This document provides guidance on delivering an effective presentation. It discusses establishing credibility with the audience through proper stance, eye contact, speed of speech and use of space. It emphasizes the importance of owning the presentation through use of personal pronouns. It recommends starting strongly by asking a question, referring to relevant music, or singling out an audience member. The document cautions against dropping voice volume, speeding up speech, focusing too much on slides rather than the audience, and going over time. It concludes by advising to exit the stage confidently and thank the audience if applause occurs.

1. DELIVERING THE PRESENTATION
Introduction to
Presentation Skills for
Professionals

2. SO FAR ………………..
 We’ve considered the audience, their interests, needs and
behaviours and they know what to expect.
 We’ve prepared the script and know what we want to talk
about and the limits on this.
 We’ve prepared the visuals and back up materials. The
stage is perfect, all the kit is in place. We’ve thought about
the questions that might be asked. We’ve rehearsed and
warmed up our voice and our nerves are not overwhelming
us.
SO – BEST FOOT FORWARD AND OFF
WE GO.

3. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
 There are two sides to this;
 Your Credibility - what the audience
believes
 and what the audience sees.

4. Credibility – what the audience
believes…..
 Are you reliable, dependable, predictable and
consistent as an information source? Are you an expert
on the topic under discussion? Do you and your
company have a reputation for accuracy and
truthfulness? What are your motives?
 If you have a master of ceremonies, they can introduce
you and make the credibility statement for you – if
not, you need to do it yourself.
 This should come near to the start of the presentation.
However, before you even open your mouth, the
audience will have made up its minds about you, so
let’s have a look at what charisma and credibility look
like.

5. THE CHARISMA RECIPE - The 4 Ss
 Stance – stand tall with a straight back. No
hunching, twisting, hiding of the body behind folded
arms or your notes. Keep your shoulders level and
relaxed. The space between your ear lobes and your
shoulders should be as great as possible without lifting
your chin.
 Sight – really keep your audience in sight – we all
instinctively know the difference between staring and
good eye contact. Unless you look at the people you are
talking to they will not believe you.

6. THE CHARISMA RECIPE - The 4 Ss
Speed – slow down, slow your breathing,
walking and gestures.
 Space – take up as much space as you can, don’t
keep your arms close by your sides, instead, clasp
your hands loosely at waist level if you feel
nervous. Make your gestures wide, upward and
outward. An entrance like this will give you great
credibility.

7. Credibility…………………..
 Don’t start talking until you’ve stopped
walking. Take your time getting into
position, look round your audience and
smile (not an silly grin but a genuine
smile).
 If you are speaking to a huge audience you
cannot possibly make eye contact with all of
them but you can give the appearance of
doing so. Here is how.

8. LOOKING AT THE AUDIENCE

9. HOW TO START?????
 Being well rehearsed, you will be able to start your
presentation off without referring to your notes.
 Make sure that you are loud enough – it is easier to
start at a higher volume and drop your voice if
necessary than it is to start too softly and try to raise
the volume later.
 Let your enthusiasm show. Audiences respond very
positively to enthusiastic presenters who also show
warmth and friendliness.

10. OWNING THE PRESENTATION
 If you clearly ‘own’ your message by using
personal pronouns (‘I’, ‘my’, ‘we’, and not
‘most people’, ‘some of our friends’ etc.)
you will have the audience on your side, right
from the start.

11. STARTING WITH A BANG
 Here are some of the things you could do.
 Find a piece of music or a song that really fits with the
presentation subject or theme and have it playing while
you make your entrance. You can then start by
referring to the song and why it is relevant.
 Start by asking the audience a question, and making
sure that they know you really would like an answer.
 Single out a member or section of the audience that
you had researched before the presentation and talk
about them, making sure you use their names and their
company name: this really makes them sit up.

12. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR…
 Dropping your voice at the end of sentences.
 Speeding up.
 Starting to talk before the audience has had time to read, look at
and understand the slides.
 Concentrating so much on what you are saying and what is on
the slide that you stop looking at the audience. This is deadly.
 Keeping to time
 Keeping to the script

13. YOUR FINAL BOW
 The questions have been answered as far as is possible,
you have made a rousing summary and a dynamic call to
action, pitching your voice up and injecting energy and
enthusiasm into it, and now you have to leave the stage.
 Do not scuttle away. Come out from behind the lectern if
you have been delivering from there, move to the front of
the stage and finish with a big gesture towards the
audience.
 At this point, if you have done a brilliant job, you
will probably get a round of applause. Accept it!
 When it dies away, thank the audience for their attention
if you think this is suitable, thank any other speakers if
necessary and try to find a way to move into the audience
if you can.