Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing, sooner or later we will be called upon to make a presentation of one sort or the other. To sharpen your skills, whet your audience's appetite, and educate them, organize your presentation by keeping them in mind. To help you do just that, here are some tips to consider:

• Have an inviting opening. Greet your audience with a statement that conveys your genuine pleasure in seeing them and in being there.
• Summarize your main points. Inform your audience from the beginning about the structure of your presentation. When you do, they more likely will follow your presentation until its close. They will, consequently, be better able to follow each successive point as you develop it.
• Back your main points with examples, statistics, or facts. Be careful, however, about overstepping the fine line of boring your audience with irrelevant or too many examples, statistics, or facts.
• Design simple, yet convincing visuals that your audience can understand and interpret quickly. Likewise, for the sake of winning your audience, it’s better to use the KISS Method: Keep It Short and Simple.
• End with a strong conclusion that invites your audience to take immediate action or seek follow-up. Some examples might include asking a question (with an implied follow-up date), or give a challenge (again with an implied follow-up date).
• Handle questions openly and honestly, admitting when you don't have an immediate answer. However, genuinely promise that you will get back to your audience, or the individual, when you do. To emphasize this genuine interest, take the time right then and there to ask for their contact information.

Follow these tips, and I guarantee that you'll see progress in your presentations skills that will lead to successful outcomes.

Copyright © Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, The Master Blog Builder

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Customer Relationship Marketing Consultant, rapidly becoming known as The Master Blog Builder, helps individuals, organizations, and small businesses improve their customer relationship marketing. For more information email him at execandgroup-consulting@yahoo.com or sign up for his free Lesson to Be Learned weekly Tip sheet at www.MasterBlogBuilder.com.