zandax online course logo
zandax website search
zandax phone callback
Info, Blogs, Contact & Login
Courses
Tests

How to Stay Organized for a Presentation

From the ZandaX Presentation Skills Blog

Articles to make you more effective in your presentations

Home  >  ZandaX Blogs  >  Business Blog  >  Presentation Skills Articles  > 
How to Stay Organized for a Presentation

How to Stay Organized for a Presentation

A post from our Presentation Skills blog

Article author: Ashley Andrews
      Written by Ashley Andrews
Presentations can be complicated and stressful, no matter how well you prepare for them.

If your notes aren't organized, the slides aren't in order, or the equipment isn't ready, your presentation won't go as smoothly as you had hoped.

Organization is the key to a successful and smooth presentation, so you need to double check that everything is set up before your begin. Organizing your presentation and checking everything just before you're due to speak will ensure you can focus on the presentation and won't be interrupted, ro disracted by problems.



1. Prepare the content

Preparation is the key to a successful presentation, and it's the only way to ensure your content is right, the slides are well-designed, and your speech is ready. To ensure that your ideas are clear and materials are tailored, create a document to organize the things you needed to have a smooth presentation.

The quality of your preparation will have a direct impact on the quality of how effective you are; so make sure you put a good amount of time and effort into it. The preparation process should include:

•    Know your audience and their preferences.
•    Thoroughly research your subject matter.
•    Carefully select the slide design and presentation software.
•    Carefully plan the written content.
•    Proofread all written content thoroughly.

These are just some of the important steps you need to take in order to start off on the right foot when it comes to your presentation.

2. Prepare for the presentation

Once you've created all the content you need in order to convey your message,  you need to prepare for the presentation itself.

This is the second most important step you need to take in order to ensure everything runs smoothly, and that you're relaxed during the session. Here are some of the things you need to do:

•    Ask a friend, colleague or someone else to take a  look. Make sure they're honest and unbiased so you can rely on what they say.
•    Practice repeatedly until you can confidently deliver your speech without consulting your notes too often.
•    Print out all the notes yourself so you have some reference point when you're making the presentation. It's necessary because you might still forget some lines and words. Or something else can go wrong (like a power failure...) which can disrupt the flow of the presentation and distract your audience. Quite apart from this, it also creates a very poor impression on those attending the meeting.
•    Print handouts or arrange for digital copies for every person in the audience. They need something to refer to, whether it's when they're listing to your presentation, or afterwards.
•    Make sure you're familiar with all the presentation software and equipment, so you don't need to struggle with it at the last moment when you're just about to give the speech.

3. Keep timing in mind

You need to keep your presentation informative, but also concise, because drawn-out presentations will often frustrate your audience. Here's what you can to do organize your time and help save time of your guests:

•    Make sure you provide some new piece of information every minute. This will help you keep your speech short and informative and ensure your audience keeps their attention on you.
•    Arrive early and supervise the set up. If you can, run a practice presentation before the audience arrives, which will help you settle down and ensure everything is in place.
•    If you can't perform a test run, conduct one in private to ensure everything is in order and just as you need it to be.

Do You Want Better Presentation Skills?


If you'd like to learn more about delivering presentations, why not take a look at how we can help?

Boost your presentation skills with our online courses.
RRP from $0 – limited time offer just $0.00



4. Double check your content right before the presentation

Double check your content before you're due to face your audience.

Check if you have enough hand-outs to for all the attendees, with no missing slides from the set, and your speech notes are organized and ready for the presentation.

This last minute checking will not only help you calm your nerves, but will ensure that everything is in place for the session. You' feel more relaxed and confident, which will have an impact on the quality of your presentation.

5. Question and answer sessions

The question and answer session is the least organized aspect of your presentation, because you have no control over what your audience will ask! So it's a good idea to prepare in advance anyway; here are some of the things you can do:

•    Think of a number of questions they're likely to ask and prepare answers for them in advance. This will help you save some time - and be more confident when that questions start to flow!
•    Set a limit to the number of questions you will answer, especially if you have a good rapport with your audience because it can be tempting to let the Q and A session drag on.
•    Keep your answers short and to the point. Follow the same "one-minute per important information" rule so you don't let the session drag on for too long.

