Category: Presentation Science

The Complete Presentation Checklist

presentation checklist

presentation planning

presentation preparation

Nov 26, 2014

Creating a complete presentation checklist ensures you’re prepared, confident, and able to deliver a polished and engaging presentation. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of everything you need to check before stepping up to present:

1. Content Preparation

  • Define Your Objective: Clarify the purpose of your presentation. Are you informing, persuading, or motivating your audience? Understanding your goal will shape your content and tone.
  • Audience Research: Tailor your message to your audience. Consider their level of knowledge, interests, and what they hope to get out of your presentation.
  • Structure Your Content:
    • Introduction: Craft a compelling hook or opening statement to grab attention. State your purpose clearly.
    • Body: Organize your key points logically. Use a problem-solution structure, or chronological, comparative, or narrative formats depending on your message.
    • Conclusion: Summarize your key points and include a clear call to action or final takeaway.

2. Slide Design

  • Consistent Theme: Ensure that your slides follow a consistent color scheme, font, and layout. Avoid using too many fonts or clashing colors. Consider using a professional template for cohesion.
  • Clarity Over Complexity: Simplify your slides. Each slide should focus on one key message. Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive text or data.
  • Use of Visuals: Integrate relevant visuals (charts, graphs, images, and infographics) that support your message. Make sure visuals are high quality and easy to interpret.
  • Readable Fonts: Use large, clear fonts (minimum 24pt for body text) to ensure readability. Stick to clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica for a professional look.
  • Slide Transitions and Animations: Keep transitions smooth and animations subtle. Too many flashy effects can distract the audience.
  • Branding: If presenting on behalf of a company, ensure your slides reflect the company’s branding guidelines.

3. Technology Check

  • Test Your Equipment: Ensure your laptop, projector, microphone, or any other equipment is functioning properly. Test all connections, cables, and speakers.
  • Backup Your Presentation: Save multiple copies of your presentation on USB, cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox), and your laptop. This reduces the risk of losing access to your content.
  • Software Compatibility: Ensure your presentation works seamlessly with the software being used on-site. If using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote, test it on the system you’ll be presenting from.
  • Check for External Media: If you have embedded videos or external media, verify that they load correctly. Have offline versions ready in case of an internet failure.

4. Practice and Rehearsal

  • Time Your Presentation: Practice delivering your presentation within the allocated time. Adjust your content if necessary to fit within the timeframe.
  • Rehearse Out Loud: Go through your entire presentation out loud, simulating the real experience. This helps you get comfortable with the flow, language, and timing.
  • Anticipate Questions: Prepare for potential audience questions. Rehearse answers for common queries related to your presentation topic.
  • Body Language and Voice:
    • Practice standing, gesturing, and moving naturally.
    • Work on voice modulation, varying tone, and avoiding filler words like “um” or “uh.”
  • Record Yourself: If possible, record your practice session to identify areas for improvement in body language, pacing, or clarity.

5. Day of the Presentation

  • Arrive Early: Get to the venue early to set up and address any potential technical issues.
  • Check the Room Setup: Confirm that the seating arrangement, lighting, and screen visibility are all conducive to a good presentation. Ensure all audience members will be able to see your slides clearly.
  • Bring Water: Have water on hand to stay hydrated and keep your voice clear during the presentation.
  • Backup Materials: Bring a printed version of your slides or notes in case of technical issues, so you can continue without disruption.

6. Engaging the Audience

  • Opening Interaction: Engage the audience right away with a question, anecdote, or interesting statistic to grab attention.
  • Eye Contact: Make consistent eye contact with different sections of the audience to keep them engaged.
  • Encourage Participation: Invite questions, comments, or polls during or after your presentation to create a dialogue and keep the audience invested.
  • Use Pauses: Strategic pauses give your audience time to absorb key points, and give you a moment to collect your thoughts.

7. Post-Presentation Follow-Up

  • Handle Q&A Smoothly: End with a strong call to action and then open the floor for questions. Be prepared to handle difficult or unexpected questions diplomatically.
  • Provide Supporting Materials: If appropriate, offer handouts, links, or other supplementary materials for further learning or reference.
  • Follow-Up: After the presentation, follow up with any key audience members or participants who expressed interest or asked for more information.

