how to do presentation confidently

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How to Be Confident During a Presentation

Last Updated: January 1, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Gale McCreary . Gale McCreary is the Founder and Chief Coordinator of SpeechStory, a nonprofit organization focused on improving communication skills in youth. She was previously a Silicon Valley CEO and President of a Toastmasters International chapter. She has been recognized as Santa Barbara Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year and received Congressional recognition for providing a Family-Friendly work environment. She has a BS in Biology from Stanford University. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 84,642 times.

Giving a presentation and speaking in front of a room full of peers can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to project confidence and authority even when you are nervous. It is normal to get tense before a presentation, but you do not want to project that tension to your audience. If you use confident, secure body language, project your voice, and prepare for your presentation in advance, you will feel like a confident, expert speaker.

Using Confident Body Language

• Good posture conveys to the audience that you are confident, credible, and sure of your subject. Speaking with proper posture also allows you to project your voice, making your speech clear and assertive. [2] X Research source

• Don’t stand too close to the audience, and don’t move beyond the first row of seats.
• As you move toward the audience, think about staying there for a period of 30 seconds. When you step in another direction, spend about another 30 seconds there. [5] X Research source Think about trying to reach everyone in your audience, and try to make eye contact with several audience members as you move from section to section.

• Don’t cross your arms during a presentation. While this may be a comfortable position, you may be projecting negative cues to your audience. This closed-off position may make you seem inexperienced, uninterested, or nervous.

• While giving a presentation, maintain eye contact with an individual for periods of 3 to 5 seconds. [9] X Research source Eye contact will demonstrate that you are trustworthy and passionate about the topic, and it will help keep your audience’s attention. [10] X Research source

Speaking with Confidence

• Lie down on your back, and keep your abdominals and stomach relaxed. Keep one hand on your abdomen, and think about moving it up and down as you breathe in and out.
• Find out in advance if you will be using a microphone for your presentation. This can help you plan ahead and adjust the volume of your voice accordingly.

• Try to incorporate these variations in speech while giving your presentation, and pretend as though you are having a conversation with a friend or a colleague.
• Practice these variations by reading a poem, a play, or another piece of literature aloud. [11] X Research source

• Stretch out your vowels to slow your speech. Pretend that the vowels are italicized and focus on speaking each one clearly. Practice this technique to ensure that it sounds natural.
• Break your presentation up into sections. Plan to pause for a moment or two when you reach the end of each section. Allow for one second to pause before moving on to the next point. [13] X Research source

Practicing Your Presentation

How Should You End a Presentation?

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You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-POSTURE.htm
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247737
• ↑ http://blog.ted.com/a-ted-speaker-coach-shares-11-tips-for-right-before-you-go-on-stage/
• ↑ http://www.presentationprep.com/body-language-body/
• ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/connect-with-your-audience-move-closer/
• ↑ https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/famelab-whats-science-behind-smile
• ↑ http://liveboldandbloom.com/10/self-confidence/body-language-tips
• ↑ http://www.inc.com/sims-wyeth/10-reasons-why-eye-contact-can-change-peoples-perception-of-you.html
• ↑ http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324809804578511290822228174
• ↑ http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14466/1/How-to-Look-Approachable.html
• ↑ http://www.presentationprep.com/body-language-voice/
• ↑ https://ethos3.com/how-to-slow-down-nervous-speedy-speech/
• ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/vocal-variety-speech-breathing/

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How To Look And Sound Confident During a Presentation

Learn to Make your Presentation look and sound confident by mastering key body language, and vocal delivery tips here!

Confident Presentation

How to present with confidence ? The key to looking and sounding confident during any presentation lies in mastering critical facets of body language, vocal delivery, anxiety management, and personal appearance. By honing abilities in these areas, speakers can establish a commanding yet approachable stage presence.

Proper posture projects assurance. Strategic movement and gestures emphasise talking points. Direct eye contact forges engagement. Facial expressions and vocal modulation add colour and conviction. Relaxation techniques keep nerves at bay. Professional attire aligns with audience expectations.

Let’s explore the best confidence tips for presentations to activate the most crucial behaviours. Then, you can step into the spotlight equipped to connect with your listeners and ace your next talk.

If you are looking for In-House Presentation Skills Training for a group or teams, please see our

Mastering Confident Body Language

A speaker’s body language impacts audience perception tremendously. Adopting an assured physical posture and stance can help presenters both feel and project greater confidence.

Start by standing tall with your shoulders back and chin up. An upright yet relaxed alignment signals composure . Bring your feet hip-width apart, evenly distributing your weight to avoid swaying. Allow your arms to hang at your sides without clenching fists or fidgeting hands. This open position invites positive reactions.

Strategically move around the stage to emphasise key messages. Step toward the audience when making an important point. A few steps to either side create energy without distraction. Minimise extraneous pacing, which can undermine confidence. Subtle mobility aligned with content keeps the focus on the talk itself.

