You’ve just been asked to give a presentation. ‘Zoom or Teams?’ might be your first question. But in this case it’s neither. You’re actually being asked to step up and give a presentation in-person. After so many hours hunched in front of your laptop, it’s only natural to be nervous. So here 5 tips for giving great in-person presentations …
Stand up straight
Assuming you’re not presenting to a room full of people who are already asleep, the first thing you need to do get your posture right. Stand up up straight and keep your shoulders back. Clasp your hands in front of you but feel free to gesture. This will help you project confidence, even if you don’t feel confident.
Make eye contact
Next, make eye contact with your audience. It may feel strange at first, but it’s important to connect with your audience members on a personal level. They need to see that you’re engaged and invested in what you’re saying.
Speak to the people in front of you
Interact with your audience as much as possible. Ask them questions, get them involved in the presentation, and encourage them to ask questions of their own. The more interactive the presentation is, the more engaged everyone will be – and the easier it will be for you!
Use bullet points rather than scripts
It’s always a good idea to have some sort of structure for your presentation, but don’t feel like you need to memorize everything word for word. It’s much better to use bullet points as a guide, rather than a script. This will help you stay flexible and adapt to the needs of your audience.
End with a call to action
Finally, make sure you end your presentation with a call to action. What do you want your audience to do after they’ve heard what you have to say? Get them fired up and motivated to take action!
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to giving great in-person presentations. Just remember to breathe, be yourself, and have fun!