Happy Halloween! This is the one day when it is perfectly acceptable to be downright frightening. The rest of the year, at least when it comes to giving presentations, the last thing you want to do is scare off your audience. Sadly, it happens all the time in both live and virtual talks.
What terrifies audiences the most?
- Boring content
- Deadly dull speakers
- Dense slides
- Technical difficulties
Preparing an effective presentation is a bit like getting ready for trick-or-treat. If you wait until the last minute to buy candy, you’re going to be left giving out treats that nobody wants. Good talks require planning and practice. Here are a few tricks that will help you treat your audience to a great talk:
- Focus on what your audience wants to hear, not what you want to tell them.
- Limit your content and your slides to a few key points – don’t overwhelm your audience with too much information
- Build in fun, such as cartoons and humorous stories or videos
- Take time to rehearse and record yourself
Are your leaders and spokespersons scaring audiences away? Contact me to book a presentation coaching workshop. I have a lot more tips and tricks to hand out!