Who else wants to give the best speeches and presentations possible? I am constantly working to improve my speeches and presentations. Plus, when I was working to become the Humorous Speaking Champion (read more here), I actively searched for the best information possible.
I wasn’t just looking for humor tips… I was looking for the very best tips for every part of the speech and this guide contains the best of what I found along with those I continue to find.
That’s Right! This resource introduces you to the best Presentation tips and Presentation How-tos… period.
Each chapter contains several links to hand-picked blog posts to help you improve your presentation skills, and engage and inspire your audiences, so you can develop and deliver the very best presentation possible.
This will be a living resource, so bookmark this page.
Are you ready to take your speeches and presentations to the next level?
Introducing:
The Ultimate Presentation Tips Resource Guide
Here is how you get started. When you click one of the chapter links below, it will jump you to your desired chapter… without refreshing the page. So, pick which chapter you like and get started.
Chapter 1: General Presentation Tips
Chapter 2: Presentation Tips to Overcome Fear and Nervousness
Chapter 3: Tips for Preparing a Presentation
Chapter 4: Tips for Starting a Presentation
Chapter 5: Presentation Tips for Audience Experience and Participation
Chapter 6: Tips for Making a Persuasive Presentation
Chapter 7: Tips for Keeping Audience’s Attention
Chapter 8: Presentation Delivery Tips, Voice, and Body Language
Chapter 9: StoryTelling Tips
Chapter 10: Tips for Concluding a Presentation
Chapter 11: Presentation Tips for “Going Viral”
Bonus: Bad Advice, Bad Habits and Bad Presentations
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Chapter 1: General Presentation Tips
This chapter contains the best pieces of what I consider general speaking and presenting tips.
- The Only Speaking Tip You Will Ever Need | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- 7 Advanced Presentation Tips To Become a Great Public Speaker | Carmine Gallo in Forbes
- 10 tips for improving your presentations & speeches | Presentation Zen
- Don’t suck! – 3 easy ways to make sure yours is the presentation people remember | Jim Harvey
Chapter 2: Presentation Tips to Overcome Fear and Nervousness
Without a doubt, giving a speech or a presentation ranks as one of the most feared activities we, as humans, face. These tips are sure to take the edge off and help keep you in control.
- Managing Presentation Nerves | Ruth Hill, MindTools
- 6 Tips to Calm Your Nerves Before Speaking | Lisa B. Marshall, Quick and Dirty Tips
- 3 Tips to Combat Anxiety Before a Presentation | Ilan Mochari, Inc. Magazine
- 5 Ways to Overcome Nerves Before Giving a Speech | Oliver Carding, PickTheBrain
Chapter 3: Tips for Preparing a Presentation
A presentation well prepared is a presentation that is well on its way to be a crowd pleaser.
- A Backstage Tour of How I Prepare for Speaking Gigs | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- Organization & Preparation Tips | Garr Reynolds
- The Only Way To Prepare To Give A Presentation | Bill Rosenthal, Forbes Leadership Forum
- How To Be Better Prepared For Your Next Major Presentation | Michael Hyatt
- Speech Preparation #1: How to Prepare a Presentation | Andrew Dlugan, Six Minutes
Chapter 4: Tips for Starting a Presentation
You’ve heard the saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” When it comes to giving a presentation, you never get a second chance to start it so use these tips to start off strong.
- How To Start A Presentation Tips And Tricks – 22 Powerful Strategies | Justin Croxton, CustomShow
- The 5 Best Ways To Start A Presentation | Richard Feloni, Business Insider
- The Most Powerful Ways to Start a Presentation | Sims Wyeth
- 12 Ways to Hook an Audience in 30 Seconds | Bruna Martinuzzi, American Express Open Forum
- Three levels of presentation openings – which should you use? | Olivia Mitchell
Chapter 5: Presentation Tips for Audience Experience and Participation
Considering the audience seems like obvious advice. But, there is a real skill to making a presentation interactive in a way that enhances your message rather than being a distraction.
- 4 Essential Ingredients to Creating an Epic Audience Experience | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- 5 Tips For Powerful Audience Participation | By Jesse Scinto, Fast Company
- Six Secrets from a Professional Speaker on Audience Participation | Olivia Mitchell
- Five Easy Tricks To Make Your Presentation Interactive | Kristi Hedges, Forbes
- How to Engage Your Audience | Lisa B. Marshall, Quick and Dirty Tips
Chapter 6: Tips for Making a Persuasive Presentation
At some level, all speeches and presentations are persuasive; we want the audience to do something…take an action or think differently.
