Monday, January 31, 2011

Stop Ignoring Your Audience!

Start this year by making your audience the focus of your presentations from the very beginning of your preparation to the final delivery. Their needs and expectations should be for the focus of your message and should shape the content you decide to include.


If you can ask yourself a few key questions before you write the first word of your presentation, your audience will notice the difference and reward you by listening to you, remembering your message and acting on your proposals.


It doesn't take a lot of time. It's more about changing the way you approach your preparation.


So, next time you have to give a presentation, start with these key questions:


Who are the decision makers in your audience (they are the only ones that really matter)?
Why are they attending your presentation?
What do they expect to learn from you?
What do you want them to do with the information you're giving them?
What do they need to know in order to act on your proposal?


When you've answered these questions, base your presentation preparation on the answers you came up with.


Try it! Your audience is waiting for you to pay attention to them. This small change in thinking can make all the difference.


I wish you luck in your presentations in 2011. Let me know how the changes you make have helped you make outstanding presentations!

© 2011 Jeanne Trojan. All rights reserved

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for your post. Very timely. Your questions have helped me to focus my presentation even more.

    ReplyDelete