8. Review and Improve

  • Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive feedback from colleagues or attendees. This will help you refine your presentation skills for the next time.
  • Self-Assessment: Reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Were there any technical issues, timing challenges, or parts where you lost the audience? Use these insights to improve future presentations.

By following this complete presentation checklist, you ensure that your content is well-prepared, your technology is reliable, and your delivery is smooth and engaging. Whether you’re presenting in front of a small team or a large audience, this systematic approach will help you deliver with confidence.

The Road to Delivering a Persuasive Presentation

persuasive presentations

presentation tips

Nov 24, 2014

As we frequently point out, the success of your presentation is measured through the impact it makes on the audience. If you can move them to action and persuade them to consider new ideas, then you’ll know that you’ve done your job right. Whether you’re pitching to investors, selling a product, or sharing your thoughts as an expert in a conference, the main goal is to convince and connect with the audience. As the presenter, you need to show them that your viewpoint is valid and worth their interest. Delivering a persuasive presentation is the quickest route toward this outcome.So what does it take to deliver a persuasive presentation? What do you need to do to enthrall and engage an audience? Here are 3 essential things you’ll need to keep in mind:

Start with a powerful hook

A persuasive presentation should always start with something that will capture the attention of your audience. According to some experts, presenters only have 60 seconds to make a positive impression on stage. If you can’t begin to engage the audience within that time, you might lose their attention quickly. That’s why it’s important to start with a hook. Whether or not you have longer than a few seconds, it’s important to begin with something that will make people sit up with curiosity.The best way to do that is by creating a sense of familiarity and relatability. Try to approach your presentation from the point of view of the audience. Show them that your presentation is more than just a collection of facts and data. Let them see that your presentation is actually relevant to their experience.This is where storytelling is particularly effective. A story is a great way to appeal to emotions. You can share something from your own experience or share a scenario that emphasizes the perspective of the audience. This is especially crucial if you’re delivering a sales pitch. Try to describe a vivid story that situates your audience as the protagonist, highlighting problems that you can solve.

Give your audience something to look forward to

At the heart of it, a persuasive presentation is all about being able to sell an idea. To do that, think about your own experience as a consumer. Why do you choose certain brands over others? Why are you compelled to try out new products? For both scenarios, it’s because you’re offered something you want or need. In other words, products make certain promises that interest you.The same should be said about your presentations. In order to “sell” your own ideas, you have to make a promise that the audience can look forward to. Consider the 2007 Apple Keynote where Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. There, he repeatedly mentioned that their new product was going to “reinvent the phone“. Looking forward to this promise, 700,000 units were bought by consumers within the first weekend of its release.While it’s important to make powerful statements, you should also keep them grounded with supporting facts and data. In his keynote, Steve Jobs provided quick demos, stats, and visuals to strengthen his message. The only promises you should be making are the ones you are sure you can keep. Offer the audience evidence to bolster the validity of your message. Aside from research data, you can also share some testimonials or demonstrations. Let them determine that your presentation is both powerful and reliable.

End with a call to action

When you reach the end of your presentation, it’s not enough to say thank you and quietly ask for questions. First, you’ll need to reiterate your main points, making sure that the main takeaway is clear for the audience to see. Next, you’ll need to urge them to take positive action.Tailor a Call to Action statement that’s specific to the outcome you’re aiming for. After you’ve shared your ideas, it’s time to give the audience a particular goal or objective they can act on. What do you want to happen as a result of your presentation? Your answer to this question should be echoed to the audience in a strong and straightforward voice.As we’ve mentioned in an earlier blog post, you need to be brief and straight to the point. Avoid using phrases that sound like you’re beating around the bush. Statements such as “if it interests you, maybe you can consider…” make it sound like you’re hedging. You need to show confidence in your presentation. If you’re confident about your presentation, the audience will surely feel the same way.There are no shortcuts to a successful presentation, but the quickest route is through the art of persuasion. By delivering a persuasive presentation, you  can move the audience to consider and affirm new ideas. Follow these 3 tips to drive your audience into action and achieve the outcome that you’re hoping for. Featured Image: Corey Leopold via Flickr

