Making a Fantastic Professional Presentation for Your Business

Dressing for success

When making a professional presentation, keep in mind that you are representing your company. If you have a professional service, you should wear business attire, even if the meeting is in the evening. If you work in a labor industry, a uniform can be appropriate, or even casual but clean work clothes.

Women have to be especially careful to avoid overtly sexy clothes that detract from your seriousness as a business person.

The clothes should fit the industry. For example, if you are a personal trainer, stylish gym wear can be considered appropriate. The look has to match your image.

Physical presentation

Walk up to the podium with a firm, brisk step, keep your head up and make eye contact with several members of the audience. Remember they don't know that you're nervous, unless your mannerisms tip them off.

Practice your presentation. Memorize what you will say so you don't have to read from a piece of paper. Practice the presentation in a mirror to see what you look like, practicing what you will do with your hands, your gestures and facial expressions.

Remember that the more often you give the presentation, the more comfortable you'll be. Ask people to help you practice, whether it be your spouse, your children, your co-workers, your neighbors or anyone else who will listen!

What you say

Keep it geared for a general audience. Don't overuse technical language, and explain the terminology you do use. Make sure they know the basics about your company.

Of course, you should start with your name, the company name and perhaps a motto that explains exactly what you do. With 10 minutes you can get away with perhaps a two-minute background story on how the company started, and how you chose your name.

Next, take a couple of minutes to list the benefits of your product or service, emphasizing the advantages for the customer. Put yourself in their shoes, and ask yourself, what can this company offer to me?Leave them with one concrete idea of why your company is the best at what you do. Let them know what you can do for them, from their point of view.