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Keep it simple -

When it comes to presentations, like with many things in life less is more. Try to keep to three or fewer main points, and mention them at the beginning and the end to drum them home.

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Keep it simple -

You may find the "10-20-30" rule a good one to stick by: use 10 or fewer slides, speak for less than 20 minutes, and use your font at size 30 point or larger.

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Always be prepared -

Once you have your slides ready, it's a good idea to prepare your talking points and think about how they will map onto your slides. Being prepared for a presentation is key to success.

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Always be prepared -

You may find it helpful to do a test run (or two) in front of some trusted colleagues or friends. Don't be afraid to ask for their honest feedback and incorporate it into your next go.

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Practice, practice, practice -

As well as practicing in front of others, it can be helpful to practice for yourself. Perhaps you might even present to yourself in front of the mirror.

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Practice, practice, practice -

While practice is important, be sure not to memorize your presentation word for word. This can make it very difficult to recover if you become unstuck during the real thing.

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Start strong -

Just as it's important to give a news story a punchy headline, so too is it important for a presenter to capture the audience's attention from the get go.

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Start strong -

To grab the attention of the audience, you may choose to make a funny or shocking statement, or you may ask them a particularly interesting, thought-provoking question.

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Use anecdotes -

Telling an anecdote, either as an opener or as part of the main body of the presentation, can be a great way to make your presentation's content relatable and human.

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Use anecdotes -

It can also help you feel more relaxed if your anecdote is personal, since you will likely feel more confident talking about something familiar.

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Be enthusiastic -

Whether or not the person delivering a presentation is interested in its content shows. It's much easier to listen to and engage with a presentation if the speaker is enthusiastic.

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Be enthusiastic -

It's important, therefore, to let your enthusiasm shine through. Don't be afraid to let it be known how excited you are to be sharing on your chosen topic.

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Find a mentor -

While it's possible to improve your presentation skills of your own accord, it is never a bad idea to seek out a mentor to give you guidance and help you on your way.

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Find a mentor -

Perhaps choose someone in your organization whose presentation skills you admire and see how they'd feel about being your mentor. Be clear exactly what you want to gain from their mentoring.

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Mimic another presenter -

Mimicking the techniques of other presenters you find effective is also a good way to hone the skill. Even if you don't attend many presentations, there are plenty of online resources to choose from.

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Mimic another presenter -

While watching someone else's presentation, take note of which techniques you find effective and try to apply them to a run-through of your own presentation.

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Use body language, facial expressions, and eye contact -

Non-verbal communication is just as important in presenting as it is in everyday speech. Try to make eye contact with the audience to make your delivery seem personal and conversational.

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Use body language, facial expressions, and eye contact -

Use hand gestures and facial expressions to emphasize key points, and maintain good posture with your arms unfolded to demonstrate confidence and make the audience feel welcome.

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Use visuals -

If visuals provide a natural aid to the verbal content of your presentation, don't shy away from using them. They can be a great way to help explain an idea or concept.

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Use visuals -

That said, you should avoid using visuals if they just make things more complicated or confusing. It's more important to remember the rule of keeping it simple.

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Use consistent formatting -

Few things are more distracting in a piece of work than inconsistent formatting. No one wants to see a mixture of bold, italics, or even different fonts peppering a document.

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Use consistent formatting -

Choose one font, one color palette, and if you're using a template, be sure to use the same template throughout the presentation. For really beautiful formatting, consider using PowerPoint add-ins.

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Support your audience -

When you're putting your presentation together, be sure to ask yourself what would make the learning experience the most effective and fun for the audience.

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Support your audience -

When giving your presentation, be sure to remain attentive to your audience's needs. Remember that you should be talking to the audience, not at them.

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Use your voice -

It may sound obvious, but the way in which you use your voice can have great impact on the overall effectiveness of your presentation. It is important not to be too loud or too quiet.

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Use your voice -

In order to get your volume right, it's a good idea to practice in the presentation venue in front of trusted friends or colleagues. In some cases you may need a mic to get it just right.

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Have a good setup -

Whether you plan to rely on technology or not, having a good setup is important to giving a great presentation. Make sure you have everything you need at hand.

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Have a good setup -

If you'll be using technology, it's also imperative that you test that technology before the actual presentation. You don't want IT issues to ruin your presentation before it even starts.

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Relax and enjoy! -

For those to whom public speaking and presenting doesn't come naturally, this may sound easier said than done, but try to relax and enjoy your presentation.

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Relax and enjoy! -

And if you can't enjoy yourself per se, try to remind yourself that improving your presentation skills is a process and you can get better with every try.

Sources: (Indeed) (Forbes)

See also: How to overcome your fear of public speaking

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