You’ve developed a compelling presentation. You have the right amount of slides, and those that you have are full of visuals backed up with solid examples to reinforce all of your key points. After several table reads and dress rehearsals, you’re ready and can’t wait to share your experience with your audience.

Here’s some obvious and maybe not so obvious tips to use to connect all of your energy and passion as authentically as possible with your audience.

I follow these for most live and virtual presentations, as I approach each one as a mini event and “train” for them by making them as theatrical and engaging for my audience, who after all is why I’m there.

On Webinar Day:

1. Go easy on the caffeine and carbonated drinks, as they can play games with your ability to speak. Also stay away from garlic and other foods that will also come back mid sentence to haunt you. Same goes for food items like peanut butter. Keep a glass of water by your side too. Of course get a good nights sleep the night before.

2. Work out before your Webinar, do some type of cardio exercise such as swimming or bike riding. It’s a great way to get you focused on your portion, and it helps relax you by working off any nervous energy and converting it for use when you need it during the Webinar.

3. About an hour before you are ready to go live. Do some vocal exercises to loosen up your vocal chords. Read out loud. Do a sound check and make sure the technology is working well and that your sound level is balanced with the other panelists.

4. Get yourself pumped up by listening to some of your spcecial music on your iPod. Whether it’s Lady Gaga, or from another era like the Stones. Listen to your favorites, and see if it doesn’t get you motivated too? For me, I always find anything from the Sinatra canon of uptempo songs puts me in a good mood. My current favorite is I Get a Kick Out of You.

5. When it’s your turn to present, try standing up when you speak. Sitting down sucks all of your energy out. Standing up lets you gesture, use a headset so you can move around. Don’t read the bullets from your slides. Visualize your audience, and if it will help, consider pasting some pictures of crowd scenes on your wall….think of the energy from a live concert… remember your’re talking to people, not your computer screen.

The most important thing to remember is “have fun”, this is about connection, not perfection. This is your chance to connect your thought leadership with the audience and if you do, they will find what you have to say memorable and open to having a more in depth conversation post Webinar.

What are some of your tips you use to deliver a killer presentation on Webinar day?

Mike