin, Bank of America Phone: 1.916.724.0093 [email protected]

• Corporate and Financial News

Get Bank of America news updates, including dividend announcements and other important information to your inbox.

What would you like the power to do.

Tell us about your experience

Help Center

• Location finder

Our company

• Responsible growth
• Business practices
• What we offer
• Modern Slavery Act Statement (PDF)

Making an impact

• Local Impact
• Racial equality & economic opportunity
• Driving economic & social progress
• Environmental sustainability
• Find resources

Working here

• Being a great place to work
• Quarterly earnings
• Events & presentations
• Regulatory & other filings
• Fixed income
• Shareholder info
• Annual reports & proxy
• Press releases
• Journalist resources

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security, financial instrument, or strategy. Before acting on any information in this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice. Any opinions expressed herein are given in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only correct as of the stated date of their issue.

Content contained herein may have been produced by an outside party that is not affiliated with Bank of America or any of its affiliates (Bank of America). Opinions or ideas expressed are not necessarily those of Bank of America nor do they reflect their views or endorsement. These materials are for informational purposes only. Bank of America does not assume liability for any loss or damage resulting from anyone's reliance on the information provided. Certain links may direct you away from Bank of America to an unaffiliated site. Bank of America has not been involved in the preparation of the content supplied at the unaffiliated sites and does not guarantee or assume any responsibility for its content. When you visit these sites, you are agreeing to all of their terms of use, including their privacy and security policies.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “ MLPF&S ” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“ BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member  SIPC  and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC , and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“ BofA Corp.”). Insurance and annuity products are offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (“ MLLA ”), a licensed insurance agency and wholly-owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA :

Bank of America Private Bank is a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ( BofA Corp.).

"Bank of America" is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets business of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("Investment Banking Affiliates"), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of  SIPC , and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. is registered as a futures commission merchant with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA.

Company goals are aspirational and not guarantees or promises that all goals will be met. Statistics and metrics included in our ESG documents are estimates and may be based on assumptions or developing standards.

• Review Cookie Categories
• Accessible Banking
• Social community guidelines
• Advertising Practices

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.  Equal Housing Lender © 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Connect with us