Lesson 1 Criteria for Success

Know your stuff It may sound obvious, but knowing the topic of your presentation inside out will make all the difference.

Taking the time to research your topic in depth, whilst engaging in discussions that surround your selected talking point, will allow you some leeway during the presentation. 
Giving yourself room to think on your feet will most likely result in a much more engaging talk, whilst ensuring you’re ready for any questions the audience may have.
In turn, having well rounded knowledge can help bolster your confidence on the day.
Understanding the expectations from your audience is just as important as being familiar with your topic. If you know your audience, you can align your speech to their interests and ensure your presentation gives them value. 
Deciphering what needs your speech should meet – whether that be impactful, insightful, entertaining etc. – will allow you to frame the presentation accordingly.
A useful tip is to memorise your first and last lines. These are the most important for grabbing attention and creating lasting impact. The rest doesn’t have to follow a perfect script, just know the main structure and learn enough to give a reactive presentation. 

Finding your public speaking style 

Public speaking requires a specific style of communication. It’s easy to accidentally speak too fast or to get lost on a tangent, but delivering a clear and concise talk will increase the value for your audience.
You want to strike the right balance between keeping the talk moving at a fast enough pace to maintain engagement, but keeping it clear enough for them to properly digest the information. 
Remember that long pauses are fine, you don’t need to rush through your content. Allow yourself a moment to collect your thoughts whenever necessary. 
Avoid making detailed notes if possible; this will also stop you from regularly looking down. 
The same goes for slides – your audience is there to listen, not to read! Make your slides minimal and only include features that can enhance your presentation – think diagrams and images.
Keep your eyes on the audience to portray confidence and keep them engaged. If you’re feeling nervous, you can always look at people’s eyebrows – it’ll make them think it’s eye contact!