Improve Your Presentations with the Power of the Metaphor

metaphors for presentations

Nancy Duarte

presentation expert

presentation tips

Nov 18, 2014

Metaphors are a powerful tool for simplifying complex ideas and making abstract concepts more relatable. By comparing unfamiliar concepts to something your audience already understands, you can make your message clearer, more engaging, and easier to remember.Here’s how you can harness the power of the metaphor to improve your presentations:

1. Clarify Complex Concepts

When you’re dealing with difficult or abstract ideas, a well-chosen metaphor can help your audience grasp the concept more quickly. Metaphors act as mental shortcuts, making complex information easier to understand.Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies Information: Metaphors break down complex ideas into more familiar terms, helping your audience grasp them faster.
  • Engages the Audience: Metaphors make your presentation more engaging by using vivid, relatable imagery.

How to Do It:

  • Use a metaphor to compare your concept to something familiar. For example, explaining a company’s growth strategy by comparing it to a tree’s growth, with roots representing foundations and branches representing expansion.

2. Make Your Presentation More Memorable

Metaphors help create vivid mental images that your audience is more likely to remember. These mental connections make your message stick long after the presentation is over.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Retention: Metaphors can make your key points more memorable by tying them to familiar or striking images.
  • Strengthens Engagement: People are more likely to stay engaged with a presentation that uses creative, relatable language.

How to Do It:

  • Use metaphorical language to paint a picture for your audience. For example, “Our company’s strategy is a chess game—every move is calculated to get us closer to checkmate.”

3. Appeal to Emotions

Metaphors can evoke emotions, which in turn help reinforce your message. When your audience connects emotionally with your content, they are more likely to be persuaded or moved to action.Why It’s Important:

  • Builds Emotional Connections: A well-crafted metaphor can resonate emotionally with your audience, helping them connect with your message on a deeper level.
  • Inspires Action: Emotionally charged metaphors can inspire your audience to take action or think differently about your topic.

How to Do It:

  • Use metaphors that evoke positive emotions and relate to your audience’s experiences. For example, “Launching this product is like setting sail on a new adventure—we’re ready to weather the storms and reach our destination.”

4. Avoid Overcomplicating Metaphors

While metaphors can be powerful, they should not be overly complicated or obscure. The goal is to simplify the concept, not confuse your audience with an abstract or far-fetched comparison.Why It’s Important:

  • Prevents Confusion: A complex metaphor can confuse your audience rather than clarify your point.
  • Maintains Focus: Simple, direct metaphors help keep the focus on your main message.

How to Do It:

  • Choose metaphors that are simple and easy to understand. For example, “Think of our supply chain like a relay race—each department hands off the baton to the next, ensuring smooth operations.”

Final Thoughts

Metaphors are a powerful communication tool that can clarify complex ideas, make your message more memorable, and build an emotional connection with your audience. By incorporating metaphors into your presentations, you can engage your audience more effectively and help them understand your key points in a more relatable way. Keep your metaphors simple and relevant to ensure they enhance, rather than complicate, your message.

Presentation Science: 5 Thought-Provoking Presentation Resources You Need to See

presentation resources

presentation tips

Nov 14, 2014

Mastering the art of presenting isn’t just about charisma or design; it also involves understanding the science behind communication, audience engagement, and cognitive psychology. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting out, there are numerous resources that can help you deliver more effective and thought-provoking presentations.Here are five presentation resources that delve into the science of effective communication and can significantly improve your skills:

1. “The Back of the Napkin” by Dan Roam

Dan Roam’s “The Back of the Napkin” is a fantastic resource for understanding how visuals play a key role in communicating complex ideas. Roam argues that anyone can use simple drawings to clarify their thinking and convey powerful messages. The book explains how visual storytelling can help you break down abstract concepts into easily digestible parts.Why It’s Thought-Provoking:

  • Simplifies Complex Ideas: The book demonstrates how simple sketches can effectively communicate complex concepts.
  • Focuses on Visual Thinking: Roam explores how visual thinking can enhance your presentation’s impact and help the audience understand difficult topics.