- How to Kill A Persuasive Speech With One Tiny Word | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- 11 Secrets of Highly Persuasive Speakers | Tayyab Babar, LifeHack
- 10 Tips for Making A Persuasive Presentation | Prezi Blog
- 7 Tips for Incredibly Persuasive Presentations | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
Chapter 7: Tips for Keeping the Audience’s Attention
Audience attention is definitely a hot topic. You probably already know I believe that being funny is important for holding your audiences attention. Check out my Public Speaker’s Guide to Humor.
I also know that being funny isn’t the only tool to keep your audience engaged.
- Gone in 9 Seconds: Is Your Presentation Losing Your Audience? | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- 7 ways to keep audience attention during your presentation | Olivia Mitchell
- How-To Conquer Short Attention Spans | Leslie Belknap, Ethos3
- 7 excellent ways to start a presentation and capture your audience’s attention| Jacquelyn Smith, Business Insider
- 10 Ways Great Speakers Capture People’s Attention | Sims Wyeth, Inc.
- Seventeen Ways to Keep Your Audience Engaged! | Fred E. Miller, No Sweat Public Speaking
Chapter 8: Presentation Delivery Tips, Voice, and Body Language
Delivery is a foundational skill in effective presentations and is a broad topic that I sub-divided to help you discover the very best delivery tips.
General
- Top Ten Delivery Tips | Garr Reynolds
- Presentation delivery tips for the greatest impact | Ellen Finkelstein
- 10 Tips for… Freshening Your Presentation Delivery | Jim Harvey
Voice
Your voice is the main mechanism to deliver your presentation and these tips will help you ensure your voice enhances your message.
- How to Make Your Voice Presentation-Ready | Prezi Blog
- 10 tips for… Using your Voice in your Presentation | Jim Harvey
- Your Guide to Developing a Stronger Speaking Voice | Scott Schwertly, Ethos3
- Speak Up! A Guide to Voice Projection | Kate Peters, Six Minutes
Body Language
These tips will help you enhance your ability to add meaning with your body language and avoid being distracting.
- 10 Body Language Tips for Your Next Presentation | Vanessa Van Edwards, Science of People
- 10 Body Language Tips To Make Your Next Presentation Great | Richard Feloni, Business Insider
- Seven Tips for Effective Body Language on Stage | Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes
- 5 Key Body Language Tips of Public Speaking | Gary Genard, The Genard Method
Chapter 9: StoryTelling Tips
Storytelling is another hot topic for one good reason; people pay attention to stories. Follow these tips and effectively incorporate stories in your presentations.
- 5 Storytelling Tips for Presentations | Leslie Belknap, Ethos3
- 8 Classic Storytelling Techniques For Engaging Presentations | Ffion Lindsay, Sparkol
- 6 Presentation Tips To Become A Powerful Storyteller | Adam Noar, Presentation Panda
- 10 Tips For …. Building A Strong Story For Your Presentation | Jim Harvey
- 10 Storytelling Tips To Transform Your Presentations | Sally Strackbein, Defining Story
Chapter 10: Tips for Concluding a Presentation
All good things must come to end. Well, all things must come to end. When it comes to a presentation though, giving as much, or more, thought on concluding will provide a huge payoff.
- 12 Ways To Nail Your Presentation In The Last 30 Seconds | Bruna Martinuzzi, Open Forum
- The Most Powerful Way to End a Presentation | Eric Holtzclaw, Inc.
- The Best Way To End A Professional Presentation | Leslie Belknap, Ethos2
- 3 Powerful Ways To Close A Presentation | Daniel Glickman
Chapter 11: Presentation Tips for “Going Viral”
In the social age, a lot of talks “go viral.” These tips will give you some insights to consider if your goal is to have your presentation shared with the masses.
- Viral Presentations | m62
- How to Write a Speech for the Tweets | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- The Definitive Guide To Creating Viral Presentations | Daniel Glickman
Bonus: Bad Advice, Bad Habits and Bad Presentations
Focusing on what to do with the above tips is important. These tips discuss primarily what to avoid and what not to do which can also be beneficial.
- 6 Secrets of Bad Presentations (and How to Avoid Them) | Vito Michienzi, LifeHack
- 5 Horrible Pieces of Public Speaking Advice (and What to Do Instead) | Dr. Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
- 8 Bad Habits That Ruin Good Presentations | Geoffrey James , Inc.com
- 10 Ways to Give a Bad Presentation | Paul Glen