Do your research and gather the facts. Be careful that what you pull from the Internet is credible information that can be backed up by legitimate sources.
Know more about your topic than what you present to the audience. Remember the last boring lecture you sat through where the presenter read each word of the speech verbatim from the visual aid. He or she did not know the material.
Create an outline and notes to glance at when needed.
Personalize your topic with humor and personal stories to engage the audience.
Rehearse your speech out loud. This helps control filler words. These are words that we use constantly without even realizing it. Some examples are: "uh" "um", "like" "you know" "and um," etc.
When rehearsing, use all the visual aids you plan on using for your presentation. This helps prevent any last-minute problems that may arise prior to your speech.
Use a timer when you practice; nervous speakers tend to ramble.
Coming early allows you to get comfortable with the room setup and relax by socializing with the audience. It also allows you time to check your power cords at the wall and on the back of your computer, projector, and any other electrical equipment you are using for your presentation.
Step away from the podium. Standing behind the podium, leaning on it, or holding on to it with one hand is a classic sign that you are nervous.
Confident speakers will move the podium away from them, or walk in front of the podium to engage the audience.
Make eye contact and scan the room when speaking. Focus on all sides of the room. Your audience wants to feel as if you are speaking personally to them.
Nervous speakers look at their visual aids and not the audience. The audience cannot hear you when you talk to the flip board, whiteboard, or the screen behind you.
Never apologize for being nervous or for problems that may arise during the presentation. More often than not, the audience never notices what has happened.
Engage your audience, but do not get so excited and have so much fun that you lose the focal point of your speech. It is easy to get sidetracked - it is much harder to bring the audience back.
Adding personal experiences and passion to your presentation makes it "real" to the audience.This only happens when you know your material, or when the subject is something about which you are passionate.