How can I improve my presentation and presentation skills?

If you live where there is a branch of Toastmasters, join it. It will be the best thing to happen to you in terms of becoming a good and interesting speaker, both from notes as well as spontaneous speaking.

I have always feared public presentations so I have given this a lot of thought.

I my life there are two types of presentations I have to give:
1) when I know what I’m talking about (like in school) and
2) when I have no or only a slight grasp of what I’m talking about.

When I don’t know what I’m talking about I have to memorise everything and nothing to learn anyone as far as presentations skills go.

When I do know what I’m talking about I never write a full script but only bullet point (for myself). A strict script makes me stumble if I get off track, and if I know the subject well I can often find a better place to continue that a script would allow me. The bullet point in my head keeps me on track, but don’t tie me down.

Are you using slides? When I use slides I try to avoid text as much as possible and rather present an inspirational picture or a diagram or something that is easy to take in but does not demand concentration from the listener. If I have to use text I use large font and key words. With to much text, the audience (even if it’s just one or two) will focus on reading and miss what you are saying, making everything more troublesome and disorganised. An inspirational picture or illustration can almost always be found – even if it’s, say, a presentation of a term sheet or a financial calculation.

For making my voice louder I do this: I steel myself, take a deep breath and say the first sentence in a loud voice and thus try to commit myself and my brain to speaking this way. It’s hard but once I get going it often works out better.

If your brain freezes (like mine do from time to, time) see that you have a glass or bottle of water to, sloooowly take a sip from as you regroup you brain cells.

Also, on TED there are numerous great presentations, ranked according to what makes them special, to steal ideas from.

Good luck!

Read a good book with good advice. Then practice, practice, practice. You need at least 30–50 presentations to improve your skills significantly. Start by talking to smaller groups.

@Darwin has it right. Join Toastmasters.

It’s a tough one because I’m the opposite. If anything, I’d need to come across as more sober and reserved when speaking publicly.

This being said, I think it comes down to how well you master your subject. You should be comfortable discussing it in a relaxed environment. What I can do easily is imagine a presentation and practice as if I was interacting with real people, based on past interactions. When I feel a weakness I stop, get up to speed, grill myself on these exact points and repeat again, and again, and again, until I feel I’m rock solid. Forums are a great resource to prepare yourself to the kind of questions and criticisms you will likely be subjected to.

Learning how to project your voice, I think, is the right way to speak more forcefully. I can only suggest watching Donald Trump when he speaks. Search interviews with him, public appearances (there must be thousands in “HD” quality on youtube) and study him. Try replicating his delivery in a way that suits your style. Learn the rhythm, etc…

Hope it helps!

Toastmasters is just what you are looking for.

Many thanks and lurve! Will practice what you all suggested.

simple: you can’t.