subject: How to Design an Interesting Presentation [print this page] How to Design an Interesting Presentation
When you are in business, presentations are many. You need to make presentations most of the time because you would want to let target clients know the best about your business and what you can offer them. Delivering presentations then is part and parcel of ay marketing strategy of the business.
Now, there are presentations; and there are good presentations. Good presentations are usually those that are really interesting that it gets the audience so engrossed during the process that they often remember it long after the presentation is done. And well, there are presentations, those that result to a ho-hum experience to its audience.
So what makes a really interesting presentation? What makes for a good presentation? More than the presentation folders that were handed out that holds all the documents during the activity, what would make your target audience remember what you've told them? How can you get your target audience to actually remember your message, in addition to having them reminded by your papers in a neat and organized folder printing?
If you are someone who have designed a lot of PowerPoint presentations, this question would probably be a little easy for you. But there's also a big difference in designing a PowerPoint presentation and actually delivering it in front of a group.
For one thing, delivering the presentation is more difficult because you have to stand in front of a group of people who may or may not like what you have to say. Secondly, if you are not used to it, delivering a presentation is one of the most nerve wracking activity ever. It can make you so nervous that you might even get tongue tied and stressed in the process.
So what makes standing up and speaking for an hour easy for others? How can they put up with the pressure of getting people to be interested in what they have to say? How can they do it? Or more precisely, how do these people do it?
Indeed, not everybody is born with the charisma and skill to be able to speak "off the cuff" about a topic. More so to make the subject interesting and memorable. There are really those who are born to be public speakers. They are a natural when it comes to delivering speeches in front of a crowd. But for mortals like us, it can be done. It may not be easy, but, I'll say it again, it can be done. With a lot of preparation ad careful planning, most of us can actually be able to stand up and speak in front of a group, clearly and concisely about a particular topic.
Here's how you can perform like a real pro with any business presentation.
DO rehearse. Practice your speech or presentation before you get in front of your audience. Ideally, this can be done by requesting your spouse or your colleague, and even your mirror to listen to what you have to say. Go one step further and record your presentation so you will be able see and hear what you need to improve on.
DO use humor. This is one strategy that makes for a better and engaging presentation. Infuse humor and tell anecdotes to explain your ideas. Ease the tension by opening your speech with a joke or a personal story that is appropriate to your subject.
DO know your message. Be sure to know everything there is to know on your topic. But do not overwhelm your audience with too much information. Just stick to the key ideas so you won't make your presentation tedious.
DO provide a readable and legible PowerPoint presentation as your background. This would make it even easier for your audience to get your point.
DO have a consistent design in your PowerPoint presentation. This means having the same design and layout throughout your slides.
DO keep your images and animation to a minimum. Although pictures can make your presentation more interesting, you also should not overwhelm your audience that they forget what your message is really all about. Don't confuse and distract them with too many pictures.
Finally, DO be creative. Provide creative and innovative ways for your audience to appreciate the subject you're talking about in your presentation. Use charts, graphic images, and patterns that would attract the attention of your target clients.
Note: Don't forget to bring your presentation folders to your presentation!
