Presentation Skills Tips: How to Deliver a Successful Presentation

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 26.12.2024

What started as a short report in school will accompany you throughout your studies in the form of presentations. They are key to your academic success but also essential for your career in the working world. That’s why it’s important to learn how to deliver your presentations convincingly and effectively.

In addition to interesting and well-prepared content, your presentation technique is what truly matters. This includes the visual media you use, your body language, voice control, and much more. No matter if speaking in front of an audience comes easily to you or not, with these tips and insights, nothing can go wrong.

Table of Contents: 

Why are Presentation Skills important? The Basics

Proper presenting is not just about convincing with content but also about conveying it authentically. It’s important to captivate the audience, clearly deliver your message, and stay memorable. But what are the key basics of a successful presentation?

What makes a presentation successful?

Every aspect – from preparation to structure to voice and body language – helps you engage and persuade your audience.

1. Preparation

The foundation of every good presentation lies in careful preparation:

  • Topic selection: Choose a topic that is clearly defined and fits within the set time-frame. This way, you can cover all key points without stress.
  • Understanding the topic: The better you understand the subject, the more confident you’ll appear. Research thoroughly and prepare your knowledge so you can be flexible with your responses to questions or feedback.
  • Analysing the audience: Who is in the audience? What do they already know, and which information is relevant to them? Tailor your style, content, and language level accordingly.
  • Structuring: Do thorough research and develop a logically organised outline. Ensure there’s a clear structure that guides your audience through the presentation.
  • Slide design: Your slides should be clear and straightforward. People can typically process 5-9 pieces of information at a time, so stick to 5–9 bullet points per slide and complement them with names, numbers, data, or graphics.
Student sitzt am Tisch
With the proper preparation, your presentation will be a breeze! ©Adobe Stock

2. Structure

There is an old saying about presentations: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you’ve told them.”

  • Introduction: Let your audience know what you’ll talk about and spark their interest.
  • Main part: Dive deeper into the content, building it up logically.
  • Conclusion: Summarise the key points and emphasise what your audience should take away.

3. Voice and language

Your voice carries the entire presentation. Speak loudly, clearly, and at an appropriate pace, so the audience can follow you. Additionally, choose an appropriate language level – avoid dialects or slang.

4. Body language and eye contact

Your demeanour also plays a central role:

  • Posture: An upright posture conveys confidence and competence. Raise your chest, suck in your stomach, keep your head straight, and rest your hands at stomach level. Stay relaxed!
  • Gestures and facial expressions: Lively hand movements and an open facial expression emphasise your content and seem inviting.
  • Eye contact: Let your gaze wander through the audience to establish a connection. Avoid constantly looking at your notes or slides.

How to Start a Presentation Successfully

A captivating opening is crucial for getting your audience’s attention right from the start. First impressions matter, and your introduction can significantly boost interest in your entire presentation.

Tips for an Engaging Opening

  • Questions or polls: Begin with a quick poll on your topic. This actively involves your audience and gets them thinking.
  • Humour: People love funny stories – start with a humourous (fictional) anecdote from everyday life that ties into your topic.
  • Statistics: An impressive or surprising statistic can spark curiosity and emphasise the relevance of your topic.
  • Images or videos: Powerful images and videos evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression.
  • Provocation: A bold statement encourages your audience to reflect and discuss 

After a strong opening, present a clear agenda. This gives your audience an overview of what to expect and helps them follow the structure of your presentation. Keep the agenda brief and concise, summarising the key points of your talk.

Ending a Presentation Convincingly

The conclusion of your presentation is your final chance to leave a lasting impression and anchor your message. Speak more slowly and lower your voice – this signals to your audience that your talk is coming to an end.

Tips for a Strong Conclusion

  • Refer back to the introduction: Close the loop by revisiting your opening. If you started with a question, answer it now.
  • Summary: Summarise the main points of your presentation. Keep it short, clear, and to the point!
  • Call to action: Motivate your audience to act by formulating a specific appeal: “Implement this today!”
  • Food for thought: Leave with something memorable – a provocative question or an inspiring quote.

Remember, your message is most impactful when it’s emotionally and clearly articulated. Combine your words with a powerful image or a compelling story that emphasises your message.

Studentin präsentiert, lächelt, schaut ins Publikum und deutet mit ihrer Hand
Be confident - only then can you convince others! ©Adobe Stock

Presentation Techniques for Successful Presenting

The presentation technique or medium that’s right for you largely depends on the context and the topic you’re discussing – and, of course, on your personal preferences.

Flipchart
The flipchart is perfect for small groups. It allows for a spontaneous and interactive presentation, where content can be added flexibly. A particularly effective approach: speak first, then write. This keeps the audience’s attention on your words, and the step-by-step development of ideas becomes clear to them.

