How to start your presentation

• Engage the audience – pause, smile, make eye contact.
• Practice a strong opening – slow and clear, with a good hook.
• Thank the previous speaker if you have been introduced.
• Be confident. Do not apologise, do not panic and be calm if you make a mistake.

Make eye contact

Making eye contact helps with reading the audience – see how they react. Tips for eye contact with large groups:

• Treat your presentation like a series of five-second mini conversations.
• Avoid reading slides or notes.
• Avoid darting your eyes or swiveling your head.
• Avoid staring at a specific person for too long.
• Have a friend in the audience to give encouragement.

Use body language

• Appropriate dress code – helps you feel confident and relaxed.
• Breathe – this helps you to relax.
• Posture – shoulders back, head up.
• Feet planted firmly on ground – do not sway or shift nervously.
• Make purposeful movements – hand gestures to emphasise words, point to draw attention to slides, slow pacing around stage if necessary to keep eye contact.
• Do not fidget – distracting, repetitive movements show your nerves.

How to use your voice effectively

• Tone – placing stress or emphasis on key words.
• Pacing – do not talk too fast, slow down even further to emphasise important points.
• Pause – adds emphasis, lets you breathe, catch your thoughts, allows the audience to catch up.
• Do not mumble.
• Use confident statements – do not say things like ‘I guess you all know about …’
• Use a conversational style and tone.
• Aim for clear pronunciation.

How to engage the audience

• Use voice and body language to keep attention on you.
• Use visual aids to support your story, not to tell it – do not let slides distract your audience.
• Include audience participation – rhetorical or non-rhetorical questions (you can just ask for show of hands), short discussion with your partner.
• Watch audience reactions and adjust pace accordingly – e.g., a whispering audience may mean you need to clarify yourself.
• Try not to get distracted by latecomers or early leavers.

How to respond to questions

• Listen carefully to understand the question – ask for clarification if you are unsure.
• Pause to think about your answer.
• Keep your answer brief – do not start a long discussion with one person.
• Offer to meet afterwards for more discussion.
• Be honest if you do not know the answer.

How to deal with nerves

• Practice
• Be organised
• Know your content
• Get familiar with the technology and venue
• Dress appropriately
• Breathe
• Remember the audience is on your side
• Do positive visualisation
• Act confident even if you do not feel it
• Reframe your nerves as excitement