Presentation Delivery Tips: 10 questions to ask yourself

Presentation delivery tips in the form of 10 questions that you should ask yourself. Some are before you even open PowerPoint!

Read more about the importance of good planning in order to deliver a successful presentation: Best Presentation Structure.

10 important questions to always ask yourself: Presentation Delivery Tips

1. What is the purpose of your talk?

We must present for a reason, and knowing that reason will help you to decide on what kind of presentation you need to give. Is it purely informative, or is it a sales pitch? Are you to motivate your audience? Or persuade them?

2. Who is the audience?

Tailor your content and your design to your audience: so do some research on who they are. You may for example need to avoid technical jargon for certain audiences. Some might favour a more corporate style, and others something more fun. This can depend on age, industry and your purpose.

3. What does the audience already know about the topic?

Don’t waste valuable time going over information that your audience are already experts in. Find out how much your audience already knows about the subject so that you can make sure you include the content they need to know.

4. What do you want your audience to remember?

Immediately after a presentation an audience will only remember 50%. You need to ensure that your audience remembers the right 50%. Check out some of our previous blog posts for tips on how to help audience’s remember key information. (Days later they’ll remember less than that of course! But we have some great neuroscience tips to help message retention from presentations.)

5. What action should your audience take at the end of the presentation?

Decide what you want your audience to do. Then provide them with right details to do it. Make their next step as seamless as possible. Leave your contact details and any handouts that provide extra information should they need it.

6. How are you going to structure your presentation?

Presentations need a beginning, a middle and an end. This sounds obvious, but it’s best to consider what that actually entails. It’s not just the slide count – it’s purposeful content for the points you are making. Write a script that highlights the message(s) for each section.

7. Do you know your content inside out?

The audience might ask questions and you’ll need to answer them. If necessary, do more reading on your subject. And be honest if you don’t know: blagging it can backfire and be embarrassing.

8. How long is the time slot you’ve been given?

It’s vital that you’re presentation matches how long you have to present. A 10 minute presentation will be set up very differently to a 30 minute one. Make sure you rehearse your whole slide set beforehand to ensure you can complete your presentation in the allotted time. Check this early on!

9. What other aids will you need?

Depending on your presentation you might need speakers, handouts or a larger screen to play video content. Make sure that the venue has everything you need for delivering a presentation.

10. Where is the venue?

Check the location and get there in plenty of time. Double check driving/tube directions so that you don’t get lost or arrive a bit sweaty. No no.

These are a good set of presentation delivery tips! Finally: relax.
If you’ve prepared well, you’ll be fine. Enjoy it and good luck!