Presenting with Impact. How to Give High Impact Presentations
January 13, 2023
Updated 4 September 2026
Do you want to give high impact presentations and talks? Do you want to speak with impact and present with impact? Do you want to engage your audience? If your answer to any of these is ‘yes’, then these techniques are for you.
We have highlighted six clear techniques you can apply immediate to be a high-impact presenter.
Learn how presentation skills coaching from Benjamin Ball Associates can equip you with life-long presentation skills.
Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball
Ben is the founder of London-based Benjamin Ball Associates. He leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses pitch, present & persuade. He is a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School, Imperial College and UCL London. Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
Presenting With Impact is a Core Business Skill
When you present with impact, you make sure that your audience truly hears and understands your message.
You grab their attention, keep them engaged, and make them care about what you’re saying. Your skills in communicating clearly and persuasively will set you apart in meetings, pitches, and public speaking events.
If you present with confidence, your colleagues, clients, and stakeholders will trust you more.
But if you hesitate or mumble, you risk losing their interest. That’s why you must work on your tone, your body language, and your storytelling.
When you master this core business skill, you don’t just share information—you inspire action.
Get Support for Speaking With Impact
We’ve been coaching business leaders to become impressive public speakers for more than fifteen years.
We can transform a nervous presenter into a high impact public speaker in just a few hours with public speaking training.
We use these tools from our public speaking toolbox to transform dull performances into impressive, high impact talks and presentations.
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How To Give High Impact Presentations
1. Use short phrases
Spoken language works best when delivered in snackable bites, using short, simple words and phrases.
- Speak a few words at a time.
- One idea per phrase.
- Cut long sentences into chunks.
- Take out sub clauses and complex constructions.
The reason this is so important is threefold:
- You give you audience time to digest what you’ve said
- You give yourself a bit of time to prepare your next thought
- You have more gravitas when you present.
In our coaching, we often train with a camera so that you can see yourself. This help you make rapid improvements.
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2. Include many more personal pronouns
You will find that personal pronouns are more compelling when you use them in your presentations.
When you use I, We, Us and You, it means that you are speaking directly to your audience, rather than describing your subject from a distance.
Why this works: most business presentations default to passive, impersonal language — “the results were achieved,” “it was decided,” “the strategy will be implemented.” That phrasing might feel more formal, but it puts distance between you and your audience exactly when you want to close it. Personal pronouns turn a report into a conversation.
EXAMPLES
| BEFORE | AFTER |
|---|---|
| “It was determined that the new process would improve efficiency by 20%.” | “We looked at this closely, and I’m confident we can improve efficiency by 20%.” |
| “The team’s efforts resulted in a successful launch.” | “We worked hard on this — and we pulled off a launch I’m genuinely proud of.” |
Notice the second versions sound more accountable. “It was determined” hides who decided; “I’m confident” puts you behind the decision. Audiences trust a speaker who owns their material more than one who narrates it from a distance.
See how Sheryl Sandberg opened her December 2010 TED Talk, “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders,” with these words:
“So for any of us in this room today, let’s start out by admitting we’re lucky. We don’t live in the world our mothers lived in, our grandmothers lived in, where career choices for women were so limited.”
A word of caution: this isn’t about turning every sentence into “I”. Overusing the first person can sound self-centred, especially when the achievement was a team effort. The most effective mix leans on “we” for shared work and results, “you” to speak directly to what matters to your audience, and “I” sparingly, for genuine personal conviction or accountability (“I believe,” “I’ll make sure of it”).
A quick exercise: take one paragraph from your next presentation script and rewrite every impersonal sentence to include a personal pronoun. Read both versions aloud. You’ll notice the second version is not only more engaging to hear, it’s easier to say naturally, because it matches how you’d actually talk to someone.
Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Presentation Coaching
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication 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.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.
3. Introduce more and longer pauses
Say this phrase out loud, [pause] with long pauses. [pause] You would be amazed how long you can pause. [pause] Pauses are so important [pause] Learn how to use pauses when presenting.
- Pauses give your audience time to think.
- They give you time to compose your next line.
- Pauses also make you look more impressive.
Pauses, like the short phrases above, make it easier for your audience. This is probably the number one rule of high-impact presenting.
4. Use rhetorical tools
Rhetorical tools are often forgotten, but critical in high impact talks. Used well, they make your key points memorable in a way that plain, functional language never does. The whole reason phrases like “government of the people, by the people, for the people” or “we shall fight on the beaches” are still quoted decades later.
Here are four of the most useful, and how to actually use each one:
| Rhetorical Tool | Example |
|---|---|
| Repetition — say the same word or phrase more than once, deliberately, to drive a point home. | “We need to invest more. We need to hire more. We need to move faster — because our competitors already are.” |
| Contrast — set two ideas against each other so each one sharpens the other. | “This isn’t about spending more. It’s about spending smarter.” |
| Sets of three — group your point into three parts. Audiences find threes satisfying and memorable in a way twos and fours simply aren’t. | “We need a plan that’s simple, achievable, and — most importantly — one the whole team believes in.” |
| Personal stories — a specific, real moment does more work than a general claim. “Our client saved time” is forgettable; | “one client told us this saved her three hours every single week” is not. |
Why this works: plain statements inform; rhetorical devices make a point land and stick. If you want your audience to still remember your key message a week later, the device you wrap it in matters almost as much as the point itself.
CASE STUDY – Using rhetorical tools to start a speech
Here’s a speech that we recently helped a client prepare for her software developer conference. See how it uses personal pronouns and a set of three:
“If you’re in this room today, you’re probably thinking about your next [client] project, you’re in the middle of a project, or you’ve already had your hands burned on a project.
