By Jill Kurtz
Online Career Tips Contributor
Some presentations are great–entertaining, full of helpful information, and finished before you realize any time had ticked by. And then there are the rest. We’ve all been at those presentations–the ones that have you looking longingly for the nearest exit.
Those not-so-great experiences are the best way to learn how to deliver a great presentation when it is your turn. Here are my top three learned tips:
Stick to the Time
Don’t turn your 30 minute presentation into an hour-long ordeal for a captive audience. Stick to the time allotted, even if that means not covering all the material you planned. Participants who want to engage with you further will stick around and ask questions. The rest of the audience will appreciate your respect for their time and the schedule.
Involve the Audience
The topic, circumstance, audience, and other factors may constrain your options for engaging with the audience, but don’t skip this important element. If you need to hold questions or discussion to the end, throw in a poll or two (as easy as a show of hands) to let your audience get involved. Other ideas for engagement include:
- Have audience members answer a survey or poll before the presentation begins
- Start with an anecdote that relates your topic to a current event, regional activity, industry, or other frame of reference shared by your audience
- Ask individual audience members to answer questions periodically during the presentation
- Include video within your presentation
- Answer questions during the presentation or afterwards
Deliver on Your Promises
Review the promotional material for your presentation and be sure to cover all the listed topics and key points. If you promise time for questions and answers at the end, be sure to allow time for that. If you offer to post or send materials related to the presentation, follow through. When someone gives you a business card and you promise to send additional information, do it. You only have to do the things that you say you will do, so don’t promise anything you aren’t completely sure you can deliver.
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