POWERFUL PRESENTATION TIPS

People who communicate strategically understand that all effective communications begin with the audience in mind. Too often we fail to spend enough time analyzing our audience before starting to develop a presentation. All audience members are asking themselves: So what? Who cares? What's in it for me? It's vitally important that you answer these questions first. Ask yourself: Is this presentation to inform? To persuade? To motivate? If your presentation is to inform, what do you want the audience to know? If you are there to persuade, what do you want the audience to feel? If your goal is to motivate, what do you want them to do?

Surveys show that people decide in the first seven seconds whether they are interested in what you are saying. The bottom line is that you have a small window to captivate your audience. Are they going to listen or make a grocery list? If you answer the questions of "so what?", "who cares?", and "what's in it for me?" and the odds of the audience tuning in increase.

Presentation Do's

Do begin preparing as early as possible.
Do define your measure of success.
Do contact audience members beforehand.
Do rehearse outloud.
Do arrive early to check the room for logistics.
Do make your bottom line absolutely clear.
Do make eye contact.
Do tell personal stories.
Do control anxiety with slow, deep breaths.
Do use your notes to stay on track.
Do close with thanks.

Presentation Don'ts

Don't make lots of last minute changes.
Don't be afraid to change the format.
Don't overdo graphics or technology.
Don't try to say too much.
Don't wing it.
Don't debate or argue with questioners.
Don't exceed your time.
Don't lock your hands together or hide them.
Don't read your slides.
Don't give long answers.
Don't stay longer than necessary.
Don't obsess on what went wrong.
Don't throw away your presentation or materials.
Don't expect to become a "pro" overnight.