4. Preparation to presentation

Careful preparation of a presentation will make you more confident, and your audience will better receive your message. There are some elements to consider when preparing any talk.

• Planning. Plan your presentation carefully. Thorough preparation will make you confident and help you to overcome your nervousness.

• Objectives. Think about what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to inform, persuade, train or entertain your audience?

• Audience. Who is your audience? How many people will be attending? What do they need to know?

• Content. Brainstorm your ideas first. Then decide what is most relevant and appropriate. Make sure that you take enough time to do any research that you need. Be selective – do not try to present too much in your message. Win your audience with your knowledge.

• Structure. Any presentation should consist of an introduction, a body and a conclusion. There should be examples, figures, stories, etc. The use of humor is also welcome. Again, remember not to try to put in too many figures or too many details. Everything must be balanced since you are planning to deliver a presentation and not give a show of any kind. Your audience should not lose the main idea of your talk. The structure of your message should be simple, words and sentences short.

• Rehearsal. Take time to practice your presentation. This will give you a chance to identify any weak points or gaps. Check the timing, and make sure you can pronounce any figures and proper names correctly and confidently. Start rehearsals by simply reading through your full script. Once you are comfortable with the material, begin to practice in front of the mirror, and switch to notes if you are using them. Rehearse your speech in front of your family, friends or colleagues. Use a tape-recorder to listen to yourself. Videotape your presentation and analyze it.

• Developing spontaneity. Speaking off the cuff to an audience is hard. However, develop your spontaneity by knowing your subject inside out. In doing this, you give yourself confidence to add details or examples that have not been written into your speech, this making your presentation sound fresh, off-the-cuff, and unrehearsed.

• Visual aids. You should use them only as a support of what you are delivering. Use some charts, diagrams, a flip chart, an interactive board, PowerPoint slides. Have handouts ready and give them out at the appropriate time. Over half of an oral message is actually communicated visually.

• Thinking positively. Repeat positive and encouraging thoughts to yourself as you prepare for your presentation. Try some of the following phrases:

My presentation is interesting and full of great ideas. The audience will love it.	The audience is sure to be enthusiastic. My presentation is strong, and I’m well prepared.
I know my subject inside out. The audience will discover that for themselves early on.	My rehearsal went really well. I can’t wait to see the reaction of the audience.