You have to build credibility as a presenter, but it can't all be done in an introduction, no matter how much we list our credentials. Building credibility is done throughout your presentation, starting with the introduction, but weaved seamlessly throughout the whole design to continue building until the end. 

Most people are not comfortable standing up in front of a group, whether it is 5 or 500 people. Our presence in that moment determines a great deal about how people will remember the presentation. Understanding your own body language, the best ways to use the space, and how to engage with your audience will help make any presentation much more successful. 

Stories achieve many things that slides or graphs cannot do. They are more impactful, easier to remember and more likely to inspire action. By including well told stories in a presentation you can greatly improve the impact and outcomes. And luckily, stories have not changed in tens of thousands of years of human development. So it is easy for anyone to learn how to tell stories in a way that brings their presentations to life. 

In a modern world of interactive virtual meetings platforms people expect much more than an entertaining lecture. The right type of interactivity, whether live or virtual, is not only much more engaging for the audience but will make the whole presentation more memorable and applicable. 

Either answering questions from the audience, or posing questions to the audience. Both add a deeper dimension to any presentation. Used correctly they build credibility for presenter, increase engagement from the group and can create the type of deeper application for the material that moves the presentation onto a new level. 

Good navigation is obviously about sticking to whatever time has been allocated, but it's much more than that. It's using the time effectively. It's changing agendas on the fly to adapt to the group's needs or unexpected changes. A presentation is great when it feels like every minute was used effectively and no time was wasted. 

In a modern world we need to be just as good in a virtual environment as we are in a physical room. But the requirements for a virtual presentation are different, and we don't always hit the mark. From how we appear on screen, to how we engage and interact with the audience, everything needs to be adjusted slightly to be the best virtual presenter possible. 

Control is very important in both live and virtual presentations, but it cannot be done in a way that is either patronizing or rude. Groups want a leader, and they want to know what they are supposed to be doing, and what is expected of them, but they must always be treated with respect and given the space to make their own choices. 

The difference between a good presentation and a great presentation comes down to how much the audience buys into the message. Therefore, blind optimism from the presenter can turn off even the most enthusiastic audience. By adding a healthy dose of cynicism you can win over those looking to challenge the material, but also create realism for anyone to apply the ideas.  

Most people think of good presenters as high energy, but this is not true. A good presenter chooses the "right" energy for the group. Great presenters are able to temper or increase  their energy to match their audience. By understanding our own natural energy we can make more deliberate choices for the presentation we are about to give.