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Presentation Skills: 16 tips for effective presentations

A successful presentation requires good presentation skills and effective presentation techniques. Here we provide you with 16 presentation tips for effective presentations. Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you improve your presentation skills.

Presenting successfully: 16 tips to improve your presentation skills and give a killer presentation 

Why p resentation s kills are i mportant.

Presentation skills are crucial in today's professional landscape, enhancing one's ability to communicate effectively and persuasively. They not only help in delivering messages clearly but also boost confidence and engagement with the audience. Mastering presentation skills can lead to career advancements, improved professional relationships, and increased influence.  

Benefits of i mproving p resentation s kills  

Enhanced communication: clearer and more impactful message delivery.  

Increased confidence:    greater self-assurance during public speaking.  

Career advancement: better job prospects and professional growth.  

Stronger engagement: improved ability to captivate and maintain audience interest.  

Influence and persuasion: more effective in convincing and motivating others.

How do you give a good presentation? This is how to succeed!

In order to be able to present successfully, not only the layout and the content of the presentation must be convincing. The decisive step is to convey the content of the presentation to the audience in the best possible way by presenting it correctly. The tips listed below should help you do this by improving your presentation skills. The most important thing to keep in mind is a healthy combination of the tips listed below. (The order of the tips does not give any information about their importance).

Not every tip will lead to a successful presentation. What is important in a presentation?

As mentioned earlier, you should try to implement a combination of the tips to give a successful presentation. It should be noted that not every one of these tips needs to fit in your own presentation. In addition, too many of these tips can make the presentation look overloaded and too "rehearsed". Therefore, think carefully in advance about what you want to pay particular attention to.

Here are 16 tips for killer presentations:

Tip 1: maintain eye contact while presenting and smile.

In order to give each of your listeners the feeling of being important and to make them feel personally addressed, it is particularly important to maintain eye contact with the audience during the presentation. Not only does this exude confidence, but it also helps your audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you feel less nervous.  Easier said than done right? Here's what can help:

Find someone in the audience who seems to be genuinely interested in the topic and is listening attentively (for example, your lecturer). Make eye contact with this person at the beginning of the presentation. Once you start feeling more calm and confident let your gaze drift over the audience to address the other listeners as well. Keep returning your gaze to the initial person to stay calm throughout the whole presentation.

Another alternative is to find a fixed point in the room (preferably on the wall behind the audience) which you fix at the beginning of the presentation. Similar to the first example, after you have achieved confidence, you can let your gaze wander over the audience and return to the previously selected fixed point again and again.

Don't look at the screen! Don't look at the floor! Don't just look at your index cards! Don't just look at the laptop!

Tip 2: Use of gestures and facial expressions

To emphasize the content of your presentation, it is advisable to use appropriate gestures and body language to get your message across. Avoid crossed arms, hands behind your back, or in your pockets during a presentation.  Always stand up straight, and try not to appear tense or stressed. You can do that by using your hands and arms to emphasize what you are saying and get your message across.  Your facial expressions should always be friendly and open. Smile and show that you enjoy the topic and you are confident in the information you are presenting.

Tip 3: Avoid distractions

Often you will not be able to avoid the use of aids. For example, you may need to use a laser pointer to show something on the screen, or you may need to use a pen to write something down on a flipchart. To avoid distractions for you and the audience, get into the habit of putting down tools you don't need! That way you will not be tempted to deal with them in the first place. You will also have your hands free for gestures.

Tip 4: Be prepared: Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect, right? If you prepare well before the presentation, you will feel more relaxed and confident while presenting and it will also improve your body language. 

Here are some ways to help you prepare for a presentation:

Rehearse in front of a crowd

Time yourself

Record yourself

Tip 5: Be confident

By appearing self-confident, you convey to the listener that you are confident in your topic and have prepared yourself sufficiently. Try to relax and not appear too stressed or nervous. Another tip for advanced speakers: Step out in front of the podium and walk around the room and get closer to the audience. This also exudes self-confidence and helps in attracting your audience's attention.

