I tend to be surprised when someone compliments me after a workshop about my energy level or presentation style. I do not define myself as a public speaker—quite the opposite! I was the kid in school who presented my book report last, secretly hoping I could run out the clock and save myself the humiliation of nervously stuttering through my words. I tell this anecdote because it’s proof that public speaking is a learned skill. If it is a fear you share, this phobia can be overcome. To be even more pointed, it’s one you should work to overcome so that you don’t hinder others from understanding your data-driven message.

That’s why I highly recommend spending time here—practicing not only what you say but also how you say it. This might sound simple and obvious, but it’s often overlooked in favor of tangible tasks (especially if public speaking doesn’t come naturally). Allocate time not only for designing great graphs, but also presenting your work. A strong delivery can overcome less-than-perfect materials. So if you only have a limited amount of time before your next presentation, let the graphs and slides be: spend the remaining time honing your delivery.

In this short post, I will share three active things I have done (and continue to do regularly) to become a better presenter in the hopes that you might find these tactics useful, too.

Practice with people close to you. Almost every presentation I give, I first test with my boyfriend, my dad and my mom. I do this for a few reasons. My boyfriend has zero interest in what I do professionally, so if I present my content in a way that captures his attention, there is a strong chance I will be engaging on the job. My dad is analytical and skeptical at times, so he’s a hard audience to sell. If I achieve his stamp of approval, then I know I am thorough yet succinct. My mom provides detailed notes on any mispronunciations, odd gestures and wordy sections. Now, I can’t offer you my immediate family, but the point is you likely have people in your inner circle who will share honest feedback. You may even find it more challenging to present in front of people you know, so if you can overcome that, then you’re ready!

Record and watch yourself. I thank the SWD family for this tip. As part of our development process, we record our presentations to share with the team for feedback and to watch independently. I find this useful both to receive input remotely and to critique myself—I’m often my own harshest critic. We use Zoom, but any video platform with recording capabilities will work. Watching yourself speak is highly uncomfortable but important. It’s funny how someone else can offer you advice to stop fidgeting, but you might not correct it until you see for yourself how distracting it is. For me, I had a habit of pacing and I was often told that I moved too much. However, until I saw how silly I looked walking back and forth—off the camera frame at times!—I didn’t learn to stand still.

Learn from others. Pay close attention to how others deliver their work. Take note of mannerisms or phrases you like and identify anything distracting or unpleasant. I’ve done this with all of my coworkers, and I can now see positive parts of their style weaved into my presentations. For example, Cole is skilled at varying her speed and volume to add punctuation to her words. Elizabeth adds personal stories and smiles often to engage her audience. Mike incorporates great humor in his workshops—something that’s hard to pull off. It’s easy to enjoy each of their presentations passively. But by actively listening and thinking critically about why each is enjoyable, I can learn from them. This doesn’t mean that you adopt every style you like, but rather consider what elements work well for others that may also complement you. Which brings me to a related important point: employ techniques that feel comfortable and authentic to you! That’s when you’ll come across most confident.

Whether you’re uncomfortable in this space or a seasoned pro, practicing your delivery is key to success! Don’t just run through your slides; rehearse with intention and purpose. Rely on people you know to get diverse feedback, record and watch yourself—but be kind—and thoughtfully observe others. At some point, you will likely encounter a situation requiring you to share your data in person—and your success just might come down to the delivery. An important lesson I’ve learned is that to have the most impact, sometimes it’s not so much about what I say but rather how I say it.

Have you tried watching yourself present? What did you notice and refine? What other tips have you found useful for presenting effectively? Leave a comment here or jump over to this discussion in the SWD community and share your thoughts!