Barack Obama leaped into mainstream view shortly after making one of the most memorable speeches of the 2004 Democratic National Convention. The speech instantly propelled him from virtually unknown Illinois Senate candidate to “the future” of the Democratic Party. Just few years later Barack started his bid to become the 44thPresident of the United States, where he continued to awe many, by delivering some of the greatest and most memorable speeches in recent history including; his “A More Perfect Union ” speech in Philadelphia, his “Democratic Nomination Acceptance Speech ”, and of course, the most memorable, the Presidential Acceptance Speech at Grant Park.

Even after becoming POTUS, Barack Obama has continued wow listeners with his oratorical skills, and last Wednesday night’s State of the Union Address was no exception. In what was probably the Presidents most difficult speech thus far, he was able to address some of the country’s most important and sometimes most complicated issues in a way that keeps us all glued to the Television. But how does he do it? I’m pretty sure he’s busy, so instead of asking, I figured I would study the speech, channel my inner Obama, and create a few tips that will hopefully make your next presentation a snap.

Begin with the End in Mind
Whether you’re advocating for health care, selling a product, or explaining your research findings, you have to begin with the end in mind. This will help you through your presentation’s planning process. Ask yourself questions like: what do I this audience to leave with? What should the key takeaways be? What would you like them to say about your presentation? Use the answers to these questions help guide you through the building of your presentation.

Use your Time Wisely
You only have a few minutes to make an impact; so don’t waste time with fluff. The most important thing is that you tell the audience: what the problem is, why they should care, and what your solution is. The amount of supporting detail you give to each of these topics should depend on the amount of time given to present and details should always be ranked by priority. President Obama’s speech was over an hour long, but with-in the first 5 minutes you knew what was forefront on President Obama’s agenda. After a generic SOTU opening, Obama stated the problem with statement:

One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by a severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted -– immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.

But the devastation remains. One in 10 Americans still cannot find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. And for those who’d already known poverty, life has become that much harder.

Be Passionate
If you’re not passionate about your presentation’s subject, than neither will your audience. You must deliver your presentation with as much fervor as you can muster up. I don’t believe Obama’s greatest adversary would argue that he’s not passionate about his policies. And you could see that passion on display, when Obama’s discussed the state of the economy. Whether it’s true or not Obama seemed to exude the pain and frustration felt by the people hit hardest by the economic crisis in his speech.

Have a Sense of Humor
Breaking the ice, especially when presenting in front of a hostile crowd, is a must. And what better way to break the ice than with a little humor. Now, I’m not telling you to tell jokes or do your Robin Harris stand-up act (this isn’t Showtime at the Apollo) but a clever and well-timed quip, even at your own expense, is a great way to ease tensions, in an effort to open your audience up and get your point across. A great example of this was Obama’s comparing the Bank Bailouts to a root canal admission that he did not take on health care because it was good politics and Obama’s.

Be Confident (But Not Cocky)

President Obama, even in the toughest situations, has an uncanny knack to be calm, collected and, cool during his presentations. I’m sure he’s nervous, I mean he is human after all, but he does not sure his fear not one bit. This confidence goes a long way when presenting on a subject. Confidence makes you more convincing, because it reassures your audience that you’re the expert. But be carefully not to come off cocky. This makes you less approachable and could turn your audience off.

Try sprinkling a little Obama magic in your next presentation and tell me how it works out.