• Presentations can be nerve wracking, especially if you are a novice or will be appearing before a large audience. However, if you lay the right groundwork and do lots of advance preparation, you are much more apt to have success.

• Upon agreeing to do a presentation, be sure that you are fully aware of what is expected of you. Being knowledgeable about your audience, the presentation location and other matters will help you prepare a suitable presentation. Some questions you should ask include:

1. Where will you be presenting? Get all the information you can on the space, including:
   • What type of facilities are present. For example, will a projector, computer, overhead screen and microphone be provided, or will you need to bring your own?
2. Who will you be presenting to? How many and what type of people will be in attendance?
   • If you are presenting on a technical subject to laymen, you should avoid using technical jargon. If you are presenting to children or youths, you will have to adjust your presentation accordingly.
3. How long should your presentation be?
4. If there are several presenters, who will be preceding and succeeding you?

• Once you know who you will be presenting to, think of what you want to say. You likely will not have time to say everything you would like to, so focus on a few key points and think of a way to illustrate these points clearly and convincingly. Then, write your presentation as though you were writing a speech. Once you have it written, memorize your presentation, then write down reminder notes on index cards. Practice delivering your presentation several times, if possible, before a small audience of family and friends. Ask your audience for feedback on how your presentation could be improved and adjust it accordingly.

• Visual aids will make an average presentation good and a good presentation excellent. Not only will they help you illustrate your point, but they also help keep the audience engaged and interested. Some of the visual aids you may want to use include:

1. PowerPoint slide shows
2. Traditional slide shows
3. Films or video clips
4. Overhead projectors
5. Flip Charts

• Arrive to your presentation location at least an hour early. This will give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the space and make any needed adjustments. If you are using visual aids, make sure to set up and test the equipment to ensure it is working correctly.

• Since you are well prepared, you should be confident that your presentation will go smoothly. However, as the old adage goes, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." If something does go wrong; if you slip up your words, your slide show doesn't load correctly, or you experience some other minor mishap, don't let it derail you. Continue with your presentation as though you are unfazed—the audience may not even notice.

Other things you should do during your presentation include:

1. Maintain eye contact with your audience. Although you may have to refer to your notes, avoid reading directly and repeatedly from them
2. Don't turn your back to the audience. If you absolutely have to, for example, to adjust your visual aid, stop talking until you are once again facing your audience
3. Inject humor. Unless the presentation is extremely formal, your audience will likely welcome a few tasteful jokes
4. Leave room for questions. If your presentation is meant to adhere to a strict time limit, be sure that you have left some time at the end during which the audience can ask you questions
5. Bring takeaways. If appropriate, bring brochures, presentation summaries, business cards or other promotional materials that the audience members can take with them upon leaving