10
Presentation Tips to Score - not Bore
By Susan Solomon, Principal/Creative Director, SKS Creative
404/872-9022
Whether
you are giving one, receiving one or preparing one, presentation can strike
terror in the hearts of the mightiest of mortals. Multiple anxiety related
researchers have suggested that speaking in front of an audience is one of
people’s most feared activities, even for those of us “in the biz” of show biz.
As scriptwriters, we feel safe and protected behind our words. As
videographers, we feel powerfully expressed behind the lens. As producers, we
can spend hours in the post-production suite. Ask these same creative creatures
to present to a room of 20, and many of us find that our knees begin to buckle.
Fear
no more. Carmie McCook, of Carmie McCook and Associates, veteran of the corporate communications world, spent
nine years as Corporate Communications Manager for UPS. Last month, she
presented to the AllStars, PowerCore meeting at the Sandy Springs library. There she shared her secrets on how to
score, versus bore, when presenting. Over more than 20 years, she has
successfully guided politicians, corporate executives and other professionals
through the art of looking and sounding natural in the not-so-natural spotlight.
Regardless
of the audience, content or objective, here are 10 tips for success:
1.
Research the client. Identify and address their 2-3 key concerns.
2.
Meet the client informally, prior to the meeting. It raises the human contact
factor.
3.
Use the client’s name during the presentation.
4.
Open with a strong benefit statement that addresses a solution for the client’s
key concern.
5.
Focus only on benefits that meet the key concerns.
6.
Paint pictures to make your points memorable.
7.
Smile. Don’t forget to smile. And make eye contact.
8.
At closing, summarize the benefits concisely.
9.
Make a memorable closing with: a relevant quote, strong declaration or a very
short story
10.
Keep it short. Always under 20 minutes
There
you have it. It’s probably nothing you haven’t heard before, but the space
between knowing it and doing it can be filled with a friendly reminder. Good
luck!
