Here's one way to think about it. Have you got a good story to tell? Do you have a case study or two that can visually excite an audience and get them involved? Something they can relate to? That's what you'll need to kick start your presentation.

For example, here's a case study we used. There was a city planning competition open to entrants who could work together. They had to come up with a design that would appeal to the community, be environmentally responsible and still be workable in terms of local appeal. It meant finding a way so the different contributors would understand each other and stay connected with the detailed information before them.

There was one city designer who mind mapped all his plans. Some were done based on a telephone discussion and others were done in face-to-face meetings around major topics of concern. Once the mind maps were done he then presented that material to a planning board for review. And guess what? His presentation and the way he delivered it stole the show and won the contract. A small mind mapping program played a pivotal role in winning a significant contract reward. I'd call that awesome, wouldn't you!

But let's go to those areas where you may need to step up to the plate. For example, maybe you would like to learn how to deliver a presentation from a mind map? Want to get to know the options that are available to you? We'll give you a head start by highlighting some of the most accessible options below!

To give a presentation from NovaMind mind mapping software, you can:

• Use NovaMind Presenter, a mind map with animated zooms to allow an audience to explore all portions of your map with you,
• Print out the map to use as your notes,
• Set up the mind map on your laptop for you to see,
• Project the mind map on a screen for all to see (full screen mode is preferable),
• Export to PowerPoint or Keynote using the built-in tools,
• Print your map out as a poster

Best of all, you can also print the mind map out without text on the branches and hand these maps out to your audience. These are often referred to as "conversation maps" since these maps tickle the interest of your audience by purposely leaving out content to make room for their contributions.

Because a variety of presentation options exist, effective delivery depends on making an active choice. Be guided by your audience and focus on the questions they are asking. Because you can see the whole presentation at a glance, it's easy to spend more time on one topic because you can spend less time on areas that the audience are already familiar with.

Delivering a presentation well means handling tactics as well as technical information. There are three simple steps to delivering a great presentation.

First, start it by stating what the topic is. You will know this from the mind map's title. Then go around to the innermost branch to give an introduction and tell people what to expect from the presentation.

You'll go to the details of each of the branches next, starting with the first level branch, which is the home to your main idea before doing on to the next detail and again, at the end of that detail section.

Finally to wrap up your presentation, go around the innermost branches again and let that be your summary.

As an example, if I were giving a presentation from this sample mind map above, I would start off by saying something like this:

"Today, we are going to find out all about X. We will be discussing what they are, and aren't as well as see how they work, who the beneficiaries are, and any obstacles we'll face in setting them up and operating successfully. We will give you information on how to find appropriate partners and initiate relationships that have the right tone. And we'll give you the tools to be able to make this a reality for you. Does this sound like something that would be useful for you to know? ..."

Try it! Your mind mapped presentations will captivate your audience and you will have gotten it right!

Use this checklist to make sure you are taking advantage of the power of mind mapping:

• Have the topic in front of you in the center of your mind map, so you are less likely to go off on tangents
• Have the main points in the first level branches, so when you go down to the detail levels, you are still conscious of the main point you are making.
• Set up your presentation so it's all there, in one place-no more getting lost in your notes.
• Make sure there is a visual association through the branch lines and colors between related topics, adding clarity to your presentation.
• Pace yourself through the presentation. Look to the branches and sub branches to see how many things you have covered and what is ahead of you to do.
• Keep reminding audiences visually where the information fits in.
• Let the mind maps work for you so that you can maintain the eye contact and focus on generating even greater rapport.
• Rely on your visual anchors to your current topic, because visuals will provide a clear picture of where to go to next in your presentation.
• Stay with your passion and let the wholeness of your map do its work.

Finally, explore the other topics in Presentations under the Presentation and Mind Mapping Menus.