Most people think improving their presentation skills is about learning to speak with confidence. That’s only part of the story.
During one of my coaching sessions the other day, I suddenly had an insight: improving presentation skills happens in three stages and most presenters never get to the final one.
Here’s what I mean:
Stage 1: Structure and Message
This is where the biggest improvement happens first. When you learn exactly which content to include and how to organise your content clearly, it changes everything. Now, the audience can follow your presentation. As a result, you start to feel more confident because you know what you want to say and in what order.
Practical tip: Before you build your slides, write down your message in three short sentences: What’s the key point? Why does it matter? What should the audience do next? Build everything else around those three answers.
Stage 2: Delivery
Once the message is clear, the focus shifts to delivery: voice, pace, body language, eye contact.
Mastering these skills makes you look and sound confident. You stop hiding behind your slides and you start connecting with the audience.
Practical tip: Record yourself delivering one part of your presentation and watch it back. Focus on one thing you can improve, for example slowing down, pausing more often, or making eye contact with the camera or the room.
Stage 3: Perspective – The icing on the cake
This is the step many presenters never reach.
Once you have structure and delivery ‘under control’, something new happens – you start to naturally share your perspective. This is about adding what you believe, what you’ve learned and what you’re convinced about in relation to the presentation topic.
This is what really engages an audience. It’s where the presentation stops being just information and becomes something memorable.
Practical tip: Add one short sentence to different sections of your talk that starts with “I believe…” or “In my experience…” and see how it changes the tone and energy of your presentation.
If you feel your presentations are still a bit flat, ask yourself:
- Do I have a clear structure?
- Is my delivery strong enough to hold attention?
- Am I sharing my perspective, what I think and believe, or am I just sharing facts?
Start with structure, then work on delivery. When you feel confident with both, bring in your perspective. That’s when you will really connect with your audience.
What about you?
Which of these three stages do you find the hardest – structure, delivery, or adding your own perspective?
I’d love to hear where you are on this journey – let me know!
