How to Give a Business Presentation Effectively

Giving business presentations can be very stressful for many people. Some people can even experience panic attacks when they are faced with having to speak in front of people. To give a successful business presentation, it takes practice, discipline and lots of preparation. With the help of the following tips and lots of practice, anyone can learn how to give a good presentation and feel comfortable while doing it.

Prepare Mentally and Physically

Generally, the more preparation done before a business presentation, the more comfortable and confident a speaker can be. It takes time and patience to fully practice and prepare to speak in front of people. For newer speakers, they should spend as much time possible going over their presentation. If possible, they should find some people they are comfortable with to practice in front of. To be best prepared for a presentation, it is also important to get plenty of rest the night before and eat a good, nutritious breakfast.

Prepare Presentation MaterialsOne of the major tips to a successful business presentation is to remember that less is more. Try to keep any text to a minimum. Too much can be a lot to take in. Try to stick to key points. Make sure the font size of any text is a good size so everyone will be able to view it easily. If possible, use pictures. They can help get a point across, they are easier to remember and they can make a bigger impact on the audience. Also, try to avoid any complicated graphs or charts. The simpler the presentation, the easier the audience will be able to follow. Lastly, even if the goal is to remember the whole presentation by heart, it is still wise to have a list of key talking points near by.

Giving the Presentation

Now that all of the preparations have been done, it is now time to give the presentation. Below is a list of things to be remembered when speaking.

• Stay positive.• Don't read the notes or slides directly. Use them as support

during the presentation.• Keep the presentation slow and steady. Try not to rush it.• Don't agonize if mistakes are made. Stay confident and keep

moving.• Pause to let strong points sink in.• If it feels appropriate, add a little humor into the presentation.

Some laughter can go a long way for a presentation's effectiveness.

• End the presentation strongly. Keep it clear, concise and powerful.