Photo by: English via Pixabay
Today, with modern technology and social media, there are so many ways to communicate ideas. Everywhere you turn, people are talking and motivational speakers are on the rise. I particularly enjoy TED Talks as they are clear, concise, and to the point.
More than ever, business professionals are expected and tasked to give professional presentations. Unfortunately, without proper preparation these presentations can be a stab in the dark, with some speakers simply “winging it.”
Set yourself up for success by following a thorough five-step process.
1. Plan – Careful planning is a must whenever you are invited to give a presentation. It’s important to identify your purpose (e.g. to inform, persuade, or inspire) as well as the audience and their needs, establish the general and detailed presentation requirements (e.g. date, location, budget, constraints, etc.), and generate and organize your ideas.
2. Write – With a plan in place, it’s time to write. It is imperative to write for speaking. When reading, we can always go back and read it again. In a presentation, our listeners can’t do that. Therefore, it’s important to write for the ear. A good presentation should have a strong, clear beginning and ending. The body of your talk will consist of key facts and ideas with supporting material to reinforce your content. The amount of information you provide will depend on the time constraint of your speech. Ideally, less is more.
3. Prepare – Now that you have planned and written your presentation, it’s important to prepare. Preparation involves rehearsing your presentation and checking all logistical information (e.g. supplies, audio and visual equipment, meeting room and travel details, etc.). Always be prepared for Murphy’s Law!
4. Deliver – Who do you admire as a public speaker and what is your style? I believe these questions are important in developing your own authentic style as a speaker. It helps to know your strengths and weaknesses in order to enhance your speaking skills and delivery style, as well as your ability to handle questions and difficult situations.
5. Evaluate – It is essential to evaluate your progress. In order to grow as a presenter, this step is critical and should not be missed. You want to receive constructive feedback (through self-evaluation and from peers and audience members) on what went well and what skills you need to improve on.
