Maximize Your Presenting Power

Simple Tips to Delivering Powerful Presentations

Today we are going discuss how to PREPARE for an upcoming presentation. I will be offering some simple steps to help you be in your best shape and psychology BEFORE you walk in the room to set up.

Let’s face it, many of you are presenting today, whether it is performing internal or external presentations. But, most have had little to no presentation training.  This article will help you with the basics, and help you reduce the normal experience of nervous energy.  

When it comes to presentation time most people in all industries are usually cramming the presentation together the night before. Typically using versions of old PowerPoints, with pictures that maybe even outdated.  Often times, when you are conducting a group presentation, the morning of the presentation you all look at each other and say “okay, you do the first 10 slides, you do the second part of slides, you do the third part of the slides” – and then they feel prepared!  

Now you tell me, does that sound like a group of people ready, psychically and emotionally, to persuade an audience to choose them over a competing company?  I don't think so.

Now, in contrast let’s look what you could and SHOULD be doing when faced to build a compelling and winning presentation.

Here are some simple “day of the presentation” suggested rituals:

Some of these are really simple, but let me give you a little reminder:

  1)   Get a good night’s sleep. There are a number of studies that show the importance of this.  If this presentation means a lot to you and your team members, go to bed early to help your physical presentation.

2)   Eat healthy.  Today is not the day to use the BUFFET. Remember, you want your body to be in its most peak state while you are in front of that buyer’s table. So, be smart about what you are putting into your body in the morning.   And a reminder, too much coffee can cause you to even morenervous, during presenting time, due to the caffeine. 

a.    Don’t go in front of a group with a full stomach. If you are full it will impact your breathing and throw off your overall presentation. Think about what it feels like after a nice Thanksgiving meal, then walking up a flight of steps…it’s hard to breathe!  Breathing is critical when it comes to speaking well. My rule of thumb is to go in nourished, but slightly hungry. 

3)   If you present in the afternoon, review your presentation multiple times. If you have the option, get together with the presenting team ahead of time and go through a full walk through. And, I mean a FULL walk through.

 4)   Get there 30 minutes in advance (if possible). This will allow you to make sure that all of your audio/visual equipment is plugged in and working. Never forget Murphy’s Law that says “something could always go wrong, so plan for it.”

5)   Always bring your presentation on a flash drive as a backup. You never know if a client wants you to present from their computer or yours, and what if your PC has a problem? 

6)   Have all of your pre-handouts (forms, printouts, etc.) on the desk, prior to the client walking in, this shows that you are prepared and professional.

7)   Think through who on your team is going to sit where. It’s best to have the presenting team sitting closer to the front of the room. It makes it easier to get them in front of the room.  If you are bringing additional team members, have them sit towards the back, but don't forget to introduce them. 

Now finally, you’ve make it this far – its presentation time.  

There are 3 keys to putting yourself into a “state of readiness” right before you walk in a room. 

One thing to remember, is that people start making impressions about you – not when you speak – but the actual minute you’ve walked into the room.  So, we want to prepare ourselves to walk in with absolute certainty and confidence.

By this stage, you have planned and prepared an awesome presentation. You have decided well in advance who is going to say what, you have practiced your presentation out loud, together, multiple times, you have decided who is strategically going to sit where, your material is laid out, and you’ve double checked your PowerPoint connection and the clicker.  You are minutes before delivering a huge win for you and your company.

What else can you do?  Well, now it’s time to get yourself into a physical state to deliver your brilliance.  This comes in 3 simple steps:

1.    Your self talk. 

      What do you think about right before you present?  Do the winds of doubt ever show     up?  I recommend that you use this time to re-remind yourself of how strongly you       prepared, how well you know your presentation, that you have practiced, and that you   are going to deliver better than any other competing company.  You DESERVE TO WIN      THIS ONE!  Say that over and over again – self talk is everything and will help you settle     any nerves you may have.

2.    Clarify and see your ultimate outcome.

We’ve all heard about the power of visualization.  But I am asking you to truly visualize the audience’s heads nodding, smiling, and a general happiness on their face because you have helped them choose you and your company to solve their problems, or make their business life even better. 

3.    Your physiology. 

      Know that motion creates emotion. So, before you go in front of the room, I        recommend that you step off to the side, or the hallway, or even the elevator to STRETCH your body out.  I know this sounds hokey, but it works, it really does.  You can   jump up and down, twist your back, touch your toes, but do SOMETHING that gets your blood flowing so that when you walk in, you walk in with energy. 

Okay, so there you have it. Some of my simplest tips on how to prepare to deliver a winning presentation.  

The key thing to get is that all of these things are doable. Yet, they are rarely actually done.

When you walk into a room completely prepared, with great confidence, and in peak physical shape – half of your battle is won even before you start showing your presentation.  

Now, if you got value out of this – LIKE it and SHARE it. You will be adding value to others, and that is what we are in this game of selling, management and leadership for!

Best, Gene