| The process of engaging our audience goes | | | | really pay off. |
| beyond the simple act of speaking in public. Many | | | | 3. Present the right points. We should expect our |
| public speakers fail to engage their audiences with | | | | audience to retain no more than 10% of our |
| their enthusiasm or knowledge of their subject -- | | | | presentation. If we present too much then it will |
| just being on the podium does not guarantee that | | | | either be forgotten or not absorbed at all. |
| we will make the all-important audience | | | | Typically we should aim to present some 3 to 4 |
| engagement. But, with an understanding of some | | | | main points during a 30 minute presentation. Yes, |
| techniques and a feeling for the dynamics of an | | | | there might be room for sub-points but the focus |
| audience we can become much more effective. | | | | has to be on the 3 to 4 main points. When |
| In common with all effective presentation skills, | | | | working out our main points we should also note |
| there are organizational tools and techniques that | | | | that our audience is thinking ahead at a rate of |
| we can apply to great effect. Mastering these | | | | 600 or so words a minute and we will be |
| techniques is crucial to forming the vital link with | | | | speaking at a rate of around 150 words a minute. |
| our audiences. Here are three main pointers to | | | | Such a speed difference has huge potential for |
| becoming more effective when we reach the | | | | the audience to disengage and wander off at a |
| podium. | | | | tangent -- probably jumping ahead of us |
| | | | dramatically in the process. Too many points will |
| 1. Appear knowledgeable. There is a natural | | | | simply make this worse. If we add linguistic |
| play-off between our presentation skill and | | | | interpretation into this potent mix then we have |
| subject expertise. When an audience knows we | | | | even more room for uncertainty. The main points |
| are expert in our field they do not expect our | | | | in our presentation should be: |
| presentation skills to be so casually slick. In | | | | - Unambiguous. They must be certain and clear. |
| essence they are less demanding. Note, of | | | | - Self-standing. They must be capable of standing |
| course, that the reverse also applies -- if we are | | | | alone without the support of others. If we have |
| not knowledgeable then we had better be slick! | | | | points that merge into one another then they are |
| Being an expert presenter allows us to radiate | | | | not strong enough. We should edit these. |
| passion and interest in a subject, enthusing an | | | | The task of engaging our audience can be easily |
| audience. It is true that no one can possibly be an | | | | and readily undertaken. With expertise, area |
| expert in everything but most of us can expect | | | | knowledge and advocacy we can engage an |
| to be expert in something -- the sweet spot of | | | | audience and keep their attention. All audiences |
| presenting success. With the combination of an | | | | respect expertise even where it is in areas of |
| appropriate subject, our own knowledge and | | | | arcane detail. Everything has its importance |
| expertise we become unbeatable. | | | | somewhere. It just goes to emphasize that prior |
| 2. Use a presentation theme. Our audience will | | | | to reaching the presentation podium we are fully |
| adopt a theme in the same way that they adopt | | | | prepared and well-versed in the detail of our |
| a slogan or a logo; because it is simple and | | | | subject. |
| memorable. A consistent theme to our | | | | It makes sense to use organizational techniques -- |
| presentation, conveying practical benefit and | | | | a presentation theme and 3 to 4 main points to |
| familiarity will be remembered best -- proving | | | | assist absorption and memory retention by the |
| most effective for helping our audience to follow | | | | audience. Our audience needs solidity and |
| the presentation. Themes are essentially memory | | | | substance with which to engage. Thinking ahead |
| aids. They provide presentation continuity. When | | | | at the rate of 600 words a minute our audience |
| we develop a theme it is best to consider the | | | | benefits from a clear and relevant presentation |
| main issues that preoccupy our audience and | | | | theme providing the means to place our main |
| hook into these. In a competitive industry with | | | | points into a mental framework of their own |
| low barriers to entry we might try themes along | | | | making. These points, strongly and purposefully |
| the lines of..."Compete to Win" or, "Perfection is | | | | made, will keep our audience on track, engaged. |
| Completion" or "Being First". These are suggestive | | | | These organizational techniques can be boosted |
| of competitive survival. They imply benefit and | | | | by other procedural devices for audience |
| are short enough for memory retention. Take | | | | engagement -- but more about these later. |
| some time when considering a theme and it will | | | | |