PRESENTATION SKILLS TIPS

While your speech may be informative, motivating, inspirational or a demonstration, it should also be entertaining.  You are the performer.

• Prepare your material and subject matter- practice, practice, practice.

• Time the presentation.

• Know your audience.

• Greet as many people as possible before you speak.

• Know the venue beforehand if you can or get there early.

• Be enthusiastic, conversational and energetic throughout the presentation.

• Engage the audience and encourage participation.

• Establish eye contact.

• Smile and use facial expressions.  Don’t be deadpan.

• Speak at a slow pace – don’t rush. Speak in sound bytes.

• Be passionate – not monotone.

• Use big gestures when appropriate.

• Incorporate humor when you can.

• Pause briefly for effect especially between sections

• Emphasize key words – raise pitch, increase volume, elongate the word or words

• Don’t dwell on mistakes or omitted information.  The audience won’t know.

• Wear professional attire.

• Have fun – be yourself.