Key Takeaways:

  • Use basic visuals like diagrams or charts to explain complicated information.
  • Don’t overcomplicate your visuals—simplicity is key.

2. “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath

“Made to Stick” explores why certain ideas succeed and others fail. The Heath brothers break down the principles that make ideas memorable and offer practical advice on how to apply these principles in presentations. The book delves into the psychology of storytelling, emotion, and how to frame your message to make it “stick” with your audience.Why It’s Thought-Provoking:

  • Explores the Science of Memorable Ideas: The book focuses on how to make your message clear, engaging, and unforgettable.
  • Provides Practical Frameworks: The Heath brothers offer actionable tips for crafting messages that resonate with audiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • Use the SUCCES framework (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) to craft memorable presentations.
  • Focus on telling stories that evoke emotion and leave a lasting impact.

3. TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson**

Chris Anderson, the head of TED, shares insights from some of the most successful TED Talks in “TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking.” This book goes beyond presentation techniques and dives into the mindset and preparation required to deliver engaging talks. Anderson explores the science of public speaking, including how to captivate audiences and effectively communicate your ideas.Why It’s Thought-Provoking:

  • Focuses on Presentation Mindset: Anderson emphasizes the importance of preparation, structure, and audience connection.
  • Based on Real TED Talks: The book draws from hundreds of TED speakers, providing proven examples of what works in public speaking.

Key Takeaways:

  • Focus on delivering a clear, central idea in your presentation.
  • Create an emotional connection with your audience by sharing personal stories or experiences.

4. “The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corrupts Within” by Edward Tufte

Edward Tufte’s “The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint” critiques PowerPoint’s tendency to oversimplify complex information and argues that presentations should encourage deeper thinking and understanding. Tufte advocates for better data visualization and warns against relying too heavily on bullet points and templates. His work is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their presentation’s effectiveness.Why It’s Thought-Provoking:

  • Challenges Conventional PowerPoint Use: Tufte critiques how PowerPoint oversimplifies information and offers alternatives for more effective communication.
  • Emphasizes Data Visualization: The book focuses on how to present data in ways that encourage deep understanding and insight.

Key Takeaways:

  • Avoid over-reliance on bullet points and use more visuals or data to convey complex information.
  • Focus on clarity and precision in your presentation design.

5. “Presentation Zen” by Garr Reynolds

“Presentation Zen” by Garr Reynolds focuses on simplicity, clarity, and visual storytelling. Reynolds offers a design-centric approach to presentations, emphasizing minimalism and the importance of aligning visuals with your spoken narrative. His work is highly regarded for merging presentation design with principles from Zen philosophy, making it a great resource for presenters looking to elevate their visual and communication skills.Why It’s Thought-Provoking:

  • Emphasizes Simplicity and Clarity: Reynolds advocates for minimalistic, elegant presentations that focus on key messages.
  • Blends Design with Philosophy: The book incorporates Zen principles to promote a mindful, thoughtful approach to presenting.

Key Takeaways:

  • Keep your slides simple and focused—less is often more.
  • Use visuals to complement your narrative, not distract from it.

Final Thoughts

These five resources combine the science of communication with practical techniques to help you deliver more engaging, memorable, and thought-provoking presentations. Whether it’s understanding the power of storytelling, improving your visual communication, or refining your presentation style, these resources will elevate your skills and help you connect more deeply with your audience.