Gestures also help spotlight ideas as they are spoken aloud. Raising open palms to shoulder height draws eyes to the presenter’s face and upper body, the site of vital nonverbal cues like facial expressions. Pointing underscores directions are given or highlights visual aids . Opening arms wide can convey inclusiveness when discussing shared goals. Reserve overuse of gestures, which diminishes their power to captivate attention .

The Art of Effective Eye Contact

Direct eye contact allows presenters to forge vital bonds with audience members. Sustained gazing communicates confidence while scanning the crowd, which builds engagement.

Aim to make deliberate eye contact with one person at a time. Hold their gaze for up to five seconds before moving on, long enough to register a meaningful connection . Actively shift focus between different segments of the audience, resisting the urge to stare at notes or screens.

Split time fairly evenly across the whole room. Avoid locking onto only a few friendly faces, excluding others. Hyperfocus on any individual can feel uncomfortable. Continually work the room.

If anxieties surface under the spotlight, try finding a friendly smile to ground your nerves . Bouncing back and forth between a few receptive participants can enable momentum. Once assured, expand your gaze to additional listeners. Remember: the audience wants you to succeed. Use eye contact to turn them into collaborators, allowing you to make a more confident presentation.

Facial Expressions: Communicating Confidence Non-verbally

A speaker’s facial expressions serve as pivotal nonverbal cues, reinforcing or undermining the delivery of remarks. Consciously adopting confident facial body language helps connect with audiences .

Keep your expressions open and honest. Relax your face, avoiding furrowed brows or tightly pursed lips which suggest discomfort. Smile naturally when appropriate, signalling warmth. Let emotions show in moderation as you share content, flashing brief looks of happiness, surprise, concern or conviction.

Avoid stone-faced rigidity just as extreme emoting risks confusing listeners. Subtlety proves most persuasive. Ensure facial shifts align with verbal content to underscore the intended meaning. Nod affirmatively while advising recommended actions. Raise eyebrows for impact when stating statistics.

Briefly pressing lips together after making an important point nonverbally punctuates significance before moving on. Tilting the head slightly to convey thought before responding to questions also buys time while maintaining engagement.

Mastering facial techniques requires rehearsing talks enough to anticipate content and physical alignment. Confidently reinforcing speech through intentional expressions builds mighty presentation skills.

Vocal Confidence: Tone, Pace, and Clarity

A confident vocal delivery makes a lasting impression on audiences. Strategic modulation of tone, pace, volume, and inflexion keeps listeners engaged while conveying authority.

Speak loudly and clearly enough for all to hear without straining. Vary volume for emphasis, increasing intensity when sharing critical information before returning to a conversational level. Insert intentional pauses to highlight pivotal concepts.

Confident speakers modulate their voice tone to align with content emotionality . Sharpen your tone to stress vital actions but soften when reassuring audiences or telling stories. Insert humour through a playful lilt but convey the seriousness with an even, deeper tone.

Uphold a steady pace, allowing listeners time to absorb remarks without dragging. Insert more frequent pauses when communicating complex data to maximise comprehension. Patiently slow down in response to confusion. Accelerating pace builds suspense before revealing a key point.

Verbal precision proves equally key. Enunciate each word fully while avoiding filler utterances like “um” and “uh.” Miscommunications undermine credibility even if body language screams confidence. Mastery of material through thorough preparation best enables vocal confidence.

Managing Presentation Anxiety to Appear Confident

Even the most assured speakers experience some level of anxiety before stepping on stage. Learning to manage nerves and project outer confidence proves pivotal.

Implement centring techniques like taking a few deep breaths while visualising a successful talk . Close your eyes and picture yourself effortlessly delivering remarks, smiling as the audience nods along. This mental rehearsal eases apprehension.

Channel nervous energy into enthusiasm rather than dread. Frame accelerated heart rate as excitement to share your knowledge rather than distress. Anxiety often manifests physically through fidgeting hands or clenched jaws. Consciously relax your body.

When doubts surface right before going on stage, reframe worried self-talk. Rather than “What if I mess up?” ask, “What meaningful information can I share?” Spotlight your expertise and preparation rather than obsessing over perfection. Audiences crave authenticity more than slick glibness.

During talks, subtly release stress by pressing your feet through the floor, keeping you grounded in the present. Discreetly shake out tension in your hands behind a lectern. If your mind goes blank, pause and take a slow breath rather than rambling. Presenters who acknowledge small mistakes with grace gain trust.

Dressing for Success: The Impact of Appearance

A speaker’s attire influences the audience’s perception of their competence and professionalism. Strategic wardrobe choices can boost confidence while resonating with listeners.

Stick with formal business attire in conservative hues like navy, black, or grey unless explicitly told otherwise. Suits, dresses, and pressed shirts convey assurance. Ensure clothes properly fit your frame, not overly loose or tight. Stand tall in polished dress shoes, giving subtle height boosts.

Accessories matter, too. Minimal jewellery and neatly styled hair prove safest when unsure of culture. Well-manicured hands, free of stains signal attention to detail. Glasses, if needed, should sit securely. Sweating profusely risks undermining a crisp appearance, so dress coolly.

