Is it easy to put off your plan for a fully prepared presentation? Short answer. Yes. Because it really is easy to avoid preparing for a presentation. Indeed, it's probably human nature to put off until tomorrow something we consider hard work.
However, it doesn't have to be hard work. Since the rewards of good presentation are huge. So, it's always best for us to plan and prepare ahead of any presentation. No matter the audience.
Five Top Things To Do For A Fully Prepared Presentation
Successful presentation tips showing you five ways to a fully prepared presentation.
Tip 1
Know your audience. It's always best practice to do your audience research early on when you plan your presentation. Because it's going to save you a lot of time later. That's particularly so if you prepare a presentation for one audience and then find out you actually have a different audience. That's a problem. And it's a waste of your time. Read more.
Tip 2
Have a purpose. As a presenter your job is to achieve results with your audience. That is, you need to achieve results set against your own objectives.
You plan to achieve a result with your audience, all because of your presentation. And that result is a change in their understanding. Or a change in their knowledge or beliefs. Or, perhaps your audience will choose to do something, all because of your presentation.
So, that's the objective of a presentation. It's your objective…your purpose for your own presentation. So, it's not important whether it's a PowerPoint or a Keynote presentation. Your purpose is what really matters. Read more.
Tip 3
Time. Most presenters struggle with timing issues. Yet it doesn't have to be that way. Since all you need to do is ask an event organiser: "what's the time envelope for this presentation?" If it's "half an hour", then your response is "does that include questions?" And that's about it. What's your time budget, and does that budget include ten minutes of questions? Once you know, then you can prepare accordingly. And Practise to the schedule!
Tip 4
Content is King is the adage. And we can't really disagree, except to note that there's quite a list of important factors for any presentation. Still, you must expend time and effort on your content, material, examples, evidence, stories and case studies. Why you might ask? Well, your content has to be relevant to your presentation, your audience and your purpose. And, you have to squeeze it into the time available! So, you'll have to be ruthless and clinical with your editing skills. Because nobody wants to bore for Britain. Read more.
Tip 5
Location. It's an obvious one, really. Yet it's often ignored. Because you need to know the location of your audience for the presentation that you've so reluctantly accepted. Are they in Aberdeen, London or at one of your organisation's sites? Is travel needed? Will you need authorisation for travel? Will you need hotel, train or an air fare? Yes, it's all about the practicalities at this stage. Because you need to do this early on. Not least because you'll be calm and relaxed for your presentation. Since nobody wants the stress of dodgy travel arrangements.
Yes, it's incredibly easy to put off your essential presentation preparation. But when you do so then your presentation will suffer. So, in consequence, you'll always do better when you prepare, practise and meet your presentation goals. Because with a fully prepared presentation you're set for success.
You can always discover more about giving presentations with our series of tips, podcasts and videos. And with more than 100 top tips there's something for every event. Plus, when you're ready to excel with your presentations you've also got the option of an online course or a face to face coaching session. So, when the time is right, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
"Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow. Delay may give clearer light as to what is best to be done."
Aaron Burr
Contact Details
Please don't hesitate to get in touch for presentation course or coaching advice.
Phone number
01344 859823
Email Address
training@timetomarket.co.uk
