If you are new to presenting or it has been a while since you last stood up in front of a group to speak, then you might find my top tips for presenting a helpful aid to get you started.
Know your subject
This will boost your confidence when presenting. Research your topic thoroughly and make sure your facts are accurate. You will be less reliant on your notes and better prepared to answer questions.
Know your audience
Understanding your audience is vital to writing and delivering a successful presentation. Pitch your presentation at the right level to keep your audience engaged.
Structure your content
Presentations flow well if they have a clear start, middle and end.
Begin with an introduction. Tell your audience who you are, why you are about to present to them (your objectives) and timescales for the session. Your audience will appreciate understanding why they are there and how long they are there for.
Next, cover all you want to say. What are the three key messages that you want your audience to go away with? Make sure these are embedded in your presentation.
End with a summary of your key points, invite questions, signpost to further information and thank your audience for listening.
Practice makes perfect!
Always practice beforehand. This will help you perfect your pitch, pace and volume and make sure your presentation runs to time.
Be prepared
Find out about the venue, equipment available, directions, parking, timescales, contact details and anything else you need to know well in advance. If you are using hand-outs print extra copies in case you have unexpected delegates. Test technical equipment to make sure it works and you know how to use it. Arrive early to set up the room, read through your notes and feel comfortable in your environment.
Ask for feedback
To get a true reflection on how your presentation went, ask for feedback. Take some time for self-reflection too. What went well? What didn’t go so well? If you were to deliver the presentation again, what would you do differently?
You may also find it helpful to attend a workshop to learn more about presentation techniques. Workshops are great for networking and sharing experiences with others. Whatever you do, have confidence in yourself and good luck!
This post was written by Louise Tythe, Professional Skills Trainer, IET
The IET run Back to Basics with Presenting workshops throughout the IET’s UK Local Networks as part of their Lifeskills programme of short, interactive evening sessions, which are free to attend.
Lifeskills workshops can contribute up to three hours towards your CPD, so don’t forget to record your attendance and reflect on what you have learnt using Career Manager.
Tell us about your experiences of presenting at work. What preparation tips work for you?