Whether you are giving one, receiving one or preparing one, presentation can strike terror in the hearts of the mightiest of mortals. Multiple anxiety related researchers have suggested that speaking in front of an audience is one of people’s most feared activities, even for those of us “in the biz” of show biz. As scriptwriters, we feel safe and protected behind our words. As videographers, we feel powerfully expressed behind the lens. As producers, we can spend hours in the post-production suite. Ask these same creative creatures to present to a room of 20, and many of us find that our knees begin to buckle.

Fear no more. Carmie McCook, of Carmie McCook and Associates, veteran of the corporate communications world, spent nine years as Corporate Communications Manager for UPS. Last month, she presented to the AllStars, PowerCore meeting at the Sandy Springs library. There she shared her secrets on how to score, versus bore, when presenting. Over more than 20 years, she has successfully guided politicians, corporate executives and other professionals through the art of looking and sounding natural in the not-so-natural spotlight.

Regardless of the audience, content or objective, here are 10 tips for success:

1. Research the client. Identify and address their 2-3 key concerns.

2. Meet the client informally, prior to the meeting. It raises the human contact factor.

3. Use the client’s name during the presentation.

4. Open with a strong benefit statement that addresses a solution for the client’s key concern.

5. Focus only on benefits that meet the key concerns.

6. Paint pictures to make your points memorable.

7. Smile. Don’t forget to smile. And make eye contact.

8. At closing, summarize the benefits concisely.

9. Make a memorable closing with: a relevant quote, strong declaration or a very short story

10. Keep it short. Always under 20 minutes

There you have it. It’s probably nothing you haven’t heard before, but the space between knowing it and doing it can be filled with a friendly reminder. Good luck!