You’re a budding young entrepreneur getting ready to make a presentation to a group of potential investors, you’ve got the right structure using a pre-set template, a killer tagline for your business or product, and data that you think is sufficient data enough to convince your audience. But what will you do if they’ll reject your proposal because of something beyond the facts and figures?
Industry marketers say that poor communication skills can ruin a perfectly majestic product or brand, along with your career. You already known that it requires a certain touch from a person with a particular skill set to get an audience hooked, but you’re just not sure what. So, here are some of the best kept secrets to giving a wonderful presentation:
- Express your passion
Anyone would promote or try to sell something to someone for the right kind of incentive; cash, recognition, a promotion, and so on. But what if someone is motivated to do act by an element that cannot be bought? Passion is something that shows through and through, and the best part about it is that it this very excitement over your product that will convince your audience to act on your presentation. This is because if you don’t show passion and confidence in what you’re presenting, why would your audience show passion into what you are presenting?
- Empathy & humor
The most important aspect of a presentation is connecting with your audience. You can do this by showing empathy, allowing your audience to see your idea through your own eyes, or adding a bit of humor and excitement to your presentation.
Tell your audience a story, one that might help them relate with what you’re pitching. Humor is said to be the best medicine and can really help you captivate your audience; just make sure that your jokes are appropriate for the atmosphere and situation. Either way, by doing this, you can be sure that you’ve gotten your message through to them, while also leaving a positive mark on them.
- The rule of three
In the world of marketing and promotion, there is a psychological technique known as “the rule of three,” which claims that the number three is the most powerful number when it comes to communication. Former charismatic CEO Steve Jobs had instinctively understood the power of this rule, and applied it heavily in his own speeches and presentations.
The technique states that a list of 3 items or facts is far more interesting than a list of 2, and far easier to remember than a list of 20. So, whether it’s a product’s features, your company’s business goals, or a phased expansion plan, make sure that you split it into list of three in order to retain your audiences’ attention.
- Use the stage
No matter where you’re giving your presentation, in a conference room or a seminar hall, you’re going to have access to enough space to walk around. This is a powerful tactic that young businessmen and interact and engage their audience. Walking around the presentation space provided to you allows you to attract the attention of your audience through visual and gestural communication. This not only adds to your persona as being an interactive presenter, but also allows you to connect with everyone in the audience.
Standing behind a podium for one hour and giving a speech is not that impressive. Reading off a teleprompter for one hour is not that impressive either. President Obama has proven this time and time again. You must care about what you are talking about and you must know what you are trying to sell. You must understand not only the characteristics of your product or service but the point of the product and service to fully convey the merits of it.
