How to Prepare a Good Presentation in 2024

Need to know how to prepare a good presentation that really gets your audience’s attention and achieves results? Check out our tutorial for the best presentation preparation steps and delivery tips.

There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than having a big presentation coming up and feeling unprepared. Public speaking can be difficult, and not feeling ready makes it even more challenging. Here are the essential steps for presentation preparation to help you calm those nerves and wow your audience.

Find Premium Presentation Slides on Envato Elements

One effective way to save time in the presentation preparation phase is to use a premium template for your slides. This will not only enhance the visual appeal of your presentation but also help you feel more confident about your design choices.

A great place to find templates when preparing to give a presentation is Envato Elements. This marketplace offers a fantastic deal that allows you to download as many premium PowerPoint presentation templates as you want, all for one low price.

In addition to templates, Envato Elements includes stock photos, graphics, icons, and other elements that can make your presentations stand out.

How to Prepare a Good Presentation Step by Step in 2024

Now, let’s explore some of the key steps in preparing a presentation, covering everything from topic selection to delivery.

1. Choose the Right Topic

Selecting the right topic for your presentation is crucial. Here are some approaches:

• Choose a topic you’re passionate about, which will help you deliver an animated and engaging presentation.
• Pick a topic based on your knowledge and skills to impress your audience with insightful information.
• Conduct a data-driven presentation that incorporates the latest statistics and your expert opinion or conclusions.
• Select a topic that aligns with your business goals, such as reporting on KPIs or revenue.

Stephanie Schwab, a Marketing Expert, emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience:

“Finding the right topic is all about understanding your audience. What’s keeping them up at night? What do they need to hear from you that will help them? If you’re unsure, ask them directly through surveys or social media.”

2. Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is key to tailoring your presentation effectively. Your approach will vary significantly based on whether your audience consists of novices or experts.

Jared Karol, a Speaker and Coach, highlights the importance of audience engagement:

“Involve the audience as much as possible. Use inclusive language and invite them to interact, whether through chat features or verbal participation. Remember, you’re creating an experience, not just delivering content.”

3. Brainstorm

Brainstorming can be done individually or in a group. Make sure to jot down initial ideas and connections. Tools like mind mapping can help you organize related concepts and clarify the intended focus of your presentation.

4. Do Your Research

Conducting thorough research is a critical element that distinguishes good presentations from mediocre ones.

Tara Furiani, CEO of Not the HR Lady, states:

“Presentations must be rooted in credible facts. Use various references—like movies or pop culture—to drive serious points home, but always back up your claims with reliable data.”

Gather relevant information such as:

• Recent news articles
• Up-to-date statistics from reliable sources
• Quotes from credible individuals

5. Plan Your Presentation

Organize your ideas and research into a rough outline. Use headings and bullet points to identify key facts, quotes, and statistics. This structure will give you a solid foundation for your slides.

6. Draft/Write Your Presentation

Creating a presentation involves more than just designing slides. Use your outline to draft what you’ll say. Begin with an engaging introduction to capture your audience’s attention.

Christina Strickland, Vice President of Crackerjack Marketing, suggests:

“Set the tone during your introduction by outlining your objectives. This will guide audience expectations and indicate when they can ask questions.”

Don’t forget to plan your conclusion, as it will help steer your presentation toward a strong finish.

7. Design Your Presentation Slides

To simplify your slide preparation, consider using a premium presentation template from Envato Elements. This allows you to focus on your content instead of worrying about design.

Here are some additional tips for designing effective slides:

• Limit font choices to a single heading and body font for consistency.
• Ensure font sizes are readable, even from the back of the room.
• Avoid cluttering slides with too much text; aim to present one key point per slide.
• Incorporate visuals like charts and images to enhance understanding.

For more detailed guidance, check out our in-depth PowerPoint tutorial.

8. Expect Questions

Prepare for audience questions as part of your presentation planning. Anticipate likely queries and think about how to guide your audience to ask the questions you’re prepared to answer.

Christina Strickland advises:

“It’s okay not to have an answer for every question. Prepare various responses for unexpected questions and remember to acknowledge good questions even if they fall outside your expertise.”

9. Practice the Presentation

Once your slides are ready and you’ve prepared for questions, practice your presentation thoroughly. Pay attention to any parts that don’t flow well, and adjust your script and slides accordingly.

Consider practicing in front of trusted colleagues to get feedback. If you’re presenting online, Jared Karol suggests:

“Focus on creating a presence that engages your audience. Prepare well, but remember that how you deliver the information is just as important as the content itself.”

10. Prepare the Room

If possible, familiarize yourself with the presentation space or the virtual platform ahead of time. Know the equipment you’ll use, whether it’s a projector or an online video conferencing tool.

11. Adjust Slide Design For Virtual Displays

If your presentation is virtual, ensure that your slides are designed to accommodate various screen sizes. Avoid placing text too close to the edges of the slide.

12. Look After Background and Lighting

Ensure your background is free of distractions and that you have adequate lighting for your presentation. Experiment with different setups to find the most effective arrangement for visibility.

13. Use Interactive Features

Incorporate interactive features in your online presentations to keep your audience engaged, such as polls and chat questions.

Tara Furiani notes:

“One of the benefits of online presentations is the real-time feedback from your audience through reactions and comments.”

Presentation Preparation: Online vs In-Person

As more events transition online, understanding how to tailor your presentations for virtual audiences is essential. Stephanie Schwab provides insight into balancing slides and personal engagement:

“Don’t feel the need to rely on slides the entire time. Share your screen selectively to keep the audience focused on you.”

In summary, effective presentation preparation involves understanding your audience, organizing your content, and practicing thoroughly to ensure a successful delivery.