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Tip 6: Effective beginning/end

Good presentation skills can help you in captivating your audience straight away. In order to do that, you should start your presentation with a bang. Many studies show that if you can capture someone’s interest straight away, there’s a good chance they’ll listen to the rest of the presentation. Shock the audience, ask them to imagine something or think of a what-if situation, share a personal story, share a joke, u se a quote, or a video. You should also give an overview of the time and structure of your presentation. This outline should run through your presentation so that you can always assign the individual contents to an outline point. It is also helpful for your audience to have the outline displayed in a slimmed-down form during the whole presentation.

How you end the presentation is as important as how you start it. A weak ending will leave the audience uninspired. But a good ending will motivate them and help them walk away on a positive note. For example, include a call to action, end the presentation with a memorable quote, or a personal story, and don't forget to thank and acknowledge the audience. 

Tip 7: Speak freely

The headline speaks for itself. To make the presentation as lively and enjoyable as possible, you should avoid reading it off. Speak freely, slowly, and clearly. If you are not yet confident in what you are presenting, try using note cards. But keep in mind: No continuous text, but only short, concise bullet points! If you use note cards to support you, it is especially advisable at this point to memorize at least the beginning and end of your presentation, as eye contact is crucial at these points.

Tip 8: Avoid filler words

In order to make your presentation flow as smoothly and confidently as possible, you should avoid using filler words such as "um," "so," and so on. For your listeners, these words convey insecurity and inadequate preparation.

Tip 9: Bring along something to share

In addition to a handout, other small takeaways can also significantly improve your presentation. For example, if you are giving a presentation on gummy bears, why not offer some to your audience? If you are giving a presentation about your fishing hobby, why not show the audience your fishing equipment?

Tip 10: Use different types of media

A presentation can quickly become boring and monotonous. To avoid this, it is advisable to use different types of media. For example, combine videos and flipcharts, use the whiteboard, or show something practical on a model. This will increase the attention of your audience enormously and will help in keeping them engaged until the end.

Tip 11: Use effective pauses

When giving a presentation, you should keep in mind that you have already heard the content several times - your audience probably hasn't! Therefore, give your audience enough time to read and understand the content of your slides.

Effective use of speech pauses is a master technique. It is one of the most versatile tools in a presenter's toolbox. Yet very few people perform it well. A pause, if used correctly, can add a great deal to your presentation or speech. Pause before, during, or after saying something that you would like to emphasize. Pausing between two different parts of your presentation can indicate to the audience that something new is coming. A quick pause could also help you in remembering your next point, without the audience noticing that you forgot what to say.

Tip 12: Speak the language of the audience

When creating your presentation, you should already think about your target audience. This will help you present successfully later on. It is especially important that you speak the language of the audience. Use appropriate and relevant examples. Use "strong" and meaningful words in short sentences to avoid losing the audience. Make sure to use appropriate analogies and anecdotes and avoid foreign words, empty phrases, and clichés. If you have to use foreign words, explain them in a handout or footnote within the presentation.

Tip 13: Engage with the audience

Always try to keep the attention of your audience and keep them engaged during a presentation. To do this, it is advisable to regularly involve the audience. One way to do this is to ask questions. Deliberately ask "easy" questions so that can easily be answered by your audience. Another way to involve the audience in your presentation is by interacting with them. To make a point clearer, you can use an example to explain it in more detail, using a person (whose name you should know). You can address participants directly and refer to their work.

Tip 14: Don't fight the stage fright & take deep breaths

Stage fright is one of the biggest enemies of a presentation, yet you shouldn't let yourself be a victim of your feat. Do not fight it, rather address your fear and try and accept it, and transform it into positive enthusiasm. Don't let your stage fright get you all worked up and nervous. Take a couple of deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

Tip 15: Choose the right angle on standing during a presentation

One of the most frequent questions that speakers ask themselves during a presentation is, how do I best position myself, and where do I stand in front of the audience?

You have a free stage without a podium

In many cases, you will be facing your audience in a "free space", without a podium. This gives you a lot of room to move, but at the same time, it creates uncertainty because you don't know how to position yourself properly or how to move. Avoid standing frontally in front of the audience! This frontal facing is unconsciously perceived negatively by the audience. It is perceived by the audience as a kind of frontal attack and causes stress in your audience. Make sure to stand slightly to the side of the audience. If you notice during the presentation that you are again standing frontally in front of your audience, simply move your right or left foot 20 cm forward.

