12. Analogy

The use of fitting, relevant analogy can be an excellent way to articulate complex ideas and concepts. If you’re describing your recovery from a past mistake, why not liken your experience to the near-fatal plight of the Apollo 13 astronauts who, finding themselves at the mercy of critical conditions following an explosion en route to the moon, were nevertheless able to find a way home through raw hard work and determination. Your audience will not only learn – they’ll remember, too.

13.    Use Humour

As a relaxation tool, the power of humour is not to be sniffed at. An appropriate joke here and there can help you to build rapport with your viewers. And the more rapport you’re able to build, the more convincing your arguments will become.

14.    Avoid Clichés

Stock photos, clip art and over-used phrases will certainly set you apart – as an uninspired speaker with nothing new to say. Information conveyed through original and exciting methods will prove far more memorable to the audience – and infinitely more gratifying to you, the presenter.

15.    Manipulate the Mood

By selecting specific colours as backgrounds for your slides, you’ll be able to subtly affect your viewers’ state of mind. While an orange background might inspire action or motivation, for example, a grey one might emanate maturity and professionalism. For maximum effect, alter your background colours slightly whenever the subject and tone of your pitch changes.

16.    Metaphorical  Illustrations

Like analogy, figurative pictures can prove extremely effective in putting across detailed theories and conceptions. If you’re delivering an academic presentation explaining the rise of the Soviet Union, for example, what more memorable way to do so than by symbolising the pre-revolution atmosphere as a pot of soup simmering on a stove.

17.    Text Formatting

Standing before your projection, it’s easy to forget how differently your slides will appear from a distance. So make sure that your text is large enough and in a plain enough font to be seen and understood from anywhere in the room. Also, avoid red lettering and ill-contrasting backgrounds to ensure adequate visibility.

18.    Use a Microphone

Whether you’re presenting to ten people or a hundred, the use of a microphone will ensure that you’re well heard, even while moving around the room or writing on the whiteboard with your back to the audience.

19.    Arrive Early

By turning up a good thirty minutes early, you’ll be able to iron out any technical niggles and, more importantly, meet your audience as they arrive. In doing so, you’ll get a clear idea of your viewers’ demographics and can make last-minute changes accordingly; it could be that the joke you’d planned to open with might not be so appropriate after all.

20.    Exciting Handouts

Always remember that colourful, illustrated handouts are infinitely less dustbin-prone than their black-and-white, stat-packed counterparts. And why not add a little extra into the bargain? A compact disc recording of a related presentation or a DVD full of useful, relevant material might go down very well indeed.

21.    Feedback Slips

As your pitch draws to a close, circulate a batch of brief feedback slips for your audience to complete. These will allow your audience to feel involved and appreciated, and help you as a presenter to identify and improve on any shortcomings when it comes to delivering your next pitch.

George A Dixon