To be honest, I had severe presentation anxiety.

I would say, "I present well~" but when I stood in front of people, my palms would sweat, my heart raced like a roller coaster, and my mind went blank. I couldn't remember a single word. I thought I was the only one, but surprisingly, many people have had similar experiences.

So today, I will share the tips that helped me feel less nervous and upgrade my presentation skills in a light and honest blog-like manner.

Start with a solid structure! Flow is essential

In the past, I thought, "The more slides, the better!" when creating presentation slides. Now, I've changed to "Let's include one key point each!"

The structure I recommend the most is: Problem → Solution → Example → Conclusion, which consists of four steps.

This makes it clear and less confusing while speaking. Before the presentation, summarizing in one sentence what I want the audience to remember is really helpful.

Slides should be clean, visuals should be powerful

The "power of visuals" is greater than expected. Just using one good image or graph can have more impact than a hundred words.

However, if you try to cram in images, text, and tables, it becomes distracting. The presentation is my time to explain verbally, so let the slides play a 'supporting' role. If the colors are too flashy, it can be hard to focus. Simple is best!

My voice is my weapon! My tone is my charm!

At one point, I spoke too quickly, and my sentences always ended abruptly. Especially when I was nervous, my voice would automatically get louder or tremble.
This really requires practice. I used a recording app at home to practice speaking several times. Listening to my own voice was surprisingly shocking, but it was really helpful. It's more important to articulate clearly than to speak loudly, and to speak slowly.

Eyes on the audience, hands like my friends

When I was unsure where to look, I initially focused on a specific audience member, like a comfortable friend. Gradually, widening my gaze made it feel more natural. And my hands! If they stay too still, I look like a statue, and if they shake too much, I seem anxious. Moving them naturally only when emphasizing points is the best. If you have a habit of clenching your hands, I recommend practicing to relax them!

Starting with a story builds empathy

If I just list information, both the audience and I get bored. Including a personal experience or a small anecdote can really soften the atmosphere of the presentation. For example, saying, "I really messed up the first time I did this..." can elicit laughter and create a sense of connection. Of course, don't make it too long; giving a 'hook' at a suitable length is key!

Communication is the hidden weapon of presentations

Asking simple questions like, "Is everyone okay so far?" or "Has anyone had a similar experience?" makes the audience feel like they are 'talking with me.' Adding humor points or a short quiz in between can significantly enhance focus. Just making eye contact, smiling, and nodding can change the atmosphere.

Rehearsals are a must! Two times is basic

After making all the slides, if I think, "This should be enough~" and then go on stage... I really find it hard to speak. Make sure to practice while timing yourself.
To avoid panicking when pausing while changing slides or facing equipment issues, rehearsals are essential. If possible, recording myself and watching it reveals issues at a glance. (It can be a bit embarrassing to watch...)

 Be sure to get feedback afterward

If I just let the presentation end without any follow-up, it feels regrettable. Asking colleagues or friends, "What felt awkward?" or "Was it boring?" can yield surprisingly valuable advice. Fixing those points one by one is real growth.

People who are good at presenting weren't always that way from the start. I still get nervous and make mistakes, but I feel that I am improving little by little each time.

So don't be too scared before a presentation. If you prepare well, it's okay to make mistakes or mix up words.

The important thing is to convey it in 'my own style.'