Whether at a regular office day, through web meeting or at a major conference, we all have seen presentations. While some of them were memorable and mind-blowing, others were not so excellent and there are chances you have seen some really awful ones as well. Nobody would want to make a presentation that leaves the audience confused and disappointed.
The point of the presentation is, after all, to convince them to make a commitment to whatever you are trying to offer. Here are some basic things that you can consider to ensure your presentation turns out to be solid, sound and convincing.
1. Put Your Heart Into It
The key to convincing others is to be convinced yourself first. If you don’t actually believe in yourself, your company or the product and services, you will not be able to convince others. And it is not just sufficient to believe. Your audience should see how strongly you believe in the idea you are convincing them about.
2. Narrate a Story
Telling a story at the beginning of the presentation is a great way to capture the attention of your attendees. You can create a short story that illustrates the goal of your presentation. The story should be relatable to everyone involved and can have a hero who overcomes obstacles to achieve the goal. This will not only boost the mood of people present in the room but also convince people who are fundamentally opposing your idea.
3. Personalize the Examples
The goal of a successful presentation is to cause an emotional shift from ‘undecided’ to ‘certain’. This is possible when the presentation relates to the work and life experiences of the audience. Include real-world examples in your speech to help them relate the ideas better to their own life and work.
4. Make Eye Contact
Successful convincing is possible when you connect with the other person. You can do this by making eye contact and maintaining it throughout your presentation. Remember not to focus on any one person. Scan the entire room and focus on different people for short bursts. Eye contact will encourage them to pay attention to what you are delivering and grasp better.
5. Force them to Think
Decision-makers can get quickly bored by information that they already have. They would want to see opportunities to use their brainpower and learn something different. To do this, you can make the presentation interactive and let the audience thoughts come up.
You should listen to their ideas and questions and convey your idea while respecting and answering what they throw. If there is something mysterious about your presentation, you can keep it a puzzle and let your audience solve it. If not, you can use a story with a meaningful ending to involve your audience and keep them engaged.
These are some simple ways that, when followed coherently, ensure that your presentation sounds persuasive and interesting. Try it the next time you present your ideas and test your success!
