Do you have an upcoming presentation?

Are you feeling a little nervous or it has to go right so you are curious what steps you can take to make it a very good presentation?

This is wonderful news! This shows a sense of pride and respect for yourself and the work that you do! I have coached several clients through presentations and I can tell you that being nervous before a presentation is relatively common, completely manageable, and 100% normal.

Preparation is an undervalued tool these days in this fast society or getting things done!  I find, however, that the more familiar a situation is, the more empowered you feel to bring your best self to the table. This is not to completely discount that speaking in front of people can be intimidating, however, the more mindfulness and preparation you give to the activities in your life, the more present and empowered you feel when you have accomplished them!

Even if you are not normally nervous presenting – you can never predict everything that can/will happen in a public speaking setting. The best way to empower yourself to be the best version of yourself in these situations is through preparedness!

These are my top tips for mastering your next presentation:

1. Practice your presentation.

The first most obvious tip is that you should understand your subject matter and truly integrate the knowledge and information that you are presenting. Integration is key! You should avoid memorizing a presentation word for word as these presentations rarely come off as authentic. Additionally, if you suddenly lose track of where you are, become nervous, or something else catches you off guard; the more integrated the subject matter of the presentation is, the easier it will be to pick up seamlessly and continue forward.

If your presentation contains technical or industry-specific information & terms, statistics & numbers make sure to repeat them frequently and understand their sources as you may be asked questions – this is not memorization of facts but rather familiarizing yourself with these terms and figures so that they come off naturally and your presentation seems informed and authentic.

2. Center yourself by familiarizing yourself with the space.

If you are able to visit the space that you will present in this will give you time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and feel more prepared. It is an added benefit if you are able to do a run thoroughly with technology to help things run smoothly during a presentation.

I realize that this isn’t always possible – and in that event, try to arrive early. Give yourself a moment to set up and not feel rushed. Take a deep breath and visualize your successful presentation.

3. Engage with the audience.

Stand tall, use appropriate and elegant hand gestures, smile, and make eye contact with the audience. This positive and confident body language will show that you are invested and enthusiastic about the topic matter and that you are engaged with your audience. It will serve to boost your confidence and help you to connect with the audience and in turn connect your audience to your presentation.

In specific situations, such as meetings and smaller presentations where everyone is familiar with each other, it is wise to gain credibility by engaging with the audience before the presentation. Welcome them to the presentation, thank them for coming and taking the time to be there, express that you cannot wait to hear their feedback. Showing your audience appreciation before the presentation so they are already engaged with you as a person. This will also serve to boost your confidence and get you into the zone for presenting!

3. Rephrase your perspective!

If you are feeling nervous or concerned, try and rephrase your perspective. Tell yourself :

• I am excited about this!
• Everything is an opportunity for growth!
• I am interested to see how I learn through this experience.
• I am curious how this will shape my opportunities and success!

Instead of running from your feelings try to change the narrative! Journal or visualize your questions, ideas, and success opportunities, rephrase your negative thought patterns into a positive one. This tool may seem simplistic but when applied consistently you will be amazed at how powerful it can be!

I hope that you have found these tips empowering and that you are ready to take on your next presentation through engagement with yourself and your process and that this enthusiasm spills over to your audience.

Do you have a special pre-presentation ritual? What gets you prepared and empowered to present!

I would love to hear your tricks!

Stay Elegant,

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