Beef up your effective presentation skills with these simple pointers

Effective presentation skills is not just about standing, speaking, occasionally pointing to whatever visual aids you have, and reading from a script (or worse, from an actual boring report).

This is the mistake many people make, often with very disastrous results.

Having the wrong set of communication and presentation skills shows lack of preparation and professionalism which is so important in many industries, and can either make or break your ascension up the career ladder.

Here are some basic pointers you might find useful in improving your communication and effective presentation skills:

1. Dress appropriately.

We’re not saying that you should go all decked out like you’re going to a gala or upscale party, but don’t dress like you are going to a college class either.

Choose a smart corporate attire that subtly makes you stand out, like wearing a unique (but not too unique) necktie if you’re a man, or scarf, if you’re a woman.

2. Watch your body language, voice volume, and tone of voice.

Try not to drown out your audience, but don’t speak too softly either. Make sure that your words carry out well and are spoken clearly.

Try not to make any sudden and unnecessary movements that might distract your listeners. Your facial expression will betray you, so try to keep a pleasant face all throughout the presentation.

3. Keep it sweet and short.

Having effective presentation skills means you’re able to communicate your message in the clearest way possible without wasting time and becoming boring.

Especially if you say the presentation will take five minutes, then stick to five minutes.

A little over the time might be tolerable, but take too long, and you’ll start to lose each member of your audience, making what you say, in the end useless, because no one’s really listening.

4. Stick to the plan.

It’d be best for you to prepare a speech beforehand to minimize distractions. During the actual presentation, don’t digress from what you’ve planned.

Having good communication presentation skills means that you’ll stick to what you planned, and not go flying away into uncharted territory at every chance you get. That not only wastes time, but also distracts your audience from your main message and will only confuse them.

5. Absolutely, do not read.

It’s best if you adapt a natural flow to your presentation, which you have to plan and practice for before the actual thing. Don’t be too casual or too formal.

Don’t read from a script, because it disengages you from the audience and does not help in establishing rapport. Also, reading will make you sound mechanical and insincere.

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