You’ve probably attended plenty of presentations where the presenter starts with a polite greeting like “Hi, thanks for having me here today” or “I’m so glad to be here,” often followed by his or her name and resume. Sometimes, if it’s an internal meeting, the same greetings are given followed by a slide with the agenda, bullet points, and narration from the presenter.
As coach As a public speaking expert who has worked with many executives and management teams, I know how to make work presentations more engaging.
Here’s how you should change your approach.
If you stick to your old ways, you’re not going to make a memorable first impression.
When you walk into a conference room or onto a stage, your audience is thinking three things: Who is this person, why should I care, and how are they going to solve my problem?
Let’s face it: most people are more interested in how you’re going to solve their problem than in you and your professional resume. So let’s flip the script a bit. Start with the solution to their problem, briefly talk about yourself to build credibility, and then give them a reason to be interested in you.
Instead, try to get their attention.
Start your presentation with a hook or a story, something that will grab their attention from the start. For example, your hook could be, “Did you know this?” or “What if this?” It can also be a short story that humanizes your services or products.
Most presentations are predictable; wouldn’t it be better, both for your time and that of your audience, to introduce an element of surprise?
Some people may find it rude not to thank the organizer or greet the audience, so I suggest you find another time in your presentation to do so. Here is a good structure:
Introduction: “What if you could be a more confident and credible presenter? What if you could engage with your audience to make them remember your products or services?”
Credibility: “My name is Meredith and I’ve been advising entrepreneurs and executives on how to speak with spark for over a decade, and I’m so happy to be here. I want to thank you for inviting me to share the afternoon with you.”
Solution: “Today I’m going to show you three ways to make your audience remember your products and services, helping them stand out in a competitive market. Let’s get this party started.”
You can also try to establish a personal connection
Presentations often lack that personal touch. Try sharing a relevant personal anecdote or experience related to that topic.
Not only will this make your work presentation more relatable, but it will also help establish a deeper connection with your audience.
For example, you might say, “When I was younger, I would often hide in the back of the class, hoping the teacher wouldn’t call on me because I didn’t want to look stupid or get my answers wrong. Later, I incorporated acting and improvisation into my life. Through practicing these two art forms, I developed my confidence and learned to interact with others more boldly. Today, I’ll give you the keys to better engaging your audience, too.”
Try to encourage interaction
At the very least, you should try to engage your audience from the start, whether in person or on a virtual call. You can ask a thought-provoking question or propose a challenge that will directly involve them. This approach changes the dynamic of the sessions and makes them more interactive and engaging.
By putting some of these suggestions into practice, you’ll make your presentation memorable and impactful right away. And you’ll likely get more out of your investment of time and energy.
In today’s fast-paced world, where attention spans are ever-shrinking, it’s critical to capture and hold your audience’s attention from the start. This will set the stage for more engaging and productive engagement.
Challenge yourself to break the rules of presentation, adopt a style that captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression.
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Tags: Tips