No matter how seasoned a professional you are, giving a presentation is always nerve-racking. Will your audience be receptive? Will you be able to answer any questions thrown your way? What if you experience technical issues? You want to give a powerful, memorable presentation then following these tips will guide you to success.

Start Strong

Any great book, TV show or movie typically grabs your attention right away. Presentations are no different — a strong start is important to capture your audience. Opening with a story, inspiring quote or surprising statistic will pique interest and help them focus on what you are saying. You want your audience to be curious about what comes next, and a powerful opening will help achieve this.

Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is one of the most important keys to a winning presentation. It helps you determine the style of your presentation since some audiences might prefer a brief, outcome-focused presentation, while others appreciate attention and thorough explanations. It’s also crucial to have a good idea of your audience’s knowledge base. Otherwise, you risk either explaining something of which they already have a clear understanding or using technical terms and jargon they are unfamiliar with.

Take Questions

Expect questions and make a plan to answer them. Before you begin, announce that you will take a break for questions. This will avoid two potential issues. Questions can disrupt your presentation and throw you off your rhythm. Additionally, holding a Q & A at the end can result in your presentation tapering out causing your audience to leave feeling uninspired.

Have a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

This is the most essential part of your presentation. You haven’t accomplished your goal if your audience doesn’t have a firm grasp of what they are supposed to do with the information after the presentation. Customize your CTA for your audience ensure that it resonates with them. Use action words that will motivate them to follow through.

Practice

Practice is the only way to know your material inside and out. Steve Jobs, who was an incredibly talented speaker and always delivered captivating presentations, appeared natural and relaxed because he practiced relentlessly. Ask some of your peers or other trusted professionals to help you rehearse and provide feedback. Don’t simply memorize your content — practice your tone, inflection and speed of your delivery. An added benefit of practice is the confidence boost it gives you going into your presentation.

e|spaces has everything needed to produce a winning presentation. Our meeting and conference rooms have flatscreen TVs with AirPlay technology for displaying your presentation, high-speed WiFi, conference phones, whiteboards and coffee or other drinks to offer your guests. A concierge is available to assist with set up and printing documents or materials to distribute to your guests. Guests can reserve conference rooms and members enjoy a discounted rate. Let e|spaces help make your next presentation a winner and reserve your space today.

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