While clothes themselves hold no bearing on presenter skills, audiences make snap judgements about competence based on surfaces. Rigorous preparation provides true confidence, but intentionally dressing for presentation success streamlines first impressions. Savvy public speakers thus consider physical perceptions stemming from attire choices when preparing talks. Follow these tips to align dress with confidence goals.

Confidence in Virtual Presentation Settings

Remote talks and virtual meetings bring distinct challenges, yet similar principles around exhibiting confidence apply. Audiences still rely on vocal cues and visual body language to assess competence in digital settings.

Position webcams at eye level or slightly above to simulate eye contact. Stare directly into the lens when making key points before scanning fellow panellists or presentation slides . This eye behaviour mimics natural focus shifts. contractual behaviours, too. Shift during quality management as additional demands arise.

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Frame the camera shot closer than feels intuitive, keeping torsos and faces visible sans excessive headroom. Exaggerated facial expressions and hand gestures read better on small screens compared to in-person events.

Check lighting to prevent backlit silhouettes and harsh shadows from obscuring your features. Activate self-view monitors to observe how gestures and expressions are landing before making adjustments. Request audience reactions through chat or unmute requests to judge engagement.

While virtual talks necessitate tech tweaks, the essential practices for confident body language, vocal modulation and anxiety management remain the same. Stick to the strategies outlined above, and you can ace online presentations anywhere.

Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearsal Techniques

Thorough preparation breeds confidence in presenters, freeing mental bandwidth to focus on confident delivery instead of remembering content. Strategic rehearsal proves essential.

Practice talking aloud and in full multiple times, resisting the urge to skim. Verbalising the flow of ideas, pace of speaking, and planned gestures cements the sequence. Time yourself to ensure you fit within limits.

Vary rehearsal formats to grow familiar with the material. Review flashcards of key data points, statistics, and talking points. Summarise core messages out loud without consulting notes to test knowledge depth. Treat rehearsals as real presentations.

Record practice runs on video to identify areas for improvement. Review footage with a coaching mindset, eyeing elements like inconsistent pacing, distracting mannerisms, and minimal eye contact. Redo talks incorporating feedback before further taping. Repetition develops polished confidence.

Schedule a dress rehearsal presentation before trusted colleagues days before the real event. Their constructive critiques grant final opportunities to smooth rough edges. Rigorous preparation is the bedrock of memorable speeches delivered with assurance.

Using Feedback to Enhance Confidence

The path toward continually improving and more confident presentations involves regularly soliciting performance feedback. Honest critiques highlight areas for growth.

Activate mentors and coaches early in speech development processes rather than just prior to delivery. These guides identify weaknesses inaccessible to individual speakers as outside observers. Welcome tough messages about distracting mannerisms, convoluted explanations requiring simplification, and pacing issues.

When possible, attend talks given by presentation role models exhibiting traits you aim to embody. Note elements like their seamless storytelling , effortless audience rapport, and subtle wit. Analyse what specifically resonates with you, then implement takeaways into your own confident presentation style.

After you take the stage, follow up with audience members seeking targeted input. Ask which sections connected versus dragged, seemed disjointed, or lacked clarity. Poll whether key takeaways matched intended core messages. Collect quantitative presentation rating metrics if appropriate.

Regularly absorbing constructive feedback builds lifelong skills, transferring across talk formats and career stages . Being brave enough to spotlight current abilities is the first step toward confidently unlocking your fullest potential. Consider enrichment coaching for added perspective.

How Impact Factory Can Help

Impact Factory offers tailored presentation skills training programmes , courses, and individual coaching which can profoundly expand any speaker’s confidence.

Our various public speaking development options range from one and two-day Presentation Skills courses to longer intensive 5-day Presentation with Impact immersions. Additional specialised formats include PowerPoint Presentation or Pitching for Business courses.

Programmes offer robust support through personalised progress tracking, small group individualised attention from the coaching staff, and post-course follow-ups to sustain learning. Attendees gain access to proprietary presentations and effectiveness analysis frameworks guiding measurable improvement.

Impact Factory also provides private Executive Presentation Coaching for senior leaders seeking more discrete assistance addressing chronic areas for improvement identified over their careers. One-to-One services enable a highly customised curriculum catering to the executive’s current role demands and future career aspirations around public speaking mastery.

Inquire today to learn more about confidently unlocking your presentation potential through Impact Factory’s unparalleled development offerings perfected over three decades of building global presenter talent.

Why do I lack the confidence to speak?

Many factors can undermine confidence in public speaking, including lack of preparation, nervousness due to perfectionism, fear of vulnerability, or comparing oneself to more experienced presenters. Identifying root causes through self-reflection allows for targeted improvement.

How do I stop my voice from shaking when nervous?

Strategies like taking deep breaths, channelling nervous energy into enthusiasm, and speaking slowly can help steady shaky voices. Thorough preparation also boosts confidence. Record practice talks to grow familiar with your voice.