Fine-tuning Your Presentation’s Core Message

core message

presentation content

presentation preparation

presentation writing

Nov 12, 2014

As a presenter, your main goal is to make sure that the audience remembers the vital parts of your discussion. It’s not a particularly easy task, especially if you’re tackling several different points throughout an hour-long presentation. That’s why crafting a fine-tuned core message is important. You should have a clear and effective way to deliver the “big idea” behind your presentation. You should have something short and straight to the point that the audience can repeat and memorize.The core message is the anchor that keeps your presentation from floating off. In other words, it keeps your presentation set on a single premise. Everything you present—from the data you share to the slides you show—should contribute in driving home this key idea. When you first sit down to prepare your presentation, it should be the first thing you have in mind. What do you want the audience to take away from your discussion? What’s the outcome you’re aiming for? The answer to these 2 questions is the first step towards an effective core message. After that, you’ll need to fine-tune your message to make sure it’s easy to repeat, recognize, and remember.Spend some time scribbling down your ideas. Keep revising your core message to meet the following criteria:

1. Is it specific and straight to the point?

As we’ve already mentioned, the core message will be the center of your presentation. If you want to keep the discussion on the right track, your core message needs to focus on the particulars of your message. The topic of your presentation gives the audience an overview of what you might talk about, but the core message is specific and straight to the point. Determine the purpose of your presentation and make sure it’s evident in your message.

2. Is it short and conversational?

If you want the audience to remember your message, you have to make sure that it stands out. Try to write your core message in a more conversational style. As you know, there are distinct differences between the way we write and speak. Craft your presentation as you would a conversation. If you want your message to stick, keep it short and cut back on jargon and industry talk.

3. Is it relevant to your audience?

Maintain the audience’s interest by placing them at the center of your presentation. Make sure your message is relevant to their interest by keeping in mind their point of view. Do this by addressing your message directly to them. Try to answer these four questions to learn more about your audience. Featured Image: Horia Varlan via Flickr

Why Your Presentations Need Better Slide Headlines

presentation content

presentation tips

presentation writing

slide headlines

Nov 04, 2014

Slide headlines play a crucial role in guiding your audience through your presentation. They not only introduce the content but also highlight key messages, helping your audience quickly grasp the main points. However, many presentations suffer from vague or ineffective slide headlines, which can confuse or disengage the audience. Improving your slide headlines can make your presentation more impactful and ensure that your key messages are clearly communicated.Here’s why your presentations need better slide headlines and how to craft them:

1. Headlines Summarize the Key Point

The headline of a slide should act as a summary of the most important point on that slide. Instead of using a generic headline like “Introduction” or “Sales Figures,” use the headline to convey the key message directly.Why It’s Important:

  • Clarifies the Main Idea: A clear, descriptive headline helps the audience understand the core message of the slide without having to read all the content.
  • Keeps Your Audience Engaged: Well-written headlines allow the audience to follow the narrative of your presentation easily, keeping them engaged and focused.

How to Do It:

  • Think of your slide headlines as “mini conclusions” that answer the “so what?” question.
  • Be specific and actionable—use headlines that tell the audience what they should take away from the slide.

Example: Instead of using a generic headline like “Company Growth,” use “Our Market Share Increased by 20% in Q3” to clearly communicate the key takeaway.

2. Headlines Provide a Visual Hierarchy

Effective slide headlines create a visual hierarchy that helps your audience navigate through your presentation. When used correctly, they guide the audience’s attention and emphasize the most important information.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Readability: A strong visual hierarchy ensures that your audience can easily identify the most important information on each slide.
  • Guides the Flow of the Presentation: Headlines act as markers that signal transitions between sections or ideas, helping the audience follow your train of thought.

How to Do It:

  • Use larger, bolder fonts for your headlines to make them stand out from the body text.
  • Keep your headlines concise, aiming for no more than one or two lines.

Example: Create a clear distinction between your slide headlines and body text by using a different font size or color for the headline.

3. Headlines Reinforce Your Message

Slide headlines can reinforce your overall message by repeatedly communicating your key points. Each headline should contribute to the overall narrative of your presentation, leading your audience toward the final conclusion or call to action.Why It’s Important:

  • Strengthens Message Retention: Repeating key ideas through headlines helps reinforce your message, making it easier for the audience to remember important points.
  • Keeps the Narrative Cohesive: Well-crafted headlines create a seamless narrative flow that ties your slides together, ensuring that your presentation feels cohesive and logical.

How to Do It:

  • Ensure that each headline ties back to your core message or theme.
  • Use headlines to emphasize key points that align with your presentation’s goals, such as driving sales or persuading an audience.

