Best Practices For Rehearsing Sales Presentations

It's a paradox of leadership communications: The higher you climb the corporate ladder, the more impactful your speeches. And ... the less time you have to prepare. Convinced they don't have time to rehearse, too many executives just "wing it," only to look unprepared. Here are 6️⃣ tips to get the most out of every rehearsal, however brief: 1️⃣  START EARLY, START OFTEN Rehearsing shouldn't be a last-minute scramble. Begin practicing as soon as your script and slides are ready. Several 30-minute rehearsals are more effective than one marathon session, as it gives you time for the material to sink in. 2️⃣ PRACTICE LIKE YOU'LL PLAY Don't just read through your speech at your desk. Rehearse in the space where you'll present, if possible (If not, simulate the environment). Stand up, walk around (if appropriate), and practice with the same technology you'll use on "game day." 3️⃣  SPEAK IT OUT Reading through your slides silently is not rehearsing. You need to verbalize your full presentation. I remember rehearsing with one CEO, who—20 minutes in and only halfway through his script—said, "Folks, this is way too long." I responded, "Yeah, I'm ready for you to wrap it up." He laughed (fortunately). We got busy cutting and his speech was a hit at half the length. 4️⃣  DON'T PRACTICE IN THE MIRROR You'll fixate on your appearance to the detriment of your message. A great speech read imperfectly will resonate far better than a polished pile of hooey. 5️⃣ RECORD YOURSELF 1. Have someone record you doing a full run through. 2. Listen to the audio, focusing just on your message. 3. Listen to it a second time, but this time focus on the delivery. (And if you aren't happy, record a 2nd take before proceeding to the next step.) 4. Then watch the video—with the sound off—and focus on your body language. 5. Finally, view it a fourth time, but only watch (and listen to) the full video after you're happy with each of the individual components. 6️⃣ THE DAY OF A final run-through the morning of your presentation helps refresh the material and calm any remaining nerves. For more advice like this, follow me and subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter (link in the "Featured" section of my profile). And if you or the executives you support need help developing and/or rehearsing their next big presentation, do reach out.

Great slides don’t guarantee a great presentation! Your delivery does. Here’s how to practice your slides effectively 🔹 1. Rehearse aloud → Don’t just read silently→ speak your presentation out loud. ↳ This helps you get comfortable with the flow and identify awkward phrasing. ↳ Speaking aloud builds muscle memory and improves articulation. 🔹 2. Record yourself → Playback reveals what you don’t notice in the moment. ↳ Listen for pacing issues, filler words, or unclear sections. ↳ Watch for body language cues—are you engaging or stiff? 📌 You can’t fix what you don’t hear or see. 🔹 3. Time your presentation → Every presentation has a time limit—respect it. ↳ Use a timer to make sure you’re within the allocated time. ↳ If you’re too long, trim unnecessary details—if too short, expand key insights. 📌 Well-paced delivery keeps the audience engaged. 🔹 4. Focus on transitions → A great presentation flows smoothly between slides. ↳ Avoid abrupt shifts—use transition phrases to connect ideas. ↳ Example: “Now that we’ve seen the problem, let’s explore the solution…” 📌 Good transitions keep your audience following your narrative. 🔹 5. Practice with your visuals → Your slides should support, not distract from, your delivery. ↳ Align your explanations with your graphs, tables, or animations. ↳ Use a pointer or highlight key areas to guide the audience’s focus. 📌 Your slides are tools→ use them strategically. 🔹 6. Seek feedback → Fresh eyes catch what you miss. ↳ Rehearse in front of peers, mentors, or colleagues. ↳ Ask for specific feedback on clarity, engagement, and body language. 📌 The best presenters refine their delivery based on feedback. 🔹 7. Simulate the environment → Rehearsing in a similar setting reduces anxiety. ↳ Practice in a room similar to where you’ll present—stand, move, and use gestures. ↳ If possible, practice with your actual equipment (clicker, mic, projector). 📌 Familiarity builds confidence. 🔹 8. Refine your script → Bullet points, not full sentences, make for a natural delivery. ↳ Have key talking points but avoid reading slides word-for-word. ↳ Practice until you can speak naturally without relying on notes. 📌 Confidence comes from preparation, not memorization. ****************** 💬 Which of these strategies do you use when preparing for a presentation? #PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #Communication #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

Practice Makes Presence: Just Do It You’ve heard people say, “yes my presentation is done, haven’t had a chance to rehearse, just gonna wing it.” Sigh, good luck with that. When it comes to delivering a great presentation, the most significant hurdle often boils down to one simple truth: practice. While this may sound basic, the reality is that many people overlook this crucial step. They invest an enormous amount of time crafting dazzling slides, organizing outlines, and strategizing their key points, only to set their presentations aside until the last minute—typically the morning before they take the stage. In that moment, anxiety can take over: minds go blank, words stumble, microphones malfunction, and slides become pixelated. Here’s the hard truth: to excel in any endeavor, you must be fully committed. Just as an athlete doesn’t practice hurdles once and expect to win at a competition, you must be diligent in your preparation. Top athletes listen to their coaches, train daily, eat well, and prioritize rest. *Rehearse Out Loud One strategy every successful speaker employs is to practice their speech out loud in the weeks leading up to the presentation. Whether you're driving, showering, or talking to your living room couch, vocalizing your content helps you grasp the rhythm and flow of your speech. This is also an ideal time for editing; you may discover sections that feel clunky and decide to refine or reposition them. *Record Yourself Take advantage of technology—use your smartphone to record your delivery. There’s nothing quite as enlightening as watching and listening to yourself beforehand. This practice will help you grow increasingly comfortable with both your material and your delivery, allowing you to truly own your presentation. *Understand the Room Setup Familiarize yourself with the environment in which you'll be presenting. Is it set up with round tables or auditorium-style seating? Will you use a wireless microphone or a handheld one? The more you know, the more at ease you will feel. *Arrive Early Always aim to arrive at the meeting room at least an hour before your presentation. This time allows you to walk the stage or meeting floor, test the sound, practice with the microphone, and run through your slides one last time. You’ll want to eliminate surprises that could affect your performance. Knowing about any audio/visual issues ahead of time allows you to adjust your strategy and mentally prepare. These tips may seem intuitive, yet they are often forgotten amidst our busy lives and work priorities. While a powerful presentation relies on language, style, and delivery, none of these elements will shine without adequate practice. Take every opportunity to present with the same discipline and commitment you would apply to any significant event. Be a pro, and let your practice pave the way to presence.