Note that we have a dedicated comprehensive course covering presentations and managing nerves, delivered by communication and presentation expert Peggy Forell. The videos in this course simply give a high level overview of practical tips and guidance.

There are many different types of presenting. Any form of communication can, at least to some extent, be considered a type of presentation. Talking 10 people through a PowerPoint slide deck whilst seated in a room requires presentation skills. The same goes for contributing to a three-person team meeting, delivering a training session or large client seminar, having a conversation with your supervisor, or even engaging in a 30 second chat in a lift. Honing your ability to communicate in different contexts can enhance your personal brand and influence the extent to which people remember you (for the right reasons!). With this in mind, below are some tips to bear in mind when communicating or presenting in a professional context, with insightful input from leading presentation skills and communication coach Peggy Forell, as well as ex-City solicitor, learning and development professional, and author of the excellent 21st Century Solicitor, Steve Weiner.

Preparation

Confidence comes with preparation. If you are familiar with the content and understand the subject matter, you are more likely to project confidence and discuss the topic in a way that appeals to your listeners. You will also be more competent at answering questions, which will inevitably make you seem more credible. Steve Weiner adds that “careful planning and preparation…generates deep confidence with your subject matter and presentation materials…which means you have less fear of your audience catching you out…which helps you to interact with your audience more effectively…which helps your audience relax…which in turn helps you relax and shed your negative self-consciousness”.

Peggy Forell: your preparation will all feed into others’ perception of your sense of authority as a speaker, which is essential when you’re trying to connect with and engage a room full of people. If your knowledge is the most up-to-date and accurate in the room, then by definition you are the authority in that context. Don’t confuse “authority” with “status” or “position” however; it’s not a given that just because you have a formal title, people will assume that you’re credible and therefore engage with your presentation.

During the preparation phase, think about why you have been asked to give the presentation. What do your listeners need/want to know? What will make them happy that they attended? What do you want them to take away from the presentation? Why will this benefit the firm? In other words, make sure you’re clear on the change in behaviour or transfer of knowledge that you are trying to instigate. Then tailor your content accordingly. Once you’ve got the content down, then rehearse. Check that your structure makes sense. Time it. Perhaps even ask a friend or colleague for feedback.

Content

Content is obviously important. Deliver what is expected, otherwise your listeners may feel cheated. However, don’t be overly ambitious: a presentation containing a few key messages is likely to be better understood and received than a presentation packed with information. So constantly consider how you can most concisely convey the key information.

If presenting on a new topic, assess the extent to which your listeners will already have a foundational understanding of that topic. If (as far as you know) they are new to the topic, make sure you adjust the language and level of detail accordingly. If the content goes over people’s heads, they will stop listening and remember your presentation as a waste of their time. It is safer to start with the basics, perhaps making a comment to the effect of “I’m aware that there will be differing levels of understanding of this topic, so…”.

Peggy Forell: avoid acronyms, unless you are absolutely sure people will know them; if some of your listeners don’t recognise the acronyms you use, this might cause them to disengage with the rest of the presentation (and it could knock their confidence by making them feel as if they’re behind). You must try to cater to everyone, despite there being people of differing levels of ability and experience in the room.

Structure is incredibly important for achieving clarity. Explain the structure of the presentation at the start and sign-post each section as you go along, as this will help the audience to follow what you are saying (and will help to ensure that you stay on track and avoid repetition). If you are interrupted with a question that relates to a different part of your presentation, perhaps explain that you will cover the answer later on and carry on as planned. However, you must remain flexible, as questions from your listeners may require you to take your presentation in a slightly different direction.

Peggy Forell: being too rigid with your structure might give the impression that you don’t have a sufficiently broad grasp of the topic, plus listeners’ questions can help you to gauge what they truly want to know. If you do deviate from your planned content, be sure to remain mindful of time; don’t go off-piste without making on the spot adjustments to the rest of your presentation, as running over time can be a cardinal sin in the eyes of your listeners.

The below provides an overview of what you might want to cover in each section of your presentation:

Opening

Your opening remarks should then focus on you. Who you are (your role and any relevant credentials), why you are presenting (who invited you to present, and why now), how long you will speak for, and how you would like to deal with questions.

Introduction

Your introduction should be about your presentation. You could kick off with something to engage your audience, for instance a quote, story or personal anecdote. Either way, quickly make it clear why the attendees should listen. Explain how the presentation will benefit them – i.e. what they stand to gain by listening – as this will help to engage them from the get-go. As part of this, you could play on your listeners’ fears, for example by mentioning the risks or potential liabilities that may arise if they lack an understanding of the topic.

Main body

This is where you transfer the core information. The information that you hope will facilitate the transfer of important knowledge and/or instigate a change in behaviour. Consider referencing real life examples and personal experiences to bring your topic to life, as this can provide context and reinforce your credibility, which might help to further engage your listeners. It’s important that you personally engage with the content throughout and demonstrate a real personal interest, as if you do not engage with the content, how can you expect your audience to?

Conclusion

At the end of your presentation, you should ideally explain how the main content relates to the business and the attendees’ jobs. If applicable, you should express your opinion or give your advice on the subject matter, and summarise any key outcomes. Keep it succinct and avoid mentioning any new, substantive ideas that were not previously covered. Then finish up by highlighting any sources your listeners can consult for further information, and any next steps.

Peggy Forell: make sure your presentation offers your listeners a real, perceivable benefit, ideally including some form of actionable advice or guidance. Your presentation shouldn’t be a box ticking exercise, as this will be a waste of time for everyone (including you).

Peggy Forell has over twenty-five years' experience working with countless professionals on their presentation and communication skills, with a focus on maximising their personal impact and raising their profile within their organisation. Through her professional development consultancy Advocality, Peggy delivers bespoke training sessions on presenting, communication, confidence and resilience, Myers Briggs and a broad range of other topics. For more information, visit www.advocality.co.uk.