by George Torok
©
2010
http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com
Before you deliver your next presentation you must ask
yourself one critical question. If you ask yourself this question before every
presentation you will create a more effective presentation every time - and you
will write it faster.
You will be better able to adapt the
length of your presentation to last minute changes. You will look and feel more
confident and convincing. You will be better prepared to handle questions and
interruptions from your audience. You will be better equipped to avoid wasteful
tangents. You will stay focused. You will close more deals.
The
question that you should ask yourself before every presentation is this:
What
do you want your audience to do, think or feel when you are finished speaking?
If you don't ask this question you are probably wasting time - your's and their's
and ending up feeling frustrated after your presentation.
Ask
yourself this question and you will know why you are speaking. When you don't
know why you are speaking, you are wasting time and embarrassing yourself.
When
you are clear on the desired outcome of your presentation you will have a simple
test for every slide, phrase and prop that you plan to use. If it doesn't contribute
to your purpose, leave it out.
There are three parts to
this question. To deliver an effective presentation you only need to address any
one part. Let's examine each part.
What to you want your
audience to do after your presentation?
Do you want your
listeners to buy your product, proposal or idea? If you want them to give you
money then make sure that your presentation convinces them of the reason to do
that. Ensure that they know what you want them to do. Don't hope that they will
figure it out on their own. Make the case and tell them what to do. Sign here.
Vote for me. Work for the cause.
What do you want your audience
to think after your presentation?
Do you want them to think
about solving a problem? Then give them the relevant facts and context. Are you
attempting to get them to agree with you? Then you need to build a bridge from
where they are to where you want them to be. You need to answer their unasked
objections and concerns.
What do you want them to feel after
your presentation?
Feelings are based on emotions. Decide
how you want your audience to feel and how you will touch their emotions to capture
their emotional triggers. Feelings are not based on facts. One family member dying
from a particular disease is far more emotional than hundreds or even thousands
dying on the other side of the world. Feelings are more likely to lead to action
than thinking.
Successful presentations start by asking,
"What do you want your audience to do, think or feel after your presentation?"