Example: If your presentation is focused on driving customer engagement, each headline should reinforce how your product or strategy achieves that goal, such as “Our App Increased Customer Retention by 35%.”

4. Headlines Make the Content Easier to Scan

Audiences often skim through presentation slides, especially when there’s a lot of information to process. Effective headlines make it easier for your audience to scan and understand the key points, even if they’re not reading the entire slide.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Comprehension: Clear and concise headlines help the audience grasp the main idea of each slide, even if they don’t read every detail.
  • Improves Audience Focus: Headlines draw the audience’s attention to the most important information, ensuring that your key messages are not missed.

How to Do It:

  • Use short, punchy headlines that communicate the essence of the slide in just a few words.
  • Avoid vague or overly complex language—keep your headlines simple and direct.

Example: Instead of “Marketing Performance Review,” a more effective headline might be “Q2 Marketing Campaign Delivered 50% ROI.”

5. Headlines Help You Stay Focused

Clear slide headlines also benefit you as the presenter by helping you stay focused on your key messages. If your headlines are clear and well-defined, it’s easier to maintain a logical flow throughout your presentation.Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps Your Presentation Organized: Well-written headlines act as a roadmap for your presentation, ensuring that each slide supports your overall narrative.
  • Helps with Timing: Clear headlines keep you on track, preventing you from getting sidetracked or spending too much time on less important points.

How to Do It:

  • Review your slide deck to ensure that every headline aligns with your core message and moves the narrative forward.
  • Use your headlines as cues to remind yourself of the key points you need to cover on each slide.

Example: If you’re presenting a proposal, headlines like “Next Steps for Implementation” or “Expected Outcomes by Q4” can help you stay focused on actionable points.

Final Thoughts

Better slide headlines make your presentation clearer, more engaging, and easier for the audience to follow. By summarizing the main point, reinforcing your message, and providing a visual hierarchy, well-crafted headlines can transform your presentation from average to outstanding. Take the time to review and refine your slide headlines to ensure they convey the right message and guide your audience through your presentation with ease.

3 More Ways to Memorize Presentations Easily

memorization

memorize presentations

presentation delivery

presentation preparation

Nov 03, 2014

In the past, we discussed a classic technique that you could use to memorize presentations. Heavily featured in the BBC show “Sherlock,” the memory palace technique allows you to use a mental image of any space or location to remember key points in your speech. It’s very effective, often used by memory athletes to memorize a random names or cards in under a few seconds.Of course, the memory palace technique will take longer for newbies who are looking to memorize presentations. If you find it a bit challenging to focus on building your own mind space, there are other methods to help improve your memory and reduce your use of note cards. You’ll never have to worry about mental blocks with these 3 additional ways to memorize presentations.

1. Rehearse your presentation out loud

It’s not enough to just read your presentation again and again. If you really want to memorize presentations, you have to make time for a few rehearsals. According to a study published in 2010, memory can improve by more than 10 percent if information is spoken and repeated out loud.So give yourself time to rehearse your presentation for more than just a few times. You can also make things easier by recording your sessions. Hearing yourself speak will help in internalizing your presentation. It will also help you pinpoint which parts might need more improvement.

2. Keep your rehearsals within the 20-20-20 rule

While repeated rehearsals are important, experts also recommend to keep sessions within the 20-20-20 rule. According to this rule, it will be easier to memorize presentations by reviewing your material for 20 minutes and then repeating the information twice for 20 minutes each. If you’re dealing with longer presentations, you can break up your speech into manageable parts and work piece by piece.

3. Make a mind map of your presentation

It will also help if you can visualize how your ideas and arguments relate to one another. Through a mind map, you can see the logical progression of your presentation. The shape or image you come up with will make it easier to remember how one point connects to the next, as opposed to simply having a list or outline as reference. To make sure your mind map works effectively,  use different colors for each “branch”. You can also add drawings that illustrate your points.

