by Judy Pedraza

Created on: January 30, 2010

Business presentations can make or break you career. Being prepared can make all the difference in the world. Here are a few tips that might help.

Do your homework

Be sure you are as knowledgeable on the subject as possible. You should anticipate any questions that might come up.

Research your facts

The accuracy of you information is very important. Misquoted or outdated facts can have a major impact on your presentation.

Use visual aids

When deciding between different proposals yours is more likely to stand out if you have some good visual aids. You can use poster board, a power point projection, or even a 3-D model.

Give them something to remember you by

Some well put together handouts will help everyone remember your main points long after your presentation is over. Also it might help you be less nervous because when people are following along on paper all eyes won’t be fixated on you.

Be sure to double check

One little typo or misspelled word can ruin even a well thought out proposal. Be sure you check all your visual aids and handouts. Double, even triple check to make sure you didn’t miss anything. It might be good to have someone else check it too, but make sure it isn’t someone that might steal your ideas and be careful about sharing sensitive information.

Memorization is key

There is nothing worse than having to sit thorough a presentation where someone is reading the whole time. A few 3x5 cue cards to keep you on topic are ok if you need them, but it is best to know the majority of what you are going to say by heart. That way you can make eye contact instead of looking down all the time.

Practice makes perfect

It is a good idea to have a few dry runs. You should practice in front of a mirror or with someone else if possible. Be sure to get comfortable with using your visual aids. If you have a power point make sure you time your words to what is showing on the screen. If you can, it also might help if you are able to practice in the same room that you will be using for your presentation.

Keep within time restraints

If there is a specific amount of time they have given you to talk, use a stopwatch to make time yourself to see if you are within the limits. Also ask if the time given includes Q and A because if not, you are going to want to leave time to clarify any questions they might have. If you have an unlimited amount of time, try to keep it around an hour or less. Remember how you feel when you have to sit and listen to someone go on and on. If it is absolutely necessary to speak longer than a couple of hours, don’t forget to schedule breaks.

Dress for success

You will want to dress professionally on the day of your proposal. Be sure your clothing isn’t too uncomfortable. You might even want to have a dress rehearsal just to be sure.

Try to stay calm

Right before your presentation, try to relax as much as you can. Arrive early to give yourself a little breathing time. Keep your confidence up. After all you were a hit when you practiced in front of the mirror and this is no different except instead of furniture there are people.  If you are still nervous try to use visualization. They say to imagine everyone naked and if that works great, but I’ve found that it is better to imagine that you are talking to your friends and family.

Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a winning presentation. Good luck!

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