The Art of Presenting
Oh no! Not anotherrrr presentation you think while leaning back in your chair, getting ready to read your email/check your Facebook/look at ten year old photos of your kids under the desk on your phone.
We’ve all been there.
But WHAT IF presentations were different?
WHAT IF they were engaging, inspiring, enlightening?
WHAT IF they weren’t all about how great the presenting company is, but actually provided VALUE to those sitting in the audience?
WHAT IF they inspired thought, or even action?
It should be said that there’s no bigger crime than having the opportunity to reach a large, captive audience, only to squander it by boring them to death with pie charts and mind-numbing empty sentences such as “We are the leading …..”.
Constructing an exceptional PowerPoint presentation is an art. In this article, we’ll explore HOW TO create presentations that not only inform, but also captivate and inspire.
Let’s get into it…
Bringing Value to the Audience
Creating a powerful presentation begins with first understanding your audience’s real needs and desires. Don’t waste time telling them about you/your company. Instead, ask yourself:
- What questions might they have?
- What problems are they seeking to solve?
- How can I inspire them to take action?
Tailoring your content to address these concerns is key. Once you understand your audience’s pains, research and incorporate relevant data, insights, and solutions that will provide tangible value. By doing so, you’ll immediately establish yourself as a reliable source of information in addition to forging an instant connection with your audience and making a lasting difference.
Remember – people will always listen to subject matter that is relevant to them. Everything else is just white noise.
Engage Your Audience Right from the Start
The opening of your presentation sets the entire tone for what’s to come. You’ll either have them, or have lost them about 5 seconds in. Instead of starting with a mundane introduction, aim to captivate your audience from the very beginning. Consider using attention-grabbing techniques such as:
- Thought-provoking questions that encourage reflection
- Intriguing statistics that raise eyebrows
- Relatable anecdotes that immediately draw listeners in.
By sparking curiosity and piquing interest, you’ll establish a strong foundation for engagement. And don’t forget – if you can get them to interact with you right off the bat – that’s even better.
Build a Strong Storyline Flow
Think of your presentation as a journey. You’ll need a well-crafted storyline with a beginning, a middle and an end. Once you’ve grabbed their attention and got them engaged, begin with a clear introduction that outlines what they can expect to learn. This will keep them glued to you, as they’ll be waiting to hear what you have to say. Organize your content into logical sections, each leading naturally to the next. This structure not only keeps your audience involved but also helps them retain information more effectively. Make sure to emphasize the relationships between key points, allowing your presentation to flow effortlessly.
Create an Inspirational Middle
As mentioned above, beyond conveying information, your presentation should inspire your audience. Incorporate real-life examples, success stories, and impactful visuals that resonate emotionally. The power of storytelling cannot be overstated – it connects listeners on a personal level and makes your content more memorable. Through relatable narratives, you create an emotional connection that lingers long after the presentation ends.
Maintain Engagement Throughout
Engagement is a continuous effort throughout your presentation. Even the most captivating beginning isn’t enough to keep the audience attentive. You’ve got to keep the tension up. While visual aids such as images and videos add variety, consider introducing interactive elements like polls or short activities to keep your audience actively participating. This not only breaks up the monotony but also ensures that your audience remains engaged all the way through your presentation.
Avoid Excessive Text and Reading Bullets Aloud
One common mistake in presentations is overwhelming slides with too much text. Slides should complement your spoken words, not replace them. Avoid the temptation to include paragraphs of text on each slide. Instead, use concise bullet points that capture the main ideas. When it comes to presentations, less is more. Remember, your audience should focus on you, not on reading the slides. Refrain from reading bullet points verbatim; instead, elaborate on each point, providing context, examples, and insights that enhance your audience’s understanding.
Bring Your Presentation to a Powerful Close
As your presentation draws to a close, avoid letting it fizzle out. If you started with a punch, you’ll want to go out with a bang. Summarize the key takeaways and main points, reinforcing your message. End with an impactful quote that encapsulates the essence of your presentation or a thought-provoking statement that lingers in your audience’s minds. And, perhaps most importantly, present a clear and compelling call to action (CTA).
Don’t Forget a Compelling Call to Action (CTA)!
A well-thought-out CTA is the bridge between inspiration and action. It’s nice enough to inspire them, but if you want to convert the audience to sales leads, you’ll need to go the extra mile. Align your CTA with the presentation’s goals – whether it’s inviting the audience to explore your website, subscribe to a newsletter, attend a workshop, or take another desired step. Utilize action-oriented language that conveys urgency and importance. By providing a clear and actionable path forward, you empower your audience to put their newfound knowledge into practice and hopefully gain a new customer in the long-run.
In a nutshell
When it comes to writing your next PowerPoint presentation, remember that it’s not just about the slides; it’s about creating an engaging experience that resonates with your audience and keeps you in their mind long after they’ve left the room. If you’d like a little help writing and designing such a PowerPoint, come talk to us at NOW BRANDING. Not only are we pros at creating creative, captivating, result-driven presentations, we’re also the folks who penned this blog😉. So, drop us a line and make sure your next presentation is one to remember.
