Yesterday, I had a unique experience attending two conferences just five minutes apart. One featured a pitch competition, and the other focused on technical presentations. Today, I want to share three key observations from these events that can help improve your presentation skills.

1. Pace Yourself and Speak Clearly:
During the technical presentations, I noticed that some speakers spoke too quickly, making it challenging to understand them. This issue becomes even more pronounced when a presenter has an accent. To ensure clarity, aim for an average conversational speed of 120 words per minute. Practice by timing yourself reading a 100-word passage at your natural pace and calculate your words per minute. Slowing down, especially in technical presentations, allows your audience to better grasp your content.

2. Avoid Overloading Slides with Visuals:
While visuals can enhance understanding, overcrowding slides with too many images can overwhelm your audience. During the technical presentations, I found myself confused about where to focus due to the excessive visuals. Instead, aim to include a couple of relevant visuals per slide to help convey your message effectively without distracting your audience.

3. Incorporate Stories in Pitch Presentations:
In the pitch competition, I noticed a lack of storytelling. Starting your pitch with a compelling story can capture your audience’s attention and make your presentation memorable. Share the story behind your product or describe a scenario where someone benefits from using it. Stories resonate with people, making them more engaged and invested in your presentation.

In summary, focus on pacing, slide clarity, and storytelling to enhance your presentation skills. Whether you’re addressing technical or non-technical audiences, these tips can help you communicate more effectively.