Whether you are addressing a hall full of people or inspiring a smaller group, a great presentation goes beyond just your PowerPoint. Of course the content is important, but it is the details that ensure the presentation is a pleasant experience. With these tips you make sure your presentation is not only professional, but also leaves a lasting impression.
Your audience has decided within 10 seconds what their first impression of you is. Your appearance immediately determines how you come across. Choose clothing that suits the occasion and the audience, and in which you feel confident. Make sure you look well-groomed and professional, without it feeling too stiff. But also think about how you greet the audience. And that begins from the moment you step onto the stage. That is therefore earlier than when you have spoken your first words.
Your story deserves to be heard!
In a large hall, a well-functioning microphone and speaker system is indispensable. Assume that if the group is larger than +/- 30-40 people you already need sound amplification. Depending on your voice, the type of presentation and the hall.
On a stage, always ask for a headset. That way you keep your hands free to operate the clicker and hold any cards. It also ensures a constant sound in the hall.
Do you use videos or other audio? Play them in advance to avoid surprises. So make sure you are there in good time to test this!
Are you speaking in a smaller room? Then a microphone is often unnecessary, but do make sure you speak loudly and clearly. And do not forget to test any videos in advance here too. If need be, provide a small speaker yourself, because your laptop's speakers are often not sufficient.
Your place as the speaker makes a world of difference. Stand close enough to your audience to make a connection, but also keep room to move.
Are you on a stage? Use the stage as your playing field. Make full use of it and do not stay in one place. That way you make contact with everyone in the hall. In a hall, mind your body language. Your movements in a large hall will have to be a little bigger.
Are you speaking in a meeting room? Then too it can be worthwhile to stand up. It makes you more dynamic, everyone can see you and you automatically have attention. When entering the meeting room, also make sure you look carefully at where you are going to sit or stand. Take a seat as close as possible to the external screen if you are going to use it. That ensures the people around the table can see both you and your presentation.
Only if you are presenting to one person can you stay seated yourself too.
Turn your back on your audience? Rather not!
But if your presentation is projected behind you, it can be difficult to keep an eye on your slides. A return screen, a screen that stands in front of you when you look at the audience, helps you keep an overview without constantly having to turn around. On it you see the current and next slide, important notes and the speaking time. That way you can focus your attention entirely on your audience.
My personal biggest annoyance when I watch a speaker is a speaker who hides behind a lectern. It is so impersonal and takes away every possibility to really make contact with the audience. Many people choose a lectern because they then feel ‘safer' and less ‘watched'. But the distance you create makes for an impersonal and very static presentation. Hold any cards with keywords in your hands and tell your story. Away with the lectern and show yourself!
Lighting can reinforce the impact of your presentation.
In a large hall, atmospheric lighting helps to set the right tone or personalise the hall to your company's branding. Light or a spotlight on the speaker provides focus and attention. As a speaker you will have to get used to that, but here too it applies that it will mainly help your audience. In a meeting room, on the other hand, the incidence of light is important. Prevent the sun from shining on the screen or your audience from being blinded.
Speaking to a multilingual audience of course happens regularly in Belgium. Depending on company policy, English can be a safe choice. In an international setting it is often the only option. But then you as the speaker are working in a different language. It is a difficult balance but in a presentation to a ‘Belgian' audience you will therefore have to make choices. First look at the distribution of the audience present. Simultaneous translation is a good option. It allows you to speak in your best language and the audience speaking another language to follow your story in an earpiece.
And what about the texts on your slides? That too is tricky. The best choice then is to work with two screens. One screen for the Dutch slides and the other for the French slides. That way everyone stays within their own language. If that is not possible, English is an option but then minimise the texts on the slides.
If you are very well bilingual then you can alternate between Dutch and French. If you speak French the slides are in Dutch and if you speak Dutch the slides are in French. This does require some preparation but your return screen will help you. Here too, English-language slides can help. But it requires an extra effort from your audience.
A summary or hand-out is a nice way to let your message reverberate. Make it clear and visually attractive, without repeating your whole presentation. With a large audience you can send hand-outs digitally afterwards via a follow-up email. Use the same graphic elements in your hand-out as in the presentation. The visual recognition helps to remember your story. Never send your whole presentation on. Your audience will not be able to reproduce the presentation and above all needs the most important points of your story. Of course you never send a PowerPoint file at all, but always a PDF file.
Do not drink alcohol before you have to give a presentation. In the worst case it makes you say something you come to regret, but it also causes a lot of saliva in your mouth. Coffee is not wise before a presentation either. It will strengthen the nerves present even more. Water is the best solution. Also make sure you have a glass of water standing by when you give the presentation. Drink from it when you need to for a moment. It gives a fresh taste in your mouth, rinses away the excess saliva and is a moment of calm in your presentation.
Good preparation of your presentation is therefore very important. Practise the story out loud. Think about the transitions in your presentation. That will not work if you practise it silently in your head.
Nothing is more annoying than technical problems during your presentation. Prevent stress and test everything beforehand: your laptop, the beamer, the sound, the lighting... The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you stand on the stage.
With these tips you make your presentation a success – professional, impactful and unforgettable!
Do you want a professional presentation with a strong design? Feel free to get in touch with me!
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