Most presentations are snoozefests. We’ve all sat through that endless slide deck where someone reads bullet points like they’re narrating a grocery list. Painful, right? But here’s the good news—you don’t have to be “that person.” With a few simple tricks (and a touch of personality), you can turn your next talk into something people actually remember.
I’ve gathered 19 expert tips that thought leaders swear by to make their presentations stand out. And no, they don’t involve magic tricks or juggling fireballs (although… that might work too). Ready to level up? Let’s go.
1. Start With An Unusual Image
Skip the cliché stock photo of a handshake. Instead, open with something unexpected—a picture that makes your audience tilt their head and think, “Wait, what’s going on here?”
Ever seen someone start with a photo of a cat wearing a tie to talk about leadership? Exactly. People remember different.
2. Be Personal And Relatable
Nobody likes a robot presenter. Share something personal—your struggles, your quirks, or even the time you spilled coffee on your shirt before a big meeting.
Relatability builds connection. If people see you as a real human, they’ll lean in and listen.
3. Mingle And Connect
Don’t just sit in the corner scrolling your phone until your name gets called. Mingle with the audience before your presentation. Crack a joke, ask a few questions, or just smile and chat.
By the time you hit the stage, half the room already feels like your friend. That’s a win.
4. Craft Your Presentation As A Speech
Stop building your slides like a bedtime storybook. A presentation isn’t about slides—it’s about you.
Think of it as a speech with visuals, not the other way around. If people can follow your message without a single slide, you’ve nailed it.
5. Find A Hook
Why should anyone care? That’s where your hook comes in. It could be a shocking stat, a bold question, or a quirky story.
Imagine opening with: “Did you know more people are scared of public speaking than of sharks? Which is weird, because sharks don’t ask you to explain your quarterly KPIs.” Boom. Hooked.
6. Break Monotony With Multimodal Storytelling
Mix it up. Use stories, visuals, video clips, and even sound effects if they fit. Sticking to one mode is like eating plain rice every day—eventually, you’ll zone out.
Throw in variety, and you keep the energy alive.
7. Focus On How The Audience Feels
Here’s the truth: people won’t remember every word you say, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.
Want them excited? Inspired? Curious? Anchor your delivery around that emotional outcome.
8. Bring An Artifact
Props aren’t just for magicians. Holding up a real-world object makes your message tangible.
Talking about innovation? Pull out an outdated gadget. Sharing a story about resilience? Show something personal that symbolizes it. Suddenly, your point sticks like glue.
9. Weave In Personal Narratives
Forget textbook examples. Tell your own stories—the messy, human kind.
When you share a personal narrative, you give your audience something to latch onto. Plus, stories are way more fun than spreadsheets.
10. Create A Memorable Opening Line
First impressions matter. Ditch the boring intro (“Hi, thanks for having me, my name is…”).
Instead, hit them with something bold:
- A surprising fact
- A powerful one-liner
- Or even a dramatic pause before you speak
If you nail the first line, the rest feels effortless.
11. Employ Strategic Silence
Silence can be golden. Instead of rushing through every sentence, pause intentionally.
That 2-second silence? It makes your audience think, “Ooh, something important is coming.” Plus, it keeps you from sounding like an over-caffeinated auctioneer.
12. Be Meaningful And Authentic
Audiences have a sixth sense for fakeness. Don’t try to be someone else—be you.
If your style is casual, lean into it. If you’re more serious, own it. Authenticity builds trust faster than flashy gimmicks.
13. Share An Emotion-Driven Story
Want your talk to stick? Share a story that makes people feel something.
Sad, hopeful, funny, empowering—doesn’t matter. What matters is that it moves them. Ever cried at a TED Talk? Exactly.
14. Anchor Your Message In Real-Life Examples
Theories are fine, but examples? Way better.
Instead of saying “teamwork is important,” tell them about the time your group project nearly imploded until someone stepped up. Real-life examples make abstract points click instantly.
15. Use Vulnerable Anecdotes
Want instant connection? Share something that shows vulnerability.
Admitting you once failed miserably makes you more relatable and trustworthy than pretending you’re perfect. No one connects with superheroes—they connect with flawed humans.
16. Share A Funny Story
Humor is the ultimate tension-breaker. Drop a funny story, and the room instantly relaxes.
No need to moonlight as a stand-up comedian. Just share something lighthearted and authentic. Remember: laughter = connection. 🙂
17. Anchor The Talk Around A Single Big Idea
Don’t overload your talk with 20 half-baked ideas. Pick one powerful takeaway and build everything around it.
When people walk away remembering that one thing, you win. If they leave confused with a notebook full of random notes, not so much.
18. Inject Your Personality Into The Presentation
Bring you to the stage. Use your natural style—your voice, your quirks, your humor.
If you love analogies, use them. If you’re into pop culture references, sprinkle them in. Your personality makes your talk unforgettable.
19. Grab Attention With A Genuine Moment
Sometimes the most memorable part of a talk isn’t planned—it’s a genuine, unscripted moment.
Maybe it’s reacting naturally to audience laughter. Maybe it’s acknowledging a slip-up with humor. Those authentic moments build trust like nothing else.
Conclusion
Here’s the deal: an unforgettable presentation isn’t about perfect slides or fancy transitions. It’s about making people care, laugh, reflect, and—most importantly—remember.
Start strong with an unusual image, weave in personal stories, add humor, and wrap it all around one big idea. And please, for everyone’s sanity, skip the “death by PowerPoint” approach.
So the next time you grab the mic, ask yourself: Do I want my audience to just hear me, or do I want them to feel something they’ll never forget? IMO, the choice is obvious. 😉
