Ten Tips for Better Presentations by Miranda Liebmann

1. Keep lights up
   Beware of switching out or dimming the room lights when presenting with powerpoint as it may encourage audience participants to doze and lose sight of the presenter.
   

2. Encourage audience participation
   Encourage audience participation where appropriate with questions - even if just for show of hands. Movement in the audience helps keep them alert.
   

3. Keep to the allotted time
   Keep to the allotted time and limit the number of slides. Practise the presentation to ensure that you won't run out of time to show all the slides you may be planning. It may be necessary to trim back the presentation.
   

4. Don't talk to screen
   Be careful not to talk to the screen rather than the audience.
   

5. Cope with failures
   Be prepared in case the technology fails. Have back up overhead slides or be prepared to run without.
   

6. Move
   If possible and appropriate, move from time to time from one spot to another. Reduce audience eye fatigue caused by focussing on one you in one spot or just the screen.
   

7. Use short pauses
   Try using short pauses for emphasis, especially after important points. It may be a good opportunity to then repeat the point.
   

8. Introduce yourself
   Depending on the situation, remember to introduce yourself. It's rather frustrating and intriguing when a speaker launches, with no introduction from someone else or themselves. Even if the audience knows what the topic is going to be they may not necessarily be familiar with the speaker.
   

9. Check yourself in the mirror
   Check yourself in the mirror before presenting in case your hair is messy or part of lunch is still in your teeth or your fly is undone. It is very distracting for the audience.
   

10. Use humour
    Use humour and light relief. Test out on an honest friend, colleague or family member first, or several, even.
    

Thanks to Rachel's Reflections' reader, Miranda Liebmann for these.

Further Information

There is an E-book packed full of plenty more practical information to help you present in front of an audience and be a master of ceremonies:

"A Master of Ceremony: A beginner's guide to being a brilliant MC."

Ways to choose a good master of ceremonies are included in the E-book: "Seven fatal mistakes that people make when organising conference or seminar programs and how to avoid them. Order Now!"

Happy Presenting,
Best wishes,
Rachel Green
PO Box 344, Kelmscott, Western Australia 6991.
Phone: +61 8 9390 1188. Fax +61 8 9390 1199
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