PRESENT THIS!
Recently I have been giving a lot of presentations both planned and extemporaneous speaking requiring me to deliver a message. It got me to thinking that strong presentation skills are very important; I thought I would share some insights and information with you on the topic.
Why are presentation skills important? Even if you are never planning to speak before a large audience, you might find yourself in a position that you have to deliver information to a small group – or even one on one IN THE DREADED INTERVIEW. No matter what the situation, the ability to create and deliver compelling content can facilitate your success! Here are some quick tips to help you with these skills. Even BETTER: Here is a link to Garr Reynolds (guru of presentations). My top line can get you started, but he is the Mac Daddy.
1. The Hook
All really great presentations give the audience the ‘ah-ha’ moment – the moment in which there is a realization about how the information to come will appeal to them and give some insightful information that will prove useful. Make sure you deliver this moment quickly. You don’t have a lot of time to capture your audience. Hook them fast.
2. Content is King
This is very true, BUT there are other things at play. Of course you have to deliver great content. Think about what you want to share with your audience. What’s your message? I suggest starting by creating an outline to help you define the information you want to deliver. This will help you focus and avoid going off topic.
3. Engaging the Audience
Eye contact is extremely important when presenting. This will keep your audience engaged and make people feel that you are connecting with them on a personal level.
4. Don’t Read
Psychologists have identified that the human brain cannot absorb the same message from two different sources at the same time. Reading your slides verbatim will also cause your audience to take a snooze. Why should they listen to you if they can just read what is right before them anyway?
5. KISS (Keep it Simple, Silly)
Avoid having your PowerPoint contain too much information. In an effort to engage your audience, keep things simple. While you want to have information on the screen, giving people too much to look at can possibly prevent them from absorbing the information. The brain can only process so much at one time.
6. How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
Before delivering, PRACTICE! This will make sure you know your own content and are prepared to deliver a killer presentation. This will also build your confidence.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Want more in-depth information? Check out Garr Reynolds’ website. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Comments and feedback are requested and desired; and you are welcome and encouraged to submit questions to thecareerdoctor.
Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and Chief Career Strategist of ResumesDoneWrite, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.
Debra can be reached at -
DWheatman@ResumesDoneWrite.com
ResumesDoneWrite.Blogspot.com
WWW.ResumesDoneWrite.com
Connect to me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter