How to Prepare for a Presentation

The best way to perform a presentation well is to be prepared. Standing in front of a group reading from note cards and stumbling over your thoughts is not very convincing. With a little practice you can look like a pro by speaking clearly and in an organized fashion. Follow these steps to learn how.

Instructions

1. Research your topic of discussion and create an outline of what ideas you wish to cover.

2. Make slides, if applicable, in Microsoft PowerPoint or your own favorite presentation software.

3. Talk through your presentation many times before presenting. Open your slides and actually click through them speaking your part out loud.

4. Sleep well the night before your presentation. Do your best to get eight hours of sleep.

5. Eat a good breakfast the morning of your presentation.

6. Relax before and during your presentation.

Tips & Warnings

• Familiarize yourself with your topic. The more in-depth you know the materials, the more confident you will be when presenting.

• Eating a good breakfast the morning you present helps wake up your body so you can perform well.

• If you trip over your words or get lost just take a deep breath and relax. Use that moment to collect your thoughts and move on.

• You will present better in a relaxed state. If you feel anxious, try taking slow deep breaths to calm yourself.

• Use humor if you are comfortable with it, as it is a good way to loosen up in front of an audience. Be sure it is appropriate for the topic and audience though.

• Start practicing early. The more time you have to practice the better you will do. Practice in front of a good friend. They can give you feedback and constructive advice.

• Check over your slides carefully for errors. These are embarrassing and distracting.

• Pay attention to things you do which may distract or annoy your audience. A few things to consider are hand placement, posture and repeating words like "um."

• Avoid eating or drinking foods that cause belching, like carbonated beverages.