Making a successful presentation, whether to your internal colleagues or at an industry meeting, can be challenging. The Blommer Chocolate Co.’s Rose Potts offers insights on overcoming challenges and keeping your audience engaged.
Washington — Picture this: You’re introduced as the presenter at a dinner meeting, just as a tray of whipped cream desserts accidentally dumps down your shoulder! What do you do? This happened to me!
There’s a reason studies show that most people rank the fear of public speaking higher than death. As you might have guessed, I didn’t die from wearing whipped cream; I brushed it off, stepped up to the podium, and carried on.
As a presenter, your goal should be to make your audience comfortable with you and with themselves. People are most open to receiving and retaining your message when they feel at ease.
Presentations have evolved from “all live” with overhead projectors to PowerPoint and, in 2020, the big shift to virtual presentations. Whether live or virtual, each format requires specific skills that should be practiced, but the goal remains the same.
Let’s start with some core principles for presenting, regardless of medium.
Know Your Audience
Who are you speaking to? Are there experts in the room, or is this new information for everyone? Never talk down to your audience; explain in simple terms. The goal isn’t to show how smart you are but to effectively communicate your knowledge. Avoid using too many acronyms, and if you must, explain them. Too many unfamiliar terms can distract your audience from your main points. It’s better for your audience to remember one or two key takeaways than to be overwhelmed by jargon, data, and charts that dilute your message.
Focus On Relevance
Keep the “so what?” in mind. Why should your audience care? People process information through the lens of how it affects them. Make your presentation relevant to the individual. Provide insights that make their daily or work life easier or helps them look smarter to their manager.
Presentation Structure
A good structure is key: tell the audience what you’re going to say, say it, and then summarize it. This simple format helps them stay engaged and retain information. When using PowerPoint or similar tools, follow best practices for style, font size, and word count per slide. Less is often more. If the text is too small or the charts are too busy, the audience will be distracted. If there is a language barrier, more words may be helpful so people can read at their own pace. If graphs are difficult to decipher, take the time to explain the main concept.
Now, let’s look at the type of presentation and how to adapt for each one.
Live Presentations
Preparation for live presentations should be consistent, regardless of audience size. When you can see your audience, you can read their feedback to adjust your pace, check interest, and ensure understanding. Be flexible — skip slides, move around, or adjust the lighting if needed to keep the audience engaged.
Your comfort level will translate into their comfort. Wear clothes and shoes that make you feel confident. Stand still at the podium or walk around if you’re comfortable. If you’re unsure, stay planted in a grounding position.
Scope out the venue beforehand. Will you use a handheld, stationary, or clip-on microphone? Always use a microphone if available, keeping it close to your mouth and checking for distortion from clothing or jewelry. Avoid turning away from the microphone to read from a screen, as this can be distracting. If at a podium, test the microphone height and make sure you can enter and exit the stage smoothly. Steps can be a hazard. If you’re unsure, request a “spotter” for assistance.
Virtual Presentations
The preparation for virtual presentations is similar but focus on being comfortable with the technology. Ensure your equipment is fully charged, your Wi-Fi is reliable, and have a backup plan if there’s a connection issue. Consider having a colleague ready to jump in if needed. Test the presentation with a friendly audience who can provide feedback on lighting, sound, and background.
It’s easier for your audience to follow when you’re on camera, but keep in mind that you may not see their reactions. This makes feedback difficult to gauge, so appoint a colleague as a moderator to monitor the chat and message you as needed. Decide how you want to receive feedback: frequent texts or only for urgent matters. Avoid receiving multiple messages during your presentation, as this can be distracting. Appoint one feedback communicator to the speaker.
Key Takeaways
No matter what happens, roll with it! It’s not just about what occurs but how you react. If you remain comfortable, your audience will too. Brush that whipped cream off your shoulder and soldier on. As Maya Angelou once said, people may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
