What presentation tips do you need to know for a great presentation? How do you give a great presentation. What are the top business presentation tips?
Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball
Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London. Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
Crafting a great business presentation is both an art and a science
Whether you’re delivering a PowerPoint presentation, using Google Slides, or relying on a pitch deck, the goal is the same: to engage your audience members and communicate your main points effectively. Let’s explore effective executive presentation tips to ensure your next presentation leaves a lasting impression.
Delivering an engaging pitch presentation is a skill that can transform how your ideas are received. Whether you’re speaking to a room of ten or a conference hall of hundreds, keeping your audience interested is crucial. Here’s how to make your presentations impactful and memorable. Maintaining your audience’s attention throughout the entire presentation is crucial.
Great Content, Structure and Simplicity: Your Foundation for Success
The content of your presentation is the most important thing. To deliver a successful presentation, you need to build your presentation around a few main points and organise them logically. The best way to improve your presentation is to create great content.
Avoid the trap of a bad presentation by tailoring your content and presentation delivery to your audience. Whether it’s a large conference or a gathering of colleagues at smaller events, the approach remains the same: create powerful messages, build a clear narrative, and use storytelling. With these elements in place, your presentation will stand out as both engaging and effective.
Out top business pitch presentation tips include:
Top Tips for Effective Pitch Presentations
1. Start Strong
The first few moments of your presentation set the tone. A powerful opening grabs attention and creates anticipation.
Example: “Imagine a world where your team is 30% more productive – what would that mean for your business?” This type of thought-provoking question immediately involves your audience.
Use a story, a surprising statistic, or even a bold statement to make your opening compelling.
Understand who you’re speaking to and adjust your content accordingly. A presentation for senior executives should talk about strategy and outcomes, while a team workshop might benefit from practical, hands-on tips.
Throughout, make your presentation about your audience, not about you or your subject. One easy way to do this is to use the word ‘YOU’ frequently in your talk.
Pitch Presentation Tips: If addressing a small business group, you could say: “I know many of you wear multiple hats, so let’s outline some actionable ideas you can implement tomorrow.”
Slides should enhance, not distract from, your message. Try presenting without slides or use visuals sparingly and ensure they’re easy to digest. Aim for clean designs, large fonts, and minimal text.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your slide deck concise—aim for a small number of slides that highlight your key ideas. A page of bullet points is a bad way to summarise information.
A general rule is to avoid large amounts of text on your slides. Instead, use only a few lines of text to highlight key points. Slides should support—not replace—your message. Including too much information on a single slide will confuse your audience and shift their attention away from you.
Presentation Tips: Instead of cramming a slide with statistics, display a simple chart that highlights the most important trend. Complement it with a verbal explanation: “As you can see, sales jumped by 40% after adopting this strategy.”
Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Presentation Coaching
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business presentation skills for over 15 years. Our coaching is fast and effective. We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups. Call us today to learn more.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Stories are memorable and help illustrate your points. Share real-life examples or case studies that connect with your audience on an emotional level.
Including a personal story is one of the best ways to connect emotionally with your audience. For example, if you’re presenting a strategy for business growth, sharing a relatable anecdote about overcoming challenges can make your ideas more tangible and memorable.
Personal stories add authenticity to your presentation and can help capture the attention of your entire audience. Learn how to tell stories in presentations here. Read more about how to use business storytelling.
Presentation Tips: If presenting about teamwork, recount a time your own team overcame a challenge: “We had a tight deadline, but by collaborating with colleagues from different departments, we delivered the project early and exceeded client expectations.”
5. Keep It Interactive
Engagement is a two-way street. Involve your audience by asking questions, encouraging discussion, or using interactive tools like polls. Or more simply, use rhetorical questions. They are simple and effective.
Probably the easiest way to make an interactive presentation is to use the work YOU as much as possible in your presentation.
Presentation Tip: For a very large audience you could use live polling tools like Slido to ask: “What’s your biggest productivity challenge?” Discussing the results can help guide the presentation while maintaining interest.
