A few times a year I get asked to deliver keynote presentations to a large audience. You know the set-up. Proper stage. Lapel mike. Walk-on music. it’s a big deal. You get given a nice build-up. You’re at an important event. You don’t want to screw it up.

I delivered a 40-minute presentation two weeks ago at an important corporate event. This is what I learnt.

1 Script It and Learn It

Write out the speech long hand. Word for word. 40 minutes of speaking takes a long time. Then I memorise it. It can take ages. Several weeks in my case. Like an actor learning their lines. Maybe you can ad-lib certain bits, and rely on your recall, but it’s risky. Only do this with content that you know intimately or have delivered successfully in the past. Once you’ve memorised the content, you can relax and focus on how you deliver it.

2 Your Script Drives your Slides

Once you've written it, create your slides. Please don’t start with slides as most people do and write the script to suit them. Remember, the purpose of the slides is to help the audience follow your presentation. You should be the centre of attention.

When designing slides, apply the five golden rules. And of course, there are other tools you can use, to support your narrative - video, q & a sessions, live demonstrations. Whatever you feel will work.

3 Practice Wearing Your Presentation Outfit

You should practice your presentation regularly in all kinds of ways. In your head. Out loud. Standing up. But as the event gets closer, practice wearing the outfit you’re planning to present in. Treat it as a dress rehearsal. Decide what you’re going to wear for the presentation well in advance. Remember you’re on stage.

Do you feel comfortable? Do you look good? Can you move and speak freely? Is it in line with the event?

Once you’ve ‘rehearsed’ wearing your outfit, the real thing will feel less strange. You’ll feel more relaxed.

4 Warm-up

As the time approaches to go on stage, focus on building your confidence and controlling your anxiety. There are many ways to do this. Get physical. Use deep breathing exercises and stretching exercises. Try a power pose. And finally, don’t forget to warm up your voice. Here’s a great video that explains how to do it.

5 Evoke Emotion in Your Audience

You have to hold your audience’s audience throughout. As I’ve previously talked about, the three emotions to focus on are

a) empathy: find a way to connect to the audience so they like and understand you

b) suspense: create a story with cliffhangers and jeopardy

c) humour: find a way to make the audience laugh or at least, raise a smile

6 Stay Rooted to the Same Spot

It’s nerve-wracking being on stage. I’m not too fond of lecterns as they hide you. Instead, find a place on stage and stick to it. You’re in a large space and very exposed. Be aware of your body language. Avoid walking up and down the stage. Plant your feed and stay still. Adopt an upright open stance, without appearing stiff or robotic.

7 Address the Audience

Make eye contact with the audience. Speak to the whole room, keep it as intimate as you can. Don’t look over their heads and speak airily into space. Equally don’t just focus on one or two friendly-looking faces. Involve everyone.

Summary

Remember, great presentations don’t happen by chance. Presentations that appear to be off-the-cuff or spontaneous have been designed to seem like that. You can short-circuit the practice and try to wing it. You might get away with it, but it won’t be as good as it could be.

Being asked to address an audience is a privilege and an opportunity to perform at your best. Please don’t waste it or let the occasion get too much for you. It’s your chance to shine.