Business Mentoring – 7 Steps to Giving More Effective Presentations

You might think presentation skills are something you either have or don’t, but the truth is, everyone can learn to deliver effective presentations. Remember, you wouldn’t be presenting if you didn’t know your stuff—let that boost your confidence. Plus, by following the effective presentation tips, you can take practical actions to make your delivery even better.

1. Decide your seating.

Decide what seating you prefer – theatre style, board-room, U-shaped, and then ask for it. If you don’t ask, you almost certainly won’t get it.

2. Arrive early and check everything.

That way, you can focus on what matters i.e. delivering your message and interesting your audience. Bring an extension cable and a remote control for advancing your slides. All too often your laptop will not be in the best location that will suit you as a presenter.

3. Never tell an audience you are nervous.

All presenters are nervous to some degree, but the good ones prepare so well that the audience never knows and even the presenter soon forgets.

4. Avoid putting whole paragraphs

Or even full sentences, on your slides. You’ll be tempted to turn to the screen and read. Instead, use phrases that prompt you on what to say about each point.

5. Use the 6×6 rule for visuals.

For visuals that use words – no more than six words per line and no more than six lines per slide. Keep it simple, the best slides are those that have no text at all. The audience comes to hear you speak, rather than read your slides.

6. Use some spot colour.

Enhance your slide design with spot colors for emphasis and visual appeal—accessible and impactful!

This will emphasise points and add interest to your slides. Don’t put red and green together though, as 15% of the male population is colour-blind in the red/green combination.

7. Repeat questions that are asked.

In a large room, always repeat questions from the audience before you answer them. Even the clearest answer makes little sense to those who didn’t hear the question.