Be Sure You Know the Purpose of Your Presentation

Sometimes the purpose is pretty clear: maybe the boss has asked you to brief the Board of Directors on the marketing goals for the next quarter. At other times, it may not be so simple, especially if you have been invited to speak to a specific group in a specific setting, perhaps at a symposium or conference. Before you begin to work on your material, it is urgent that you learn everything you can regarding why you have been scheduled to speak to this group at this time. Read up on the organization, and study any current challenges and or important issues that would fit the agenda for this meeting.

It would probably be a good idea to contact the person who invited you to speak and find out why they invited you and what their expectations are. Even if you have been invited primarily because you have some celebrity status in your field, be prepared to deliver something substantial to your audience, something they can use in the real world when they return home. The only way to come armed with the proper information about the scenario and setting is to spend at least an hour researching the group and the situation.

Get to Know Your Audience in Advance

Every group of people that comes together for a particular purpose shares certain common traits that define the purpose of the meeting. What kind of shared interests might you find at a convention for Trekkies? How about at a sports memorabilia show? Would the audience characteristics be different at a conference on global warming versus an NRA convention? Get my point? Your audience will always reflect certain commonalities that define who they are what they will be most interested in. Make sure you effectively speak to these interests.

Also, with certain types of presentations, you want to make sure you address the needs and interests of key decision makers. If you are making a sales presentation to a customer team, make sure you know which member of that team has the most authority to make final decisions. Then ask yourself, "What is this buyer most interested in? Is she one of those Doer personalities who only wants to hear the bottom line? Is she more of a Thinker who needs details and in depth technical data before she can make a decision? Customize your presentation to appeal effectively to those in the audience who have the most power to influence what comes next.

Get There Early

This should be a no-brainer, but I continue to be surprised at how often presenters ignore this bit of important advice. Whether your presentation is across the world, across the country, or across town, get there early, even if it means coming in the night before you're scheduled to present.

When you arrive early, you gain a considerable advantage which can often be the make-or-break factor in the success of your presentation. You get to settle in, calm down, check out the facilities, walk the room, talk to people, check out equipment, and arrange things. In doing so, you give yourself the edge over the speaker who arrives "just in time." You will avoid the stress produced by discovering at the last minute that something isn’t right, and you will be more relaxed, confident and convincing during your presentation.