Other helpful tips:

  • Avoid distractions.  It will be hard to focus when you have to periodically answer emails and text messages. Always rid your practice sessions of any distraction. Step away from your computer and turn off notifications for your phone for a while. Keep your attention on the task at hand.
  • Make time for short breaks. Even as you work hard to deliver a great presentation, don’t forget to reward yourself with short breaks. Give yourself time to relax in between each rehearsal to keep your creativity flowing.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep is also a crucial ingredient in memory improvement. According to several studies, there’s a strong relationship between sleep and memory. As an article on Psychology Today points out, “There is no longer any doubt. Sleep does improve the gelling or consolidation of memory for recently encoded information.” Make sure you get enough rest on the days leading up to your presentation.

As you know, preparing for a big presentation involves a lot of effort. Aside from perfecting your slides and content, you also need to make sure that you remember everything you have to say. Memorize presentations by setting time to rehearse and visualize your materials. You can breeze through your time on stage and never have to worry about your note cards again. Featured Image: Brian Hillegas via Flickr

The End: Tips for Concluding Presentations

concluding your presentations

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 24, 2014

In movies, beginnings are spent introducing the lead character. During this time, viewers get to connect with the story as it starts to unfold.In the same way, the beginning of a presentation allows the audience to make an initial connection. A powerful beginning can hook an audience, urging them to ask more questions about the topic at hand.Despite this, beginnings can’t fully account for the outcome of your presentation. There’s more to a successful outcome than an eye-catching title slide and a humorous icebreaker. Presentations also need to end on a distinct and powerful note. You can’t just thank the audience and be done with it. Your conclusion should ring true long after the audience leaves the venue. In other words, endings should create as much impact as beginnings do. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when concluding presentations:

Reiterate your main points

After a lengthy discussion, offer a refresher by reviewing the most important points of your discussion. Repeat all your main points using short and quick sentences. Don’t try to explain everything again. Just echo all the sound bites you’ve been repeating throughout your presentation. For full effect, you can make a list and display it on a slide.

Resolve the story

We’ve made a strong case for storytelling in the past. Stories can improve your presentations by allowing your audience to connect with the message you’re delivering.Following your narrative structure, close your presentation by discussing the resolution of your story. Show the audience how the conflict you introduced is eventually worked out and put to rest.

Challenge the audience

It’s important to pose a challenge to your audience. Leave them with a thought-provoking question that will encourage them to reflect on what you’ve shared. If you do it right, your challenging questions will help keep discussions about your presentation alive.

Offer a concrete Call to Action statement

Similarly, you can also end with a Call to Action statement. Give your audience a concrete plan to consider and execute. While the previous method might work for seminars and lectures, a Call to Action statement leaves no room for doubt. If you’re pitching to investors or proposing a new project to executives, you want to make sure that your message is received loud and clear. A Call to Action statement will definitely help with that.–Much like beginnings, endings hold a lot of weight. For presentations, a strong conclusion will ensure that your message sticks with the audience. Keep these tips in mind when concluding presentations and get your intended outcome. Featured Image: Andrew Hurley via Flickr

Body Language: Signify Intent with Movement

body language

presentation delivery

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 21, 2014

Nonverbal cues are just as important as the slides you’re presenting. The way you stand and move across the stage can have significant impact on the message you’re delivering. Improve your presentations and increase your influence by learning more about the art of body language.

Body language is a powerful weapon

In a previous blog post, we discussed how body language plays an important role in forming positive impressions. Your first few seconds on stage is particularly crucial. In that short span of time, the audience can gather enough information to form their own opinions about you. As Mark Bowden, author of Winning Body Language, points out,

“In the first few seconds of meeting someone, they will determine whether you are friend or predator, and the rest of the time their brains will be gathering information to support that.”

A recent study conducted by Dr. Alex Pentland takes this one step further. As quoted by Susanne Garguilo of CNN, research concludes that “body language can predict the outcome of interactions such as job interviews, dating, negotiations, etc., with an average accuracy of 80%.”

As such, we can’t possibly ignore the power body language has to significantly improve presentation delivery. If you want to connect with the audience, you need to show them that you’re trustworthy and reliable. You need to form a presence that commands their attention.

