Presenting can be a scary thought, especially when you’re speaking to higher-ups at the company you work for. It may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are loads of tricks you can use to feel better prepared, more confident, and less freaked out. We’ve all been there.

So, how can you make this presentation a good experience for everyone?

Create an Effective Presentation

Make damn sure that you are prepared—it helps calm the nerves. If you’re using Powerpoint, keep your presentation slides clean and easy to read. Ensure you have absolutely everything you need for this presentation, including a fail-safe in case something goes wrong. For more advice, read 5 Tips For Crafting Great Presentation Decks.

Start STRONG

Make an impact when you first begin so you grab and hold your audience’s attention. Remove “um” and “uh” from your vocabulary because they will not help you. In fact, those words make it seem like you’re stalling … which you may be in order to remember your next sentence. A small pause while you remember is no biggie. Take a moment to have a sip of water, so you’re not standing there awkwardly.

Your voice will affect the delivery. Keep in mind that speaking too-fast will make it difficult to keep up with the information, and moving too slow can put people to sleep. You have to find that sweet spot in-between. If you vary your talking speed and emphasize your pitch changes, it will hold your audience’s attention by keeping things interesting.

Maintain Passion and Connection

An important part of presenting is connecting with your audience and what better way to do that than by demonstrating your passion for the subject? Be honest with who you are speaking to—explain why you are there and why you are passionate about your presentation.

Body language can reveal plenty. Your gestures should be open and confident, completely natural. You don’t need to stand still. You can walk around the “stage” area or wherever you’re presenting.

Don’t forget to smile and make eye contact! This is important because it creates a personal connection and helps you to feel less nervous. Instead of speaking to a faceless mass of people, you’re talking to individuals, peers, and coworkers.

Focus on Your Audience

There’s an age-old question to be answered: what are we getting out of this?  Your audience is here for a reason, so make it count. Focus on what the audience wants to know rather than what you could tell them. This narrows down your topic so you can focus on making your presentation simple and easy to digest.

Simplicity is Best

Your core message is what they’re here for. Make sure it’s prominently displayed. There’s going to be a key message and takeaway—don’t hide that deep in the recesses of your speech. Say it LOUD and proud. Make sure they know what your key message is, but also keep in mind that it must be brief. Think of this as an “elevator pitch” or something you can say in under 15 words. That will stick better with your audience.

Everyone Loves a Good Story

If it works, weave stories into your presentation. Humans love stories because they keep things interesting. After all, you’re only presenting to people—not some secluded alien race—so find an engaging way to reach them.

Breathe and Relax

You’re not the first person to present and you will not be the last. Take slow breaths to calm down before, or during, your presentation. This will allow you to relax and slow you’re talking speed if you’re a naturally fast-paced talker when you’re nervous (I do that!). This way, you can present the information coherently and effectively.

Everyone has to present at some point. You’re going to be fine.