You’re not alone if you dream of making presentations that captivate and mesmerize your audience. Maybe you’ve been inspired by famous TED talks and see yourself as the next Michelle Obama or Bill Gates (with just a little more practice!). Your ambition is to refine your presentation skills and elevate them to new heights.
But making a successful presentation isn’t just about dazzling a crowd. It’s about taking the time to think through how we want to use a presentation to persuade our audience, to convince them, whether it’s to buy a product, a service, or to buy into a point of view.
As you probably already know, when you try to convince another human being of something, you will often meet with resistance. So, maybe leave aside your dream TED talk for now. Worry less about coming across as glamourous or smart, and more about having a strategy for a solid presentation. First, consider what I call the Four Pillars of Effective Communication. A good presentation will be built on these pillars.
1. Your Outcome
What, in a specific, measurable way, do you want your presentation to achieve?
2. Your Objective
Consider how the outcome fits into your big-picture objectives.
3. Your Audience
Who is your audience, and how will your presentation truly serve them?
4. Your Words
Which tone and words will have the best chance of connecting with that audience?
Next, consider the most likely sources of resistance:
Resistance to Change: Provide tangible benefits, in order to persuade your audience to consider change. Be prepared to address doubts or fears.
Resistance to Ideas: Think about the arguments that someone may make to counter your point of view. Prepare logical responses to those arguments.
Resistance to You: This is a tricky one. If your audience has a reason (perhaps because of past history, for example) to be resistant to you as an individual, prepare to be patient, calm, and non-confrontational.
Once you’ve built a presentation on a clear understanding of the pillars, and you’re prepared to meet potential resistance, test it out. If it doesn’t work this doesn’t mean you “failed.” It means you need to analyze the problem areas and make appropriate changes next time. Remember, there’s a reason people speak of “overcoming resistance,” and that’s because it can be overcome!
Schedule a 30 Minute Complimentary Meeting to meet Sandra via phone or video. Find out if you both are a good fit to work together. Come to the call with your questions and what business communications challenges you’d like to get help with.