For many jobs, making presentations is part of the territory. The presentations could be for a variety of purposes – selling, delivering research, a business proposal or strategy. Often, these presentations are at conferences before a large audience. In this case, other factors enter into the mix, things that you need to consider to make your presentation as powerful as possible.

Here are a few of those things.

1. Think about your purpose
Why are you giving this presentation? What is the main point you want to get across? What do you want your audience to learn from it? In order to answer these questions, you need to know your audience, something about their background, so you can adjust your presentation accordingly.

2. Prepare
You don’t want to be rambling or looking for words. You don’t want to be looking down constantly at a piece of paper. You need to be well organized, to make eye contact, to speak enthusiastically without groping for words if you expect to hold your audience.

That means you need to think about the organization of your presentation. A simple rule to follow in giving a presentation is – tell you audience what you are going to say, say it, then tell them what you said. Keep it simple and not too long. And then practice it.

3. Get their attention
You do this, first of all, by being prepared, so you can speak forcefully without looking lost. You need to maintain eye contact. Gesture occasionally. Watch your body language.

4. Put on a show.
If you want to keep their interest, the best way is to tell a story. Everyone likes to hear stories. It will also help you to structure your presentation. Stories have a beginning, middle and end. There is generally a conflict and resolution. It is like a journey, and you are taking your audience along with you.

To help tell your story, you need to set the stage. This could be through music or pictures or some other technique. To do this, you will have to arrive early and get set up well in advance, so you are ready to go at the appointed time.

5. Don’t get rattled.
It is possible that something may go wrong. Your slides don’t work, the microphone doesn’t work, you are missing something, the lighting is off, whatever. Be prepared for such circumstances, and don’t let it get you flustered. People won’t really remember the problem. What they will remember is how you respond to it.

If you want to put your presentation skills to work in a new job, Winston Resources can help you find that new position. Winston has the network and the experience to find what you are looking for. Give Winston Resources a call today.