When you are a Superstar with your Direct Sales company, you may be asked to present a topic at convention or train a group of rising Superstars.  You may even speak at a networking event or local organization about your company or products.  Whatever the opportunity is to present, be sure you are prepared.

Here are five tips to help you shine at your next presentation:

1. Know your audience, check with the organizer to learn about who you are going to presenting to so that you can set the right tone for the audience.  If you are presenting to a group of your peers you may want to be more light and fun, while a group at your local church may need to be less casual.
2. Know your topic, make sure you’ve researched your topic, have your Virtual Assistant help.  Be sure you have current facts about any topic you are covering.   It’s ok to gather too much info, just be sure to whittle it down to the essentials for the presentation.
3. Paint a picture, no I’m to suggestion you bring an easel and paints, but be sure to use visuals to enhance your topic.  Everybody absorbs information in different ways; listening, reading or visuals.  Most people need a little of each style to keep them interested.  So present your topic with PowerPoint slides, or handouts that include bullet points and pictures while you speak, this will help keep your audience interested and engaged.
4. Do more homework,Yes, homework!  You want to be sure to check with the organizer so that you know what equipment will be provided.  If you are using PowerPoint slides will there be a projector?   Do you need to bring your own laptop?  Is there a microphone?  How will the audience be sitting?  Classroom style or at tables?  Get as much details as you can before you are at the event so that you can be better prepared.
5. Practice, practice, practice, make sure you are comfortable with the topic, use note cards or an outline to help keep you on track.  If you are using a PowerPoint presentation, make sure you know what you will be covering on each slide.  The more you practice the more you will feel at ease when the time comes.  Try it in front of a mirror, practice with your children as the audience, it may feel silly now, but you will feel confident when the day comes to shine!

Relax and have fun, consider this a bonus tip, but actually it’s an important thing to keep in mind.  Anything can happen when presenting in front of an audience, so be sure to pack your sense of humor, expect the unexpected, take a deep breath and be confident that you know your topic and that your audience is interested in every word you have to say, no matter what happens, that’s the best tip of all!  Have Fun and Shine On!