6. Simplify Complex Ideas
If your presentation involves technical or detailed content, break it down into simple, digestible pieces. Use analogies or visuals to clarify complex ideas.
Use short sentences. Short words. Many pauses.
Avoid using technical terms unless you’re certain your target audience is familiar with the subject. Even in technical business presentations, clarity is essential. The greatest presenters turn complex information into simple ideas using metaphor, analogies and similes.
Avoid overloading your audience. An effective presentation delivers valuable information without giving your audience indigestion. Less really is more.
If you need to provide more details, consider offering a tip sheet or a handout at the end. This is a perfect way to ensure your audience walks away with important things to review later, without distracting them during your talk. This approach is especially helpful for killer presentations that balance clarity with depth.
Pitch Presentation Tips: Instead of saying, “We need to optimise our SEO strategy to improve SERP rankings,” try, “Think of your website as a shopfront. SEO is how you ensure customers can find it.”
7. End with Impact
Leave your audience with something memorable. Summarise key points, reinforce your main message, or end with a call to action.
A strong conclusion ties everything together and reinforces the important points. The content of the presentation should naturally lead to a call to action or a thought-provoking takeaway. Use this moment to thank your audience and remind them why your message matters. For example, you might say: “If there’s one thing you take away today, it’s that small changes in your approach can lead to big results.”
Always end with a strong finish that summarises the main points and includes your contact information for follow-ups. Ending with a memorable quote or a call to action is a great way to close. The end of the presentation should reinforce your key message, leaving a lasting impression.
At the last thing, summarise your key points and leave your audience with a strong takeaway. Whether you’re presenting at a conference or smaller events, the closing moments are crucial. Revisit your important points briefly and finish with an inspiring call to action or thought-provoking statement. Your audience should leave feeling motivated and informed.
Pitch Presentation Tips: “If there’s one thing to take away today, it’s this: prioritise clarity in communication, and you’ll see results immediately.”
8. Manage Nerves Effectively
Even the most seasoned speakers feel nervous. Preparation is key. Practise thoroughly, but also learn techniques to calm yourself on the day. Breathing exercises and visualising success can help. Learn how to manage your presentation nerves here.
Presentation Tips: Arrive early, check the tech, and familiarise yourself with the room to reduce surprises.
9. Stay Authentic
Audiences connect with real, relatable speakers. So, don’t try to imitate others – instead be the best version of yourself.
Body language also plays a vital role in an effective presentation. Using purposeful hand gestures can emphasise your important points and make your delivery more dynamic. However, avoid overdoing it—natural movements are more effective than exaggerated ones. If you’re presenting on a larger screen, make sure your gestures are visible even to those seated at the back of the room.
Example: If you make a mistake, don’t panic. Laugh it off: “Well, that wasn’t in the script! Let’s try that again.” A touch of humour can help you connect with your audience.
10. Polish and Practice: Make it Memorable
Practising beforehand is the best way to prevent potential problems. For example, run through your slides on the actual equipment you’ll be using and test visuals on a larger screen to ensure they are clear. Stand on stage and check the sound, where the lights are and where you can move. These preparations reduce stress and help you deliver a polished, memorable presentation even if things don’t go perfectly.
Your tone of voice, body language, and energy play a significant role in keeping your audience engaged. Avoid speaking in a monotone so you vary your pace and emphasis to highlight key points.
A good idea is to rehearse within your time limit, ensuring that you don’t rush or overload your audience members with additional information at the end of your presentation. Public speaking is a skill, and practising regularly will help you build good presentation skills.
Even with careful planning, the worst-case scenario—like technical difficulties or a forgotten slide—can happen. Being prepared with backup materials, such as printed slides or an offline version of your presentation, is a good chance to show your professionalism. Even better, be prepared to speak with no visual aids. Remember, how you handle unexpected moments can leave just as much of an impression as the content of the presentation itself.
