Raise your hand if you ever felt like you were on the verge of falling asleep during an office presentation. We can’t see you, but we assume your hands are up in the air. Studies show that 25% of people walked out of a presentation because it was longer than it should be.
Ouch. That’s harsh.
The last thing you want is for your audience to lose the interest while you are pitching an important idea. So, how can you keep them engaged and eager to learn more?
Here are some presentation tips that you should start using.
You’re Telling a Story: Be Strategic
Your presentation shouldn’t be just a collection of facts and statistics. Instead, try thinking of it as a story that needs to be communicated with dramatic flair. You want to take your audience on a journey and make them see your ideas through your eyes.
So, before creating your next office presentation, ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the message of my story?
- What actions do I want them to take as a result of my performance?
- What can I do to gain my audience’s trust?
After you’ve answered these questions and devised a strategy, think of the ways you could vary your voice and gestures to emphasize certain talking points. Dramatize the facts and statistics you discovered during your research instead of just communicating them in a plain and dull voice.
Keep It Short
We’re sure that you’ve come upon numerous interesting facts during your research, but don’t include every single detail in your presentation. Cut out anything that doesn’t add value to your message, even if it may seem important at first sight. These irrelevant details can weaken your message and bore your audience.
Present Your Points One at a Time
If you want to maintain your audience’s attention and keep them engaged during an office presentation, then make sure not to put every word you’re going to say on your slides. Mention only the main idea and expand on it verbally. You don’t want people to waste time reading your slides while you’re trying to make an important case. That’s the best case scenario. More often than not, people will just get bored and look for ways to entertain themselves.
Use Images to Give Life to Your Ideas
Images can be excellent support for your presentation. They can help you deliver your ideas and make it easier for people to understand your main points. In fact, studies show that when you pair information with an image, people retain up to 65% of it. When they only have access to the written word, on the other hand, they remember just 10% of the information three days after the presentation.
Now, if you plan to use supportive materials, then make sure to use high-quality paper. It may not seem like much, but these tiny details can make a significant difference. At Double A, for example, you can find responsibly-sourced paper of the highest quality.
Let the Audience Interrupt
Don’t ignore your audience during your presentation. Look for any non-verbal signs of confusion or curiosity. If you notice them, then stop and address the ideas that your audience is having a difficult time understanding.
Make sure to ask for your audience’s feedback on every important talking point. That way, you will know if everything is clear or if you need to adjust your message.
Use these simple tips, and your next office presentation is sure to wow your audience and get them excited about your ideas.