Presentations and public speaking are a large part of the modern business environment. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, or how well you know your subject, a lot of us fear this essential business skill.

At LEADWomen we’ve developed a series of programmes on Mastering Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, and we’ve put together some our key takeaways for you to practice ahead of your next presentation.

Prepare Yourself

Some people are naturally able to wing-it, and give a brilliant talk off the top of their head. Others struggle to do so, and even the most gifted orators such as Barack Obama prepare their speeches well in advance. While I don’t recommend writing a 2000 word speech for your next monthly meeting, it does help to jot down key points and have a flow in mind so you don’t stumble.

Remember Who You Are Speaking To

Ever sat through a really boring presentation? Chances are it was because they didn’t switch up their tone and failed to make their talk engaging. Watching TED talks is a great way to learn more about public speaking, as is paying attention to people you think are interesting and engaging. Remember to adjust your tone during your speech to reflect the nature of what you are presenting.

Don’t Um, Use Filler Words, Because They’re Like – Annoying?

This goes without saying. Pause, take a deep breath and think about what you want to say before you start. Filler words don’t convey any information and using them makes you appear nervous and only takes you longer to make your point. When in doubt, pause and slow down and breathe before moving on.

Relax And Don’t Overthink It

At the end of the day, a great presentation comes down to being relaxed and prepared. Channel that nervous energy into excitement about your presentation. At LEADWomen we also teach several relaxation techniques on our training courses that help to relieve stress and calm you down.

And Finally – Keep Calm and Carry On

You may be acutely aware of stumbling over words or using too many filler words, but it’s very rare that your audience is paying close attention to every single detail, rather than the overall content!

Remember that what matters is feeling relaxed and ready, and using some of the previous techniques to give a brilliant presentation.

For more information on LEADWomen’s presentation programmes, please click here