Maybe I’m getting cynical in my old age, but seriously…how bad are most presentations?
Rarely does a week go by now without people hopping up on stage or hogging a zoom meeting and boring the pants off us.
Since when did we become so obsessed with STUFF? Facts, figures, graphs, charts, stuff! Seriously, the more you hit me with the more I forget. My “hard drive” has limited capacity these days and as much as I’d love to take it all in, I’m getting error messages!
And so, in the spirit of giving you something useful can I offer the following (part one) to prevent you from being as sh!t as almost everyone else:
1) Start with the end in mind – why are you even getting up there to speak? What do you want them to do once they’ve witnessed this special moment?
2) It’s not about you it’s about your audience. Don’t try to show them how clever you are. Make it about them and for them.
3) Be short and sweet – seriously, can you do it in 5 minutes? Believe it or not you can cover quite a lot in 5 minutes. It’s about 900 words, and if that was an article that’s pretty significant. If not, don’t go longer than 20.
4) Hearing the word presentation does NOT mean you need to whip out powerpoint. It’s a great tool but must be used properly. If a prop is more effective in making the point use that.
5) Map out and craft your messages and story first. Then create the slides if required.
6) Look at each slide and ask yourself “so what” – if you can’t justify the slide, get rid of it.
7) Open and close brilliantly! Really rehearse this bit, primacy and recency. We remember the first and last things you say…the bit in the middle can get forgotten!
8) Tell stories. Personal anecdotes are powerful. When you share such a story you will come alive, your body language will change, your tone will become more engaging.
9) Be concise, focused, deliberate. Deliver with conviction.
10)Before you start, breathe! Take a moment to visualise what you’re about to do and the impact you are about to make. Then take the leap…
Of course there’s plenty more, but for now just try to remember some of the above. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Part two coming next week!
If you feel it might be handy to get a bit of guidance, click here and let's chat!
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