Presentations are most effective when you prepare for them; or are prepared for them. Meaning – if I know a presentation is coming up, I prepare beforehand by creating my slide deck, ensuring I understand the audience’s needs, and that I’m covering the key topics in the time allotted, along with plenty of time for questions. I’m also prepared to deliver presentations “on the fly.” For example, if I’m working on a client project at their site, I’m prepared to answer questions about the project and do a brief status report if I pass a stakeholder in the hallway and she/he asks “what’s up.”
A recent article by Business on Main, entitled, Podium Power: How to Give a Winning Presentation, provided some great tips for ensuring your presentations are a success. Definitely check out the article. One of the tips I particularly like is the author’s suggestion to know the counterarguments of your point. I don’t see this mentioned too often at all and it is essential! Think about it – how many times have you given a presentation and someone counters with another point that is likely just as valid. I’ve experienced it myself. Understanding both sides of the coin is necessary to be fully prepared to address the audience and their questions.
Too often individuals are not prepared for their presentation – whether that means they don’t really have a grasp of the topic on which they are speaking or they slap together some slides and read them to the audience. I don’t know about you, but I’ve walked out of those presentations. Having an outline to reference is perfectly fine; just remember to talk to the audience, not to the slides.
Another key point in the Business on Main article is to be sure you know your audience. Every presentation I give I inquire about the audience composition. By understanding the individuals who comprises the audience, I’m better able to tailor my presentation to their specific needs. Every presentation I give at conferences is different in some way because the audience is different. Even if the topic is the same – I’m making changes to the presentation to meet the specific audience needs.
How about you? What are you doing to make your presentations a success and of value to the audience? What works? What doesn’t? Please share your stories with others in the Comments field below. Thanks!
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Hi Devon,
Thanks for your comments. You are definitely correct that less is more – nothing like looking at too crowded slides or where the text is so tiny you can barely read it! Graphics are a plus and certaily help to keep the audience engaged.
Thanks again for your comment and for reading.
Best,
Gina
I learned while in school, less is more in regards to the information placed on presentation slides. You definitely must know your audience and how your topic affects them. It helps by having some great graphics, because most can relate a vivid picture to the message of the speaker. The speaker must be address most known possibilities of their topics. However, there should be great focus and try to keep the audience within the scope of scope of the presentation. You definitely must know your subject in and out. Good article.
Thanks Ron. You make some good additional points – thank you for your addition. It is important to ensure that you are prepared for who the audience is attending so that you can tailor the presentation to meet their needs, but be prepared to address others who may also attend and may have other needs (be flexible in other words.) I do like to state assumptions throughout the presentation and am prepared to address both sides of the issue.
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you found the article of value.
Best,
Gina
Gina…you highlight some good tips/points. With respect to your audience, one thing to also consider is how would you change your presentation for a different audience? Another tip I would offer is to consider stating your assumptions and facts related to the issue. The tricky part is deciding whether to state your assumptions up front (and be open to attack) or later in the presentation.