Dynamic Presentation-Yes, it’s true, it’s not about you!
Guest Post by Jesse Velarde, Communication Specialist local to the Lehigh Valley, PA.
Public speaking is an intimidating prospect for many people. There is a great fear of what others will think of us, will we know what to say, and how will we come across. Yet the great news is that giving a presentation is really not about us at all. The most effective presenters recognize that the audience is the most important part of any speaking situation and that their role as a speaker is to serve their audience. Through connecting with them, offering encouragement, and practical application they will best help the audience and give the most remarkable presentations.
How much do you care about your audience? Each member of the crowd has very specific needs that they are looking to be addressed. They want to see that the speaker genuinely cares about them. The illusion that ‘an audience has come to see me,’ keeps a presenter from being most effective. Yet a genuine concern for the individuals I’m sharing with will help me craft the most effective presentation. It will be simple, engaging, and build a connection between me and the audience that will make them more receptive to what I’m sharing.
GRAB THEIR ATTENTION!!!
The beginning and ending are the most important part of any speaking situation. As a speaker, it is critical to remember that people have a very short attention span. Each person is preoccupied with the demands of their life, stress, and other events. One great way to engage and connect with your audience is to share how honored you are to be with them. This communicates to your audience just how valuable they are.
There are a variety of ways to grab their attention at the beginning. You may want to provide a short overview of what you plan to share. Or ask a challenging question. Some speakers show an engaging visual image, or an eye-catching statistic. It is critically important to grab their attention from the start. It will be impossible to keep them interested if you don’t engage them at the beginning.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
One critical mistake that many presenters make is overwhelming their audience with tons of data. However, science confirms that the human mind can only process a limited amount of information in one setting. People soon get lost in endless statistics, lists, and rules. These are most effective in small servings to support your bigger picture. Our audience does not want to be weighed down by an information overload.
An effective approach to keeping your message simple is to recognize that you are conversing with your audience. You are not talking at them, or down to them. How would you share if you were having coffee with a friend? It is critical to keep your presentation on a level that is easy to understand. There may be terms specific to your field and jargon that your audience will not understand. Make the extra effort to simplify these terms to bring clarity.
WHAT’S THE STORY???
Connection is the foundation for understanding. One powerful way to build connection is through a story. Everyone loves a great story. These narratives offer individuals and situations that your audience can relate to. A great story powerfully illustrates the main ideas of your presentation. In addition, it adds variety to what you’re sharing. This will spark the interest and curiosity of those watching. There are a wide variety of opportunities when it comes to stories. You could share your own personal experience or challenge with a situation. This will make you much more relatable to your audience. Also, you can share a story that illustrates how an individual or organization put your key ideas into action and the benefits which they saw.
FINISH STRONG!
As mentioned earlier, the beginning and ending are the most important part of any speaking situation. Your ending is the opportunity to show the audience how to apply the ideas which you’ve shared. What do you want your audience to do with the material presented? Use your conclusion to give the audience specific steps of action. By doing so, your ideas are now powerful tools that people are using to change their lives, company, and organization.
A great way to do this is by using short, simple sticky statements. These concise phrases summarize the material you’ve been sharing into short and easy to remember phrases. Sticky phrases can rhyme, begin with the same letter, or use opposites to illustrate a point. Here are some examples: 1) “My past will remind me, but won’t define me,” 2) “Direction not intention, determines destination,” and 3) “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
As a presenter, you are there to help the individuals in your audience. This is not a performance, it is a conversation to encourage, uplift, and advance the lives of those you are sharing with. By grabbing and keeping their attention, speaking with simplicity, and showing them how to apply what you’ve shared, you will make them feel honored and valued. This will ensure that the influence of your presentation will extend far beyond the few moments you are speaking, and into the daily lives of each person in your audience.