You have a podium at your disposal

A podium makes it easier to decide how to position yourself and where to stand in front of the audience. In order not to make your presentation too monotonous, it is advisable to leave the "safe position" behind the lectern from time to time, e.g. to walk to the other side of the screen or to show something on the flipchart. This brings movement into your presentation and helps keep the connection with your audience.

Tip 16: Create something with the whiteboard during the lecture

PowerPoint is no longer the tool of choice for a successful presentation. Photo collages, company logos on every slide and flashing text boxes often distract from the essentials. A presentation convinces the audience especially when they witness how something is being created. In addition to the classic flipchart, the whiteboard is recommended for this purpose. This is because diagrams, keywords and the results of a brainstorming session are written in real time on a whiteboard. Board markers allow a wide range of colors and the magnetic property of pinning additional information. The result of the presentation produced in this way is remembered longer than ready-made slides.

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11 Tips on How to Make a Good Presentation

• By Judhajit Sen
• May 24, 2024

A great presentation can leave a lasting impression, much like a well-composed piece of music. Just as a composer knows when each note should strike, a good speaker knows how to captivate their audience.

No one becomes a great presenter overnight. It takes practice and patience. Everyone has had a presentation go badly at some point, but these experiences are part of the learning process.  Public speaking and effective presentation skills are important in any setting, whether you’re pitching ideas to clients, presenting to your team, or participating in meetings.

Feeling nervous before a PowerPoint presentation is normal. 15-30% of people fear public speaking and social anxiety has increased by 12% in the past 20 years . However, learning how to give a killer presentation can help overcome these fears and build confidence.

Throughout your career, you’ll likely be asked to give many memorable presentations. While there are different approaches, a few tips on how to make a good presentation can boost your confidence and audience engagement strategies . Developing upon the tips for a good presentation is a lifelong pursuit, so be patient and avoid making mistakes.

Top-notch presentation slides can drive action, whether you’re winning over stakeholders, conveying a powerful message, or securing funding. Being an excellent presenter isn’t limited to the boardroom. It’s a valuable skill in any field, from academia to non-profits to student projects. Mastering the important things in presentation can be a game-changer.

Following are 11 tips for giving a good presentation.

Key Takeaways

• Preparation and practice are essential for giving a great presentation.
• Start strong by capturing your audience’s attention with engaging anecdotes or questions.
• Keep your presentation simple, organized, and visually appealing to enhance audience understanding.
• Maintain confidence, utilize storytelling, eye contact, and positive body language to capture your audience’s attention.

Deliver a Solid Start

The first moments of your presentation are crucial for capturing your audience’s attention. Like a movie trailer, your opening  sets the tone for the rest of the show. Here are some presentation tips for a strong start.

To grab attention, use a quote from a well-known and likable person. Quotes can lend credibility and connect with the audience.

Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue and get your audience thinking. This approach can draw them into your topic right away.

Start with an anecdote that adds context to your talk. Personal stories or relatable examples can make your message more compelling and memorable.

Consider involving your audience in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle. This can spark curiosity and make your presentation more engaging from the outset.

Keep your opening simple and exciting. You might break the ice with a tasteful, humorous comment related to your topic to warm up the audience.

Explain the purpose of your presentation in one clear sentence, free of jargon. Emphasize what participants will gain to make them more invested in your talk.

Begin at a natural pace—not too fast and not too slow—to establish a strong and positive image.  Finally, make a strong ending statement that reinforces the objectives of your presentation, leaving a lasting impression.

Starting with these effective presentation techniques can hook your audience throughout the presentation and set the stage for a compelling slideshow.

Keep Your Presentation Simple

One of the best ways to make a presentation is to keep it simple. Before you start, think about your audience members and their knowledge level. Tailor your content so it’s easy for them to follow. For instance, entry-level workers might need a basic overview, while C-suite leaders may prefer detailed insights. Focus on what you want your audience to remember and highlight those important points. Using bullet points for presentations can help viewers quickly identify the most critical information.

When creating your presentation, simplicity is essential. Many presenters use the “10-20-30” rule:

• Have ten or fewer slides.
• Keep your talk under 20 minutes.
• Use at least a 30-point font.

