"Imagine the audience in their skivvies."
This silly adage is an attempt to make your audience less intimidating, but it's not your audience that's intimidating. It's your presentation.
People's attention is about as elusive as Bigfoot himself.
And even if you do manage to snag their attention, It's even more critical that your message sticks.
When you're able to communicate your message properly, it empowers your audience.
We get it; public speaking doesn't come naturally to everyone.
Don’t worry.
Whether you’re a newbie at presentations or a seasoned pro, these three strategies we stole will empower you to conquer any presentation.
1. Simplify the Message
Carl Richards is a Certified Financial Planner™, creator of the Sketch Guy column, and author of The Behavior Gap.
Strategies:
- Focus on ONE message: Focus on the one idea or lesson you want your audience to remember when they leave your presentation.
- Simplify your slides: Declutter, remove, and clean. You don't need numbers, graphs, and pie charts, only the FACTS that matter most to support your ONE point.
2. Differentiate Yourself
Andrew Davis is recognized as one of the industry's "Jaw-Dropping Marketing Speakers" who has made appearances in the New York Times, Forbes and worked for NBC's Today Show as well as The Muppets.
Strategies:
- How you present surpasses what you present: We all have access to the same data and offer the same services. If you want to stand out, you must transmit a feeling of trust, show your expertise and create an enjoyable experience for your audience by having a regular conversation with them.
- Virtual Presentations: Your goal is to bring your energy level up by making yourself big on the screen so everyone can see your expressions and emotions. This is easier if you look at the camera like you’re looking them in the eyes.
3. Be Present
Carol Lempert, is an actor & playwright turned business coach teaching the art of supercharging your executive presence.
Strategies
- Be present: The core word of ‘presenting’ is being present in the moment. Carol explains that being truly present means breathing consciously. Mindfulness enhances your presentations.
- Embrace your feelings: For all the sensations that may arise when you’re about to present, embrace every feeling in your body. If you feel nervous, it’s ok to acknowledge it in a presentation. Those are the things that authentically connect with your audience.
- Avoid Multitasking: Especially when presenting online, avoid looking at notifications, your phone, or other distractions that may take away your attention from the present.
Why does giving a good presentation matter?
Financial advisers constantly share their values with their audience, and those interactions impact their lives and business.
Feeling more confident during your presentations, whether it’s live or virtual, is a great way to build credibility, earn contacts, and win clients.
Want to steal more valuable strategies?
Head over to our “Steal My Strategy Podcast.”
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