Presentation skills

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Many people find giving presentations a daunting prospect, whether it be to a small audience or at a meeting, or in a larger, more formal setting. But it is a useful skill to develop, whatever your role and like all management skills, gets better with practice.

Tips for giving a good presentation

Preparation and practice are key to building your confidence.  

Here are some tips:

• Manage your nerves: What is it that is making you nervous? What is the worst that can happen? It can help to rationalise your fears. Visualise making a great presentation!
• Preparation: Think about what you want to say. What are the main points you want to get across? Do you need to use PowerPoint or other visual aids - these can often help reduce the focus on you but can also cause extra stress if you are nervous about technology or props going wrong. Do not use PowerPoint as a prop for you but as an aid to your audience.  Have back up paper copies of your slides just in case.
• Practice: Do a trial run of your presentation in front of someone. Time yourself to make sure you are sticking to time. Ask them for honest, constructive feedback to help you improve your performance. Then practice, practice and practice again!
• Stay calm: Take a deep breath, have a sip of water, smile and speak.

Refine your presenting skills

There are lots of workshops on presentation skills. If you work in a large charity, presentation skills is usually part of the standard course list. It may be daunting to go on the course as you know you will have to give a presentation but it is a really good way to learn and practice in a safe environment.

If your organisation doesn't run these courses themselves, find out if there are other local courses you can go on. The Direct.Gov website has a database of courses. Alternatively find a mentor and work with them.

Using your voice when you present

Many people find that empowering the spoken voice influences people holistically. As well as improving your presentation skills, it can also help you to bring your unique strengths to your professional role. 

Here are some tips for using your voice:

1. Release physical tension: This will enable you to breathe naturally, efficiently and productively. Discover your habitually-held physical tension and how to release it, with the Alexander Technique.
2. Breathe naturally: When you are stressed, you breathe in a different way. You can learn how to breathe naturally with a spoken voice coach so that your out-breath supports your vocal sound.
3. Listen: Refine your hearing by focusing on the qualities within voices that attract you. This requires a different way of listening than listening for content alone. What can you hear in other voices in terms of melody, tone, clarity, diversity and pace?  How does the speaker feel about their words?
4. Think about your own voice: Notice, without criticism, the qualities and characteristics of your own voice. Does it differ readily and automatically with different people or situations – when perhaps you feel relaxed or more or less confident?
5. Stay hydrated: As with all advice for health and well-being, drink plenty of still water. The National Hydration Council has some useful tips on healthy hydration. When poorly, stop speaking! Pushing a hoarse voice can cause more damage and will delay recovery.
6. Remember to pause: Take time to breathe between your ideas to give your listeners time to reflect and catch up. Be courteous and inclusive - speak at the pace that a listener listens. It takes longer to hear, comprehend and reflect than to have an idea and chatter!

English as a second language

To master English as a second language, seek out the best course for you from the world of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), with its primary emphasis on understanding meaning and appropriate content.

Useful links

• Take the MindTools quiz to assess your current presentation skills. This link also includes advice on managing anxiety and calming nerves as well as information and tips on developing your skill and confidence in this area.
• Business Balls offers some interesting tips and advice.
• Giving presentations from the Open University is a useful guide about structuring your presentation.

Have your say

What are your top tips on giving presentations? How do you overcome nerves just before speaking?

Have your say on the Your professional development forum.