How to present your PPT like a boss: Avoid errors & boost confidence.

Preparing a PPT is elementary for almost everyone, but the real fright starts only when asked to present before an audience. Ain't it?

As said, all of us know to present a PPT, but are we doing it right?

Before you read this article, I insist that you read my previous post on 'How you should design slides' if you haven't read it and then continue.

All these years, I've made PPTs and also viewed several presentations. From my observations, I've concluded that a lot of people forget to concentrate on the soul of the PPT which is the presentation part. Designing your slides are also important but what's more crucial is the manner of presentation. 

Again..!! There are certain oversights we make which leaves our key points unnoticed. 

Well..!! I'm taking you through the most frequent errors made and how you can vanquish them. 

• Simply reading from the slides:

Your points are already present on the slides. Then why are you becoming a narrator to your audience?

Barely standing before a screen & reading from them is one of the silliest things you can do. Understand that slides are only to remind you. They are not study materials. 

I'm not asking you to memorize, but engage yourself deeply with the topic and express your views & the knowledge you possess about it. 

If you have to memorize certain key aspects, then go ahead and do it. 

              

- The most significant point here is always describe from your perspective. There are too many opinions on one particular topic, but what's your viewpoint is the question. 

• Eye-contacts:

Majority of the people miss out on this one. Everybody tends to look at the wall above, the floor or the fan. To whom are you speaking to? 

Make Eye-contacts with your audience. They are the ones listening to you. If you can look at their eyes and speak, that's the best impression you can make. That's how you develop the trust in you. 

• Moving slides:

When you are presenting, you'd obviously require to move slides. Now many people stand far away from the laptop, so they ask someone else to move slides for them. 

I tell you, that truely doesn't work with corporates or for a professional presentation. If you are using your laptop and standing next to it, move the slides yourself. But, there are modern tools also which you can use.

- The Wireless Presentation Remote;

The most attractive and stylish device you can use is a wireless remote. This device is used to help you switch between slides. 

                    

These remotes also come with lasers which can be used to catch attention of your audience and ultimately arouses excitement to listen. You can utilise the laser as a pointer even standing far away from the screen. 

                  

If you are someone who makes powerpoints very frequently, purchase a wireless remote and carry it around. 

• Sticking to the podiums: 

Glueing yourself to a podium and hiding behind it are signs of poor confidence and fear. Honestly; podiums are not meant for PPT speakers. 

I would suggest that you borrow a hand mic or a collar clip mic for better attention. 

Get interactive with your audience. 

Ask few questions, allow them to raise their hands and answer. By doing this you get them to the edge of their seats. 

Even after knowing all those I mentioned above, still people complain and cling on to one thing.

That's : STAGE FEAR. 

I prepare well but when I see the crowd, I get nervous.

Does that  happen to you?

A lot of people complain saying " I'm able to speak well when I rehearse, but when I climb the stage and face the audience, I get blank and stammer". 

This is a common phenomena & nothing to worry about. I've been there and this has happened to me too. It's okay to happen once or twice. 

But getting this continue over time is a serious issue which you need to learn to correct. 

What can you do to get rid of stage fear?

  Stand before a mirror. Speak to yourself. Look at your eyes in the mirror and speak. Whatever you are speaking, make it loud. This will boost your confidence levels, if done on a regular basis. 

With constant practice you can develop confidence and get rid of stammering. Practice this multiple times for a few days before you make your presentation. After you've prepared what you are going to deliver, rehearse it before a group of people. 

They can be the people at home, your friends or any group of people. This way you get rid of the fear of audience.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said; 

" All great speakers were bad speakers at first" 

Many people also tend to forget what they've even prepared and start to speak on their own. This is not at all a complication. Infact this shows how creative you are. 

Wow..!! You are able to manage it on the spot and on your own. Let the ideas and words flow. That's your true potential. 

" Don't practice until you get it right. Practice  until you can't get it wrong". 

Now that you've learnt to do it right, get on the stage and master it. Throw that fear away, show that confidence on your face and rock the stage.