Five Essential Ways To Become A Better Presenter

If you're struggling as a presenter, or are new to the field, here are some ideas that I've incorporated in my 28 years as a keynote speaker/presenter.  Feel free to check them out and see if any can help you along the way!

1) Know your audience better than they know themselves

• What does a typical day look like for them?
• How are current local/state/national events affecting them?
• What are the concerns about their business/personal life that keep them up at night?
• What are the “hot button” issues in their industry?
• What language/ideas/discussions would be a turn off to them?
• What’s changed in their world/industry in the past year? The past week?
• What types of activities would best engage them in a presentation?
• Who else is speaking at the conference or event? What is the focus of their presentation(s)?
• What problem can I help them solve?
• What do I want them to say about the presentation 30 days from now?

2) Make it easy for your audience to listen to you

• Does your personal appearance distract from your words?
• Does your environment limit their ability to listen?
• Are they in a physical, mental, and emotional state to best receive your words?

3) Use the Rule Of 3

• Keep your number of points to 3
• Tell them the points up front
• Remind them of the points at the end

4) Embrace the power of questions… and silence!

• Ask thought-provoking questions to get them thinking about the topic or point
• Silence is a sign that people are processing what you said

5) Practice

• Use any conversation to practice your technique

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: JONES LOFLIN