In these uncertain times, many of us are learning what it means to work from home. Part of that is adapting to virtual meetings and online presentations. If you want to learn how to give a killer presentation, whether it’s from the comfort of your couch or in front of your colleagues in the conference room, then keep reading!
Frame Your Story
Correctly prepping for the presentation is key to its success. The fundamental rule to remember is to share something worth talking about. That means that you should be conceptualizing and framing what you want to say before doing anything else. The most compelling presentations are those that take listeners on a journey. Where will you start and where will you end? It’s important for the content to flow in a way that feels natural to the presenter and the listeners.
The best way to ensure you make an impact is to quickly introduce the topic, explain why you care deeply about it, and then focus the remainder of the time on convincing others they should care about it as well. Don’t try to cover too much ground in one presentation, instead focus on highlighting examples and ideas that are unique to the topic you’re discussing.
Plan Your Delivery
Once you know how you plan to frame your story, the next step is to determine how you will deliver it. Will you read off a teleprompter, use a set of bullet points to remember key topics to cover, or will you memorize the whole presentation?
If you can, memorizing the presentation is known to be the most impactful to the audience. That being said, it can be incredibly challenging. If you aren’t able to dedicate the time towards rehearsing and memorizing every word, then a good alternative is to use bullet points to guide the presentation. Not only will it feel more natural than reading off of a script, but it will also allow the presentation to feel authentic to the audience.
Another facet of planning your delivery is being sure to have all the physical content ready. If you’re using a powerpoint, video or another type of multimedia then you should be certain all of the technology works in advance and is prepared.
Connect with the Audience
When giving a presentation the most powerful way to connect with the audience is to make eye contact. While many of us suffer from nervousness while presenting, it’s important to engage your audience by speaking to them, not just in front of them. Even while presenting virtually, if you make an effort to look into the camera and leave room for questions and comments from your listeners, you will dramatically improve the experience for your audience.
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure to give a killer presentation!
Sponsored by:
