A good chunk of my consulting business consists of me standing in front of a group of people, either giving a talk or a workshop, sometimes on rather complex technical material. That's right, I am a corporate trainer, and a speaking gig might bring me to a conference room one day, or a nightclub the next. I've learned to be prepared for anything. 

I wasn't always a comfortable presenter, but over the years, I've learned from many early mistakes.

And as I am myself a frequent conference attendee, I see people who could be great presenters stumble and fail to connect with an audience. 

Speaking can be a great way to bring more customers to your business. So the next time you plan to be on a podium, peruse these simple tips to make your talk as engaging as it can be: 

Use Powerpoint as a Tool, Not a Crutch

You've probably sat through more than your fair share of boring Powerpoint presentations. And the reason you felt so drowsy was not because of your own sleep deprivation but because of the inherent dissonance the typical Powerpointer inspires with his or her usual routine. 

The issue? Our brains are not wired to read text-heavy slides and listen to a presenter at the same time. That's why the very best presenters just use their Powerpoints as a touchstone, rather than a crutch. 

The takeaway: how few words can you use on a slide? Aim for 5-7. Think in pictures and use visual touchstones wherever you can. 

Practice

This is a prerequisite for every speaker but it holds especially true for the first timer.

Practice your presentation as much as you can -- if for no other reason than it will really help you nail your timing. Give your presentation over and over again to a mirror, to your staff, to your spouse or your dog. Practice in front of a video camera. Get feedback from others, watch yourself on videotape and ask:

• Is my message clear, focused, and compelling?
• Is my case persuasive?
• Am I credible and enthusiastic?

Be honest with yourself and constantly refine your presentation until you can answer yes to all of them.

More on presentation prep here.

Know Your Audience

The more you can connect with the audience, the better your presentation will go over. Before your talk, learn as much as you can about the audience, including scheduling a call with organizers if possible. Learn their expectations and what they are looking for. 

When you are actually doing the presentation, strive to connect, even if it's just making eye contact with members of the audience. 

Tips on making connections on the spot: 

• Ask questions, and really listen to answers. 
• Ask people to jot down their thoughts on a particular subject. 
• Walk off the stage and into the audience if possible. 
• Be dynamic in your style and able to adjust; if there's an area where the audience wants more of a drill-down, be able to offer it. And if, God forbid, you see your audience glazing over while you're talking, move to the next subject. 

Show, Don't Tell

"Are you faced with a mountain of data and can't decide how much information should you include? Use this test: After you've identified a desired outcome for the presentation, ask yourself if the information you are considering will help you achieve your objective. If it will, include it. If it won't, exclude it. It sounds simple, but it takes discipline and a clear focus on outcomes," explains Dr Joseph Sommerville. 

Don't Forget to Breath

A subtle point, but an important one: When speakers get nervous, they tend to rush. The more they rush, the less the audience can latch onto the words and ideas they are presenting. Never be afraid to take a second (and a breath) to make yourself more centered and focused on your message.