What is the root cause of lack of confidence?

Confidence often stems from self-efficacy – belief in one’s abilities to complete tasks and achieve goals. Those lacking confidence in public speaking may have less experience, preparation, or support. Building skills through practice and seeking coaching help.

Dive Deeper Into Presentation Skills

Do you want to set up on the journey towards more confident presentation skills but don’t know where to begin? Here are some helpful resources:

• Presentation Skills Training Programmes – Join one of our training programmes and gain support that can push your presentation skills to the next level.
• 12 Crucial Tips To Develop Effective Presentation Skills – Do you already know the basics but want to deliver your presentations more effectively? Follow our tips to make your next presentation more impactful.
• How To Improve Your Business Presentation Skills – Better presentation skills could be the one thing between you and success in business. Here are tips to help you reach mastery.

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

The secret structure of great talks

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How great leaders inspire action

Presenting with Confidence

How Great Leaders Craft and Design Persuasive Presentations That Sell Ideas, Inspire Teams, and Build Brands

Four online sessions with an additional one-on-one coaching session. Also offered on-campus .

Ideas are the currency of the 21st century. The ability to communicate your ideas persuasively is the single greatest skill you can learn to succeed in a globally competitive world. Through stories, videos and case examples, this program offers an actionable, step-by-step method anyone can adopt to create and deliver inspiring in-person or virtual presentations that are engaging, persuasive and memorable.

Key topics include: applying storytelling methods, creating presentation headlines, utilizing the rule of three, building multisensory experiences, making statistics instantly memorable, delivering authentic presentations with confidence, creating a message map around your story; learning practice methods for seamless delivery in-person or virtually. This online course includes a scheduled private one-on-one consultation via phone or remote video with the instructors following the program dates.

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This transformative program will set you apart from your peers and competitors, in a wide variety of professions. If you’re a designer or architect, this program will help you present to clients. If you’re a city planner, you’ll keep on message with poise at your next town hall meeting. If you’re a real estate developer, you’ll be able to pitch deals better. If you’re an entrepreneur, this program will improve your skills at courting investors and customers. If you’re a civic leader, you’ll be able to present more persuasively to constituents. The ability to craft and deliver world-class presentations is useful in every line of work, and this skill is becoming ever-more essential. Within the next few years, you will not thrive as a leader if you are not an excellent presenter, in person or to a virtual audience.

According to IDC, “oral and written communication” is, by far, the number one skill employers look for in “high-opportunity occupations.” Yet, very few of the 350 PowerPoint presentations that are given every second around the world are clear, compelling and inspiring. Public speaking through presentations will raise your value in the workplace by 50 percent, according to Warren Buffett. In this course, you build this valuable skill with case examples from men and women who lead today’s most influential companies such as Google, Microsoft, Virgin, Nike, Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, and many others. You will learn the specific tactics mastered by famous entrepreneurs, leaders and TED speakers who deliver presentations that capture the world’s attention.

Through stories, case examples, videos, and practical exercises, backed by the latest neuroscience research on storytelling, communication and persuasion, this program will teach you specific techniques that you can use immediately to dramatically improve your next pitch, presentation, or mission-critical communication for in person or virtual audiences. You will learn the art and science of storytelling to build your brand, promote a shared vision, engage teams, inspire customers, and grow your career, startup or company.

• Learn the unbreakable laws of communication that will make your next presentation engaging, attractive, and actionable.
• Develop a 3-act story structure that communicates your brand’s values.
• Identify the most effective types of stories to connect with your audience.
• Learn body language and vocal delivery techniques that will help you present authentically and confidently in front of any type of audience.
• Build a message map to pitch your idea in as little as 15 seconds (elevator pitch), or create the outline for a longer, well-crafted presentation.
• Explore methods for how to make data instantly memorable.

Any professional who needs to present or pitch ideas to obtain funding, support, or other calls to action, including entrepreneurs, real estate developers, engineers, scientists, architects, designers, educators, managers, business owners, students, marketing and communication professionals, non-profit leaders, civic leaders, etc.

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Bestselling author and communication advisor for the world’s most admired brands

Vanessa Gallo

Executive Communication Coach, Gallo Communications Group

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Peter Joseph

Sales Executive

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Starting Strong: 14 Ways to Start a Presentation Confidently

Table of Contents

How do you grab your audience’s attention the moment you step into the spotlight? The opening moments of a presentation can make or break its success.

Studies show that people will assess your credibility by observing your body language and vocal traits, forming opinions about your proficiency within half a minute. This emphasizes the importance of not only your message but also your delivery.

But how does one confidently open a presentation speech? Don’t worry we got you covered! There are many ways to build a great ‘first impression.’ 

In this blog, you’ll learn how to start a presentation that will impress your audience and keep them hooked till the end. 

Why Is Your Presentation Opening Important? 

Before we deep dive into effective steps and tips on how to open a presentation, let’s first understand why is it important. 

