Got an important presentation or speech to make? No problemhere are some ways to make sure they get your message and want you back.

1) Make sure you give your audience some personal information about you. Whether you think so or not, your audience is interested in you. This is especially important if you are trying to get a group to take action, such as buy something. They want to relate to you. Personal information is the only way to build that relationship.

2) Be careful with your humor. Stay away from Im reminded of the story and aim towards more subtle, self-deprecating humor. Show that you are human with a brief anecdote or story if you like, but try to avoid coming across as Jay Leno.

3) Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and them tell them what you told them. This is speech 101 and it always works.

4) Always end on time. If you start late, ask what time you are expected to end. If you are told ahead of time, end on time. Dont go one minute past the expected time. Not one minute.

5) Give out materials after the presentation. A sure way to lose your audience is to give out your slides or proposal before the presentation. Many will head right to the end of the slides or directly to the price quote, reach a conclusion, and move on mentally. You want to keep them in synch with you and your presentation.

6) Talk to everyone in the room. This is done by making eye contact with as many people in the room as you can. In a large room, scan the room as you speak. Dont speak to a few people in the room; talk to everyone.

7) Be ready with your own question. If you ask for questions, the worst thing that can happen is to have no one ask a question! If that happens, simply be ready with One question that I get asked often is and then answer the question and thank the group for their time.

Try these tips next time you have to speak or make a presentation. Youll be comfortable and youll own your audience.

Ed Horrell is the best-selling author of "The Kindness Revolution". For information on how to start a kindness revolution in your company, go to http://www.edhorrell.com

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