6 Crucial Elements to Focus on When Rehearsing Your Presentation

Let’s start with a question that might make you squirm a little: do you rehearse enough for your presentations? From my experience with clients, the answer is often "no," and it's something they tend to regret later. Rehearsing isn't difficult; it just requires self-discipline and a commitment to carve out the time in your schedule.

In this post, I want to guide you on how to rehearse effectively for your presentation so that you don't end up procrastinating on this essential task.

First, understand that simply running through slides is NOT rehearsing. You need to rehearse out loud, in real-time, and as close to the actual conditions of your presentation as possible. If you know you'll be standing, rehearse standing. If your presentation will be virtual, practice on the platform you'll be using.

The number of times you rehearse out loud is up to you and depends on the stakes, but a minimum of three times is generally recommended.

Rehearsing three times won’t make you memorize a script, and memorization isn’t advisable as it can lead to anxiety and mental blocks. Instead, focus on internalizing the content—know your key messages and the flow of your presentation by heart.

Remember, not every part of your presentation carries the same weight. A useful strategy for effective rehearsal is to identify the most important sections and focus on them. Your ‘focus plan’ should include these six elements:

1. Opening
2. Ending
3. Main Insights
4. Complex Explanations
5. Transitions
6. Planned Interaction with the Audience

Without a doubt, your opening is the most critical part. First impressions matter, and it's challenging to recover from a poor start. Learn the exact words you’ll use to open. If you’re using a hook, ensure it is relevant and connects seamlessly to your introduction of the presentation topic.

Your ending also leaves a lasting impression, so make sure it reinforces your key message and includes a clear call to action.

The main insights form the core of your presentation. These are the points that will convince your audience, so introduce them with smooth transitions. Be aware that nerves can cause your rational thinking to falter when faced with an audience, so practice any complex points that are vital to your message thoroughly.

Be prepared for audience interaction, especially in virtual presentations. Don’t leave this to chance—prepare and rehearse the questions you’ll ask to engage your audience at strategic moments.

However, you know that to get the outcome you want from your presentation, you do have to communication certain points clearly and with impact. Don’t leave this to chance. Make sure that you dedicate enough time to rehearsing that you at least feel confident that you have nailed your delivery of the six critical elements outlined above.

Ultimately, the anxiety around presenting stems largely from the uncertainty of the event—you never know exactly how it will unfold. That’s okay, as long as you can manage that uncertainty. To achieve the outcome you want, you need to communicate key points clearly and with impact. Ensure you are well-prepared. Dedicate enough time to rehearsing so that you feel confident in your delivery of these six critical elements.