Being the lead for presentation at a meeting is a talent that requires an array of developed communication skills. In order to be effective, you must be aware of the elements of a good presentation. Here are some tips to help you at your next meeting.

Clear speaking voice

There may not be a more effective lullaby than that of someone lecturing you with a voice that makes Ben Stein sound like a motivational speaker. In order to keep your audiences attention, you must be loud, assertive, confident, and most importantly, coherent.

Take these strategies and apply them twofold if your audience consists of your boss and/or clients you wish to impress. Strong presentation skills instills confidence in the eyes of your audience that you are confident in what you are speaking about as well as caring about your subject.

Plan out your presentation

It is important to prepare a well-structured schedule for your meeting; an order of business. This means that you want to have a mental list or a notebook of what you would like to discuss in which order. Keep the notebook beside you or even in your hands while you’re speaking. It does not look unprofessional as long as you do not read straight off of the pages. On the contrary, it may actually look more professional since you have prepared yourself quite well beforehand.

However, it is unprofessional to have a presentation that doesn’t transition well from one subject to another. If there is a lot of content in your presentation, then you may want to practice beforehand to become familiar with your arrangement.

Lead with your strongest and most exciting idea

One thing to always keep in mind if you are going to be presenting in front of a somewhat large audience, is that most people are most likely bored before you even open your mouth. Nobody is necessarily excited for their upcoming eleven hour long meeting.

Surprise them with an entertaining and/or interesting opening line. Open with something that catches their attention right away and makes them sit up in their seats. For instance, try something like this: “Who wishes they could turn back time? Who wishes they could find a way? Let me introduce you to my invention of the time machine!” Obviously a time machine would be interesting enough on its own, but that’s beside the point. Once you have caught their attention, introduce your strongest point first. For example, try: “My time machine is better than your time machine because mine will have a cup holder!” Assuming that your opposition has also invented this revolutionary machine, you have one-upped them!

What’s the significance?

There’s no need to beat around the bush when hosting a meeting. Try to get your point across right from the start. Start your presentation by stating the goals in chronological order you wish to accomplish by the end. As mentioned prior, lead off with your strongest idea and go from there. Be sure to explain the motivation behind your ideas and how they are directly beneficial to your business. It is great and all if you have a great idea, but what if it doesn’t help your business. What then would be the point?

Recollection

Be sure to make your presentation one to remember. What’s the point of having one if nobody remembers anything from the session a week later? Be confident that your attendees paid attention and made use of your ideas.

For example, sometimes a slogan can prove an effective strategy for grabbing someone’s attention. Even if it is lame, it will be effective since it is remembered for being such. “Don’t dwell on the past, dwell from the past!” This is still fairly negative, but clever! The point is that you want to keep their attention throughout your presentation.

Having a strange hook line may actually end up being the most important part of your presentation since it may be the only thing that anyone remembers a month after the meeting. If this is the case, you will want it to be something that reminds them of your presentation day; something to ring a bell. Like mentioned earlier, “don’t dwell on the past, dwell from the past!” has a humourous connotation, and so will be remembered because it makes those who say it laugh.

In brief, be sure to up your presentation skills in order impress your bosses and coworkers, make a contribution to your business, and improve your communication skills as well. Someone with strong presentation skills is someone who tends to be successful overall as well.

If you’re prepared to put your presentation chops to the test, then why don’t you book your next meeting here at Toronto Meetings? You’ll get all the best tech in a room set up just how you need it. Book Today!