By following these tips for effective presentations, you’ll not only create excellent presentations but also grow into a great speaker who can deliver powerful presentations in a variety of ways. With the right preparation and execution, you’ll soon master the art of business presentations and wow every type of presentation you face.
Creating a killer presentation doesn’t require perfection—it’s about making connections, sharing ideas, and delivering value. By addressing the needs of your audience and finding different ways to keep them engaged, you’ll be well on your way to delivering impactful and memorable presentations every time.
Being engaging isn’t about being flashy – it’s about connecting with your audience and delivering value in a way that’s clear, interesting, and memorable. By starting strong, staying relatable, and involving your audience, you can turn even the most complex topic into a presentation people will remember.
Ready to step up your presentation game? Start practising these presentation tips today and watch your confidence – and impact – grow.
From Pitch Presentation Tips to World-Class Presentation Skills
We’ve been coaching business executives and leaders for 15 years to create and deliver powerful talks and presentations. Learn more about our intensive presentation skills coaching courses today.
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FAQ: Top Pitch Presentation Tips for an Engaging Delivery
1. What are the most important tips for a great pitch presentation?
To deliver an engaging pitch presentation, work on: – Starting strong with a compelling opening. – Tailoring your content to your audience. – Using visual aids wisely (avoid clutter). – Telling stories to make your message memorable. – Keeping it interactive to maintain engagement. – Simplifying complex ideas for clarity. – Ending with impact (call to action or key takeaway). – Managing nerves through preparation. – Staying authentic to build trust. – Practising thoroughly for a polished delivery.
2. How can I start my presentation effectively?
A powerful opening grabs attention. Try: – A thought-provoking question (“What if your team was 30% more productive?”) – A surprising statistic. – A short, relevant story. – A bold statement.
3. How do I keep my audience engaged?
– Make it about them—use “you” frequently. – Ask questions (even rhetorical ones). – Use storytelling to illustrate points. – Keep slides simple (minimal text, strong visuals). – Encourage interaction (polls, discussions).
4. What’s the best way to handle nerves before a presentation?
– Practise multiple times (record yourself if possible). – Arrive early to test tech and familiarise yourself with the space. – Use breathing exercises to stay calm. – Visualise success—imagine a confident delivery.
5. How can I simplify complex information in my pitch?
– Use analogies (e.g., “SEO is like a shopfront sign”). – Break ideas into digestible chunks. – Avoid jargon unless your audience knows it. – Use visuals (charts, diagrams) instead of dense text.
6. What should I avoid in a pitch presentation?
– Overloading slides with text or data. – Reading directly from slides (they should support, not replace, your speech). – Ignoring audience needs (tailor content to their interests). – Rushing through key points (pause for emphasis).
7. How do I end my presentation memorably?
– Summarise key takeaways. – End with a call to action (what should they do next?). – Use a powerful quote or story. – Leave contact details for follow-ups.
8. How important is body language in presentations?
Very! Strong body language includes: – Confident posture (stand tall, avoid fidgeting). – Purposeful gestures (use hands to emphasise points). – Eye contact (connect with different audience members). – Varying tone and pace (avoid monotone delivery).
9. Should I memorise my entire presentation?
No—memorising can make you sound robotic. Instead: – Know your key points thoroughly. – Practise naturally (use bullet points as prompts). – Be prepared to adapt if audience reactions shift focus.
10. How can I improve my presentation skills over time?
– Seek feedback from peers or coaches. – Watch recordings of your presentations. – Attend public speaking workshops (like those from Benjamin Ball Associates). – Practise regularly in different settings.
11. Where can I get professional presentation coaching?
Benjamin Ball Associates offers tailored coaching for executives and teams. Their experts help with: – Pitch deck development. – Public speaking skills. – Investor pitch training. – Overcoming presentation nerves Contact Louise at +44 20 7018 0922 or info@benjaminball.com for a free consultation.
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