Well, that went badly.
Hands full, Scott kicked the office door closed with his foot.
The mouse clattered to the ground, followed by the coffee cup that had been balancing atop his laptop.
Scott’s day was going from bad to worse.
He put the laptop on the desk and bent to clean up the mess.
As he mopped cold coffee from the side of the mouse he thought back to his “performance.”
What had gone wrong?
He had simple message to get across, he’d created some cool slides, and he practiced hard.
He was confident. He was presenting to people from a department he didn’t know, so he had nothing to lose… Confidence came much easier like this!
But the audience just hadn’t been in to it. They’d spent the time chatting among themselves, checking their smartphones, and looking at the floor.
When it came time for questions no one had any. Some people started to leave before Scott had a chance to say his final words.
What a nightmare! What rude people… Scott felt lucky he didn’t work with these heathens.
Despite his confidence, knowledge, and preparation he just couldn’t connect with his audience. His presentation was an out and out failure.
Scott finished removing coffee from the mouse and turned to the rug.
Ever had an experience like Scott?
If you can’t connect with your audience it doesn’t matter how cool your slides are or what you say.
Here are 3 things successful presenters do before every delivery:
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1. Successful presenters understand their audience
Successful presenters know what motivates their audience. They know what their audience likes and dislikes. They know what frustrates their audience, and they know what challenges they face.
By knowing these things about their audience, successful presenters are able to frame their presentations in such a way that their listeners can instantly attune to why they should pay attention. The presenter shows the audience “what’s in it for them” and holds their attention.
2. Successful presenters understand their desired outcome
Successful presenters know what the goal of the presentation is. They know where they want to take the audience.
By knowing where they want to take the audience, the presenter is able to design a succinct presentation which doesn’t waste their listener’s time.
3. Successful presenters know their topic well
Successful presenters are ones who deliver a conversational presentation. A presentation that seems as natural as someone having a conversation or discussion.
Knowing their topic well allows successful presenters to speak from memory which increases the audience’s confidence in the speaker. Additionally, knowledge of the topic and the ability to speak from memory increases the likelihood of an engaging talk.
What do you think? Let’s chat in the comments below.
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John Hamilton says
Knowing your audience is essential along with the desired outcomes. The worst presentations I have ever heard sounded like presentations. Robotic and not engaging. An aspect overlooked is the length of the presentation. Use the three bears approach; not to long not – boring; not to short – lacks substance, Just right has substance and keeps your audience interest.
SS Molebeleli says
I totally agree with the points mentioned. When I make a presentation during the conference I always start with a small Video to draw the attention of the audience. It found it working well for me.
Zack Lim says
Good and straight to the points! The very core and basic elements of presentation, and in fact of everything that we do. In communications, building relations, training, coaching, selling, etc. It’s always good to remember that it is about who they are, what they need and want, and know how to help them. Otherwise it’s pobably a waste of time and resources anyway.
Bruce says
Very important things to do. Yes..they are all important and I definitely try to make sure they are addressed before I deliver any information. For your consideration…. # 4 thru #6. Use the restroom. Practice the first ninety or so seconds in your mind. And last, but not least: Smile!!! I have found that it is just as important for me, to take care of me and putting me in the correct mindset as the time I have spent preparing for my audience. What say you? As always…my opinion…not fact. Cheers
Dave Mac says
Nice additions, Bruce!
Shaun says
Great advice. Thank you a million
Lesley Hossner says
Great post, Dave. I so agree with the conversational style. Imagining you are talking to one person takes away the nerves and makes the presentation much more human and engaging. Another thing that I feel is vital is practise! Out loud, to a colleague, into your phone, as many times as you need. And if you have the luxury of practising in the actual room where you will be presenting, then grab it with both hands!
Marcello Chierici says
Fully agree! In particular the first is even most important, if possible
Trish Frick says
It’s so great to have thus conversation. I’d like to pose a slight twist to the ideas presented. No. 3 is a given for most presenters. But I think that participant/audience engagement and motivation can be reached by designing No. 1 and No. 2 techniques as you present!
You might have some data and stories about need and goals and that is very important to be able to ‘make it real’. But I also like to ‘check it out’ with the group too and ensure I design interactions up front with the group to share their ideas and concerns with each other and with the facilitator/presenter. It really helps to target the process with ‘right now’ issues.
I do it all the time and have seen it done in large and small settings (15 to 500) and it never fails to work.
Marla Seiden says
As a presentation skills trainer, I agree that you should know what your audience needs, wants, etc. Sometimes it is difficult to find out as the person who books you doesn’t always know who is attending until the last minute and doesn’t have time to send questionnaires to those who register early.
What do you recommend in this situation?
Dave Mac says
Hi Marla,
Good question! Every case is different, and you’re pretty much flying blind here, but off the top of my head I would try this… I would get a general understanding of the industry, the event’s focus, and the types of issues that these people regularly face/complain about. I would make use of forums and discussion groups on LinkedIn and Facebook to do my research.
Janine Desgres says
I would also suggest an ice breaker, even as simple as expectations of the presentation, that let’s you learn about the group, helping you better steer your presentation in directions that will be meaningful.
Kameel says
Try asking questions in your opening slides, rather than making statements. It’ll help draw your audience out and give you an idea of what they’re thinking. Rather than calling out specific people, I ask for a show of hands to gauge the audience’s level of knowledge in the begining.
You’ll have to improve a bit more, but at least you’ll have more to go on.
Diana Hardy says
As someone who speaks for a living, your points were very ‘on point’. often times we know what to do and at times have to be reminded to go back to the basics. I appreciated seeing your message in a story and then the points reinforced how to avoid being a “Scott”. – nice post.
NRKS Chakravarthy says
Focus on the ‘purpose’from beginning to end is the key of success of any presentation. In addition, a great beginning followed by logical sequencing of topics in an engaging manner ensures successful delivery of intended outcomes
Anshu Pandey says
I also often try to add stories as well in my presentations which catches their attention and brings them back to track from some boring but necessary tech concepts.
As everyone in the audience is not of same conceptual and tech level so stories keeps them enaged with topics and then try to relate tech things with their expertise.
I am not a very experienced presenter so i found your seggestions interesting and somewhere i could also find myself in scott n also in three tricks.
Thank you for this post.
Kyerere Chris says
I am in total agreement with the 3 techniques…
Prem says
Well articulated
Manuel says
Learning and memorizing your presentation content so you can express its message/ proposal without reading a paper or your own slides is fine. Expressing its contents not only through the right memorized words, but adding the emotional tone and voice inflections naturally inspired by these is wonderful! You’ll connect much better with your audiences and your message will get across.
Further, it is key to “read” the emotions and feelings your words and tone cause in the audience and which are transmitted through their answers or questions and their facial gestures.
Is important to avoid sounding like a senseless machine and do not respond as such.