I regularly deliver training and strategy workshops both online and in person and hope my 6 tips for delivering a presentation will be of value to you.
What I’ve learned along the way cannot be described as rocket science. It’s pretty basic stuff but might help you turn death by PowerPoint into a winning pitch.
1) Know Your Audience
This is blatantly obvious, crucial and frequently overlooked. If your presentation is pitched at an advanced level and your audience are beginners then they’ll quickly get lost and distracted.
If you are pitching for work and know who the panel are then tailor your content appropriately. A quick search on LinkedIn or twitter and you’ll gain insight into their background and interests.
In the past I’ve asked event organisers to send a short questionnaire to those participating in my workshops and I’ve used that insight to shape the presenation. Sure, it takes a lot of effort and time but that’s what you are being paid for and your audience of potential clients are well worth the investment.
2) Paint Pictures and Avoid Text
If accompanying your talk with a slideshow then choose bright, bold images or video content which tell the story of what you are talking about. If your habit is to show slides text heavy slides then it’s time to get more creative!
It’s best practice for all content you create to be accessible. Ensure you’re adding subtitles to videos and using fonts/ colours that meet accessibility guidelines. Ask
3) Involve the Audience
ALWAYS involve the audience.
When presenting to a large audience get a few volunteers on the stage to take part in a quiz or demonstration. Encourage the audience to choose a person to support. Anything with a competitive edge works a treat.
If you are time restricted then simply ask the audience to get involved by raising their hand in response to a question. As the presenter don’t hide behind a lectern, move about the stage or room.
4) Spanners In the Works
Technology is brilliant when it works but often at events, even in the swankiest hi-tech venues, the internet connection or Wi-Fi is rubbish and what you planned to do just won’t work. (Even when you’ve phoned up and checked in advance the reality can be very different.)
Have a Plan B which includes carrying a memory stick or being able to download your presentation. Worst case scenario it’s back to basics with a flip chart and pen. Be prepared as the show must always go on.
5) It’s Okay Not To Know Everything
If someone asks a question and you don’t know the answer it’s okay to say ‘I don’t know…..but I’ll find out and get back to you.’
You’re human and can’t know everything, especially if you work in a field that changes on a daily basis.
‘Let’s have a chat at the end’ are magic words if one participant wants to dominate the session with questions that are only relevant to them. Manage this situation so it doesn’t detract from what everyone else is there to learn about. Be polite but firm on this point as the organiser expects you to deliver what you promised without running over time and messing up their schedule.
6) Stay Connected
Okay, so you’ve put these tips for delivering a presentation into practice, and you’ve answered all the questions from the audience. What next? There’s a few options depending on your style.
Invite people to join you for a chat afterwards, or to connect with you on LinkedIn, twitter or by email. (Final slide should have this info.) You can leave a pile of business cards if you’re old school, or you can set people a task and ask them to tag you on social media with their answer.
The important thing is to keep in touch, spot opportunities to grow your business or simply make new connections who share a common interest.
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