The opening of a presentation is like the gateway that sets the tone and captures the audience’s attention. It’s the first impression that can either spark curiosity or cause disinterest. Think of it as opening a novel – a compelling start keeps the reader engaged, while a dull one makes them put the book down. 

For instance, a presentation on climate change could kick off with a shocking statistic about the rapid melting of polar ice caps, instantly grabbing the audience’s attention and highlighting the urgency of the topic. A presentation on cybersecurity could begin with a personal experience of a cyber attack, creating an instant connection with the audience and demonstrating your firsthand knowledge of the topic.

Furthermore, the opening gives you a chance to establish credibility. If you start your presentation with well-researched facts or an interesting question, you instantly show your expertise on the topic. You can also include some personal experiences or a story related to the topic. This gives your audience a strong reason to listen to you.  

How To Start a Presentation Speech: 14 Ways to Follow

Launching your presentation with impact is the key to capturing your audience’s attention and setting the stage for success. In order to help you prepare for your winning moment, let us take you through 14 effective strategies to begin your presentation speech confidently. 

Whether you’re aiming to inspire, inform, or persuade, these proven methods will help you create a compelling opening that leaves a lasting impression on your audience!

1. Paint a Vivid Picture

Use descriptive language to create a mental image related to your topic. Paint a picture with your words. If you’re discussing environmental conservation, start with, “Imagine standing in a lush rainforest, surrounded by vibrant biodiversity. The emerald leaves of tall trees rustle in the gentle breeze while the symphony of birdsong fills the air. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting ethereal rays on the lush forest floor, where colorful flowers bloom, and small creatures scuttle about, adding to the tapestry of life.”

2. Pose a Provocative Question

Allowing your audience to engage right from the start is always a good start to a presentation. You can start with a thought-provoking question like, “ What do you think will happen in the field of marketing in the coming 10 years?”. This will allow you to open up right from the beginning and be receptive to various viewpoints. Additionally, it will also make way for further discussion on the topic. 

3. Use a Metaphor or Simile

Compare your topic to something unexpected. For a presentation on creativity, you might say, “Creativity is like a spark that ignites innovation. Just like striking a match sets off a chain reaction of flickering flames, creativity fuels the fire of ideas, illuminating new possibilities and propelling progress.”

4. Share an Intriguing Factoid

Begin with a fascinating and lesser-known fact that captures attention. If you’re presenting about space exploration, start with, “The Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, is now in interstellar space, billions of miles away from Earth. This incredible spacecraft, with its golden record carrying sounds and images representing humanity, serves as a testament to our curiosity and our relentless pursuit of understanding the vast mysteries of the universe.”

5. Tell a Personal Anecdote

Share an engaging and relatable personal story that establishes a connection with the topic. Like, if you are presenting on the topic of overcoming fear and obstacles, you could start with something like: “A few years ago, I faced a significant challenge that completely changed my perspective. They taught me valuable lessons about resilience and determination. Allow me to share this experience with you…”

6. Engage with a Prop

Introduce a physical object or prop that symbolizes your message. For instance, for a presentation on leadership, you could hold up a captain’s hat and say, “Today, we’re setting sail on a remarkable journey where leadership becomes the guiding star, inspiring and empowering others to chart their own course and navigate through uncharted territories of success and growth.” This might come off as funny, but this sure is a good way to capture your audience’s interest.

7. Quote an Unconventional Source

Use a quote from an unexpected or unconventional source. For a presentation on innovation or change, you might quote a famous musician like Bob Dylan: “The times they are a-changin’, and so should we.” Opening with a lighter tone will allow you to connect with your audience a little better.

8. Begin with Silence

To create anticipation and focus, it can be especially powerful to allow a brief moment of silence. This technique is particularly effective when addressing a serious or reflective topic. Taking this pause can help to build an atmosphere that encourages deep thought and engagement from the audience.

9. Use Surprising Data and Statistics

When giving a presentation, it’s important to create the right atmosphere. Discuss the subject and include facts and figures to engage your audience. For example, if you’re talking about email marketing, you can make an opening statement like, “Did you know there are 4.2 billion email users globally?”. 

10. Invoke Curiosity

Share a mysterious or intriguing statement that makes your audience want to know more. Suppose you’re presenting a new software or solution that has the potential to solve an important issue with a bigger ROI. In this case, you can start with something like – “In the next 15 minutes, I’ll share a secret that could change how you solve problems”.

11. Start with a Controversial Statement

Begin with a bold statement that sparks debate. For a presentation on social issues, you might say, “Today, I’m going to challenge our perceptions of equality.” This will not only pique your audience’s attention but also allow them to broaden their perspective and participate.

12. Utilize a Cultural Reference

Make a reference to a current pop culture phenomenon or trending topic. For a presentation on business marketing, start with, “In the age of Instagram and TikTok, marketing is evolving at the speed of a viral video.” Additionally, you can also use videos, GIFs, and visual elements to make your references a bit more colorful and engaging.

