Welcome to the first edition of Presentability Matters for 2013. This year will see much debate over presentation content, delivery and style being a national election year, and how effectively our political leaders can engage us with their vision for the nation.
2013 also heralds the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther
King’s infamous, influential and inspirational ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the content of this groundbreaking
presentation in a future edition of Presentability Matters.
Today though, we give five essential ways to engage your audience
before, during and after you speak.
Before Your Presentation
There are many ways to engage your
audience before you speak to gain a greater understanding of ‘what’s in
this for them.’
Here are two:
1. Survey them.
Use a free tool such as www.surveymonkey.com to send out a
brief survey by email. Give people a time frame to respond by to give
yourself enough time to digest and integrate the answers, then refer to
their answers in your presentation.
2. Make some
phone calls to attendees beforehand. Ask them questions
about what they’re looking for from the presentation and why. This gives
you the added benefit of creating a personal connection with an
audience member to easily establish rapport on the day.
Make a point of seeking them out just before the presentation (at the
venue) to further the connection. As long as you keep mindful of their
time and space you’re bound to impress with your genuine interest in
them.
If appropriate, you can also refer to that person in the presentation
to let others know there’s a connection to this group beyond simply
showing up.
During Your Presentation
3. Think Pink. That is,
think like a rock star or pop icon at an event. They localise at least
one or two points or current topics of interest.
Lookout for daily news and local views on the way to the presentation.
See if there’s something you can tie into your presentation that proves
or supports a point and is, ideally, relevant to your audience – such
as a quirky billboard driving into town or something you’ve noticed in
the foyer.
This gives you great opportunity for humour without being forced
because the joke can be shared purely to break the ice, without
resorting to making a forced joke at the beginning of the presentation.
4. Be Your Own
Warm Up Guy (or Woman). Meet and greet them on
arrival to give yourself a warm audience to speak to. This way you’re
building rapport before the event as opposed to spending precious
presentation time doing so.
After Your
Presentation
5. Have
handouts for them with at least two to three actions or
follow up resources to take away and put in action.
Make sure your contact details are on there, and any other relevant
info or links to further position you as a trusted source. If you’re
selling to your audience, you’ll want to have a clear marketing piece
with a compelling call to action.
BONUS TIP:
Give email reminders to further the engagement (either through the
event organiser or directly from yourself).
You’ll need to make sure you gain permission to collect email addresses
to do this, however it’s an ideal way to build your database and
further the conversation.
To find out more about the ways in which we can support you simply
contact support@presentability.com.au
Until next time, keep practicing your presentability,
Phil Preston
& Michael Neaylon
FOUNDERS &
DIRECTORS
On behalf of the presentability team
|
