Seven Tips For Making Better Presentations

Before making your next presentation, consider these tips from Michelle D. Gladieux, author of the new book, Communicate With Courage:

Succinct stories that illicit emotional response are great hooks.
Vary your voice to capture attention: modulate volume, rate, pitch, pace, and tone.
Comparisons and analogies are powerful. Ask questions, such as, “What does what I’m sharing remind you of?” Use the questions to help your audience, smell, or sense what you’re describing.
Repetition builds retention. State your most important point more than once.
Move while you present. Make eye contact, a true show of courage. It’s a vital connection. If you don’t meet your audiences’ gaze, they are not likely to believe you.
Pause occasionally to let all the great information you just said sink in.
Add pictures and quotes into your presentations.

And, finally, ask others about what you did well and could have done better after you speak.

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