Four expert tips for your next presentation + examples

Forget spinach in your teeth. A bad presentation can send your audience to sleep, damage your personal brand, or ruin your organisation’s professional reputation.?? ?

Effective presenting is a unique blend of technique and personality. Done well, it can elevate your message and prompt your target audiences to take action. Whether you’re delivering a keynote address, pitching a product, or leading a meeting, these four?techniques can help you become a better presenter (without having to picture the crowd naked).??

1. Consider using a prop?

In 2009, Bill Gates delivered a TED talk on malaria prevention and released a swarm of (non-infectious) mosquitoes into the unsuspecting audience, remarking, ‘There's no reason only poor people should have the experience.’??

? He did so to make the point that even if malaria didn’t affect the audience directly, they should still care. This unconventional approach served as an effective hook to capture the audience’s attention, keep them engaged, and was internationally praised for helping raise awareness of the disease.??

? While you probably won't be called upon to unleash thousands of mosquitoes during your presentation, visual props and aids can help reinforce your message, add clarity and encourage reflection long after you’ve finished presenting.?? ?

2. Influence your audience with storytelling?

?Humans tell stories to help us make sense of the world. This affects us on a biological level. When shared, a story triggers the release of neurotransmitters like cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin that helps us foster empathy and emotional connections to the story and the storyteller.??

?Presenting raw statistics typically results in a 5-10% retention rate. Storytelling elevates this to an impressive 65-70% (The London School of Business, 2014). The human mind is 22 times more likely to remember the facts in your presentation if they’re entwined in a story (Jerome Bruner).??

?A well-created narrative will emotionally captivate audiences, make your message memorable and influence beliefs and behaviour. By using personal anecdotes, case studies, or fictional scenarios to paint a picture, you’re delivering your presentation in the format most aligned with how humans understand and remember information.??

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3. Experiment with voice

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Your voice is one of your most powerful communication tools and can be used to influence your audience. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and inflection while presenting. These will signal to your audience how they should feel about your message. Some examples include:?

• Tone: express seriousness and command a room by being louder. Conversely, speak softly if you want to appear approachable and empathetic.??
• Pace: speak a little faster in moments where you’re trying to build momentum, generate a sense of overwhelm or convey excitement. Slow it down when clarifying key messages or when you need your audience to really consider a point you’re making.??
• Inflection: use inflection when you want to emphasise words or emotions throughout your presentation. Just remember not to overdo it or you’ll risk dialling up the intensity a little too much!?

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4. Don’t overlook the power of stage presence??

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You don’t need to win an Oscar anytime soon but employing a few?non-verbal communication techniques will help to elevate your presentation from ‘ho-hum’ to ‘tell me more.’ Effective presenting includes everything from your physical presence to how you move and make use of the space.?

?Consider your posture, gestures, and facial expressions as you speak. Make eye contact with your audience to establish a connection and convey sincerity. Use the stage or presentation area to your advantage, moving purposefully to command attention and create visual interest.? ? You may even want to take your stagecraft to the next level...? ?

Romona Smith’s "Still Standing" vividly illustrates the profound impact of stage presence. ?

Smith utilised a metaphorical boxing match to recount pivotal life events, from personal setbacks like her divorce to her professional challenges on the public-speaking circuit. By visually mimicking the punches, jabs, and hooks of an actual fight, Smith not only reinforced her message but also elicited a visceral response from her audience. Through her masterful use of non-verbal communication, Smith commanded the room, keeping her listeners engaged and invested in her story, ultimately securing her triumph in the competition. ?

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Ready to perfect your presentation skills in just one day? ??

Our Presenting with Impact training will teach you present with power, professionalism and style. ?

By the end of the day, you’ll know how to: ?

• Make a memorable first impression ?
• Present effectively to teams, groups and large audiences?
• Adapt your style when presenting in front of a camera?

Our expert team has decades of experience and is ready to share tips and tricks with you.?

RD Coaching & Training

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