This approach keeps your presentation clear and engaging. Remember, your voice, explanations, and body language are just as crucial as your templates.

Keep your salient ideas to three or fewer points and mention them at the beginning and end of your presentation. This repetition helps the audience remember your main message. Avoid jargon and complex terms. Clear and simple language helps your audience to understand and retain the information.

Restrict each slide to five bullet points with only five words per point and show each for about five seconds. This keeps your presentation concise and prevents overload. Simple presentations are more engaging and effective, helping ensure your message is delivered clearly.

Create a Compelling Presentation Structure

To prepare for a presentation, organize your information clearly and compellingly with a presentation outline . Put yourself in your audience’s shoes and consider how to present your content. Giving a presentation should be logical, cohesive, and supported by evidence to strengthen your main points.

Don’t give away all the answers too quickly. Build a story that guides your audience through your thought process, keeping them engaged with the journey to your conclusion. This method keeps their interest and helps them follow along with your ideas. Ending with a Q&A session can also address any lingering questions or concerns.

Start with a captivating introduction to grab attention. Then, present your main points logically, building on each other, and finish with a strong conclusion that leaves a lasting impression. A well-structured presentation helps your audience follow you effortlessly and ensures they leave with a clear understanding of your message.

Using professionally designed templates can also enhance the clarity and coherence of your presentation. These templates highlight your main points and make your message more memorable for your audience.

Use Visual Presentation Aids

Visual aids can elevate your presentation and help your audience. Incorporate a mix of photos, videos, and props to engage your listeners and highlight your main points.

For example, if you’re presenting on anthropology, showing an artifact can help the audience understand the excitement of a discovery. If your presentation is long, including a video can give you a break and create new starting points for your speech.

Visual presentation aids can help explain complex concepts. Use infographics, graphs, charts, photographs, animation and videos to support your points. However, avoid overloading your ppt with too much text or information. A clear and simple visual is more effective than a cluttered one.

Well-chosen visuals create a professional look and capture your audience’s attention. Eye-catching designs should complement your message without overshadowing it. While a picture is worth a thousand words, less is often more.

Capture your audience’s attention with interactive elements like questions, polls, or group activities. This involvement makes them more invested in your presentation’s success. Animated elements can also bring your presentation to life, adding depth and clarity to your message.

Overall, visual aids should support and enhance your presentation, making it more engaging.

Incorporate Design Techniques, Trends, and Principles

Design techniques and trends can make your presentation more engaging and effective. Advanced technology gives you many tools to create visually appealing presentations. However, use these tools wisely to avoid distractions. Here are some tips:

– Avoid placing blocks of small text on a slide.

– Choose a minimalistic background instead of a busy one.

–  Ensure your text is readable against the best  colors for your presentation .

– Use only high-resolution photos.

– Maintain consistent font style and size throughout.

– Don’t overuse transitions and effects.

Incorporate universal design principles to cater to a diverse audience with various knowledge levels, abilities, and learning styles. Here are a few suggestions:

– Use large fonts for better readability.

– Make the presentation available to participants beforehand.

– Be ready to provide materials in different formats, like electronic text, audio, large print, or Braille.

– Show captioned videos or provide transcriptions if needed.

– Arrange for sign language interpreters if requested.

– Speak clearly, use a microphone if necessary, and always face your audience.

– Ensure the room is well-lit.

– Use multimedia presentation elements like videos, props, and handouts to enhance your presentation.

Pace your presentation thoughtfully. Design your templates to cover all essential points without rushing or dragging. Respect your audience’s time to maintain their interest.

By following these design principles, you can create a polished, professional presentation that effectively communicates your message and keeps your audience engaged.

Utilize the 10-20-30 Rule

One practical tip for a good presentation is following the 10-20-30 rule , popularized by Guy Kawasaki, a well-known venture capitalist and former Apple marketing specialist. This rule suggests that the best presentations have fewer than ten slides, last no more than 20 minutes, and uses a font size of 30 points.

By sticking to ten slides, you focus on the most critical points. Keeping your presentation within 20 minutes ensures it stays engaging and respects your audience’s time. Using a 30-point font makes your text easy to read and helps emphasize critical messages.