Provide attendees some way of contacting you afterwards in case they have more questions. You can give them your social handles or email address. This will help you shorten the session as well.

The consequences of not being organized

Lack of organization can cause a number of problems, especially during big presentations with a large audience. Here are some of the most common problems caused by disorganization:

•    Your slides and notes won't be in order and cause you confusion and stress during the presentation.
•    Your audience will become bored or frustrated because your content will have no flow or proper direction.
•    Some of your audience won't have access to handouts.
•    The Q and A session will quickly get out of hand and cause delays - or maybe die on its feet.
•    Your equipment and software might not work as you expect them to.


Organization will ease the burden on your shoulders and make it easier for you to deliver the presentation calmly and without making mistakes.

If you follow a step-by-step process and make sure every aspect is well-planned, you will have a successful presentation that your audience will appreciate and enjoy. In addition, when starting out, it's always a good idea to get some professional input, such as training, as then you develop good habits, right from the start!

Do You Want Better Presentation Skills?


If you'd like to learn more about delivering presentations, why not take a look at how we can help?

Boost your presentation skills with our online courses.
RRP from $0 – limited time offer just $0.00

Back to the Presentation Skills blog

Click the button for more Presentation Skills articles.

The ZandaX Business Skills blog

Click a panel for great articles on business skills

Write For Us

We pride ourselves on our busy, high-quality and helpful blog, and we're always looking for guest contributors to increase the variety and diversity of what we present.

Click to see how you can write for us with an original and well-written guest post.

ZandaX Blog Contents

Want to see them all? Click to view a full list of articles in our blogs.

Online courses to boost your skills
Click a button to see more about each course
Personal Development
Microsoft Software
 
 
Leadership & Management
Sales & Presentations
Service & Support
 
 
ZandaX online training course logo
ZandaX – Change Your Life ... Today
All content © ZandaX 2023
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
Close menu element
See how you score on a range of skills that are critical to your well-being and performance
Communication Skill test
Communication Skills
How Can You Communicate Better?
Would you like to see what kind of communicator you are? And how you can improve the effectiveness of your communications?
Likeability test
Likeability
How Much Do People Like You?
Do you sometimes wonder just how likeable you are? And wouldn't you like to see how you can (genuinely) become more likeable?


Time Management test
Time Management
How Can You Make More Use Of Your Time?
Are you frustrated by how easily time slips away? Do you get frustrated when things don't get done just because you run out of time?
Assertiveness test
Assertiveness
Are you Passive, Aggressive or Assertive?
Would you like to know where you fall on the behavior spectrum? Does your response to events sometimes surprise you?


Close menu element
Information & Resources
ZandaX information
Information
Read more about us, our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service
See how we want to help you, and how we make everything easy for everyone
Callback request
ZandaX Blogs
Articles to increase your knowledge and understanding in key areas of your life and career.
Read our blogs on Personal Development, Business Skills and Leadership & Management


Time Management test
Log In
Log in to your online dashboard
View your courses, review what you want and download your workbooks and certificates
Assertiveness test
Contact Us
An easy online form to get in touch
With options for More Information, Customer Service and Feedback


Close menu element
Develop Your Skills, Knowledge and Understanding with ZandaX
Click any subject in the listings for more information and a full list of courses

Personal Development
Personal Development training
Your soft skills affect everything you do, at work, at home and with friends ... they are truly life changing!
NEW COURSES
Online training courses
Hot Off the Press...
We're always adding to and upgrading our courses, so here are a few of our latest releases:
For a full listing of courses, please visit our Quick Course Finder to find exactly what you want.
Site Cookies
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better.

You can change your cookie settings in your browser. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue.

I'm fine with this