Tips to Give a Great Presentation

Giving a presentation is something that we all come across one way or the other in our professional and personal lives. The way you go about it can make or mar your reputation as well as determine whether the people you are giving the information to have got the message. This is therefore about the various techniques that one has to know before giving the presentation.

These techniques  have been ‘mnemoniced’ as VATMESH (credit +Jay Lay)

V- Voice

I believe you want the particular audience to which you are presenting to hear what you want to give out. Thus your voice has to be audible enough. The room size, architecture and number of people are directly proportional to the volume of the voice. In that if the room size is small, and round, the volume should not be too loud such that it will be noise instead of a medium to carry information to the audience.

A-Appearance

The appearance you keep while delivering the presentation is very important. Your clothes should be clean and appropriate - fit for the occasion. Obey all the various rules that has got to deal with clothes - fold both sleeves of shirt if that's what you plan on doing and not only one, suit should be buttoned while standing and the like.

Be sure to prepare the documents (slides, notes etc) needed for the presentation before you stand in front of your audience. It gives you a good reputation and shows you know what you are doing. 

T-Tone

The tone of your speech should not be monotonous. That may cause the audience to be bored and in effect, your message won't be carried across. The speech rate should be a bit slower than your normal but should not be too slow so as to cause them to sleep or lose interest. It is also advisable to use proper language and no slang or curse words.

M-Movement

It is important to get the attention of your audience and being dynamic in movement is key. It is good to move according to content and not stay in one place for a long time. The movement especially close to where they are makes them feel a part of what is happening and engages them as well as gets their attention.

E- Eye Contact

It is advisable to have eye contact with the audience. It shows whether they are paying attention to what you have for them. Have eye contact with each member if possible and don't linger on one person for a long time. 

S- Self Confidence

For a person to believe what you say, you need to be confident. Be prepared for the lesson. Use less papers, know your slides and avoid reading everything on the slide. The audience can read that. Rather elaborate on the points you have on the slide.

H-Hands

Moving your hands in gestures also capture the attention of the audience. It does so by breaking the monotonic movement of your body. The hand movement also helps to  demonstrate the point you are making and be sure not to exaggerate as it may look frantic.