While very few actually enjoy presenting, the truth of the matter is at some point during your career you will have to get up and do it so here are 10 ½ pointers on how to make sure your presentations always deliver the maximum impact.

If you would like to book a presentation skills workshop for your fee earners, please email us today and we’ll send you further details. 

1.       Begin with preparation, not the first slide:  Good presenters collate more information than they’ll actually need from magazines, books and websites. Reading around the subject will allow you to build a credible, reasoned argument and give you a solid platform from which to field questions

2.       Know your purpose:  Are you there to sell, to inform, to educate or to dispel?  Each angle requires a different approach. Linked to that, what is the profile of your audience? Is it senior, junior or mixed?  Without giving due consideration to the purpose and the audience, the content and delivery – your ‘voice’ –    won’t   be right

3.       Employ structure: As with any good story your presentation needs to follow the classic beginning, middle and end formula. The beginning is your introduction.  The middle is the meat and should be anchored around three key points.  The end is your conclusions - keep this short, simple and to the point

4.       Be enthusiastic:  If you’re not enthusiastic how do you expect the audience to be?!  Enthusiasm  doesn’t mean turn into a Cbeebies presenter, but it does mean add in an extra bit of energy and transmit the fact you actually care about your subject

5.       Enjoy it: I know that sounds hard for the ardent ‘non-presenter' but it’s true. Get a strong start under your belt and let go.  If you start strong you will get a good reaction and that’ll help you relax into the rest of your presentation

6.       Entertain: No one is expecting a stand-up comic but remember, if you’re dry and boring your audience won’t even switch on never mind switch off. Use humour, use the audience and – most importantly – use relevant anecdotes

7.       Be fallible: Never be scared to admit your own failings in those anecdotes.  Think of the inexplicably popular You’ve Been Framed! - we are entertained by the pain of others!

8.       Engage:  Break down any barriers between yourself and audience, move around, maintain eye contact and learn and use people’s names

9.       Delivery:  Keep your voice audible, not for the front row but for everyone. Talk a little slower than you would in everyday speech and make sure you add in some pauses - both to underline the points you’re making and to allow your audience some natural breaks to digest those points.

10.   Inclusivity:  You and the audience are in this together so remember it’s always ‘us’ and never ‘you’. Show how your advice and the points you’re raising will help them use language they’ll understand

10 ½ Rehearse darling, rehearse: Why is it actors rehearse for up to 3 months before putting on a play? Because they have to get it right!  Experts say you should practice a presentation between 6 and 12 times the first time and 2 or 3 times for repeat performances - irrespective of how many times you’ve given the same or similar presentations in the past.

Tenandahalf offer a full day’s practical presentation skills workshop.

During the first half of the day a group of up to 20 will learn techniques they can use to really sell their messages when they’re presenting.  During the second half of the day we’ll work 1on1 with 4 delegates and help them with presentations they’re currently preparing for.

The cost – while days are available - is £1900.  If you’d like to book your day or find out more please email us today.

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