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Presentation ideas
Tips on how to create a great presentation, steps 4-6.
Step 4 - Positive Zoning
Keeping the audience captivated is a critical component of your presentation. Attention spans are short, with attention dropping off shortly after the first two minutes and rising sharply towards the end with the words “in summary” or “to conclude”.
The key task is to raise the attention span of the audience throughout the whole of the presentation. During the narrative composition, low interest sections would have been highlighted, and if impossible to eradicate will need to be injected with some energy to raise the attention of the audience. This can be done by:
- Videos
- Stories
- Examples
- Audience participation – ask questions Quotes;
Remember, you have at your disposal many types of material like, PowerPoint, flipcharts, whiteboards, handouts, so, use them.
The Halo Effect
The first two minutes will make or break a presentation, plan carefully. You have five options:
Captivator:
Rhetorical question, for example,
Why is presenting the number one fear in the US?
Story
Startling statement, for example, The average person loses 300 hairs during a presentation due to anxiety.
There is an obvious need to reduce the levels of anxiety as we all give presentations at some point in our lives.
So today, I am going to talk about anxiety and at the end of the presentation you will have three clear techniques to reduce that stress and hopefully be able to keep your hair.
Startling statistic, for example,
If I told you two Boeing 737’s had just crashed and everyone had been killed, that’s how many people die every day from smoking related diseases, today, I’m going to talk about how to give up smoking.
Significance, for example,
State how the topic is relevant to the audience and explain what they will get out of it.
Credibility, for example,
If you are unknown to the audience, or poorly introduced:
- Tell the audience who you are
- Why you are qualified to speak
- The title and topic of your talk
- How long the presentation will last
- When you will take questions
Thesis statement, for example,
Captivate the audience with a single declarative statement that encapsulates the main points of your thesis.
A peer review
List the key points of your speech, give them an appetite to listen attentively.
To prolong the halo effect you can focus on:
Physicality, dress code, presence, stance (glasses increase the perceived IQ by 2 points)
Passion & conviction – use techniques in storytelling to excite the audience
Content & credibility – know your audience, and your subject
Materials – use of visuals, audience involvement.
Careful consideration should be given to the primacy vocabulary that is used during the halo period, using words that conjure up a positive image, for example:
| Acquired Advised Arranged Augmented Built Completed Conducted Converted Corrected | Created Decreased Designed Developed Devised Directed Doubled Effected Engineered | Enlarged Ensured Established Expanded Facilitated Generated Implemented Improved Increased | Initiated Installed Instigated Integrated Introduced Launched Managed Negotiated Optimised | Organised Persuaded Planned Prepared Presented Produced Rationalised Reduced Saved | Set up Specified Steered Streamlined Strengthened Succeeded Supervised Trained Won |
The same applies at the start and end of every slide, ensuring the psychological effect of recency is adhered to so that key points are delivered first and last to ensure retention.
Step 5 – Stylistic delivery
The presentation courses I have attended take a cookie cutter approach of delivery, creating high anxiety level amongst those failing to reach the mark. We are all very different - to try and mimic someone else will have a detrimental effect on how you present and how the audience perceives you. By being yourself, people are more likely to like and trust you and be prepared to forgive small errors in your presentation.
Coping with Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most popular issues with presenters, and whilst a little eradicates complacency, too much has a severe detrimental effect of the presenter and consequent presentation. Anxiety can be minimised through preparation and practice, some additional tips include, memorise the first 5 words or create cheat sheets
Styles
The only thing I would say about style, is, use the one that is both appropriate to you and to your audience. Just because you are addressing an auditorium full of strangers doesn't’t mean you have to stand behind the podium and read the script, nor do you have to use PowerPoint, nor do you have to stand up, it’s your presentation, do what feels comfortable to you. The question of recognising what style suits you best can only be answered through constructive feedback from close colleagues or mentors.
Bad Habits
We all have them, I often forget to look at the audience when I get overly excited about visualising the concept I’m delivering. So, don’t expect perfection all the time, however, some bad habits can become distracting. Identify what your habits during rehearsals and focus on eradicating them Recognise that, if the audience is distracted, they won’t look at you or listen to what you are saying. Put pens, pointers or anything you have stopped using, down, choose three points on the floor that you are going to stand on and no more.
Bad habits are preventable and easily cured. Mostly, they come from a build up of anxiety, which if you've gone through the first four steps, you will have considerably less of.
The next presentation you go to, start counting, it is not uncommon to get an ‘umm’ every five seconds, which equates to 120 for a brief 10 minute presentation! The key to this is identifying what you do as most people are unaware.
Step 6 - Coping with Disaster
So you've got as far as creating a vibrant, compelling presentation, and you’re all fired up and ready to go, but what if something happens outside of your control? It will at some point, I guarantee it. Think the unthinkable and you will be prepared. Thinking about crisis management before the presentation will further allay any stress and anxiety that you have. I can’t list everything that is likely to happen, but here are a few that have actually happened to me:
Projector bulb goes
You should always carry a spare and a set of markers. If all else fails, suggest a 30 minute recess
Building works outside
Tough one, try finding another room or speak to the men concerned, it’s surprising what the offer of a few beers will do to buy you an hour of peace
Attendees arrive a day early
Sounds daft, but it’s happened to me a few times, if it was a short presentation you can do it on a 1-1 basis
You arrive late due to traffic / public transport
Always arrive at least an hour early, if you’re going to be later, see if a colleague can start in your absence
Your colleague drops out / is ill
You should both be able to do each other’s parts for this very reason
The air-conditioning breaks and it’s 100 degrees
If you don’t cater to the audience’s basic needs, they will not enjoy your presentation; if it’s possible take them outside, or find another venue
Fire alarm goes off
It’s inevitable, at some point, make sure you know the venue’s drill
You get a really stroppy attendee who insists on being obstructive
We all have one of these at some point, address him politely, but firmly saying that you will be happy to attend to him during the break
PC breaks
Always have your slides on a backup disc, if it can fail it will, run through the presentation at least an hour before on the equipment concerned to ensure clarity for the audience
It’s worth noting, if you have built up a good relationship with the audience, and they like you, they will want you to succeed and will forgive things that would have been an issue if that relationship didn't exist. By taking a holistic view of your presentation, you will begin to understand what makes the audience tick, which in turn will allow you to acclimatize to their needs, resulting in a positive, enjoyable presentation, but be prepared and take control, it’s your presentation.
To summarise; effective presentations take a holistic approach at the subject, audience and speaker, be yourself, and be great.
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