12 Tips to Create and Deliver a Powerful Presentation

Public Speaking is an essential part of any culture. Whether you are a student or a professional, a need to present well might be coming in your way, if it hasn't till now. 

As per my observations, the following are a few problems my peers struggle with while giving presentations. 

1. Language barriers

2. Fluency issues

3. Inability to modulate the voice loudness

All these factors superimpose to result in under confidence and need time and practice to improve. 

Moreover, it is not only how you communicate but what you communicate. While creating presentations, some mental notes that I keep are as follows.

1. Know your audience - Does it have your bosses, colleagues, juniors, or all? Think about their experience in the industry and write content accordingly. For example, your boss need not to know how the product was created years ago. And throwing difficult jargon on your juniors on their first day is certain to make them yawn. 

2. Make an introduction slide: Set expectations in the form of pointers for your audience. They should know what is ahead for them. While transitioning from one subtopic to another, keep one slide to explain the sub introduction.

3. Check text size: Don't strain your audience's eyes. Check on the projector once if your text size is readable till the last bench.

4. Cut it short: Don't write full sentences. The audience loves blank space. Note that your slides have to be self-explanatory if looked at after the presentation. Use the 'Notes' option below each slide for explanations. 

5. Keep it interactive: Use animations, charts, tables to present information. Suppose that your audience gets bored with too many words. But don't overuse these tools.

6. Check for Grammar: There may be nerds who nag about sentence structure and full stops. Why give anyone a point to make?

7. Color Combination: You need not be a painter. But keeping your brand's color scheme is safe and professional.

8. Write Conclusion: Each slide should have some takeaway. Never forget to add the last slide for the conclusion. Mention final points for the audience's benefits inferred from your presentation.

I jot below some points that have helped me so far while presenting.

1. Hand movements - These are powerful to express your words and engage the audience. If you are not sure how to use them, notice how we use hand movements while conversing in our daily lives.

2. Eye contact - If you notice someone losing interest, make direct eye contact. Then, speak a line in an explanatory tone to grab the attention back to your presentation.

3. Practice - Before heading for the stage, imagine yourself presenting. Recall how your presentation is going to add value to the stakeholders. Rehearsing helps in eliminating redundant data points from your mind.

4. Pose questions- This is the best way of engagement. Keep the questions ready at fixed points whose range of answers you are aware of. Use these answers to come back to your next point in the presentation. 

Most importantly have a smiling face and respect the audience's time. Your presentation impact is a function of not only your speaking skills but a lot more about the value you add to the attendees.

The opinions expressed in this article are backed by no scientific research but are author's personal opinions.