What do you do if you want to project confidence and authority during a presentation?

Preparation for a presentation is also about preparing for the possible questions that may come during the presentation and having an answer for them. This will also increase the confidence when we know we have answers to the question.

? Thorough preparation builds confidence and authority. ? Know your material inside-out to avoid being caught off guard. ? Practice your presentation multiple times for deep understanding. ? Anticipate potential questions and have thoughtful answers ready. ? Familiarize yourself with visual aids and ensure audience clarity. ? Preparation allows you to present with poise and expertise. ? Identify potential knowledge gaps and research accordingly. ? Rehearse transitions and timing to maintain a smooth flow. ? Consider different perspectives and be ready to address counterpoints. ? Well-prepared speakers exude credibility and command respect. ? Meticulous preparation prevents avoidable mistakes or oversights.

A presentation is supposed to be a convincing short story built on numbers or facts. Many beautify a presentation to make it look good. But believe me, the beauty is in the data that that you use to tell your story through the presentation. Make sure every data you use is real and reliable. Predict in advance what questions the audience could ask and how you could answer them. Ensure you have tied all loose ends and that the PPT will solve the problem you are trying to present and address. When you start answering questions based on the facts, you will automatically exude confidence.

I found that I needed the primary method plus two backup methods to present: Have the presentation on your computer, downloadable online, and on a stick. Assume the worst, which is that your A/V system will go down. Can you tell the story without slides? Also, prepare to give a much shorter version of your presentation. By having the titles of the slides tell the story, you can move through it much faster.

One must have a thorough awareness/knowledge of all the elements/visuals in the presentation. Every element used in the presentation has a role to play. As a presenter, one must have a clear grip on the entire presentation, inside-out. Practice/rehearse well so that delivery remains smoother.

In a large presentation, you won't actually have eye contact, but the audience don't know that. Consequently, move your eyes around the audience so it looks like you have eye contact. This will help the audience engage with you.

Considering I am well-prepared on the topic being presented but still nervous, one trick that has always worked for me is: slowing down. During a presentation when you’re the one doing most of the talking even a pause for a second seems like eternity and as such one tends to speed up. One trick would be to deliberately slow down slightly more than what at that time seems okay. Trust me, when you see your presentation later you would be aware that the what seemed to be very slow during you presenting was actually normal. In addition, before starting do make sure to take deep breaths as that works wonders to calm you down.

Be highly Positive, be super confident about your delivery. Audience must be wow'ed by your presence and make sure that you maintain eye-contact with each of them. Move around and make sure your body language shows up your full control on the task.

Always smile! People tend to perceive the speaker's performance the way the speakers are carrying themselves. If you look like you're doing well and having a good time (even if you are not), the audience will follow in kind. It's all about making a good impression. If you don't know what to do with your hands, hold a pen or prompt cards to avoid awkward stances or defensive postures like holding your arms crossed over your chest.

Creo que siempre la actitud y nuestra presencia física influye en como te percibe el publico. Sentirse seguro, transmite seguridad sin dudas

If your presentation uses slides as a visual for the audience, it's important not to read the slides to them. That's a very quick way to lose the attention of those are there to learn from your experience.

When we are nervous, often our voices rise and we speed up. Take a moment before you step up to take a few deep breaths and remember the sense of confidence you want to project

Take deep breaths, intentionally slow down, make pauses - there is nothing worse than a rambling presenter, even if their contributions are on point. Don't be afraid of awkward silence, consider it a tool for dramatic effect. Try intentionally stopping to realize if you're not getting too excited and speeding up all throughout the presentation. Prepare a glass of water or tea, if your throat dries out or you need to take a short break - sipping on a beverage will save you.

Be clear, be specific to the point. Speak your heart out, audience must believe that you are committed to knowledge transfer, not just get away with presentation. Voice out the words clearly, modulate the voice as needed to drive the point home.

Command the Space: Stand tall and maintain good posture. Use gestures purposefully to emphasize key points. Make eye contact with your audience to establish a connection.

Simply put, the fewer words you use, the better. If you use a title, it can tell the story and the image(s) will help to substantiate the story.

What you say is important, but make sure to add the key points onto the slides as well. When people stop paying attention for just a split second, it can be hard for them to quickly understand where you're at - having a visual structure to follow is helpful to them and to you as well. Be brief. No need to write and show everything. Info on the slide should be just key words, no fluff. And then of course anything that can be shown as a graph or other visualisation should be taken advantage of as well, if essential to the topic.

Engage with Voice: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Use variations in tone and pitch to keep your audience engaged. Practice proper breathing techniques to project your voice effectively.

Whenever possible, include Q&A, as it helps the audience engage. It can take the audience a while to think of questions, so I recommend that you plant a question with a friend in the audience. This will help the rest find their voice. Also, I find it helpful to repeat the question in a summary format and then answer it.

Visual Impact: Use visual aids such as slides, videos, or props to enhance understanding. Dress appropriately for the occasion to convey professionalism. Utilize body language to reinforce your message (e.g., nodding, smiling).

Stay cool, even if things go a bit wrong - it helps your audience trust you and shows you can handle pressure. Be excited about your topic. When you're really into it, your audience will feel that and get interested. Above all, believe in yourself. Think positive and tell yourself you can do it. Being prepared helps with this - the more you know your stuff, the more you can smash it on stage. Show them you’re excited, confident, and can roll with the punches, and you'll have them in the palm of your hand!

Handle Q&A: Anticipate potential questions and prepare thoughtful responses. Listen actively to questions and respond confidently. If you don't know the answer, admit it and offer to follow up later.

I have three principles for responding to a request for a presentation: 1. I make a commitment to "care" about the topic, and the audience. 2. I review the literature to ensure that I am current in the material and that I am clear about my guard rails and focus. This helps the Q&A. So, I can relax and enjoy. 3. My key to infusing energy into the presentation is to have a "point of view" gained from steps 1 and 2. There is nothing like being able to say, therefore, I believe ..."

Reflect Positivity: Maintain a positive attitude throughout the presentation. Use positive language and avoid negative or self-deprecating remarks. Smile genuinely to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Here’s what else to consider: Be authentic and genuine in your delivery. Use storytelling or anecdotes to make your points relatable. Stay calm and composed, even if you encounter technical difficulties or unexpected interruptions.