How body language adds to your presentation

Contrary to popular belief, body language isn’t similar to the way we express ourselves through speech. A certain movement doesn’t necessarily correspond to a specific word or feeling. There’s no such thing as a body language handbook or dictionary that will help you crack the hidden meaning behind particular gestures. As Forbes contributor Nick Morgan writes,

“Gestures are ambiguous. They can mean many things. If I cross my arms, I may be signaling my defensiveness, but I may also be cold, or simply tired and propping myself up with my arms – or just getting comfortable. And I could be signaling all those things at once. It’s possible to be simultaneously cold, tired, defensive, and desirous of comfort.”

When we’re unconscious of our movements, body language is pretty good at signifying our emotional intent.

“…research shows that whatever we’re feeling first shows up in our body, and only later (nanoseconds later) in our conscious minds. So, if we’re hungry, or impatient, or angry, or happy, our bodies know first, and they will pretty reliably signal those feelings. Learning to read body language, then, is a matter of learning to understand other people’s intents, not their specific conscious thoughts.”

If this is the case, how does body language add to presentation delivery? It works by highlighting the points and arguments you’re making. In other words, conscious adjustment of your posture, gestures, and expression will emphasize and underscore whatever your saying.–In this way, body language allows you to add an emotional dimension to your presentations. Even if your good posture doesn’t necessarily correspond to a specific meaning, it nonetheless shows the audience something positive and welcoming.Allow body language to add intent and dimension to your presentation by reading more tips:

Featured Image: -5m via Flickr

The Creative Process: 4 Steps to Presentation Success

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Oct 15, 2014

Creating a compelling presentation is both an art and a science. Whether you’re pitching a new idea, delivering a keynote, or simply sharing information, the creative process behind a successful presentation can be broken down into four essential steps. These steps will help you craft a narrative that captivates your audience and delivers your message effectively.**Step 1: Ideation**The first step in the creative process is ideation. This is where you brainstorm and generate ideas for your presentation. Start by identifying the core message you want to convey. What is the main takeaway for your audience? Once you have a clear understanding of your message, you can begin to explore different ways to present it.Consider using mind maps, lists, or even sketches to organize your thoughts. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas. The goal at this stage is to generate as many ideas as possible without judging them. Quantity over quality is key during ideation.**Step 2: Structuring**Once you have a pool of ideas, the next step is to structure your presentation. This involves organizing your ideas into a coherent and logical flow. Start by creating an outline that includes an introduction, main points, and a conclusion.Your introduction should grab the audience’s attention and set the stage for what’s to come. The main points should be organized in a way that builds on each other, leading to a natural progression of ideas. Finally, your conclusion should reinforce your core message and leave a lasting impression.Consider using storytelling techniques to make your presentation more engaging. Stories have a way of connecting with people on an emotional level, making your message more memorable.**Step 3: Design**With a solid structure in place, it’s time to focus on the design of your presentation. This step involves creating visual aids that complement your message and enhance the overall experience for your audience.Choose a consistent color scheme, font style, and layout that align with your brand or the theme of your presentation. Use high-quality images, graphics, and charts to illustrate your points. Remember, less is more when it comes to design. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text or too many visuals.Pay attention to the flow of your slides. Each slide should transition smoothly to the next, creating a seamless narrative. Practice good design principles such as alignment, contrast, and balance to create a visually appealing presentation.**Step 4: Rehearsal**The final step in the creative process is rehearsal. This is where you bring everything together and practice delivering your presentation. Rehearsing helps you become more familiar with your content, refine your delivery, and identify any areas that need improvement.Start by practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and pacing. Make sure you are speaking clearly and confidently. Next, practice in front of a small audience, such as friends or colleagues, and ask for feedback.Rehearsing also helps you manage your time effectively. Make sure your presentation fits within the allotted time frame and adjust as needed. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become.In conclusion, the creative process behind a successful presentation involves four key steps: ideation, structuring, design, and rehearsal. By following these steps, you can create a presentation that not only conveys your message effectively but also captivates and engages your audience. Remember, a great presentation is not just about the content; it’s about how you deliver it. So take the time to prepare, practice, and perfect your presentation, and you’ll be well on your way to success.”