“Connect Through Your Presentation Investment”
By Deborah Gardner, CMP
Transformational Speaker/President/Author
COMPETE BETTER NOW!
Presenting has become one of the most important investment tools in business communication. It is an essential self improvement skill to have in our complicated communication world. No matter what field you are working in, you still need to demonstrate your leadership potential by knowing the simple areas of presenting. Investing in yourself by learning presentation skills will only help you succeed in your career, close sales opportunities, and provide good first impressions. Either working individually or in a team atmosphere, you need to transfer your knowledge to others as a contribution of your expertise. You invest lots of time, energy and effort in your presentations. So, think of this opportunity for self improvement Overall, enhance a greater chance of success by making a difference when investing in your self. Here are 5 helpful hints to become the best at presenting.
1. Start with a “WOW” introduction
As they say, “First impressions last forever”-right? So, stand tall, smile, and make eye contact with everyone in your audience. Know your lines of what you want to say from the start and everything else will flow. Tell a story, or similar happening in order to connect with your audience. Never start out apologizing or mention that you never speak. Always start your words on a positive note. It sets the mood for everything else that follows.
2. Goal
Every presentation needs a strategic goal. Presenters sometimes dump information or just data on their audiences. The information dumped on listeners is what spam is to email readers. Be careful on the content that is to support your message. Remember this, features tell and benefits sell. If have to provide a direct link between the information and the message of the presentation.
3. Delivery
Platform delivery of content is important to a strategic approach in presenting. They help engage and sustain audience attention. Many factors determine how meaning is created through the visual, verbal and vocal channels of communication. Although good delivery alone cannot guarantee success but poor delivery can usually guarantee failure. So, practice in front of a mirror, friends, or family while asking them if they feel the connection throughout your presentation. Also, try to present outside your immediate environment to expose your skills to wider audiences. Be careful when using visual aids. Don’t allow them to be visual distractions from your message.
4. Anticipate Questions
Always expect questions. You have offered a subject or topic what issues will interest people and what points will be challenged. It’s a good idea to think of the most difficult questions people could ask you, then develop answers to them in advance. If someone asks a question you don’t know the answer to, be upfront by telling them you don’t know, then offer to follow-up. By admitting this and by following up, it will help build your credibility.
5. Develop the Confidence
You can only use presentations to enhance your career when you have confidence. Being “professionally confident” is the “politely correct” version to success. This is what needs to be in place to deal with others. The vibe you put out, is what you get. Confidence expands from your voice to your body language. Use every aspect of your strengths to shine.
The most successful people are good communicators, so by using your presentation skills, you take your career one step further to success. Remember, a presentation is an investment. Invest in yourself-YOU DESERVE IT!
