Presenting to prospective clients, shareholders and colleagues is part of many peoples' job descriptions these days. These tips will help you to look like a much more polished and professional presenter. Some of them are just common sense, but you would be amazed at how often they are often overlooked.

1. Know what your message is and make sure your audience knows too

If you don't know where you are going, how do you know when you have arrived? It is vital to know what your message is and continually ask yourself whether it has been delivered clearly. At the end of the presentation everyone should know instantly what you were trying to convey with your presentation.

2. Let your audience know what to expect from your presentation and then deliver it

It is great to ask your audience questions like, "Do you want to know the best way to guarantee certain success?" You may see people sit up and listen more intently. There is nothing worse than seeing them slump back down and return to their texting when they don't get a clear answer to that question. Deliver what you promise to.

3. Don't be afraid to use your notes

It is OK to have your notes with you when you present as long as you don't let them distract your audience. Don't roll, crumple or play with them. No one will think less of you if you look down at your notes, as long as you aren't reading from them.

4. Pause to let your audience reflect on what you said

This tip ties in with the previous point. Stopping to look at your notes creates a natural pause that allows your listeners to reflect on what you have said. Adults need to reflect to apply what they are learning to their own experiences.

5. Make sure you can be heard

If you are in a large room, or if you have a soft voice make sure there is a sound system that you can use. Check into this before your presentation starts, not once it has begun.

6. If you use PowerPoint, make sure it follows the principles of good design

a) The rule of six

b) Don't read your slides

I won't take the time to cover design principles in this article, but your slides should complement what you are saying not duplicate it. Keep text to a minimum. Read from your notes if the text you want to share is too long to memorize, but don't put it all on a slide and then read it out loud. The rule of six suggests that you should keep words within bullets and bullets to a maximum of six per slide.

7. Don't think that drawing on a flip chart can replace PowerPoint slides

Not everyone needs to speak with the assistance of a slide presentation, but don't think that writing on a flip chart is a good alternative. If you are merely writing or drawing a finished word, phrase or diagram you are wasting time doing it as part of your presentation. It is much more effective to bring up a slide with the finished product already in place.

If creating the word, phrase or diagram is a process that the audience are going to be a part of, then a flip chart may be the better choice.

8. Practice, practice, practice

I cannot stress this tip enough. Reading through your presentation a few times in your head doesn't begin to replace standing up and rehearsing out loud in front of people or a mirror. Shutting yourself in a bathroom not only lets you see what you look like, it gives great acoustics to hear what you sound like.

When you think your presentation is getting to a good level, video yourself and watch it back. This is the best way to really critique how you are doing. If you have people who are willing to listen to you speak, ask them for honest feedback.

9. If the energy in the room seems low, get everyone out of their seats

I've seen this used to perform happy dances and yoga moves. It doesn't really matter what you choose as long as it suits your personality and your audience.

10. Get your audience involved

a) Humour is a great way to get your audience involved, but bear in mind that one person's humour is another person's horror. Know your audience!

b) Ask questions rather than just giving the answers.

Presenting takes a lot of energy and preparation. Give these tips some thought next time you are asked to give a presentation. You will look more professional and your audience will appreciate your efforts.

Reen Rose is an experienced Microsoft Certified Trainer as well as being Myers Briggs certified.

She has been described as 'focused, fun and very effective'. Reen is an enthusiastic life-long learner who believes in guiding people to become the best they can by giving them the skills they need to be successful.