The number one rule of every presentation is understanding
your audience. Before you develop your outline and materials, determine
who your audience is, their reason for attending your presentation,
what information they expect to walk away with, and why your presentation
is important to them. The more you know about your audience the more
successful your presentation will be.
2. Get it checked
Have someone review your presentation when it’s
done. Once you’ve worked on it for awhile you’ll begin to
overlook even the most obvious errors. Have someone edit it for grammar,
spelling (spell checker won’t flag the difference between "hear"
and "here"), organization, flow, and continuity. Peer review
is good for reviewing the accuracy of the information.
3. Transition Well??
One way to help your audience understand the connection
between your main presentation points is through transition sentences.
Transition sentences are short comments that carry the audience from
one point to the next. A good transition is like an internal summary;
it summarizes what you just covered and briefly explains how it relates
to the next topic. Write transition statements in the margin of your
presentation so you don’t forget.
4.
Get Us Involved!
Ask questions of your audience. It keeps them
alert, thoughtful, involved, and observant. Asking questions also
helps you judge if you’re giving the right level of information.
5.
Get the picture?
Use pictures instead of words when possible.
But don’t try to pack tons of information into one picture. Try
using illustrations that build in complexity from slide to slide.
Try to keep your slides simple. If possible use the services of a
graphic artist to help you use color effectively and to simplify your
slides and pictures.
6. Don't Wing it!
Your slides are not a substitute for a well-written
script. Create your outline, write your script, have it edited, and
rehearse it before the day of your presentation.
7. Lost in the forest
Try to keep the big picture in your audience’s
mind. Don’t let them get lost in the trees. Periodically stop
and refer back to the "big picture". Explain where you are
in the overall organization of your presentation.
8. We didn't bring our
snow shovels
When using graphs, tables, and charts, make sure
you’re using them to clarify not "snow" the audience.
Some graphs, tables, and charts can be difficult to see. Make sure
you have paper copies available. And, don’t speak to every aspect
of the chart, just the critical information.
And remember, they’re "visual aids"
not "visual crutches." Use them as a supplement to your
presentation not as a substitute.
9. Fired up
Let your enthusiasm show. Nothing sells your
presentation and yourself better than communicating your enthusiasm.
Audiences recognize and appreciate a presenter who presents with passion.
If the audience can recognize your belief and confidence, that will
add to your credibility and to your message.
10. The last
shall be first
Try writing the summary first.
Most people remember no more than five key presentation
points.
When you begin writing the presentation, start
with the last slide. That's right, when you’re ready to create
your presentation, forget the details for a minute, forget the presentation's
organization, and instead write out your conclusion or summary slide
first. If you do it right, it will emphasize the most important points
you plan to make.