Prior to the IFS World Conference, I shared ideas and inspiration to IFS employees on how to deliver a presentation that leaves a footprint in people’s mind. My message is that YOU as a presenter need to take center stage. Customers, prospects, analysts, colleagues and journalists should remember you as an individual. Then they will not only remember your message, but also share it with others.

In this post I want to share seven things to remember when you prepare and perform a presentation. I called it “The 7-up speaker technique.”

BEFORE YOUR PRESENTATION

Did you know that there are four versions of a presentation?

• The one you planned to do
• The one you actually did
• The one you wished you did
• The one the audience perceived

You can never judge which one of these four that is the best, because it differs from time to time and who you ask. This “theory” helps me to understand that a presentation depends on your performance at that exact moment. And, the more prepared you are, the better you will deliver.

Tip 1: START & END – Create a first impression that lasts

“A presentation has a start, an end and something in between.”
– Martin Gunnarsson

Your first two minutes in any presentation are the most important. The audience will analyze your personality, your clothes, your accent, your hair, how you walk, your slides—everything. They do so to decide whether it’s worth the investment to listen to you or not. During these two minutes, it’s difficult to digest detailed information. Instead, use this time to build trust, let the audience get to know you and build a relationship with them.

The START of your presentation should be something that is easy to understand and something everyone can relate to. Preferably a story or a topic that is unexpected so as to surprise the listener. This sends a signal that you feel safe in this situation. You build trust. The listener will also open up his/her senses to new influences as you do something unexpected and, therefore, the brain will be more open to receive new information.

At the END of your presentation, you have to tie together your presentation and messages. You have to clearly tell the audience what to remember after the session. Don’t be afraid to articulate it: “This is what you should remember from this session”. If you wish, you may also end your presentation with a story that is not necessarily related to the topic you talked about. This is more of a 30-second feel-good moment, to give the audience a final positive impression.

Tip 2: ENGAGE – Share stories that touch the heart

“Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will understand, engage me and I will remember” – Chinese proverb.

Logic hits the brain, stories hit the heart. Stories are the superglue between several messages. Stories are like pictures—you remember them better than mere facts. They are easier to remember and relate to.

Try to move the focus away from your PowerPoint slides and get the audience to remember YOU as a person. If they remember you, they will more easily remember your message(s).

Doing something physically on stage or using props will engage the audience as it will reinforce your message. I always use a prop in my presentations.

Personally, I have a vision that someone in the audience should mention me or my presentation to a colleague or family member at breakfast the next morning. To succeed, I have to touch their senses to remember me outside this context. Being a complete fool is one way, of course, but is not recommended. As always, you have to strike a balance between what is professional and what makes you looking like a clown. After all, we have to look professional and credible in all we do—but the opposite of being professional is not to be boring.

Tip 3: PICTURES – Use pictures with flair

“A picture is worth a thousand words” – Chinese proverb