5 Ways to Wow with Your Presentation

Public speaking is certainly not on everyone's list of favorite activities. Most people will have to do it at one point or another, though, despite any misgivings. When you are called upon to give a presentation, do not hide your head in the sand out of fear. With the right preparation and focus, you can wow your listeners with killer information delivered without a bit of hesitancy.
Keep these tips in mind:
1.    Look the part. If you truly believe that people do not judge a book by its cover, you might want to think again. Psychological research has found that 55 percent of a person's first impression of another is based on appearance alone. You do not have to look like a model to capture the attention and respect of your audience, but you should certainly be professionally dressed and groomed. The way you carry yourself will also give off non-verbal signals, so act confidently, even if public speaking is not usually your forte.
2.    Practice. You may feel better writing out everything that you want to say, but remember that those words should only be a guideline. Do not spend your time with your nose in your notes, or eyes on the podium in front of you. People quickly become bored when simply watching someone read. Instead, memorize your major points and then speak in a conversational tone, head up, throughout the presentation. Along that same line, ask for a run-through with technical elements of your presentation whenever possible.
3.    Be personable. If people can connect with what you are saying, they are more likely to pay attention. It is okay to include a personal story or experience, and even to be funny at the right times. If you are presenting with the hopes of making sales, this is even more important. Walk away from the podium and establish eye contact with listeners when possible. You do not want to appear casual in your approach or expertise but you do want to be likeable.
4.    Use strong visuals. A slideshow presentation is okay, but if you really want to knock the socks off your listeners, implement visual technology like 3D rendering or projection mapping. This not only conveys your message but leaves a lasting impact on the people who see it since about 65 percent of people are visual learners. The right visuals will heighten the influence of any presentation given on any topic.
5.    No excuses, no apologies. If something goes wrong in your presentation, or you misspeak, simply correct the problem and move forward. Save your breath for the actual meat of your presentation. By apologizing for nerves or not standing completely behind your findings, you will give off an air of self-consciousness that will make your listeners feel uncomfortable too.
If you find that your nerves are still getting the best of you, just breathe deeply and know that you will survive it. Stick with what you know and the audience will walk away having learned something—and you will build up your own expert reputation.

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