The 10-20-30 rule encourages you to keep your presentation short, sweet, and impactful. Your audience will appreciate the clarity and brevity, making your message more memorable.

Weave Stories

One powerful tip for making a good presentation is to master the art of storytelling in business presentations . Sharing a personal story can boost your credibility in a speech . When the audience connects with you, they’re more likely to pay attention and engage with your presentation.

If you’re uncomfortable sharing personal stories, use examples from famous individuals or create fictional accounts to illustrate your ideas. The key is to start your presentation with something engaging, like an interesting question, problem, or quote. This sets the stage and captures your audience’s attention right away.

Storytelling in sales helps make your concepts and ideas relatable. It adds context and depth, allowing the audience to understand and connect with your message. Whether you share a personal experience, a case study presentation , or an inspiring success story, make sure it supports your main points.

Additionally, adjust your pitch, pace, and volume to match the emotions and intensity of your story. Varying your speaking voice can add depth and enhance your stage presence, making your story even more compelling.

Weaving stories into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. It builds connections and makes your message memorable, ensuring your audience stays engaged throughout.

Leverage Eye Contact and Body Language  

Eye contact and body language play crucial roles in making a good presentation. Here are some key takeaways to help you master them.

Maintain eye contact with your audience. You don’t have to stare directly into their eyes; focusing on their foreheads or noses works too. Try to make eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each to engage them without making anyone feel uncomfortable or ignored.

Keep your body language in presentations open and engaging. Avoid crossing your arms and try to move around the stage instead of standing still. Use hand gestures to emphasize important points, but make sure they flow naturally with your speech.

Incorporate movement into your presentation to keep your audience focused and engaged. If you’re nervous, start small by making gestures toward your slides or using different parts of the stage to address everyone in the audience.

Your nonverbal communication should support your message. Move around the stage gracefully instead of staying in one place, and avoid hiding behind a podium if possible. Maintain a good posture  to  convey enthusiasm and confidence.

By warmly welcoming your audience, maintaining eye contact, and using expressive gestures and varied tones, you can draw your audience’s attention and make your presentation more engaging. Stand tall, connect with your audience through eye contact, and use movement purposefully to emphasize key points. With a sprinkle of enthusiasm and charisma, you can keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Practice Your Presentation

Preparing and practicing are essential steps to making a good presentation. Here are some key takeaways to help you get ready.

Practicing doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it does lead to progress. Rehearse with a trusted friend or family member. Use their feedback to refine your presentation. Remember, the person you practice with may have a different perspective from your intended audience, so consider their opinions with this in mind.

After putting your presentation together:

• Dedicate time to preparing your talking points.
• Ask friends or colleagues to listen to a test run and provide honest feedback on your visuals, speaking voice, and body language.
• Avoid memorizing your speech word for word; prepare simple talking points to guide your presentation.
• Speak openly and confidently about your subject.

Use a strong speaking voice while practicing your presentation. Speak at the right volume and tone, ensuring your audience can hear you clearly without straining. Test your volume in the presentation space beforehand and consider using a microphone if needed.

Believe in the importance of your message and visualize yourself giving a great speech. Organize your material in a way that suits you best, whether it’s a script, outline, or notes. Proofread all printed materials and practice, practice, practice to iron out any kinks and add polish to your presentation.

Seek feedback from colleagues or friends, record your presentation for self-analysis, and evaluate your performance through anonymous surveys. Incorporate suggestions for improvement into future presentations.

Finally, overcome stage fright by arriving early, familiarizing yourself with your material, and taking deep breaths. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and seek feedback as you give your presentation one last polish before the big day. With preparation and practice, you’re ready to deliver a successful presentation!

Exude Confidence

Making a good presentation involves more than just the content—it’s about your mindset, too. Here are some tips to help you stay calm and confident.

Before your presentation, take deep breaths to calm your nerves. Feeling rushed can increase nervousness and make you stumble on your words. Approach your presentation calmly to put both yourself and your audience at ease.

Remember to enjoy the process of creating and presenting your information. It’s a significant accomplishment, so take pleasure in it. If you feel anxious beforehand, try a power pose—stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, fists on your hips, chin held high, and a soft smile. This posture boosts confidence and reduces nerves. Take several deep breaths to calm your mind further.

