You have a great idea you know is a winner. All you need is support from some key people. You prepare your material, get some PowerPoint slides together and make your presentation,
Phut! No interest. No questions. No support.
What went wrong?
These are the ten commonest mistakes presenters make and how to correct them.
1. You didn't take time to define your audience clearly and address them personally.
Your audience has one question in their minds all the time: "What's in this for me?" If you don't answer it obviously, they tune out.
Be clear about your audience and aim your pitch solely at them. Anyone else is a bonus.
2. You opened your presentation with the idea itself.
Wrong!
Always lead with the clearest, most powerful benefit to that specific group.
Which would you listen to first?
"I'm going to talk to you about some new ideas in presentation technique."
"Here's a simple way to make your audience eager to buy into your ideas."
You must get people to pay attention. What grabs them? A sure-fire solution a problem they know they have. Not an idea they can't see how to use yet.
3. You took too long to get to the point and gave too much detailed explanation.
People's attention span is short. You either catch them fast or you don't catch them at all.
Don't work up to the key issues. Get to the point. Forget explanations until you have their interest. Once hooked, they'll listen. Until then, they won't.
4. You didn't get all your key points in quickly and people lost interest.
List your key points at the start, right after you've caught their attention with big, specific benefits.
Present your points starting with the most important. Always begin with the essentials. If people get bored, they'll still have heard the most important points.
5. You were wordy, you didn't sound confident and you went off at tangents.
Brevity breathes authority. Don't waste your audience's attention on anything that isn't essential.
Less is nearly always more. Cut it to the minimum. If people have unanswered questions, give time for them at the end. You can end on a high note, not the typical embarrassed wait for someone--anyone--to ask something.
6. You didn't stick to a single message.
Every additional message causes an earlier one to be forgotten.
What do you want the audience to hear? Say it clearly and with confidence...then shut up.
7. You didn't work on building a fan base first.
It's easier to present with fans in the audience to support you. Brief them in advance and encourage them to come along as supporters. Nothing convinces people as much as seeing others already convinced.
8. You didn't practice enough.
If you're not presentation perfect in practice conditions, performance stress will make you into an idiot.
If you're using technology, assume it's going to break down or mess up.
People who aren't properly prepared easily get anxious and nervous people aren't convincing.
9. You got the timing wrong.
Don't schedule your presentation when key people have something else on their minds. Don't hold it on Monday morning (they're dreading what they'll find on their desks) or Friday afternoon (what are you planning for the weekend?).
10. You didn't give them time to grasp your idea.
How fast can they take it in? Who else will they want to consult? Catch their attention, explain only what you have to explain, remind them of the big benefits, then sit down and let them think about it.
Never push for a decision unless you're sure it's the one you want. As long as the decision is open, you can make another attempt.
Follow this advice and next time you'll have an audience that will be right behind you.
Adrian W. Savage writes for people who want help with the daily dilemmas they face at work. He has contributed more than 25 articles to leading British and American publications and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and The Chicago Tribune.
Visit his blog on the ups and downs of business life.
shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More
Do you find great joy in being a coach? If... Read More
With today's technology and people's need for more information it... Read More
Viral Marketing is allowing people to giveaway and use your... Read More
Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More
Either simply a looker-on or a player in the world... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
What is Choice Theory (CT)? CT is a theory of... Read More
1. You have a big goal and you want someone... Read More
You have a great idea you know is a winner.... Read More
What is a niche business? A niche business is one... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
The 2004 election is over--at least in the minds of... Read More
What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
It is possible for small companies and individual business people... Read More
Most people wish they read more. It is an activity... Read More
Always include a powerful signature on every email you send... Read More
Whether you are self employed or you work for someone... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More
Every event you hold can be extremely successful. Apply these... Read More
1. Think Big ? In college, Michael Dell said he... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..If you have a business on the Internet you should... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
There are so many simple, yet really sure-fire ways of... Read More
The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting While it's good to... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
I'm sure you've seen it happen every year: your business... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
Ten Tips for Staying ConnectedMany of my business clients tell... Read More
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and... Read More
Although dentistry may appear to be different than other types... Read More
1.) Brainstorming for an idea - You must select what... Read More
My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More
Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More
Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients... Read More
It has been said you can lift the Rock... Read More
Many people find it really hard to write for business... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in... Read More
The number may seem grim for Web-based commerce. In 2004... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want.... Read More
Always include a powerful signature on every email you send... Read More
What follows is a bold statement, but sometimes it takes... Read More
Skilled workers of every age have prized their tools. I... Read More
Top Quick Tips |