How to Make Effective Presentations

Overview • Plan • Prepare • Perform • Persuade

Purpose of a Presentation •Inform an audience •Persuade an audience

Plan •Analyze your audience •Gather information •Establish your key message

Prepare•Introduction•Body of the presentation•Conclusion

Prepare: The Introduction •Tell them what you are going to tell them •State your main conclusion or message •Consider a dramatic opening

Prepare: Body of the Presentation•Limit to one theme or goal•Provide three or four supportive messages•Give three or four ways to achieve the goal

Prepare: Conclusion •Summarize what you have just told them •Reinforce the core message •Include a call for action •End with a quote, joke, or echo back to the beginning

Prepare: Writing Tips •Use: –vivid images –human elements –short sentences –an active voice •Tell a story Prepare: Writing Tips•Use:–alliterations and metaphors–three-part lists•Avoid jargon

•Use statistics sparingly•Be culturally sensitive•Keep it short

Prepare: Using Visuals•Use as a complement to the message•Don’t over-use visuals•Test drive the technology

Prepare: Rehearse •Use a mirror, tape recorder, video •Get feedback from objective observers •Refine the presentation

Prepare: Arrange the Text•Use large print•Mark up text•Use two-thirds of the page•Number your pages•Consider small cue cards

Perform: Voice •Breathe •Speak slowly and clearly •Vary your inflection and pace •Pause regularly •Maintain eye contact

Perform: Body Language•Stand straight but not stiffly•Smile and relax your face•Don’t fidget•Don’t overuse hand gestures

Perform: Appearance •Dress to impress •Avoid extremes •Be well groomed

Persuade •Leave time for questions •Keep the message clear •Repeat critical information •Make people want to buy-in •Be engaging

Persuade If you have inspired and informed, you are an effective communicator.

RULES FOR USING VISUAL AIDS1. Whenever possible, do not reveal visual until it is needed.2. Use colors for emphasis and contrast.3. Be sure the audience can see your visual aids and hear your audio aids.

4. Speak toward your audience, not toward the visual aid, as you explain its contexts.5. Keep visual aids simple and uncluttered.6. When using handout materials, try to distribute them as they are needed or at the end of the presentation.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS1. Establish each person’s responsibility for various sections of the message or for coordinators in the presentation.2. Familiarize yourself and be sure others do so with the entire presentation.3. Plan seating arrangements and placement of presentation aids to facilitate smooth transition from one speaker to another.4. Rehearse the presentation until all team members are confident about its effectiveness.5. Anticipate questions.

OTHER TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS~Videotaped presentations1. Before the presentation, consult with the technician who will do the taping.2. Dress to accommodate video requirements.3. Avoid using an overhead projector in your presentation.4. Don’t drip too far from the microphone for the video recorder.5. Remember that your primary responsibility is to the people who attend your presentation.6. Relax.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION1. Design Right Brained Slides.2. Tell stories.3. Use pictures.