After your presentation, reward yourself in a meaningful way. Be proud of your achievement, and don’t hesitate to ask for feedback to improve future presentations.

Feeling nervous before a talk or workshop is normal—it shows that you care about doing well. Use that nervous energy to your advantage by channeling it into dynamic energy about your topic. Remind yourself that you and your audience share the same goal, and they want you to succeed. Stick to what you know to build confidence and minimize nervousness.

Focus on delivering your message rather than how you feel internally. Maintain a relaxed, poised demeanor, even if you’re feeling nervous. Acting relaxed can help you feel more relaxed.

And remember, the more presentations you give, the more your anxieties will decrease. Keep presenting and practicing, and you’ll become more confident over time.

End with a Clear Call to Action

Ending with a solid call to action for your presentation is crucial. This final step should motivate your audience to take a specific action, whether it’s changing their habits or reaching out to you for your services.

When speaking to clients, consider creating presentation handouts with key points and your contact information. Include your LinkedIn profile, email address, and phone number so they can give you various ways to reach you.

Remember, last impressions linger. Leave your audience with a clear takeaway. Finish with a compelling call to action or an inspiring thought that will resonate with them long after you end a presentation . This ensures your message sticks and encourages your audience to act.

Wrap-Up: How to Make a Good Presentation

Delivering good presentation qualities is like composing music; it requires practice and precision. Confidence and clear communication are essential, whether you’re pitching ideas or leading a meeting. Nervousness is common, but preparation and practice can help overcome this. Start strong by capturing your audience’s attention with engaging anecdotes or thought-provoking questions. Keeping your presentation simple and organized helps your audience follow along. Visual aids and design principles enhance your message, making it more memorable.

Using the 10-20-30 rule—10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font—ensures clarity and conciseness. Incorporate stories to make your message relatable and maintain eye contact and affirmative body language to engage your audience. Rehearse thoroughly to boost your confidence and seek feedback to improve. Enjoy the process and reward yourself for your efforts.

Finally, end with a clear call to action to inspire your audience to act. Provide your contact information and summarize key points to leave a lasting impression. Master these good presentation characteristics, and you’ll be well on your way to cultivating effective presentation skills.

1. How can I capture my audience’s attention at the beginning of my presentation?

Starting strong is critical. To set the stage for a compelling presentation, you can use a quote, ask a rhetorical question, share a relatable anecdote, or involve your audience in an interactive activity. Keep it simple and exciting.

2. How can I make a presentation clear and engaging?

Keeping your presentation simple is crucial. Tailor your content to your audience’s knowledge level, use the “10-20-30” rule (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font), and highlight three key points. Avoid jargon and complex terms for better understanding.

3. How do you make a presentation structure effective?

Organize your information logically, starting with a captivating introduction, presenting the main points in a logical order, and ending with a firm conclusion. Use professionally designed templates to enhance clarity and coherence.

4. Why are visual aids necessary, and how can I use them effectively?

Visual aids enhance your presentation and make complex concepts easier to understand. Use a mix of photos, videos, and props, but avoid overloading slides with text. Engage your audience with interactive elements and well-chosen visuals that complement your message.

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What Are Effective Presentation Skills (and How to Improve Them)

Presentation skills are essential for your personal and professional life. Learn about effective presentations and how to boost your presenting techniques.

According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Economics, Management and Informatics, presentation skills are more important than ever for a career in business [ 1 ], and they're critical in a diverse range of other jobs. For example, you might need to brief your supervisor on research results. 

Presentation skills are also essential in other scenarios, including working with a team and explaining your thought process, walking clients through project ideas and timelines, and highlighting your strengths and achievements to your manager during performance reviews.

Whatever the scenario, it's important to get your point across quickly when presenting information as people lose focus after about 47 seconds, according to Gloria Mark, Professor Emerita of Informatics at UC Irvine [ 2 ]. Effective presentation skills help you get your point across and connect with the people you’re communicating with, which is why nearly every employer requires them.

Knowing about presentation skills and honing your presenting techniques proves essential for mastering presentations of all kinds and in all settings.

What are presentation skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or images.

