At some point in everyone's career, you will face the prospect of giving a presentation to an audience larger than your work group.  When that time comes to give a keynote talk or something similar, here are some pointers to make a great impression and get your message through (Entrepreneur magazine, Oct. 2008):

1. Have something interesting to say.  If you have nothing new to offer, don't accept the speaking invitation.
2. Cut the sales pitch.  Your purpose may be to inform and/or entertain.  It's not an opportunity to throw out a sales pitch.
3. Focus on entertaining.  if people are entertained, you can slip in a few nuggets of information; however, if your speech is dull, no amount of information will make it great.
4. Understand the audience.  If you can prove to the audience you understand who they are within the first 5 minutes, then you have them for the entire talk.
5. Overdress.  Never dress below the level of your audience.
6. Don't denigrate the competition.  The audience is doing you a favor by allowing you to be there.  Take the high road and stay away from cheap shots.
7. Tell Stories.  The best way to relax while giving a talk is to tell stories.  You lose yourself into the storytelling, and therefore, lose your nervousness.  It stops being a speech.
8. Precirculate with the audience.  Heighten their connection to you by shaking hands before you speak, especially with those in the first few rows.  Now you have some friendly faces.
9. Speak at the start of an event.  This gives you a fresh audience that is more likely to listen.
10. Ask for a small room.  A packed room is more emotional.  Let people remember the event as standing-room only.
11. Practice.  Get rid of the "duhs, ums, etc..."  The audience will know if you know your material.