How to Prepare and Rock Your Upcoming Presentation

It is okay to be a little nervous about an upcoming presentation or pitch but it is never okay to be unprepared.   And a lot of times our nervousness comes from not being fully prepared.  When you walk into a room (or log on to a zoom call) you should feel confident because no one should know the information you are about to present more than you.

Think about a time you attended a really awesome presentation.  What made it so great?  The speaker was most likely informative and captivating.  They most likely did not seem nervous at all and were super knowledgeable about the topic they were speaking about.  There is no reason why your presentation can’t be awesome, too.

Here are some insightful tips to help you knock that presentation out of the park.

Have a plan

Knowing what you are going to say before you say it is half the battle.  Write an outline for what you want to say in your presentation and what important points you need to cover.  By writing everything down you are more likely to remember it.  Practice your presentation at least 3 times before the big day.  Try it out with your friends, family and colleagues to get feedback.  They might pick up on something you have not noticed or something you may have left out.  The more you do something, the easier it becomes and you will feel comfortable and confident when delivering. 

Interact with your audience & take the pulse of the room

Sometimes it is a good strategy to start your presentation by asking the audience some questions to “take the temperature” of the room.  This engages the crowd early on and can help you adjust your speaking points based on the experience levels of your listeners. 

Tell a compelling story

Think again about that amazing speaker.  What made them so great and interesting?  They most likely told a story that was captivating to hold your attention.  Think of a story that relates to your topic and how that could enhance your pitch and spark the interest of your audience.  Perhaps you have a case study or project to reference when presenting to illustrate your knowledge and experience. 

Think about the questions your audience might ask

This is a good way to add information to your presentation that will answer most commonly asked questions or to clarify a confusing topic, thus making your presentation more interesting to your listeners.  What is your audience most interested in or what objections might they have to your pitch?  Having a preconceived notion of potential objections will make it easier to answer when the time comes. 

There may be a time when you are caught off guard by a question, but to take a step back and put yourself in the mindset of someone who is not an expert in your field and might not be educated on your product or service will help you to better relate your audience.  Understanding their pain points and struggles and addressing them in your presentation will help tremendously. 

Use statistical data or an interesting video

Having statistical data shows you really did your homework and it is not just your opinion but facts backing you up.  Also, sharing a video can add a unique and entertaining aspect to your presentation that can set you apart from your competition.