13. Share a Poignant Quote

Begin with an impactful quote that touches on the emotional aspect of your topic. If your presentation is about empathy, you could use examples from children’s moral storybooks. You can use examples from public figures. This will allow your audience to feel in a certain way and allow you to connect more with them.

14. Ask for Audience Participation 

During a presentation, it’s vital to get your audience involved and encourage active participation. You can do this by asking them to raise their hands, shout out answers, or respond to a relevant prompt related to the topic you’re discussing. This helps create an interactive and inclusive environment that promotes open communication and engagement from your listeners.

Now that you know how to start a presentation effectively, you might be thinking of ways to create mindblowing presentations! Paired with Google Workplace, SlidesAI is the perfect tool for this. 

SlidesAI is a one-of-a-kind, text-to-slide creator that pairs up with Googe Slides to simplify presentation creation for users on the go. No design skills or experience needed! Just install the SlidesAI extension on your Google Workspace, and you’re good to go!

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What should I say when starting a presentation?

Greet your audience well when starting a presentation. Start with a warm welcome note. Then, introduce yourself, talk about the topic, and set the tone for the rest of the presentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Creating a presentation is quite easy and simple. You can use Google Slides for one. You can also use tools like SlidesAI to help you optimize it better. With unique features, SlidesAI integrates seamlessly with your Google Workspace. You don't need any separate applications to run. Just download the SlidesAI extension and start creating slides on your desktop as well as on your phone.

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How to Look Confident During a Presentation

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When it comes to giving a presentation, few people can compare to the late Steve Jobs. Apple's iconic co-founder would walk on stage to deliver keynote presentations in front of thousands of media members and fans lucky enough to gain entry. Jobs, the wiry creator of such gadgets as the iPad, iPhone and iMac was known for his penchant for delivering captivating product demos. He was aided by some of the most technologically advanced visual aids in the business. Clad in his patented black mock turtleneck and jeans, Jobs mastered the art of the presentation. Even when he was unable to connect a brand new iPhone 4 to WiFi while debuting the device in 2010, he never missed a beat.

Jobs had plenty of practice at giving presentations. Someone in his position usually does. But he had to start somewhere. We all do. And for many of us, it's not as easy as people like Jobs make it look.

When you give presentations in school or at a familiar place like a church, you do so in front of peers, not colleagues. While many people get nervous, there's a familiarity here and you may feel a bit more at ease. But when you go up in front of a board of directors or potential client, it's a whole new ballgame. Chances are they know some, if not a lot of what you are going to talk about. Plus, it's for money. So the pressure can be intense.

The key to a good presentation is confidence. While some people have a knack for public speaking and giving presentations, it doesn't come so naturally to others. This article will prepare you for the next time you give a presentation so you'll look confident. The more success you have, the more confidence you'll gain. In the next section, we'll begin with a few tips on staying calm.

How to Stay Calm During a Presentation

Presentation skills.

One way to calm your nerves during a presentation is to know you have a good one going into it. It's much easier to feel confident when you have some substance to present. As with most things, preparation is crucial.

The average adult's attention span can vary depending on the individual. To be safe, aim for a shorter rather than longer speech. Find out your time limit. Then, write down all the points you need to cover. Think about it like a movie script. Edit out the least important aspects in order to keep it concise yet detailed.

Once you've put it together, rehearse your presentation until it feels natural. Insert breaks if you feel the presentation is too long. This will also allow you to segment your speech and keep you more focused on smaller bits instead of one drawn-out talk. Rehearse in front of a small, intimate audience, such as a family member. Or practice in front of a mirror. You've probably heard that before. The thought is that by rehearsing in front of a mirror, you'll see what your audience sees and can improve your delivery.

Come up with a method to keep your mind on task. For instance, picture your presentation as a story with a beginning, middle chapters and an end. If you have 10 points to your presentation, you have 10 chapters. Wrap up each chapter before moving on to the next. This will ensure your presentation is smooth.

Slow down when you're talking but not to the point of boring your audience to sleep. You want to keep them engaged. Visual aids are great for that because they serve two purposes. One, they keep the audience's eyes off you but still focused on your topic. They also serve as check points for you to work toward. This is a great way to keep your mind on task and avoid shooting from the hip.

Wandering off-topic is a surefire way to lose your audience. We'll look into how you can avoid that by polishing your presentation skills in the next section.

The Moth is a non-profit storytelling organization that started in 1997 with a group of 100 people in poet George Dawes Green's living room. Moth storytelling sessions have grown to include workshops, storytelling contests and corporate training seminars -- all with the goal of helping people capture an audience by telling a story effectively [source: The Moth].

It's hard to stress too much the importance of preparation. When you are rehearsing your presentation, you want to prepare everything down to your mannerisms. If you've ever seen magicians/comedians Penn and Teller perform, you'll notice how much hand movement Penn uses. Perhaps originally a nervous habit, he's worked it in as part of his act. This is just one thing to consider when executing a presentation.