You'll make presentations at various times in your life. Examples include:

Making speeches at a wedding, conference, or another event

Making a toast at a dinner or event

Explaining projects to a team 

Delivering results and findings to management teams

Teaching people specific methods or information

Proposing a vote at community group meetings

Pitching a new idea or business to potential partners or investors

Why are presentation skills important?

Delivering effective presentations is critical in your professional and personal life. You’ll need to hone your presentation skills in various areas, such as when giving a speech, convincing your partner to make a substantial purchase, and talking to friends and family about an important situation.

No matter if you’re using them in a personal or professional setting, these are the skills that make it easier and more effective to convey your ideas, convince or persuade others, and experience success. A few of the benefits that often accompany improving your presentation skills include:

Enriched written and verbal communication skills

Enhanced confidence and self-image

Boosted critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities

Better motivational techniques

Increased leadership skills

Expanded time management, negotiation, and creativity

The better your presenting techniques, the more engaging your presentations will be. You could also have greater opportunities to make positive impacts in business and other areas of your life.

What is an effective presentation? 

A presentation should provide ideas or information in an effort to educate, entertain, or persuade an audience. An effective presentation:

- Involves planning and preparation

- Has an organized design

- Is delivered successfully

- Meets its objective

- Leaves the audience with a positive view of the presenter

Effective presentation skills

Imagine yourself in the audience at a TED Talk or sitting with your coworkers at a big meeting held by your employer. What would you be looking for in how they deliver their message? What would make you feel engaged?

These are a few questions to ask yourself as you review this list of some of the most effective presentation skills.

Verbal communication

How you use language and deliver messages play essential roles in how your audience will receive your presentation. Speak clearly and confidently, projecting your voice enough to ensure everyone can hear. Think before you speak, pausing when necessary, and tailoring the way you talk to resonate with your particular audience.

Body language

Body language combines various critical elements, including posture, gestures, eye contact, expressions, and position in front of the audience. Body language is one of the elements that can instantly transform a presentation that would otherwise be dull into one that's dynamic and interesting.

Voice projection

The ability to project your voice improves your presentation by allowing your audience to hear what you're saying. It also increases your confidence to help settle any lingering nerves while also making your message more engaging. To project your voice, stand comfortably with your shoulders back. Take deep breaths to power your speaking voice and ensure you enunciate every syllable you speak.

How you present yourself plays a role in your body language and ability to project your voice. It also sets the tone for the presentation. Remain open, upright, and adaptable while taking the formality of the occasion into account.

Storytelling

Incorporating storytelling into a presentation is an effective strategy used by many powerful public speakers. It has the power to bring your subject to life and pique the audience’s curiosity. Consider telling a personal story, slowly building up suspense, or adding a dramatic moment. And, of course, be sure to end with a positive takeaway to drive your point home.

Active listening

Active listening is a valuable skill all on its own. When you understand and thoughtfully respond to what you hear—whether it's in a conversation or during a presentation—you’ll likely deepen your personal relationships and actively engage audiences during a presentation. As part of your presentation skill set, it helps catch and maintain the audience’s attention, helping them remain focused while minimizing passive response, ensuring the message is delivered correctly, and encouraging a call to action.

Stage presence

During a presentation, projecting confidence can help keep your audience engaged. Stage presence can help you connect with your audience and encourage them to want to watch you. To improve your presence, try amping up your normal demeanor by infusing it with a bit of enthusiasm. Project confidence and keep your information interesting.

Watch your audience as you’re presenting. If you’re holding their attention, it likely means you’re connecting well with them.

Self-awareness

Monitoring your own emotions and reactions will allow you to react well in various situations. It helps you remain personable throughout your presentation and handle feedback well. Self-awareness can help soothe nervousness during presentations, allowing you to perform more effectively.

Writing skills

Writing is a form of presentation. Sharp writing skills can help you master your presentation’s outline to ensure you stay on message and remain clear about your objectives from the beginning until the end. It’s also helpful to have strong writing abilities for creating compelling slides and other visual aids.

Understanding an audience

When you understand your audience's needs and interests, you can design your presentation around them. In turn, you'll deliver maximum value to them and enhance your ability to make your message easy to understand.

