Are you nervous because you have to deliver your first presentation?

That’s OK! Even the most experienced and confident speakers get anxious before delivering a presentation, especially when it is their maiden one.

Preparing your first presentation can be a daunting task. To make it easier, try asking yourself a few questions before you start preparing it:

• What is the purpose of my presentation?
• Who are the audience and why should they hear me out?
• Who is my ideal speaker?

Try to write down the main objective of your presentation and what the audience will get to learn from it. Keep in mind your role model who’s a fluent speaker and think of the reasons that make you admire them. Try to incorporate their approach and techniques.

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“Communication is about getting others to adopt your point of view, to help them understand why you’re excited. If all you want to do is create a file of facts and figures, then cancel the meeting and send in a report.”  – Seth Godin

A perfect presentation does not just happen! It should be ‘well-planned, well-rehearsed and well-delivered’. We try to break down the 5 essential things you should know to make a great power point presentation:

1. Images speak louder than words – Visual aids always help to enhance your presentation. Try some info graphics like pictures, clipart, diagrams, tables, graphs, etc. to your slides in support to your text. Make sure these images are legible and relevant, and avoid using obnoxious ones. Be careful and don’t clutter your slide by overdoing it. Always, choose a good background and foreground for your text as well as images.
2. Content is King – Delivering a presentation is like telling a story. The message should be loud and clear. Always structure your presentation into three stages-

• Introduction (what all would you talk about and why)
• Body (the main subject) (elaboration of the topic, perhaps??)
• Conclusion (what all have you talked about)

Do not prepare extra detailed slides. Only key points should be written that must act as cues. Do not experiment with too many colours or animations, as that can detract the audience from important information.

3. Practice makes a man perfect – Practicing well can help you control your nerves. If you are well-rehearsed, you can decide on the style of delivery, topics and depth of each heading, the logical sequence and other significant factors.

Always remember the fine saying, “The more prepared you are, the more confident you are”!

If you have thoroughly studied the topic, there’s not a shadow of a doubt that you would not be confident enough in delivering it to people while also making them involved. A little serious preparation can ease out the pressure that you might otherwise be in when you are posed with questions in the end. Try to prepare responses to the anticipated questions.

4. Good Delivery, Body language and eye contact – Begin your presentation with a smile and by greeting the audience. Remain relaxed and confident throughout. Keep in mind several points when you deliver your presentation-

• Don’t rush through it, take natural pauses
• Change your volume and pitch when you move to a new point
• Reinforce the main points, learnings or conclusion
• Vary your intonations for questions and statements

Always make an eye contact with the audience and don’t just look at one person while speaking.

5. Add a personal or unique style – Try to add something peculiar and interesting for standing out from the other presenters. Think out of the box and be creative. Some of the tips to grab attention of the audience are by mentioning the names of some listeners during your presentation and adding subtle humour wherever necessary.

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