Preparing and Delivering Persuasive Presentations Lisa A. Sisco, Ph.D .

More than 70% of business professionals admit they’ve either felt sleepy or dozed off during an “uninteresting” business presentation.

College students regularly fall asleep during class presentations.

According to research into the human brain, most people are easily bored.

You have about 10 minutes, that’s all.

You have about 10 minutes,

that’s all.

What are most presentations so darn boring?

It’s all about ME.

Will YOUR presentation put people to sleep?

or grab their attention?

The secret of a powerful presentation . . .

It’s not about you at all. It’s all about THEM (your audience).

A powerful presentation will focus on your audience and their needs from the very beginning . . .

So how do we make presentations that will dazzle our audience (or at least keep them awake?)

Here’s what you can do . . . . PART 1: Make your ideas sticky. INNOVATION

Frame your information in a way that will get people’s attention and keep it.

Six principles of sticky ideas . . . 1. Simplicity

So, focus your information on a single, memorable point

2. Unexpectedness

3. Concreteness

Use Vivid Examples

4.

5. Elicit Emotion

Stories 6. Tell a Story

Here’s what you can do . . . . PART 2: Control and organize your information DISCIPLINE

Give the audience a road map to follow.

Give the audience a road map to follow.

Cut unnecessary information.

Plan a powerful ending.

Here’s what you can do . . . . PART 3: Engage your audience. RAPPORT

Be Conversational 2. Delivery

Create Rapport

Show Enthusiasm

Show

Enthusiasm

Maintain Natural Eye Contact and Body Movement

Be Yourself

Speak slowly Let pauses work for you Use variety in tone Don’t use the podium as a crutch Prepare ‘easy to skim’ notes 2. Delivery

Speak slowly

Let pauses work for you

Use variety in tone

Don’t use the podium as a crutch

Prepare ‘easy to skim’ notes

Dale Carnegie’s Golden Rule Never, ever exceed the amount of time allotted for your presentation.

Never, ever exceed the amount of time allotted for your presentation.

Using Visual Aids Use visuals or props selectively Keep your eyes on your audience Keep visuals simple and brief Anticipate and prepare for problems

Use visuals or props selectively

Keep your eyes on your audience

Keep visuals simple and brief

Anticipate and prepare for problems

Minimize speaking anxiety . . .

Practice . . .

Practice…

Practice.

And be prepared.

Appropriate Technology And a low tech backup .

Lisa A. Sisco, Ph.D. Johnson & Wales University [email_address]

Lisa A. Sisco, Ph.D.

Johnson & Wales University

[email_address]