Take Your Presentation from a Blah to an . . .

AH Presentation!

Little differences make a BIG Difference when it comes to the components, parts, and elements of a presentation. Here are some specifics for doing that!

Title

The Title of your presentation should be similar to something seen on the marquis of a theatre, the headline of a newspaper, the spine of a book, or the subject line of an email. If the words in those examples don’t immediately grab your attention, you won’t go into the theatre, read the story, take the book off the shelf, or open the email.

Introduction

It is the speaker’s responsibility to write their Introduction. It is not your bio and is an integral part of your presentation. No one cares where you went to school, how many kids or pets you have, and the fact you collect sea shells. That information is irrelevant to your talk, yet it is usually what the emcee grabs off the internet.

Your introduction sets the stage for your presentation. It should be like the king’s trumpeter’s announcing his highness is on his way and answer three questions: 1. WHY this subject? 2. WHY this speaker? 3. WHY now?

Opening

Have a strong opening that grabs your audience’s attention. Then give them a ‘menu’ of what you’ll be telling them and when you’ll be taking questions.

Slides

Your audience has three learning styles. Most are visual learners. The next largest group are those who learn by listening, auditory learners. The remaining are kinesthetic and learn by doing. Being certain your talk appeals to two styles increase the odds they’ll GET IT! Here are Slide Basics.

1. Use high quality, universally understood images.

2. You provide the text. No one comes to an event to read your slides and we cannot multi-task. If they’re reading text on the screen they are not listening to you.

3. Have a simple template without clutter; i.e. no logos, contact information, etc. on every slide.

4. Transitions, build-ins and build-outs should also be simple.

5. Regularly insert blank, black slides. These will draw the attention of the audience to you, the presenter.

6. Non-verbal communication trumps verbal communication. If they are looking at a screen they miss your facial expressions, gestures, and body language.

7. Use sound clips and short video to reinforce your message and add variety to the presentation.

Your Talk

Follow the structure of a presentation, letting your audience know, in your opening, what will follow.

Use simple language and avoid buzz words, acronyms, and techno-speak. Your listeners will not be impressed hearing words they don’t understand. They’ll feel stupid and you’ll quickly lose them if plain language isn’t used.

Tell stories! It’s all about the story. They connect with your audience and everyone loves to hear them. Use stories to demonstrate points in your presentation.

Q&A

If you’ll be having Q&A, state in your opening when you’ll take questions.

Accepting them throughout a presentation can throw off the structure if someone asks early in your talk about a topic you plan to cover late in the presentation. Taking questions throughout also plays havoc with time restraints.

Because of the Law of Primacy and Recency, always take questions before your Closing. The last thing you say and do will be the first thing they’ll remember.

Follow these specifics for taking your presentation from Blah to AH! and I guarantee it will be absolutely, positively – NO SWEAT!

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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.

They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."

They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!

Services:

1. Keynote Speaker

2. Workshop Facilitator

3. Breakout Sessions

4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

Topics:

1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

4. We are All Self-Employed!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Podcast Channel, and connect with me on LinkedIn and Facebook.

My books can be purchased on amazon.com. “NO SWEAT Public Speaking” “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

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If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this post or other posts please contact me: Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com.

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