Whether you are making a presentation with visuals or not, it is often best to stand clear of the lectern or table. The lectern places a literal as well as an implied barrier between you and your audience.

By standing out in front of your listeners, without anything to obstruct their experience of you, you are establishing a feeling of openness and honesty. You are connecting with them — not just lecturing them.

Of course to do this you cannot read your speech. You must be rehearsed, knowledgeable and confident enough to pull it off. Visuals and/or note cards can still be used to help cue you and keep you on track. Plus, you can always place notes or an outline on the lectern and walk over to steal a glace if you lose your place.

The goal, however, is to connect. Standing behind the lectern because you are not prepared or lack confidence becomes a barrier to making that connection.

There is more than enough to occupy your attention when delivering an important presentation. Let’s add one more.

If you are standing in the beam of your projector, then you are in the wrong place. If the projector is shining in your eyes, it is not projecting onto the screen. And your audience will not be able to see your slide. That sounds simple enough but I have seen this error committed over and over again, often by presenters that should know better.

Stand to the side. Check out the room and your presentation area ahead of time. Determine areas where you can stand and not be in the beam of the projector or within the line of sight for the audience to see the visuals.  Physically stand in those spots to see how it feels to present from there. Make sure you can see your laptop or monitor. Now remember where those spots are.

These are your safe zones. Stick to them.

A slide can be used to dramatically and intentionally exaggerate your point. A startling image can help to grab your viewers’ attention and burn a key idea into their minds.

There are of course millions of cheap, junkie, childish graphics and images available from many sources all over the Internet. They give your audience the subliminal message that you have a cheap, junkie and childish presentation. It is worth the time, effort and money to seek out and use powerful, clear images. It sends an instant message that you are a pro and you know your stuff.

This slide uses one of my favorite techniques of adding a short general headline to a full image slide. It sets the stage while still allowing the presenter to speak as much or as little on the subject as is appropriate for the specific talk.

The typical question and answer portion of a presentation is at the very end of the speech. It generally begins with a few relevant questions but often devolves into rambling, random, narrowly-focused or self-serving inquiries. In any case, Q and A sessions are frequently very low energy conclusions to your time in front of your audience. Not a great way to finish.

The old show business maxim of opening strong and finishing even stronger is a good model.

Here is a technique that many pros use: Try taking questions just before your big close. Tell your listeners that you have time for a few questions and then you want to deliver a final concluding comment. After a reasonable time fielding inquiries announce you can take one more and that you will be available after the presentation for more interaction. Manage this time carefully to avoid the slow draining of your presentation’s energy.

Then deliver your knock-it-out-of-the-park, well-rehearsed, wrap-it-all-up conclusion.