Where you stand is important, too. When using slides or visual aids, keep out of your audience's line of sight. You want eyes focused on the visual aid while you continue to talk. Don't read what's on your slides or screen -- explain what they mean. When you want the audience to focus on you, stand tall. Don't slouch. If you're in front of a podium, don't fold you arms and lean forward like you're watching a game on TV at a bar. Eye contact is fine in short bursts but not necessary.

When putting together your presentation, avoid using colors without purpose. The brain is wired to notice changes of colors, so adding some colorful words here and there is a good way to make something stick out [source: Wired Science ]. But using them throughout the presentation will render them ineffective. Some colors can even trigger emotions -- red is often synonymous with danger, while blue may trigger feelings of safety.

As we said earlier, rambling can kill a presentation. And it's often spawned by nervousness or random questions. It's OK to ask your audience to reserve questions until after the presentation. If you feel nervous or begin to get hot, avoid apologizing when you feel like your anxiety is showing. Chances are your audience doesn't even notice. Have a glass of water nearby to sip when you need a second to collect yourself. Above all, stay on task.

Remember, your audience wants you to be successful. You're taking up your associates' and customers' valuable time, so no one wants to see you fail. Trust what you've prepared, and trust in your execution. Once you've seen that trust pay off, you'll become even more confident.

Lots More Information

Related articles.

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More Great Links

• Attention Span Test
• Alexander, Sharon. Home Office Weekly. "How to beat nerves before a presentation." (Sept. 17, 2010)http://www.homeofficeweekly.com/yourself/presentations.html
• Hinton, Anna; Casey, Marion. Oxford Brookes University. "Overcoming presentation anxiety a guide for students." (Sept. 17, 2010) http://www.brookes.ac.uk/student/services/health/presentation.html
• Ihnatko, Andy. Chicago Sun Times. "Apple keynote fail. Google keynote fail. It's all good." June 8, 2010. (Sept. 19, 2010) http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/2367808,ihnatko-apple-iphone-google-keynote-060810.article
• Keim, Brandon. Wired Science. "Seeing red: tweak your brain with colors." Feb. 5, 2009. (Sept. 18, 2010)http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/02/coloreffects/
• Lieberman, Martin. "Overcoming presentation anxiety." (Sept. 17, 2010) http://www.experience.com/alumnus/article?channel_id=Interviews&source_page=editor_picks&article_id=article_1126286322577
• Science Daily. "Color plays musical chairs on the brain."Oct. 2, 2009. (Sept. 18, 2010)http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164231.htm
• The Total Communicator. "The pre=presentation jitters - still headlining the list."(Sept. 17, 2010) http://totalcommunicator.com/jitters_article.html
• Topolsky, Joshua. Engadget. "Steve Jobs live from WWDC 2010." June 7, 2010.(Sept. 18, 2010) http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/steve-jobs-live-from-wwdc-2010/
• WebMD. "Anxiety: Using positive thinking." (Sept. 15, 2010) http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-using-positive-thinking

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > Seven power poses to pump up your presentation confidence

Seven power poses to pump up your presentation confidence

When you feel confident, your body language shows it. Confident people hold their head up high and stretch their arms wide. Even if you don’t feel assured, standing with your head held high and arms outstretched can make yourself more confident. It’s called power posing, and this technique can improve your next presentation.

What is power posing?

When you face stage fright before a presentation, you can power pose to influence your hormone balance. This can help you feel more confident and therefore perform better. Making a power gesture, such as stretching your arms out like a superhero, reduces the stress hormone cortisol and increases testosterone and adrenaline, both associated with risk-taking. These chemical changes strengthen your resolve when entering an intimidating social situation, like public speaking. You only need to hold these poses for a couple minutes to notice positive effects.

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Power posing was first examined in the early 2010s by researchers from Columbia and Harvard. It was introduced to the general public when social psychologist Amy Cuddy gave her TED Talk “Your body language may shape who you are.” While it’s still an ongoing study, power posing proves to bolster confidence when people need it time and time again.

Body language communicates power dynamics. You don’t need a PhD to know the difference between a submissive gesture and a dominant one. When you cross your arms and legs or hang your head low, you make yourself appear small and submissive—not only to others, but to yourself. On the flip side, when you hold your arms out wide, sit with your legs open and head held high, you make yourself appear big and dominant—to others and yourself.

Power posing challenges people to use this body language knowledge to make themselves look and feel more powerful when they feel the exact opposite.

Seven power pose examples

Either during, or just a few minutes before your presentation, go into an empty room and pose. Smile, pose, and get those confident thoughts flowing. It doesn’t matter how nervous or silly you feel at first—holding these stances will influence your hormones to calm your presentation anxiety and make you feel more confident.

There is no single pose guaranteed to work better than others. Try out a few and see which one makes you feel more powerful.

1. Flying superhero

Ball up one or both of your fists and punch them straight up into the air so you feel like a superhero flying through the sky.

2. Peter Pan

Place both hands on your hips, stand with your legs apart, plant your feet, and hold your head up high and think, “Oh, the cleverness of me!”

