1. Simple Is Sexy
Use simple, accessible, and third-grade language in your presentations. Avoid using jargon or complex terms so it’s easier for your audience to follow and remember your points.
Expert tip: Look out for acronyms, long sentences, and clichés.
2. Facts Tell, Stories Sell
People are naturally drawn to narratives because it allows them to imagine the scenarios you’re describing and reflect on how we understand the world around us.
Expert tip: We are hard-wired to listen to and remember stories. They connect with us emotionally and are much harder to forget than facts.
3. Use Vocal Variety
Vary your tone, pitch, and volume when you want to emphasize different points. For instance, during the 2007 iPhone release, Jobs repeated the phrase, “an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator” with increasing excitement.
Expert tip: Record your voice and experiment where you can add emphasis or change your pitch.
4. Use Minimalist Slides
Simple slides with minimal text lead to a more natural and confident delivery. This creates a more immersive experience as you’re not constantly reading off the slides but instead engaging directly with the audience.
Expert tip: Limit each slide to one key idea and use a high-quality visual with a large readable font.
5. Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
This isn’t just memorizing lines but getting comfortable with the flow of your presentation. This way, you can iron out any awkward transitions so your key points come across clearly and confidently.
Expert tip: Aim to practice in the actual venue or a similar setting to get a feel for the space and acoustics.
6. Own Your Space
Make full use of the stage—take time to settle in, walk around, and use open gestures. This makes your presentation more dynamic and conveys a sense of ease and confidence.
Expert tip: During your rehearsal, plan key points where you will move to different parts of the stage.
The content was credited to Nausheen I. Cheng
