Presentations – Preparation Tips
Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by Jeremy Reis in Presentations
Preparing to give a speech is more important than the actual presentation itself. There are so many facets to giving a great presentation, we’re going to focus on the preparation in this tip.
First, you need to know your audience. How many times have you sat through a presentation where you could tell the presenter didn’t understand his audience. Ask these questions to understand who your audience is:
- How many people will be in attendance?
- What is their profession or job?
- What is their current knowledge level of your topic?
Next, you need to clearly state what you want to accomplish in your presentation. Are you there to motivate? To explain a topic? To find new clients? What is your purpose for the presentation?
- State 3-5 key points you want your audience to know from this presentation.
- What is the end like? Always prepare for a speech with the end in mind.
- When you are writing your speech, tell your audience what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.
- Be confident – you can do this!
Prepare for the questions which will come from your presentation. You do not need to cover everything in your presentation, you can set some questions up which you have rehearsed. If you anticipate your crowd to be uninvolved, plant a few questions to get things started.
- Think about the questions your presentation is likely to cause.
- If you presentation causes an emotional response, think about how you will respond.
- Think about areas of your presentation that your audience will challenge you on.
- Strategize every possible situation.
Finally, practice, practice, practice. I find I have to usually practice a speech a half dozen times to a dozen times before it’s memorized and I have the key points ready.
- Practice in front of a mirror.
- Practice in your car on trips.
- Rehearse in front of friends or family members.
- Video tape your presentation and critique it.
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