PRESENTATION SKILLS: Top Tips for Presenting with Impact
By Richard Baines
Presenting is something many of us have to do. If you find it challenging, you’re definitely not alone.
When we present, we communicate through three channels:
- Our words – what we say,
- Our tone – how we say it,
- Our behaviours – or more specifically, our delivery style.
Presentation skills training can help you enhance your delivery and become a more impactful presenter. In the meantime, here are a few tips to get you started. Let’s begin with words:
Our words should INFORM our audience. To achieve this, they should be simple; free of unnecessary jargon and framed in short sentences.
To add impact, consider the occasional underlining word, such as significantly or importantly to tee up your key messages.
The use of framing statements such as, “so why is this so important for us?” is also a great way to draw your audience’s attention to your key point or takeaway.
If words inform, it’s our tone that CONVINCES the audience. As the saying goes, it’s not what you say but how you say it.
Consider two techniques here:
- Place emphasis on key words and statements to underline them and ensure they stand out. You can even repeat the occasional point for greater resonance.
- Vary your volume. All good presenters use this technique to add a little theatre and variety to their delivery. You don’t have to over-do it. Remain authentic and try not to fall foul of a monotone delivery at all costs.
Finally, consider your delivery style. This is what engages your audience so focus on:
- Pace: often when presenting we speed up, usually because we feel anxious. As we get faster, we use more ‘filler words’ because our brain is struggling to keep up with our mouth. “Err,” “umm,” “basically,” and “sort of” are all good examples. A few of these are ok but too many can reduce your impact. So slow down. It will allow you time to think. It will also enable your audience to keep up. Remember, they are probably hearing this for the first time.
- Use the power of the pause: a well-placed pause compels your audience to reflect on what you have just said, while building anticipation for what is to come. Like a well-crafted song, it’s the gaps between the notes that are just as important as the notes themselves. So don’t be afraid to let your delivery breathe a little with a timely pause here and there to keep them engaged.
Like any skill, practice makes perfect so don’t be afraid to experiment with your words, tone and delivery style to add impact to your presenting.
Good Luck!
If you are interested in Presentation Skills training, click below for information on the Amber Group’s training courses.