3. Performer

Open your fingers out wide and stretch your arms to the sky in a victorious “V” shape, like a runner crossing the finish line, a gymnast dismounting, or a rock star singing in an amphitheater.

Just like former US President Obama, sit in a chair with your hands behind your head and legs up on the desk. Tell yourself, “I’m in charge”.

Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, shoulders relaxed and at your sides, and hands ready to fast draw on anyone who gets in your way.

6. Mr. Clean

While arms crossed with shoulders hunched forward conveys weakness, arms crossed with shoulders rolled back conveys strength.

If there’s a table in front of you while speaking to an audience, lean forward and place your hands on the counter. This is a sign of dominance and signals power.

Power pose before your next presentation

You now know how body language effects power dynamics, both externally and internally. Use this knowledge to become a better presenter . Next time you get butterflies in your stomach or nervous nausea before a speech, try some power poses beforehand to strengthen your confidence. Be powerful.

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How to do Presentations Confidently

Public speaking is not for everyone but it may be required in some capacity within your job. Whether you are presenting to a room of 100+ people or just one, presenting confidently can be challenging.

It may seem like there is a lot to think about and remember, making the whole experience overwhelming for some. We have broken down some of the most important tips and pointers to help you present as naturally and confidently as possible. Check out the delivery skills below to look confident and master public speaking.

Be Prepared

Undoubtedly, one of the most important things you can do ahead of any presentation is to prepared. Being well prepared will give you many of the tools you need to cope during a presentation.

Make sure you are as familiar with the topic at hand as possible, allowing you to focus on your delivery rather than the ins and outs of what you are saying. Practice runs will help you look confident because you'll have memorized the information in question.

Use cue cards to jog your memory or aid you in answering questions. If you have an accompanying PowerPoint, let that take some of the focus for people with useful visual elements. Give out handouts or fliers to your audience to help illustrate your point.

Anything that can take some of the pressure off of memorizing facts and figures will benefit your presentation. Being prepared is essential to building confidence and getting control of your heart rate before a presentation.

Take Time to Practice

A practice run can be invaluable when it comes to delivering a confident presentation. Going through what you are going to say and what you are going to do will help everything feel more natural when it comes to delivering it for real.

The unfamiliarity of giving a presentation is one of the main reasons people experience a lack of confidence, so practicing and familiarizing yourself with the process will no doubt help in that department.

Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is essential to a good presentation. Remember to think about your audience members and connect with them. Structure your entire presentation around what they can get from it and how they will receive it.

If you are presenting to a class full of laymen, make sure the language you use is accessible and your pacing is slower. If you are presenting in front of an expert in the field like a co founder of a company, use more technical terms, and assume a good understanding of your content.

Everything you do should be geared around your audience. If people are receptive and attentive, your confidence in front of them will grow as a result.

Eye Contact and Other Body Language

The words you say are a heavy focus of a presentation, but body language is sometimes overlooked as a result. Eye contact is important in a presentation, just as it is in day to day life.

Making eye contact is far easier with a smaller group but the same effect can be delivered with a larger group. You do not need to make eye contact with every single member of your audience in order to be engaging, just look up and in the general direction of your audience.

As well as eye contact, gestures are very important in a presentation. Your hands can be a great tool to help explain points or exude confidence.

Avoid closed off body language like folding your arms, hiding your hands or, touching your face often. The wrong sort of body language will display a lack of confidence to your audience and can affect how confident you feel.

Be Loud, Clear, and Concise

When giving a presentation, it is essential that what you say is easy to interpret so that the content can be the primary focus. There are three main things you need to be when you are speaking: loud, clear, and concise.

First off, you want to project your voice so that everyone can hear you. This doesn't mean shouting but just make sure that everyone in the room can hear what you are saying. It may be a good idea to check this before starting by simply asking.

Secondly, you want to make sure that you are clear. Speak at a reasonable pace, pronounce words correctly, and avoid long pauses.

Make your point, make it well, and move on. Try not to repeat yourself or go over old ground.

Don't Rush Things

Another tip relating to delivery is to take your time. People have a tendency to rush through presentations, particularly when they are nervous. Slow yourself down, take a short pause between points, and make sure the room is with you.

The point of a presentation is to convey information to your audience in some capacity. If you are rushing through, your audience will not have time to process what you are saying and your presentation will suffer as a result.

Not rushing things can also extend to your preparation for the presentation. Do your best to be fully composed before starting, have any documents with you and at hand, and read up around the subject as much as possible. Not only will this allow you to be calm, collected, and feel confident, but it will also improve the standard of your overall presentation.

Preparation can help immeasurably with confidence in your presentation and should always be a key part of the process. Aside from this, there are plenty of other things that, if nothing else, that will project a sense of confidence to the people in the audience.

How to do presentations confidently does not always come naturally, but doing some of the things suggested above will improve your self-belief and confidence in your presentations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective strategies for managing presentation anxiety, how can i engage my audience during a presentation to appear more confident, what are the key elements of a confident presentation delivery.

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