Good Presenting

The Basic Rules of Good Presentations (from The Art of Communicating Effectively by Art Feierman)

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid

There are numerous ways to apply this ancient adage. The bottom line is that the more complicated you let things get, the more trouble you can expect:

New technology is wonderful, but don't break in new equipment 15 minutes before the presentation starts.

Keep your presentation focused on the message, don't get carried away with special effects and razzle-dazzle.

Check out everything in advance. Then check it again.

Rehearsing the Presentation

There's something to be said for winging it: "Forget It!"

To present the most professional image, you need to know your presentation. It's OK to occasionally leave the main "script" but, wandering presentations that lack focus, or those too dependent on working from notes, or long pauses to compose your thoughts are never acceptable.

Rehearsing the presentation includes more than just going over what you will be saying. Rehearsing includes the entire presentation. If you are using slides, or a projector, and have access to the room you will be presenting in, rehearse there. Using a remote mouse and laser pointer for the presentation, a microphone? Rehearse the presentation with these devices.

Don't memorize

Rehearsing is one thing, committing the presentation to memory and performing it by heart, is not the way to go. You need to present, not to recite.

But use your notes very sparingly.

Too much time spent reading notes may convince your audience that you are unprepared.

Dress for success.

Some say you can never overdress for a presentation. Others will disagree. Our own belief is that other factors come in to play, particularly how you handle yourself in the situation. Humor and how formal your presentation is will impact whether you are "over" presented.

But everyone agrees you should never underdress. How to determine what is appropriate? Worst case: Ask people. It's all part...