Presentations, Profit and Power

Let the words begin.

To be able to present well is to give water to the thirsty, color to the bland, and grace to the dancer, not to mention profit to the company and power to the message. It¡¦s a gift well worth wrapping in creative, clear, comprehensive and customized packaging.

You pitch proposals and ideas to prospects; present annual or quarterly reports to boards; updates to current clients, and co-workers; new policy and procedures or several cheerleading speeches to your employees; and other presentations to myriad audiences. Some of these topics may seem boring, but no topic is boring¡K it¡¦s the speaker. That¡¦s right, even the most in-depth technical, financial, legal or institutional report can have stories, testimonials, word pictures, and even humor¡Kif you want presentations that bring you both profit and power.

If you think your audience doesn¡¦t want and need story, humor and information, then you haven¡¦t been an audience member. I doubt that¡¦s the case.

Have you ever been enthralled listening to a speaker? What helps you remember a point or points? Usually it¡¦s a picture: words that create images and emotions. You remember a story, metaphor, or point that grabbed you emotionally. You may not remember it completely, but its message stayed with you long after someone put the lectern in the closet, folded and stored the chairs, and turned out the lights.

The most important part of any speech or presentation is to know your audience. Who are they and what do you have to offer them? They relate to you and your message through your experiences, expertise and stories. Stories and personal experiences make your points stick to your listeners. You want them to ¡§see¡¨ your words and points. Audiences recognize themselves within stories; therefore, relate to and remember your point(s). Stories equal relationship speaking; your audience relates to the point because they can see if, feel it, or remember a similar situation. Stories and metaphors break down the experiences that substantiate your ideas and points.

Paint word pictures. Give the listeners substance, sizzle and self for a well-received message.

Organize your presentation in a logical manner to give the most benefit to your listeners. I know you¡¦re not the person who ¡§just wings it,¡¨ are you? Good. Planning and organizing are paramount for the most profit and power in your speech.

Here¡¦s an easy ten-step presentation process to follow:
1) Identify your listeners and their needs and knowledge level
2) Plan your message ¡V the result, points, action steps
3) Organize your points
4) Prioritize them ¡V the most important is first, the second most important, last
5) Cultivate stories, metaphors, or testimonials that illuminate the points
6) Write out the whole presentation
7) Edit, delete, rewrite
8) Practice
9) Present

Define your presentation as one of the following:
1) Instructional
2) Inspirational
3) Informative
4) Persuasive
5) Entertaining
6) Motivational
7) A combination

Your listeners are eager to commit to listening and learning if they know you committed time, research, time, practice, and yourself to the message; you care about them and their needs. What are the take-aways for your listeners? What will they gain from your expertise? Audiences want to have their lives changed and you have the power to help do that for them.

To add that special creative voice, add humor. No, you don¡¦t have to be a comedian, you just have to allow the audience to laugh with you. Make fun of yourself and some of your experiences, and they will remember the point. Energize them through humor. A humorous story ¡V either personal or other ¡V keeps the listeners in the palm of your hand: you have the power. Everyone from the CEO to the administrative assistant has a story to tell from several years ago to several hours ago. Everyone from the CEO to the administrative assistant loves to laugh.

The opening of your presentation is the hook. Grab ¡¥em early. The body of your presentation reveals the information, details, facts and benefits of your message. Make it count. You have approximately 30 seconds to grab the audience¡¦s attention. Use your stories and humor to elaborate the points, give facts that define the points, and benefits to keep your listeners aware of the value of your presentation ¡V it¡¦s about them and their future, not about you. Your closing repeats your opening and gives the result, the call-to-action, and the repetition of the major ¡§hook.¡¨

A few other tools and techniques that will help:
• Know the audience ¡V How much do they know about your subject ¡V never assume
• Know your material ¡V Practice it by yourself, then in front of a friendly audience ¡V get feedback
• Breathe, pause, relax; Breath, pause, relax ¡V before, during and after
• Visualize yourself as successful ¡V see the audience¡¦s positive reaction
• The audience is your best support group ¡V they want you to succeed
• NEVER apologize for any short-coming(s) ¡V it makes the audience nervous
• NEVER read your speech ¡V it insults your audience
• Use PowerPoint as a tool, not a read-along-with-me
• Practice, practice, practice ¡V it makes a good speech better, and a better speech riveting

Your opening and closing are bookends: they pull the presentation full circle. You have approximately 30 seconds to hook your audience. Grab them early, keep them enthralled and end with your initial ¡§grab.¡¨

A memorable presentation attracts profits and exudes power. Now let the words begin.

Dee Dukehart, author and professional speaker, works with companies who want to master their communication skills¡Xboth written and spoken¡Xand with executives who want to empower the people they lead. Learn more at www.DeeDukehart.com or contact: Dee@DeeDukehart.com.