Building confidence in delivering presentations

For many of us presenting to a room full of peers remains one of the most terrifying things that we have to do, especially when a number of those peers present to others every day. Remember that the presentation isn't about you, but the material that you're presenting.

Below are some tips to help you with developing and presenting information to colleagues.

Verbal communication

Think about the language that you use to deliver your message, speak clearly projecting your voice so that everyone can hear.

Pause

Make sure that you use pauses in your presentation to give you time to breathe and allow your audience to absorb the information that you are sharing with them.

Develop strategies for overcoming fear

Have a go-to strategy to help you to overcome your nerves. Deep breathing, practicing and preparing visual aids can help you to transform that fear into energy to present and hold your audience's attention.

Use cue cards

Write short prompts to remind you of what you're saying, but don't write everything down so that you're tempted to read from the card that you've prepared.

Don't look the audience in the eye

If you really don't feel confident look just over the top of the audience's heads, this will help to project your voice. Look the audience in the eye when you feel ready and not before.

Make the presentation your own

Even if someone else has provided you with the materials you can still make the presentation your own. Remember that you have the knowledge to deliver the presentation.

Tell a story - this tip is twofold:

1. Make sure that your presentation has a beginning a middle and an end - have an introduction and a conclusion.
2. Incorporate a genuine story or experience into your presentation, this will help to bring the message that you're trying to portray to life.