As the chief financial officer for Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma, and an active member of ASBO International, I had the opportunity to give many presentations. People often tell me they like listening to my presentations because I engage and inform with the ease they wish they had. I credit FFA 100% for honing my skills.
One of the first elements of an effective presentation is preparation, which takes practice. Rehearsing your speech several times before presenting it ensures that you are comfortable with the content and your delivery. With repetition, you can determine what works, what doesn’t, what’s helpful, and what’s not.
Presentation Pointers
Here are some pointers to keep in mind:
Know your audience. Tailor your presentation to your audience’s level of knowledge, interests, and needs. Use language and examples they can relate to and understand.
Have a clear structure. Plan your speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Include signposts and transitions to guide your audience through your presentation.
Use visuals. Incorporate visual elements, such as images, graphs, charts, and videos to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged.
Practice. Rehearse several times before presenting to ensure that you are comfortable with the material and your delivery.
Speak clearly and confidently. Speak slowly, clearly, and confidently. Make eye contact with your audience and try to connect with them on a personal level.
Engage your audience. Ask questions, tell stories, and involve your audience in your presentation to keep them engaged and interested in what you are saying. Fact is stranger than fiction. Some of the best lessons come from true-life stories. You can’t use people’s names or expose their identity, but sometimes your peers can appreciate hearing others’ stories and know they are not alone.
Keep it simple. Keep your message simple, clear, and concise. Avoid jargon or technical language that may be difficult for your audience to understand.
Be enthusiastic. Show enthusiasm for the topic to engage the audience with you and your message.
Be aware of your body language. To convey confidence and enthusiasm, stand tall, use gestures, and maintain eye contact with your audience.
Leave time for questions. Set aside time at the end of your presentation for questions and discussion. Allow your audience to clarify any points and engage with you on a deeper level.
Back to the Beginning
Back to “practice makes perfect.” As you practice any activity, you become smoother, more efficient, and more skilled. From dribbling a basketball or changing a tire to speaking in front of people, the more you do it, the better you get. Just ask my FFA adviser.