While studying Sales at University, I once sat down for a presentation with a representative for a company only to be thrown a complete curveball when she struck a completely different attitude than we had practiced with in class; presentation skills for executives is a specific service we offer at Oake Media, you can learn more here. In a panic, I struggled to make my presentation relevant to her and her specific needs and tried to pull in outside info and examples that she might actually care about. In the end, I got a pretty poor grade, but learned a lesson about the importance of a good, targeted presentation.
A presentation is a pivotal component to any public speaking role. It directs the attention of the viewer and can act as an efficient and immersive way to deliver information. However, there are effective and ineffective ways to utilize the presentation, with one of the biggest pitfalls being irrelevance or, rather, making your presentation too broad or too niche.
In addition, most people suffer from a bit of anxiety before presenting. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than being watched by a group of people, especially when they’re counting on you to educate them on a topic they may know nothing about. Lots of thoughts can come to mind when these pre-presentation nerves hit- what if they don’t understand what I’m trying to say? What if I say something wrong? What if they aren’t interested in my topic? By using this presentation training, you can keep your audience framed in the conversation and tailor it specifically to their needs.
Avoid Using Jargon
When speaking about something you’re knowledgeable about, it’s easy to forget what an outside viewer would or wouldn’t know. While constructing a presentation, take extra care to avoid using any phrases that a surface level reader wouldn’t be able to understand. If there is a concept that is usually referred to with a specific word or acronym, define it before using it going forward. A good way to test if your presentation is easily understood is to try presenting it to someone you know who has a basic or no understanding of the topic, and see if your definition makes sense.
Use Relevant examples
An example or a case study is a great addition to any presentation, as it can drive home a point by providing evidence of your information being correct and usable in practice. However, the example that you use is imperative. Depending on what it is that you are presenting, it’s good to play into the pain points of the audience and use an example that directly addresses them. For example, a marketing campaign that was successful in France would need to be tweaked for a different audience before it’s rolled out in Singapore.
Do research on your audience
Every audience is a little bit different, as everyone brings their own opinions and skillset to the table. Tapping into these differences is a great way to strengthen your presentation. By doing research on your audience before you give your presentation, you can make points that are specifically tailored to your audience’s wants, needs, and interests. A good place to start is through LinkedIn, where you can find a lot of information regarding someone’s professional life, or their company website. In addition to this, you may want to build a relationship with your audience first, reaching out through email or social media, to get to know them on a more personal level before attempting to present to them.
Using a Giver’s Mindset
One thing that remains consistent across the board is that people generally don’t like to be sold to. Even if you are attempting to educate, or just delivering information, people’s first instinct may be to brush you off as trying to “sell,” to them for your own personal gain. Throughout your presentation, you should make it clear that you believe in what you are preaching and are doing so for their benefit, not yours. You are not simply trying to spin whatever you have into working for them. This is where the above tip comes in handy, as knowing your audience and tailoring your presentation will help you enforce that you are trying to help them rather than yourself.
Keep it Simple
Playing off the first point, the people you are presenting to will most likely not have as much knowledge of your subject as you do. When presenting, It can be very easy to get lost in the complexity of what you’re discussing, leaving your audience confused and left behind. A presentation isn’t necessarily the place to dive in deep and go over every single aspect of your subject, but rather a good way to get a surface level understanding with enough information that your audience can make an informed decision. This way, it’s easier for the audience to remain engaged and follow along while you speak.
Conclusion:
A presentation can seem like a daunting task, with all of its moving parts, critical importance, and opportunity for disaster, but it doesn’t have to be. The most important part of any presentation is knowing your audience and being sure that your presentation is made for them, not for you. It’s also important to keep in mind that everyone gets nervous before a presentation, and to keep yourself confident, calm, and focused. Using these skills, as well as a collected demeanor and strong speaking skills, you can keep your audience’s attention and deliver the excellent presentation that you want to give.
For more Singapore focused media training, email lisa@oakemedia.com to schedule a training session or browse the instructional videos available on our website, such as the one linked below.
How to look like a star during TV interviews or client presentations.
