Presenting a better presentation

A Twitter acquaintance asked today about the worst presentation I'd ever endured. I had to admit: It was one I gave back in '05. I was unprepared; I tried to wing it on too little sleep and too much caffeine. Lesson learned.

HERE ARE 5 MORE TIPS for improving your presentations:
- Know your audience. Ask plenty of questions when you accept the gig about what is expected by the organizers, then arrive early and get a sense of the room. Tweak your comments if necessary.
- Dial back on the caffeine. You can count on a jolt of adrenaline to carry you through.
- Get away from the podium. Unless you are giving the State of the Union Address, you'll benefit from closing the distance between you and your audience.
- Talk to people, not things. Humans came to see you, not your notes, mic, laptop or PowerPoint screen.
- Lead the pack. Don't allow a "Jack in the Box" to ruin the experience by popping up with off-topic comments. Suggest you take up that discussion afterward (or by e-mail), then focus on other audience members.