Learn more about presentation skills from industry experts at SAP:

How to get better at public speaking 

There’s an art to public speaking. Just like any other type of art, this is one that requires practice. Improving your presentation skills will help reduce miscommunications, enhance your time management capabilities, and boost your leadership skills. Explore some ways you can improve these skills:

Work on self-confidence.

When you’re confident, you naturally speak more clearly and with more authority. Taking the time to prepare your presentation with a strong opening and compelling visual aids can help you feel more confident. Other ways to improve your self-confidence include practicing positive self-talk, surrounding yourself with positive people, and avoiding comparing yourself (or your presentation) to others.

Develop strategies for overcoming fear.

Many people are nervous or fearful before giving a presentation. A bad memory of a past performance or insufficient self-confidence can contribute to fear and anxiety. Having a few go-to strategies like deep breathing, practicing your presentation, and grounding can help you transform that fear into extra energy to put into your stage presence.

Learn grounding techniques.

Grounding is any type of technique that helps you steer your focus away from distressing thoughts and keeps you connected with your present self. To ground yourself, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and imagine you’re a large, mature tree with roots extending deep into the earth—like the tree, you can become unshakable.

Learn how to use presentation tools.

Visual aids and other technical support can transform an otherwise good presentation into a wow-worthy one. A few popular presentation tools include:

Canva: Provides easy-to-design templates you can customize

Powtoon: Animation software that makes video creation fast and easy

PowerPoint: Microsoft's iconic program popular for dynamic marketing and sales presentations

Practice breathing techniques.

Breathing techniques can help quell anxiety, making it easier to shake off pre-presentation jitters and nerves. It also helps relax your muscles and get more oxygen to your brain.  For some pre-presentation calmness, you can take deep breaths, slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

While presenting, breathe in through your mouth with the back of your tongue relaxed so your audience doesn't hear a gasping sound. Speak on your exhalation, maintaining a smooth voice.

Gain experience.

The more you practice, the better you’ll become. The more you do anything, the more comfortable you’ll feel engaging in that activity. Presentations are no different. Repeatedly practicing your own presentation also offers the opportunity to get feedback from other people and tweak your style and content as needed.

Additional presenting tips

Your presentation isn’t about you; it’s about the material you’re presenting. Sometimes, reminding yourself of this ahead of taking center stage can help take you out of your head, allowing you to connect effectively with your audience. The following are some of the many actions you can take on the day of your presentation.

Arrive early.

Adding travel time can help you avoid stress and calm presentation-related jitters. Give yourself an abundance of time to arrive at your destination, and take into account heavy traffic and other unforeseen events. By arriving early, you also give yourself time to meet with any on-site technicians, test your equipment, and connect with people ahead of the presentation.

Become familiar with the layout of the room.

Arriving early also gives you time to assess the room and figure out where you want to stand. Experiment with the acoustics to determine how loudly you need to project your voice, and test your equipment to make sure everything connects and appears properly with the available setup. This is an excellent opportunity to work out any last-minute concerns and move around to familiarize yourself with the setting for improved stage presence.

Listen to presenters ahead of you.

When you watch others present, you'll get a feel for the room's acoustics and lighting. You can also listen for any data that’s relevant to your presentation and revisit it during your presentation. This can make the presentation more interactive and engaging.

Use note cards.

Writing yourself a script could provide you with more comfort. Only include talking points in your note cards to prevent sounding robotic or disengaged. Using note cards can help keep your presentation organized while sounding more authentic to your audience.

Your next steps for improving presentation skills

Presentation skills add value across a wide range of occupations, so it can help your career to develop them. Learn to deliver clear and confident presentations with Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization from the University of Washington. Build confidence, develop new delivery techniques, and practice strategies for crafting compelling presentations for different purposes, occasions, and audiences.

Article sources

Vukovic, Milovan, Urosevic, Snezana, and Radosavljevic, Darko. 2022. " Importance of Presentation Skills in Contemporary Business ." Journal of Economics, Management, and Informatics, Bizinfo Blace 13(1):87-93. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 362296031_Importance_of_presentation_skills_in_contemporary_business.” Accessed November 7, 2024. 

University of California. " How to Sharpen Your Attention and Meet Your Goals in 2024 , https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-sharpen-your-attention-and-meet-your-goals-2024." Accessed November 7, 2024. 

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