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.

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). 

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.

Timing

The people you will be working with will most likely be busy and itching to get back to their emails. Do not run on for longer than your allocated time slot. If anything, aim to end slightly earlier; your audience will thank you (albeit silently) and might therefore feel more positive about your presentation. This doesn’t mean cut it short by 50% however, as shortening it too much could indicate a lack of preparation, effort or knowledge. Make sure you budget for time being taken up with general socialising (or people getting coffees or food) at the start, and have a plan B in place. If presenters before you have run over their allocated time slots, you find yourself answering more questions than expected throughout the presentation, or certain discussion points escalate into debates, know which content you can cut out at the last minute so that you finish on time.

Practical tip: acknowledging the time throughout your presentation can help your readers to relax in the knowledge that you are aware of your allocated time slot and appreciate that their time is important.