PowerPoint
PowerPoint is ideal for longer presentations as it offers numerous design options and makes it easy to integrate media such as images, videos, and diagrams. However, be mindful of common “PowerPoint fails” – too many animations, overcrowded slides, or illegible fonts can distract the audience. Less is more!

Speaking freely
When the topic is manageable, and you want to create a personal connection, speaking freely is the ideal choice. It allows you to adopt a storytelling style and use vivid language to paint pictures in your audience’s minds – perfect for when visual aids are not available.

12 Essential Presentation Skills Tips for Effective Presenting

Here are additional tips to ensure your presentation is a guaranteed success!

1. Start early

The earlier you start preparing, the more relaxed you’ll feel. Use the time to thoroughly research, structure your content, and rehearse the presentation multiple times.

2. Focus on the essentials
Don’t overwhelm your audience with information overload – identify a core focus and emphasise your key message. This ensures your message is memorable.

3. Use visualization effectively
Utilise various materials to communicate your content clearly. Images and videos can enhance audience engagement and visually illustrate your ideas. A video tool can help you combine multiple clips seamlessly, creating a dynamic presentation that effectively conveys your message, captures attention, and ensures  better understanding of your topic.

4. Rehearse your presentation
A presentation only comes across convincingly if you can deliver it smoothly. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present in front of  your STUWO roommates, colleagues, or friends. This helps you check timing, improve body language, and gather valuable feedback.

5. Choose the right outfit Select attire that suits your audience and the occasion. It should be neat, professional, and comfortable, so you feel confident. Avoid clothing that’s too flashy or inappropriate, as it can distract from your presentation.

6. Position yourself effectively
Your presence in the room matters. Stand where you’re clearly visible to everyone, and avoid hiding behind a counter. Taking an open position in the centre of the room creates a connection with your audience.

7. Speak freely
Avoid reading your presentation word for word. Speaking freely feels more natural, keeps the audience’s attention, and allows you to respond flexibly to reactions. Prepare bullet points and practice smooth transitions.

8. Find your vocal comfort zone
Nervousness can lead to speaking in a higher pitch, reducing volume, strength, and confidence. To prevent this, hum (“hmm”) a few times and take deep breaths before starting your presentation.

9. Pause consciously (and breathe)
Take regular breaks for yourself and your audience. Pauses give you time to collect your thoughts and allow the audience to process what they’ve heard. Emphasising pauses can also highlight key points.

10. Use body language deliberately
A confident posture enhances your credibility. Stand firm, maintain an upright position, use open gestures, and avoid fidgeting. Your body language should reinforce your words, not distract from them. Avoid hiding behind a laptop or counter.

11. Be Confident
During your presentation, you are the expert. Show it! Even if you feel nervous, show confidence. Use a clear voice, maintain eye contact, and show your audience that you know your topic.

12. Don’t forget to smile
A genuine smile opens doors. It creates a positive atmosphere, makes you appear approachable, and shows you’re enjoying your presentation. Smiling can also help reduce nervousness and win over your audience.

Common Presentation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Some mistakes should be avoided in your presentation to keep your audience engaged and interested!

  • Weak opening: Don’t start with dull phrases like “I’m X, and today’s presentation is about Y.” Instead, open with an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a personal anecdote that captures attention.
  • Overloaded slides: Visual aids should support your verbal presentation. Include numbers, graphs, data, names, and key terms, but never full sentences or the entire text of your presentation.
  • Memorising your speech: Your audience does not want to listen to a memorised speech – all the vibrancy and spontaneity gets lost. You know the facts – talk about what you know instead.
  • Reading your text: Reading from a script is just as lifeless and unengaging. Let your sentences form naturally during your presentation.
  • Talking into your notes: Nervousness can lead to seeking refuge in your notes, causing you to lose connection with your audience.
  • Filler words: Words like “um,” “uh,” or “so” can be distracting. Finish your sentence, take a breath, and then continue with your next thought.
  • Speaking non-stop: If your entire presentation feels like one long sentence, it’s tough for the audience to follow. Conclude your sentences audibly by lowering your voice and taking short breaks.

Conclusion: How to Ensure Your Next Presentation Is a Complete Success!

With the right techniques, preparation, and practice, you can deliver a presentation that captivates your audience. Stay motivated and remember – with every presentation, you’ll grow more confident. Start early, stay focused, and handle potential mistakes calmly! If you feel nervous, try to mask it with the motto “Fake it till you make it.”

Speaking of nervousness, check out our additional tips for overcoming exam anxiety and master oral exams!

Your STUWO Team wishes you good luck and success!

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