Making a Lasting Impression with your Presentation - Business - Presentation

Although some people fear public speaking more than death itself, there are ways to help ensure that a presentation is both informative and entertaining. Whether it is a business proposal, a college assignment, or a political speech, preparation and practice are two of the key elements to a successful presentation. While there are a handful of people who are good at "winging it," this method is not recommended for the masses. A combination of traditional techniques and modern technological resources is the best way for a speaker to deliver a presentation that gets its point across to the target audience and gives him or her the confidence to address the listeners smoothly and efficiently. Traditional techniques include the way a speaker mentally and physically prepares for a presentation, the manner in which he or she conveys both verbal and audio/visual information and, perhaps, some of the resources that are used to enhance the presentation. Basically, these are tried-an d-true methods that have proven successful for speakers over the years. For example, it is a rare audience that doesn't appreciate a bit of humor to lighten up a highly technical or lengthy presentation. Going into the presentation with a positive attitude and having a solid grasp of the material help to ease a presenter's tension and nerves. Interspersing facts and statistics with interesting yet relevant stories holds the interest of an audience, as does reserving time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. Taking advantage of modern technology is a surefire way to make a presentation more appealing in almost every way. Although a speaker's delivery of the visual/audio information is more important than the way that information is transmitted, tools such as slide shows, projectors, posters, graphs, flip charts, Windows Movie Maker files and PowerPoint presentations make a powerful impact when used inventively. For example, one can use color to augment th e purpose of a speech. Red is a motivator while green is perfect for any environmental topic. Using bullet points to communicate key factors is more effective than a solid block of information. It is also wise to limit the amount of information on each screenshot so it can be easily absorbed by the audience. A thorough presenter is also going to make sure that the screen on which he or she is showing visuals is large enough to be clearly seen by audience members at the back of the room. Especially for the novice, giving a presentation can be a daunting task. However, by using a combination of proven delivery techniques and modern audio-visual aids, a presenter can enhance his or her performance, engage the interest of the audience, make a more powerful statement, and leave a lasting impression.

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