In my last article I wrote about the stages of creating an effective presentation, providing general advice on preparation, timing and the actual presentation itself. In this article I will concentrate on the actual delivery of presentations highlighting some areas to pay special attention to and some to avoid.

Practice makes perfect. Delivering your presentation, be it a sales pitch, a training exercise or a demonstration is the bit your audience has waited for, and the part which you should rehearse. Rehearsal during preparation is crucial to providing you with the confidence you will need on the day. Your delivery will improve the more you practice in the same way as your tennis or golf game will improve the more times you play.

So, the actual delivery. Remember the adage I cited at the close of my first article "Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Then, tell them what you have told them."? Well, start off by addressing your audience in a slow, clear and welcoming tone making sure you outline what it is you will be talking about. Include an ice-breaker where possible, it'll help calm you down and endear you to your audience from the start. Smile! Connecting with your attendees from the outset will make you feel more relaxed and subsequently will make your task so much easier. If you have the opportunity to mingle with your audience before the actual presentation, then seize it.

Make sure there is a clear break between your opening statements and the main body of your presentation. Not one long enough for people to get up and walk around, just a really long pause. This will allow you to gather your thoughts and the audience to prepare themselves for receiving the information. Keep the opener short in comparison to the whole show. There are many different suggested time breakdowns employed, but you will eventually settle on a format which works for you as you become more practiced,

Slow down! It is a good idea to make a note on your own notes or cue cards telling you to slow down. It is very easy to let your delivery speed up as you go along. This is partly because you may want to get the whole thing over and done with. This is understandable and quite normal, you will be nervous, everyone who has ever presented is! Personally, I would not have a clock or watch visible to me if I can help it during my delivery. I remember that when I tried this, I lost concentration by glancing at it and easily became anxious thinking that I

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