How to craft a
Targeted Message
for your next presentation

You know
those
presentations
that seem to
go nowhere?

That leave you cold?

That never seem to have
a point?

By starting your presentation with a
Targeted Message
your presentation will be
clear, concise and compelling.

How do you
create a
Targeted
Message?

First, answer the
following questions.
Stick with it until you
are clear about all five
questions.

Question One:
who is your audience?

How many will attend?
Why are they attending?
How well do you know them?
What do you know about them?
What is the mix of attendees?
(age, experience, education, occupation, gender, etc.)

Question
Two:
What do you
want to say?

Question Three:
What do they
want to hear?

Question Four:
What strategies will help you
reconcile differences between
what you want to say and what
they want to hear?

Strategies
might include:
-Stories
-Examples
-Case studies
-Testimonials
-Facts
-Research findings
-Open discussion
Hint: it’s best to use a combination
of facts and feelings

Question Five:
What do you want them to
do, think, feel or remember at
the end of your presentation?

Examples:
Sign the contract…start doing or stop doing
something…approve the project…adopt the
proposal…learn something useful…feel
good…change their minds…have or
maintain a favorable impression of you and
your organization…or something else…

Now, take your answers and
turn them into a
Targeted Message
that is, a one sentence overview/preview of your
presentation that suggests why they should listen
to your presentation and/or do what you are
recommending.

Don’t forget the WIIFM*
*What’s in it for me? The audience is always “tuned in” to that signal.

Check your Targeted Message
-Complete sentence
-Stresses benefits or positive outcomes
-Audience will understand it
-You feel comfortable with the
message
-You can remember and say it with
ease
-Brief and concise: 15-40 words

Say it out loud.

Ask someone to
listen to it.

Do you
love it?

Targeted Message
Use your Targeted Message to start
and end your presentation. (It is easy
to remember for both you and your
audience.) Build your content around it.
Start and end with it. Leave a lasting
impression.

Want more?
For information on small group
workshops and individual
coaching, contact
Gail Zack Anderson
www.applauseinc.net
gza@applauseinc.net