Sharpening Up Your Presentations

1. Be clear on your message
Never walk into a presentation without clearly identifying the single most important thing you want the audience to get from it. Practice the process of delivering your key message several different ways, working it into answers to questions on a variety of subjects.

2. Tell stories
People love, and remember, stories. If you can share a short anecdote or apply a story to the situation, you'll be more likely to communicate your point, while also showing that you're human and approachable. The best stories are from your own life, and oftentimes involved simple, everyday occurrences from which you derive life lessons.

3. Create pictures in people's minds
People remember images much more clearly than facts and figures. Seek to create vivid mental images in their minds.

4. Get right to the point
Don't wander, warm up, or distract. Make your point quickly and succinctly. Don't give a worthless answer then provide specifics - start with the specific answer, then illustrate it if necessary. The term "for example" is a great way to get started into an anecdote or more specific illustration of your point.

5. Tailor your language to the recipient
Speak so that your audience understands, eliminating jargon and industry-specific terms wherever possible. Where usage of a specific term is unavoidable, immediately explain that term in 7th grade language.

6. Recognize that person you are speaking to may not be the real recipient of your information
Carefully think through who the real audience is for your message, then address that audience. For example, if you are speaking to a technology reporter who asks you technical questions, recognize that the real audience may be your next door neighbor in his sweat pants watching the nightly news. Address your answers to the neighbor, not the reporter.

7.Keep your sentences short and simple
Think soundbytes - "how can I say this in a simple sentence that could be shown on the nightly news." Carefully craft your key message points down to 2-5 different soundbyte-structured sentences, then use each one at least once during your presentation. This increases the chance that the reporting will include your key messages.

Want more information on how to make your point with the media? Check out Media Training: How to Get Your Point Across, an audio CD that discusses these points and many more in detail.

Another great resource is our audio CD - How To Become An Expert Spokesperson That The Media Love

Tags: Media presentations