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1. The size of your audience and the purpose of the presentation will determine its style. Obtain precise information about audience size.

2. Check the venue. Do a last minute check on equipment: can you use the microphone, the projector, are your visual aids visible? Who will introduce you and when?

3. Ensure your appearance doesn't detract from your message. Dress conservatively and tidily.

4. Once you have been introduced, pause; take a deep breath; look at the audience; make eye contact and acknowledge their presence. Relax your body and stand tall. Smile!

5. Explain why you are there and what gives you the authority to speak. Confirm the audience's expectations by announcing what you will speak about.

6. Involve your audience. Get their attention initially using a visual aid or something unexpected. Ask a question, even if it is rhetorical. Say something that shows you understand their concerns or expectations.

7. Remember that feelings, not facts, convince people. Put genuine conviction behind what you are saying and allow your emotions to show through. This will also help you to overcome stage fright.

8. Remember to stand erect. Don't lean on the lectern and don't play with your hair, tie, jewellery or clothing. For those who talk better on the move, walk around naturally and use your hands as you would in conversation for emphasis

9. Project your voice through standing straight and breathing deeply. Speak clearly and more slowly than usual. Speak naturally but lower the pitch of your voice if you are nervous.

10. Vary the timing of your delivery and the pitch of your voice. Speed up or slow down and change tone in different sections.

11. Maintain eye contact and play to the cheerleaders - people you know or sense to be sympathetic. Show how your presentation is relevant to them and avoid using 'I' or 'me' too often.

12. If you are confident, use humour to lighten or vary the mood. Use it only to support the text, not in its own right.

13. Although thorough preparation is essential it may be inappropriate to come over as too 'prepared', slick or clinical. Remember to adjust to the mood and atmosphere of the audience.

14. Bring the presentation to a conclusion. Be brief, don't repeat the main text and end on a high note, in tone, energy and content. Leave the audience wanting slightly more.

15. Actively encourage questions. Repeat the question so everyone can hear it. If you don't know the answer, admit it but offer to take a name and address to reply to later.

Do's and Don'ts

Do:

Be yourself: allow your own personality to come through rather than try to emulate presenters you admire.

Start and finish on time - or before time if there are to be questions - otherwise you will lose the audience's sympathy regardless of how good the content is.

Use handouts to convey detailed or complex ideas rather than cramming them into your presentation.

Don't:

Try to cover too much in one presentation and end up rushing to finish by talking faster.

Use humour inappropriately or use it against your audience: you are the only legitimate target in the room.

Use too many visual aids: they distract the audience and rarely add value.