Wherever you are, these next few minutes are for you.
My name is…..”
A quick exercise: look at the one sentence in your next presentation that matters most. Rewrite it as a contrast, or as a set of three.
Say both versions aloud. The version that’s more rhetorical is very often also the most interesting to listen to.
5. Connect with your audience within 10 seconds
Never start your talk with “Hello, my name is… I am here today to talk to you about….”
Instead, give a high impact start to your presentation and grab their attention immediately.
Have a look at this case study from client speeches we worked on:
CASE STUDY 1: Connecting with your audience using a story
THE CHALLENGE: Our client, the CEO of a large utility company, was giving the annual health and safety lecture to the senior team. He knew that HR’s PowerPoint slides would not work.
OUR SOLUTION: We started with this personal story:
“Early in my career, I was put in charge of a building site.
In the first week there, we had a crane collapse.
That night, I had to knock on a woman’s door and tell her that her husband had been killed on a site where I was in charge.
I don’t want any of you to have to go through what I went through that day – and that’s why we are talking about health and safety today.”
THE RESULT: As you can see, in just a few words he grabbed attention and gave everyone a very good reason to listen on.
Use one of the many tried and tested ways to hook your audience and lead them straight into your subject.
6. Avoid metatalk
The biggest presentation secret to presenting with impact is not a secret at all.
In a conversation you would never say: “In this sentence you will hear that I am saying…..” or “In my next paragraph I will outline my argument.” This would be “meta-talk”: talk about talking, and it sounds very odd!
That’s the presentation secret. So why do we see so many presenters start their presentation with: “In this presentation I will show you….” or “I will take you through this presentation….” That sort of meta-talk is annoying because it distances you from your audience.
You distance yourself at exactly the time when you need to connect.
To avoid this presentation mistake, our presentation skills coaching shows you how to speak directly to your audience rather than narrate the mechanics of your presentation.
Presentation secret: Great presenters avoid metatalk.
What does this mean in practice? Avoid referring to your presentation as a separate entity. Instead, talk to your audience as if to a person – one to one. And only refer to your visual aids as needed.
For example:
You SHOULD NOT say: “Now turn to page 3. Here are the quarterly sales figures. As shown on the presentation, sales this quarter are up 3% and the graph shows the positive trend.”
You SHOULD say: “Sales this quarter are up 3%. That is a good result. This means we have now been increasing sales for the last 6 quarters. It’s a trend we would love to see continue.”
Can you see the difference?
In the second example you don’t mention the slide or the graph. You aren’t narrating a slide, you are talking to the audience and the slide/graph visually supports your argument. It’s a subtle change, but completely changes how effectively you communicate.
If you want to learn more about this and many other techniques for better presentations, please get in touch and find out how we can support you to become a world-class presenter.
Do you want to become a high impact speaker? If so, talk to us.
We have developed a robust toolbox of techniques to help you deliver clear, confident talks and presentations.
We’ll help you look, sound and feel impressive so that you grab your audience’s attention. In just a few short hours we’ll transform you to deliver clearly, confidently and with impact. You can prepare a specific speech with us, or learn skills that will benefit you all your life.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you become an impressive public speaker.
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We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and the Middle East have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.
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For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors. And we stand out because you benefit from our tried and tested PitchPointTM Process to make sure you make fast and lasting improvements.
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FAQ: Presenting with Impact – How to Give High-Impact Presentations
1. What does it mean to present with impact?
Presenting with impact means delivering a message that is clear, compelling, and memorable. It involves engaging your audience, using confident body language, and structuring your content effectively to leave a lasting impression.
2. How can I grab my audience’s attention at the start of a presentation?
Start with a strong opening, such as a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or a compelling story. Avoid generic introductions and immediately connect with your audience’s interests.
3. How can I make my message more memorable?
Many ways: Use Imagery. Use Metaphor. Use Anecdotes. Use the rule of three to structure key points, incorporate storytelling, and repeat important messages. Simplicity and clarity make your presentation easier to understand and remember.
4. How do I engage my audience throughout the presentation?
Encourage interaction by asking questions, inviting participation, and adapting your delivery based on audience reactions. Use pauses effectively to maintain attention and allow key points to sink in.
5. What role does body language play in high-impact presentations?
Body language is crucial. Maintain eye contact, use purposeful gestures, and stand confidently. Your physical presence should reinforce your words and show enthusiasm for your message.
6. What techniques can I use to speak with more confidence?
Practise your presentation multiple times, control your breathing, and speak about your audience rather than your nerves. Speak at a varied pace, vary your tone, and use pauses for emphasis. You can polish all these techniques with a presentation coach.
7. How should I structure a high-impact presentation?
Begin with a strong introduction, present three to five key points, and end with a powerful conclusion. Ensure a logical flow and reinforce your key messages throughout.
8. What common mistakes should I avoid?
Rule #1: Don’t be Boring. Avoid information overload, never read from slides, don’t speak in a monotone, or be too abstract. Keep your message clear, concise, and relevant to your audience’s needs.
9. How do I handle nerves before a big presentation?
Prepare thoroughly, practise aloud, and keep editing until its as good as it can be. Work with a professional coach to overcome nerves. .
10. What is the best way to close a high-impact presentation?
End with a strong summary of key points and a clear call to action. Leave your audience with a memorable statement, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful takeaway.
11. Where can I get professional coaching to improve my presentation skills?
Benjamin Ball Associates offers expert coaching to help professionals deliver high-impact presentations with confidence and clarity. Contact Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com for a free consultation.
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