A presentation sounds best when you deliver it like a conversation but should be a much more disciplined matter than a conversation - there shouldn't be many interruptions and it should stick closely to the subject.

The audience should go away with a clear understanding of what has been said and not be overburdened with minute details that overwhelm the main message. This is one of the reasons why presentations need to be structured carefully.

	Tell them what the presentation is about (it helps to have a title slide at this point)
	Tell them what your objectives are
	Tell them who you are (perhaps put your details on the title slide)
	Tell them why you are giving this presentation (gives you some credibility)
	Tell them what the background to the presentation is
	Tell them what's in it for them (benefits)
	Set the scene for the presentation (perhaps put the agenda on a slide or a handout)
	Grab their attention
	Set their expectations (when you'll finish, whether there will be time for questions afterwards, whether there will be handouts, coffee etc.)

The start of a presentation is arguably the most important part of the whole procedure. A bad start influences the audience's view of the presenter's credibility, and it is very hard to recover lost ground. If this sounds as if it all takes a very long time, this is not so. It need only take a few minutes.