Talking in front of a group of people isn't easy, and engaging them in your presentation takes skill. Public speaking is often a daunting task, however with the right expertise to back you it's one that you can face with confidence. 

Here are three tips to help you become a more effective and engaging presenter as an EA. 

Do you know how to be more engaging with your presentations?

1. Understand your audience

Delivering a presentation isn't about you. It's about the information you're trying to pass on to your audience and meeting their needs. 

Consider why they've given you their time, and what they're hoping to get out of your presentation. Are you offering them something useful? Is the information you're delivering applicable to their situation, or is it only useful for you? 

Identify what they need to take away from the presentation and make this the main focus of your speech. Keep the points sharp, clear, and useful. 

By reading your audience you can provide something that is interesting to them, you'll immediately give a more engaging presentation. 

2. Preparation

Sometimes, as an EA you won't have the opportunity to script what you're going to say before being thrust into the lime light. However, whenever possible, don't skip on preparation. Research, write, plan, and rehearse as much as you can. 

The more you know the topic you're talking about and the clearer you are on what you want to say, the more confident you'll feel standing up to present it. This will show through in your mannerisms and voice, and how you spend more time engaging with your audience than worrying about your material. 

Know your topic. Being prepared helps you become a more engaging presenter.

3. Interaction and engagement

Whether it's asking a question right at the beginning of your presentation to get people thinking or using different mediums to involve your audience, breaking down the wall between you and your listeners is important. 

One of the ways to do this is to create a story to draw your audience in and allow them to relate. While facts are often useful, your audience is more likely to remember what you're telling them if you link it together somehow. 

Think of your presentation as a conversation in which you're explaining something to someone over a coffee. Not only will this relaxed approach create a more interesting listening style, it'll also help you simplify how you deliver the information. Don't forget to move and vary your tone and volume to create a more natural and engaging presentation. 

If you'd like to know more about improving your presentation skills for your work as an EA, we can help. With specialised training events, we aim to help Executive Assistants improve those skills that are vital to their work.