There are three basic steps to the structure of a presentation:
• Tell them what you are going to tell them (outline the presentation).
• Tell them (deliver the presentation).
• Tell them what you told them (summarise the key points delivered).
The best way to start is write a brief, rough outline of the presentation always keeping in mind what the client wants to know. You can then start to add ‘meat’ to this section by section.
Make sure that you are clear why you are making each point – do they follow a structured path leading to your objective? Try to target each point to the client and the presentation’s overall purpose making them not only relevant and succinct, but also demonstrating your knowledge of the client’s business.
Visual aids are good since they:
• help the audience focus on what you are saying.
• make the presentation more interesting.
• help to explain the points you make more clearly.
Make sure that your visual aids add to your presentation and that you can use them properly – e.g. know how PowerPoint works before the presentation.
If you have handouts then leave them until the end – they will only distract people during the presentation. Also try to field questions at the end of the presentation unless they are vitally important to the client’s understanding otherwise it may break your and their train of thought.
You may have an excellent presentation lined up but if you don’t deliver it in the right manner you may as well not be there.
