In the business world, there are all types of presentations. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time you face a new presentation, knowing the 7 elements to creating a powerful presentation will cut your preparation time and save you from unnecessary stress.
- Theme: What is point of the presentation? You should be able to answer that question in one sentence. If you can’t say it in one sentence, you can’t say it for 20 minutes. Knowing your theme during the development phase of a presentation will keep you on track and avoid tangents. It also helps your audience remember your message.
- Opening and Closing: Yes these could be two different elements, but they serve a very similar purpose. The opening and closing are the bookends that give you the opportunity to state your theme. Ideally, your closing should tie into your opening, creating the feeling of coming full circle.
- Stories: People process information intellectually, they act on emotion. Storytelling is an integral part to any presentation. Stories make a point by engaging the imagination of the listener’s mind. When stories are used in business presentations, it stimulates both the right and left hemispheres of the brain, resulting in whole brain learning. Stories are more memorable, along with the points they make, because they evoke an emotional response. Therefore, stories aid in team motivation, employee morale, and achieving bottom line business results. Use a story that ties into your theme. A great place for your story is in your opening and closing.
- Powerful Words and Phrases: It’s proven that certain words and phrases spark interest in people. I suggest doing a quick Google search on these words and implement them into your presentation.
- You and We Statements: The first half of your presentation should have a high ratio of “you statements”, ensuring that you are engaging your listeners by stating their wants, needs and concerns. In the second half, there should be a seamless transition to high ratio of “we statements”. Subconsciously your listeners will begin to develop a team mentality.
- Observation: Learn from others. Next time you watch a presentation, look at it with fresh observant eyes. What do you like? Implement it. What do you hate? Avoid it.
- Preparation: This is critical. Prepare for your presentation ahead of time! It is the simplest and yet the most overlooked key. Being completely prepared insures that no matter what curve balls are thrown your way, you will always get back on track.
Presentations are a vital part of any business. Don’t lose business because of a bad presentation. Implement these 7 secrets and get amazing results!
