What makes one presentation a home run and another nap time? We’ve all been subjected to death by sideshow and there’s an easy solution to avoid this common occurrence.
I believe the key is audience relevancy…making key points to each and every one of them. You need your audience to understand the relevance of your points as you deliver them. Borrowing suggestions from a friend who’s been in presentation consulting for over a decade –“weave a story” don’t just recite your lines. Engage your audience early and keep them engaged throughout. Make your audience want to hear your next thoughts on the subject. Hold them at the edge of their seats, make them put down their smartphones. Yes, that’s right, no multi-tasking is possible if the audience is seeing and hearing an engaging presentation.
My colleague says to create two presentations that run simultaneously and in parallel. One “presentation” explains the features; the other “presentation” (which is interwoven within the first) details the benefits and relevance. Brilliant! Without WIIFM (aka benefits) no one cares. No one.
- Provide an overview or summary before diving into details.
- Then, provide a method for the audience to notice a change between the “features” sideshow and the “benefits” presentation. Use color or graphic images. Explain this early in the presentation and your audience will follow along.
- Make the presentation as short as possible time-wise but long on take-away.
- Tell them, remind them that you are telling them; finally, summarize what you’ve told them.
- Ask for questions, provide clarity.
- Congrats, you’ve just made a home run presentation.
Keep it crisp, clean and spot-on relevant. Learn from the master…less is more fellow colleagues.
Note the wordless-ness...
