Effective Presentations

Effective Presentations

1. Key Elements of an Effective Presentation

   • Making an Emotional Connection with the Audience
     • For the presenter, it implies to present herself/himself in a confident and trustworthy manner, (to establish a good first impression with the audience).
     • The presenter should show the audience that she/he likes them first, and they will surely like her/him back.
     • Presenting a big and authentic smile with a warm look toward people and conveying enthusiasm of being there is a great starter.
     • Sharing stories allows to show the human side of the presenter may influence the audience.
   • Presenting with Energy
     • The presenter may capture the audience's attention by telling a dramatic story. Using the humor when one knows how to manage it, is a good idea.
     • Keeping the energy level implies to show the audience the presenter's own excitement about the idea.
     • The presenter must walk in strong, move confidently to where where you will present, stand tall, smile, survey the room and speak with conviction.
   • Spelling Out the Payoff for the Audience
     • The presenter should give attention to describing the relevance and applicability of the presented information.
   • Focusing on the Audience's Needs
     • While preparing the presentation, the presenter needs to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what he/she can tell them.
   • Concentrating on the Core Message
     • The presenter must be able to communicate the key message very briefly.

2. Elements to Avoid

   • Applying Animations on Every Slide
     • The animations should help the presenter, not distract attention away from the presenter. The same goes for sounds.
   • Stuffing everything into the Presentation
     • Slides are not the presentation. The slides are merely a tool; a complement to what is said.
   • Providing the Audience with Too Much Information
     • The presenter must stick to three or four strategic points on her/his subject, helping the audience stay on course with what he/she is explaining and remember the presentation.
   • Poorly Designing the Presentation
     • The presenter should avoid the usage of the templates PowerPoint, Keynote and Prezi.
       • The presenter must get help of a proffesional graphic designer; or to search the web for examples of great presentations.
   • Not Knowing the Topic
     • The presenter should study her/his topic, learn about it and know its ins and outs.
     • The presenter needs to know the facts and be able to speak to them freely and without having to look up answers on the spot.