Top 10 Tips for Presenting with Poise and Polish
By Michelle Mattson, MBA, BSN, RN
My face is getting hot. I wonder if others notice. Is it red? Do I have food in my teeth?
My hands are sweaty, yet the thermostat reads 70
degrees.
I am wearing the wrong bra, and it is digging into my ribcage. I couldn’t be more uncomfortable if I tried. My pants are too tight, and I feel like a microwaved hot dog about to pop.
The meeting is about to start, and I am the presenter. My credibility and the direction of the business depend on my execution. I know this material; I can recite it in my sleep.
My first few board presentations were like this. I seemed to ramble on, my voice a little shaky.
As much as I knew the material, no amount of knowledge would help me until I steadied my mind and became intentional. As a lover of yoga, I started focusing on my mind readiness along with my physical presentation. I practiced calming exercises in a quiet space immediately before the presentation.
Taking a cue from my yogi friend, I now take five subtle yet deep breaths before I start to speak.
The breathing exercise helps; in the same way it used to help my patients during uncomfortable situations. In through the nose and out through the mouth. I practice this subtly with my lips barely open so as not to draw any extra attention to my nervousness.
Controlled breathing is one of the tips that helps me get through my presentation and may help you as well. Whether at a board meeting, prospective investor meeting, networking meeting, or presenting a pitch deck, below are tips to help when all eyes and ears are on you.
My TOP 10 TIPS FOR PRESENTING WITH POISE AND POLISH
Prepare and Practice Thoroughly
Adequate preparation is crucial. Go over your notes multiple times, practice your delivery, videotape yourself or rehearse with a friend. Practicing helps calm nerves, builds confidence, and ensures smooth delivery. Knowing your material inside out allows you to focus on engaging your audience rather than remembering what to say.When reviewing your recording look for the use of filler words such as “like, um, you know”. Practice proper grammar.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Consider the types of questions that you may be asked. Practice in front of a layperson, not in the industry to see what questions they have for you. Find a peer you trust and practice with them afterwards.
Know Your Audience
Tailor your message to your listeners. Understanding their background, interests, and expectations will help you choose appropriate language, level of detail, and examples which make your presentation more relevant and engaging for them.Be Clear and Concise
Strong presentation skills require a clear and concise speaking voice. Avoid mumbling and ensure your message is easy to understand. Reading your presentation out loud naturally can help you identify areas where clarity can be improved and keep your audience engaged.Use Visual Aids Wisely
Incorporate graphics, charts, and slides to captivate your audience, especially since a significant portion of people are visual learners. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too many visuals or overly complex designs. Visuals should enhance, not distract from, your message. Be prepared enough that you can get through your presentation without your visual aids which will keep you on course in the event of a technical glitch.Dress Appropriately
Consider your attire as a visual aid and avoid busy prints which can be distracting. Make sure your clothing is well- fitting, and shoes are scuff free and clean. The attention is in the details. Taking your complexion into consideration, choose colors and clothes that compliment your skin tone and body type, making you feel confident; this will boost your mental state.Maintain Eye Contact
Establishing and maintaining eye contact with your audience creates a personal connection and makes them feel you are speaking directly to them; fostering engagement and helping them understand your message.Avoid spending too much time looking at your notes as this can break your connection to the audience. Use a brief outline to guide you.
If presenting in person, be sure to make eye contact with all 4 corners of the room and scan the audience, pausing with intentionality.
Structure Your Presentation Logically
Organize your presentation with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. A well-structured presentation helps your audience follow your ideas and makes your message more impactful. Consider incorporating deliberate pauses which will allow for interactive dialogue.Speak with Confidence
Projecting self-confidence can significantly improve your presentation. Be mindful of your body language, wear comfortable clothes, and be enthusiastic about your topic. Confidence is a skill that improves with practice.Nervousness tends to increase the speed and pitch of your voice. Intentionally build pauses in your presentation, which will slow your speech.
Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language
Injecting a funny anecdote or a personal story can grab your audience's attention and make your presentation more memorable. Using effective and engaging language helps to keep the audience interested and connected to your message.Refer to #2 First. Make sure that your funny anecdote is appreciated and understood. Remember the audience and understand that humor isn’t always appropriate depending on the audience. It would be disappointing to lose a big client, investor or a loan opportunity because your joke about Pure Wick wasn’t well received. Not everyone has the same sense of humor, err on the side of caution.
Grab Attention at the Beginning and End with a Dynamic Close
Start your presentation with something impactful, like startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, or a concise quotation, to immediately capture your audience's attention. Conclude with a strong summary and a memorable statement that reinforces your key message and leaves a lasting impression. Be gracious and thank the attendees for their time.
Remember your business is on stage, whenever you are.
Thank you for your time and Good Luck!
