3 keys to stop reading your slides and speak fluently in presentations

The thing that scares my clients the most is not being able to find their words in the middle of a presentation. To avoid this, I see all kinds of strategies, especially writing all the text on the slides (please don't do this 😰) or reading word-for-word from notes.

(If you think this is a problem you have only because you're not a native-English speaker, you're wrong! A friend of mine recently went to a conference in London where lots of top professionals in her field were speaking. Over half of the speakers read directly, word-for-word, from their scripts. She told me those speeches were totally boring. And these were all native-English speakers!)

So let me give you three key techniques to help you speak naturally, not forget what you need to say and ensure your audience remembers your message.

Do you want some more tips on how to make your English presentations more engaging and impactful? Download your guide here.

1. Define Your Key Message Clearly and Repeat It

Before you even start preparing your presentation, ask yourself: What is the one thing I want my audience to remember? Your key message should be

• Clear and concise (1-2 sentences)

• Something your audience wants to know

• Written down and placed where you can see it while speaking

You might worry that repeating your message will bore your audience, but in reality, it helps them remember it. You know your presentation—the audience doesn't! The audience may only take away one idea from your presentation—make sure it’s the right one!

Repeat your key message at least in the introduction and the conclusion, and ideally throughout your presentation in different ways. This reinforces your point and makes it more likely to stick. You can also use the key message as something to come back to if you forget what you wanted to say, and to help you answer questions. (You can see more about answering questions in my video here.)

Another way to make your key message even stronger is to turn it into a simple, memorable phrase. Think of famous speeches—politicians, business leaders, and TED Talk speakers often have a single, powerful sentence that sums up their message. If you can craft a memorable sentence, your audience will be more likely to recall it long after your presentation ends.

Examples of Strong Key Messages:

• Business Pitch: "Our product cuts your admin time in half, so you can focus on growth."

• Tech Presentation: "AI isn't replacing jobs, it's enhancing human potential."

• Motivational Talk: "Small daily actions create big, lasting change."

2. Use Mini Key Messages for Longer Presentations

If your presentation is packed with information, break it down into sections. Each section should have its own mini key message—a one-sentence summary of why that part is important and what benefit it brings to the audience. These mini key messages also serve as a transition to your next point.

For example, in a sales presentation:

• Main key message: “Our software saves companies time and money by automating manual processes.”

• Mini key message for a section on features: “Let's look at the features which eliminate repetitive tasks, meaning you have more time for talking to your clients.”

• Mini key message for a section on customer results: “Companies using our software have reduced admin time by 40% on average. Let's have a look how..."

Your audience knows exactly what to expect from each section of the presentation, rather than being bombarded with lots of information and it makes you less likely to read your presentation as you have a clear idea of what each part contains.

To make this even more effective, consider structuring your presentation using the "Rule of Three"—a classic communication technique that groups ideas into three main points. People naturally find it easier to remember information in threes.

For example:

• In a marketing presentation: "Brand success relies on three pillars: visibility, trust, and engagement."

• In a financial talk: "Smart investing comes down to risk management, diversification, and patience."

• In a training session: "Effective leadership means clear vision, strong communication, and team empowerment."

By structuring your presentation with mini key messages and using the Rule of Three, you'll create a flow that is easy for your audience to follow and remember.

3. Speak Naturally with Keyword ‘Chunks’ Instead of Reading your Presentation

Even if you are an excellent reader, reading directly from notes or slides makes you sound unnatural and even robotic: to be engaged, your audience needs to hear your natural voice. In my coaching sessions, we work a lot on using chunks to help you speak fluently and naturally.

What are chunks?

Chunks are groups of words that naturally go together. Instead of writing individual keywords, write short phrases that help you remember how to express your ideas fluently.

For example:

• Instead of writing “important”, write “one of the most important factors”

• Instead of “increase sales”, write “boost your sales by X%”

• Instead of “challenge”, write “one of the biggest challenges we face”

This method helps you stay fluent and reduces the risk of getting stuck searching for words. And remember, it’s okay to make small mistakes! Natural speech—even with minor errors—is far more engaging than grammatically correct but robotic English.

Another great way to improve fluency is to practice speaking in chunks out loud. Try reading your notes aloud using the chunks you’ve written. This will help train your brain to recall phrases more naturally in the moment.

A Simple Exercise to Improve Fluency:

1. Look at all the points you make in your presentation.

2. Write down a chunk for each one

3. Read them aloud several times, focusing on natural rhythm and intonation.

4. Then use the chunks to create complete sentences.

5. Repeat the exercise without looking at your notes.

   
   

By using keyword chunks, practicing aloud, and embracing natural speech patterns, you’ll make your delivery far more engaging and confident.

By applying these three strategies, you’ll deliver your message with clarity and confidence. If you want to refine your public speaking skills, we work on these techniques in our Optimiser vos prises de parole workshops (learn more) or through coaching sessions (find out more).