How to make informative, stress-free presentations

Fear of public speaking is not uncommon. Whilst most of us are happy to talk to one or two people in an informal setting, the thought of standing before a large group fills us with horror. However, public speaking skills can be developed, and anyone can learn to give informative and stress-free presentations. If you haven't given a presentation before, or you're nervous about doing so, try using the following tips from H2:

A. Preparation

• Research - Most successful presentations begin with careful background research. You're more likely to impress your audience if you include some of the latest thoughts, facts or figures. Don't forget there is a wealth of information on most topics on the Internet.
• Prioritise - Select three or four main headings and find material that fits into them. Discard any material that is not important enough to select.
• Arrange your material - Work out the most logical sequence and write yourself a script to fit with it.
• Work in short bursts - Leave enough time to return to your script and edit it several times. You'll look at it with new eyes each time.
• Reduce it - Read your script out loud to check timings. Summarise into notes, or on to cards.
• Top and tail it- Ensure that you have a clear introduction that will command attention, and an ending that concludes the content.
• Bring it to life - include at least one anecdote or real-life case study - it will add credibility and make your presentation far more interesting.
• Make it participative - Even posing a hypothetical question such as "Do you agree?" will get your audience interacting with you. Try to avoid speaking for 15 minutes flat, to an audience with glazed eyes, then asking for questions, as you're unlikely to get any!
• Careful of humour - There's nothing worse than telling a joke that goes down like a lead balloon. Better to enliven the audience with your enthusiasm, than to have to recover from a failed joke.
• Careful of contentious issues - You'll need to be careful about how you present them. Ensure that you can back up your statements with facts, just in case you're challenged.
• Get some feedback - Run through your presentation with a friend or colleague. Remember to give yourself enough time to make any changes - you don't want any constructive criticism to undermine your confidence.
• Practice your props - If you are using visual aids, handouts or exercises, always practice doing your presentation using them. If you are using equipment, ensure that you are familiar with it and that it is in good working order.

B. Overcoming Nerves

• Invest your time - Make sure you put in the right amount of planning and preparation to produce a presentation that you're proud of. You'll find that delivering your presentation will be far less stressful.
• Concentrate on your material - not on your nervousness, as it will show in your voice and your body language. Take deep breaths to gain control of your voice and to relax your muscles.
• Make a good first impression - Approach your speaking platform with confidence and keep your posture upright.
• Anchor yourself - If you find standing in front of your audience difficult or nerve-wracking, try pressing your foot against a chair or a table leg.
• Only start when you're ready - Take a few seconds to organise your notes and your position.
• Make eye contact- Smile at your audience and deliver your first few sentences without using notes.
• Develop your own style - Find a style that you are comfortable with, and one that works well with your audience. Nerves and anxiety will reduce as you become more confident.

C. Delivery

• Introduce your subject - Inform your audience what you will be speaking about and for how long. Indicate early on how many main points you'll be covering and, remind them as you go through where you are up to - for example, "My last point is…"
• Talk to your audience - Your notes should be organised so that you do not need to constantly read from them. Use them for reference, and try to maintain as much eye contact with the audience as you can.
• Don't be distracted - unless it's something that requires action, such as a fire alarm. Keep focussed on your presentation and your audience. You may have people leaving early or arriving late, but try not to let this put you off.
• Speak clearly - without appearing stilted. Make your tone and intonation as natural sounding as possible but do not become too casual.
• Check your body language - Take an appropriate stance and use relevant gestures. Once you have established a rapport with your audience, you can relax a little. Vary your pace as you would in a normal conversation and sound appropriately enthusiastic.
• Signpost the end - If your audience is aware that the presentation will soon end their attention will be focussed on your summary. When you are nearing completion say so - for example: "Finally, before summing up…"
• Summarise - Reiterate all your important points and reinforce your overall aim. Don't add anything that you have not already covered. Use short powerful sentences that contain your key words and use emphasis to highlight them.
• Invite questions - Some people choose to have a question and answer session before they summarise. This can add impact to your final statement and ensures that it's not diluted by any tangential questions.
• Review - If you have planned and prepared your presentation well, and have executed yourself professionally, then you can consider yourself a success!

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