Sometimes nerve-wracking and mostly requiring a fair amount of effort and preparation, presentations are not the easiest thing in the world for everyone. But these proven techniques - open secrets - will make a positive difference.
Make your next presentation more effective by taking this good advice.
You need high credibility. A professional who knows the subject inside and out has credibility. Don’t present if you won’t be completely credible ! If you aren’t right across the topic, do the research now and then decide whether you’re at the right level to present credibly.
Every presentation is important. Each presentation you give must be treated as though its the first and last time you have to make an impression. So, make it professional and seamless. Don’t fall into the trap of “this one really doesn’t matter much”.
Don’t use a standard presentation. Whatever your reason, never yield to the temptation of using “just the standard” presentation. Tailor your presentation to each audience. Your slides may not need to change much or at all, but do make sure you're in key with this group.
Understand your audience. Think about who will attend your presentation, their needs and interests, their agenda and what they expect to learn about.
Where practical, survey your audience prior to your presentation to ensure you understand both what they want and their current level of understanding of your topic.
Set your objectives. Don’t be unrealistic.
Be specific. For example, your objective might be simply to establish yourself as a leader in a specialist field, or as an expert who has a refreshingly unconventional approach to a hot issue.
Assemble the data. Do the required research to ensure that you are credible and collect the examples, statistics and instances to back up your presentation.
Structure your presentation. The “sermon” technique works well: “tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them”.
Put another way, first the outline, then body material, followed by a summary and finally conclusions.
Assemble support materials. Organise any visual aids, props and hand-outs well in advance.
Visual presentation support is expected these days. Rarely is a speaker alone sufficiently compelling to hold an audience without presentation aids. Don't go mad with PowerPoint, though !
Well prepared and interesting PowerPoint or other visual media help your audience focus and concentrate.
Rehearse. Prepare yourself mentally, and try to have a dry run. As they say, everyone rehearses - it’s just that some rehearse in front of their audience.
Don’t make the event your rehearsal !
Make a successful delivery. Maintain eye contact, keep the audience interested and take your cues from the audience.
Evaluate. Elicit feedback and self-examine - you’ll learn !
Presentations can be effective marketing technique. Make yours a success.
If you’d like advice, help, or training to make your presentations more successful, please get in touch.
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