Being good at presenting is truly an unfair skill: with so many people out there still doing it in the bad way, it is your way how to stand out from the crowd. Ensure yourself a flawless presentation with a good preparation, design and delivery. No matter if you choose PowerPoint, keynote, prezi or any other slideware: anybody can become a good presenter.

2. Every presentation
starts with knowing
what is your point and
why it matters.
The one thing you want
your audience to
remember once they
leave the room.

3. Don’t worry about
being interesting.
If you are interested,
you automatically are.
Start with a topic, job,
product you love.

4. So let’s start creating.
It’s hard to know where
our ideas come from.
But they surely don’t
come from our slideware.
(Nor do they come from the same 4 office walls.)

5. So log off, seek out new
places and inspiration.
Sketch out the main
thoughts and imagery of
your presentation.
The difficulty is not to
create new ideas, but to
escape from old ones.
- John Maynard Keynes

6. Get rid of standardized
templates and bullet lists.
They are easy to use
and make us feel safe.
But in reality they limit our
creativity.

7. Start with a blank side.
Choose a color to reflect
your personal brand.
Do the same for your
font and imagery.
Apply them relentlessly.

8. Avoid text-loaded slides
and confusing graphs.
Your slides are not
supposed to be a
full-text report.
(if it was, why are you presenting it
instead of simply sending it out?)

9. Rather create empty space
for your text through
asymmetry.
Let your slides breathe.
Simplicity is the
ultimate sophistication.
- Leonardo da Vinci

10. We live in a time when
communicating
graphically is natural.
So use pictures but
avoid clip-art or cliché
business stock photos.
Your pictures should
support your words,
not repeat them.

11. Search for symbolism to
bring out your message.
It’s not too late yet.
(get it?)

12. So there you are. On stage.
And we fear presenting.
This fear is learned: as babies
our job is to walk and talk.
But once we do:
to shut up and sit down.

13. Every child is an artist,
the problem is staying so
when you grow up.
- Pablo Picasso
So be fearless like a child.
Don’t question your ideas.
Believe your audience is
not out there to kill you.

14. Rehearse several times
upfront and out loud.
And on the day itself:
be rested and early.
Check the room at least
30 minutes up front.
(and ps. Rehearse. Seriously.)

15. Take your presentation
serious, but not yourself.
Admitting a mistake is the
most natural act.
Nobody is perfect.
Nor do we expect it.

16. Don’t start with a formal or
standard introduction.
You get only one shot at
earning attention.
(ps. Know your audience. Depending on this,
a small thank you might be in place)

17. Surprise your audience.
Start with a question,
anecdote or novelty to
challenge the mind.
(ps. *don’t* hand out your slides upfront,
it’s like spoiling the plot of Game of Thrones)

18. Don’t read your slides.
Say it how you would.
Jargon is your enemy.
Let out your natural voice,
pace it and sometimes ...
... be silent. Leave a gap.
(It makes people truly *listen*)

19. Tell a story.
It’s how we pass on
information since the
dawn of time.
We are not made to
absorb endless lists
of facts and figures.

20. But most of all:
understand your
presentation isn’t a job.
You don’t have to do it.
You get to do it.

21. It’s a privilege to be
there, to spark people’s
minds and inspire.
Make it worthwhile.
So ... what’s your next
presentation going
to feel like?

22. Inspired by Garr Reynolds, my role model.
Check out his great books to become a better
presenter at www.garrreynolds.com

23. Thanks to the contributors of amazing
(and free) stock photos at:
stocksnap.io
pixabay.com
gratisography.com
freeimages.com