Use the following guidelines both as an introduction to presentation protocol and etiquette and as a
last-minute review before you pack your bags. Never use visuals as a substitute for words
Your slides, overheads and projected images should simply provide a framework for
your message, not tell the whole story.
Remember: your audience is there to see and hear you. Seeing is believing. They want to judge your knowledge, enthusiasm and integrity for themselves.
Use phrases not sentences
If your visuals contain subject-verb-noun sentences, you'll inevitably be tempted to read them. Instead, limit visuals to key words. This forces
you to develop and explain your ideas in your own words, creating a much more enthusiastic presentation.
Introduce yourself to members of the audience before you begin your
presentation
This personalizes your presentation so you visualize your audience as individuals, rather than a "mass of humanity." Introducing yourself also gives you something to do instead of standing
around looking nervous.
Smile: your audience wants you to succeed!
Adiences identify with presenters and want them to succeed.
When you're nervous, your nervousness communicates
itself to the audience and makes them nervous. But when you're relaxed and enthusiastic, your audience will be relaxed and enthusiastic. Audiences want you to succeed, because they want to share your success! So don't
see your audience as adversaries, see them as allies!
Project to supporters in the audience
Focus on those who are taking notes, nodding, or smiling. This builds your
confidence, and confidence is contagious!
View your presentation as a series of arguments leading to an inescapable conclusion
Each visual should provide proof supporting the action
you want your audience to take. Eliminate visuals which don't support the conclusion or action you want your audience to take.
Number your overheads
Number your visuals,
especially if you are using overhead transparencies. This helps you quickly put them back in order if you drop them on the way into your presentation.
Discrete numbers at the bottom of each visual also help you and
your audience pace your progress through your presentation.
Always provide audience handouts
Audience handouts contain reduced-size copies of your visuals plus lines to take
notes permit your audience to review your presentation and share it with others unable to attend.
Watch your timing!
Always begin on time. Begin with a bang, stating the purpose of your
presentation and how you are going to accomplish it. Leave time at the end of your presentation to answer questions.
Use notes to rehearse
Use your software program's Notes
feature which permits you to print out a reduced-size image of each visual plus the points you want to discuss while displaying it. Rehearse using these print-outs, instead of handling your original slides or overheads.
Repeat questions
Always repeat audience questions before answering them. Others behind or to the side of the questioner probably didn't hear the question as well as you did.
Repeating the question permits you to simplify it and also buys you time to formulate a response.
Never bluff
The credibility of your entire presentation is in jeopardy if you
try to bluff, and someone in the audience corrects you. If you don't know the answer to a question, offer to follow-up after the presentation.
Don't lose control
Never allow a
persistent questioner or objector to derail your presentation. Never respond personally to a question or an objection. If someone persists in interrupting or arguing over minor points, offer to discuss their concerns at
a break.
Avoid last-minute changes
Avoid the temptation to "improve" your presentation the night before. This is when mistakes and typographical errors inevitably creep
in. Changes also can lead to the embarrassing possibility that you'll forget why you made the change, which can throw off the momentum of your presentation. Get a good night's sleep instead!
Arrive early
When presenting away, always arrive the night before your presentation and check out the room so you know how to get there from your hotel room. When presenting locally,
always leave plenty of time for unexpected traffic and parking problems.
Arriving ahead of time also gives you time to check the room lighting and presentation equipment, giving you time to solve any unexpected
problems before your audience arrives.
Roger C. Parker's
