The first step in planning an effective presentation is preparing the introduction
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Stephanie Korczynski Stephanie KorczynskiBusiness Mentor & Coach for Working Moms | Founder | Keynote SpeakerPublished Dec 16, 2020 You just found out you need to create a presentation for an upcoming meeting. What is the very first thing you do to plan your content? When I ask people that question, the response I usually get (besides "panic") is "I open Powerpoint." What usually follows is that you are then stuck staring at a blank screen figuring out where to begin. For most people, planning a presentation can be stressful and often feel overwhelming. I get it - I've been there. But, the key to setting yourself up to deliver a powerful message that resonates isn't in your slides - it's what you do before you ever create them.Here are 7 simple steps you can take before you create any visual content for your next meeting or event.
I hope you found these tips helpful. If you would like a printable copy of this checklist, you can download it here. Follow me on Instagram @the_kore_co for more helpful tips and like The KORE Company on Facebook for weekly live Q&A's. Others also viewedExplore topicsStanding in front of an audience to give a presentation is a daunting prospect but you're unlikely to get through university without having to do it. Read these top tips to ensure it goes without a hitch Your tutor or lecturer mentions the word 'presentation' and the first thing you do is panic but there's really no need. Depending on your subject, you might be expected to summarise your reading in a seminar, deliver the results of a scientific experiment, or provide feedback from a group task. Whatever the topic, you'll usually be presenting to your tutor and fellow students. Whilegetting up and making your case in front of an audience isn't easy, especially when you're not used to it, it really is good practice as many graduate employers use presentations as part of the recruitment process. To help ensure that your presentation stands out for the right reasons, the careers team at the University of Cumbria provide their top tips. Prepare carefullyGive yourself plenty of time to prepare thoroughly, as a last-minute rush will leave you flustered when it comes to delivering your presentation. 'Plan the structure and format - Introduction, the key facts you want to get across in the most logical order, the objective and purpose of your presentation and the conclusion,' advise the careers team at the University of Cumbria. To help plan your content and to make sure you stay on track ask yourself why you're putting the presentation together and what you're hoping to achieve. You can make detailed notes as part of your planning, but don't rely on these on the day, as reading from a prepared text sounds unnatural. If you want to take a memory aid with you use small index cards, as referring to A4 sheets of paper during your presentation can be distracting and highlight your nerves if your hands shake. At the planning stage you'll also need to consider the timings of your presentation. Time limits are set for a reason - falling short or going over this limit will likely result in a loss of marks, especially if it’s part of an assessment or exam. 'It's also a good idea to prepare answers to possible questions you may be asked about the presentation,' adds the Cumbria careers team. If you have to give a group presentation discover three tips for successful group work. Use visuals wiselyBear in mind that visual aids should complement your oral presentation, not repeat it, nor deliver the presentation for you. While your slides should offer a brief summary of points, or an illustration supporting the concept that you're discussing, you are the main focus. When putting together your slides and visual aids:
Don't fall into the trap of merely reading aloud what is written on your slides - instead use them as a starting point from which you expand and develop your narrative. It's also worth pointing out that a presentation is only as good as it's content. Visually your presentation could look beautiful but if you're lacking knowledge your audience is unlikely to be fooled. Consider your audienceThere are many elements you can include in a presentation - sound, video, hand-outs and questions at the end, for example - so you'll need to think about which ones are suitable. For example, whether your tone is serious or light-hearted might depend on factors such as the subject you're studying, or whether the presentation is an assessed piece of work. To show that you have thought about the audience consider how much background information they will need. Do they already have some knowledge of the topic you're presenting? Spending the first half of your presentation telling an audience what they already know will be frustrating for them. Equally, if you go straight into the detail they may get lost. It's vital you get the balance right, and knowing your audience is the key. Practice with a friendYou should run through your presentation in full more than once, ideally in front of an audience. Ask a friend if they'll help you with a practice run. Make them sit at a distance to check that everyone attending can hear you speaking. It’d be even better if you could do this practice run in the room you'll be giving your presentation in. This will enable you to work out whether your presentation is the right length when spoken aloud, and give you the chance to get used to expressing yourself in front of others. While you practice make sure that you:
Another top tip from the team at Cumbria is to record yourself giving the presentation on Teams or Zoom. 'Play it back and reflect on it. Ask yourself if it’s clear, concise, and if it makes sense. How are your mannerisms and non-verbals? Do you come across well? Are you talking too fast or waffling? Are you smiling and personable?' Be positiveTry developing a positive attitude in the days leading up to the presentation. This may seem obvious and easier said than done if you're shy, but pull it off and it will make a huge difference to how you perform. Acknowledge your nervousness but don't let negative thoughts win. Instead of thinking about all the things that could go wrong visualise a positive outcome and focus on what you can do to ensure it runs smoothly. On the day nerves can conspire to make you think that the room is against you but this isn't the case. Remember that your tutor and your coursemates want you to succeed. To set your presentation up for success make sure your introduction is strong. Start with a confident attitude and a smile. Don't rely on technologyWe've all witnessed the agony of a presenter struggling with a faulty USB stick or failing to get a projector to work. However, with a little bit of planning, you can minimise the risk of technology tripping you up. If possible, test your presentation beforehand with the same equipment that you'll be using for the real thing. Otherwise, try to arrive early on the day and have a run through. Make sure you know how to link your laptop to the projector and if your presentation includes links to web pages or video clips make sure these lead to the right places and are working beforehand. Bring back-ups of your documents and print out a few copies of the slides to share if things go wrong. However, you shouldn't rely too heavily on your slides. Always be ready to give your presentation without them if necessary, using your notes or index cards as memory aids. And if a piece of technology does fail, don't panic. It will happen to everyone in the room at some point. Get through it without being fazed, and it might even impress your tutor more than if everything went perfectly. Find out more
What is the first step in designing an effective presentation?First, identify you purpose, and what you want the audience to believe or do so that you can aim the entire presentation toward your goal. Second, know your audience so that you can adjust your message and style to know to its knowledge and needs.
What is the first step in planning a presentation quizlet?The first step in planning a presentation is to analyze the audience. Using an object that is passed among the listeners as a visual aid works well when the audience is large.
What is the first step in the aim planning process?“Analyze” is the first and most important step in our strategic planning process. This is where we evaluate and assess all of your resources, assets and financial structure.
Which of the following is the purpose of the introduction to an oral presentation?When giving an oral presentation, the most important part of your entire presentation is the introduction. This is where you 1) capture your audience's interest, 2) give them a context for your work, 3) pose your central question, problem, or issue, and 4) offer the most concise answer or argument you can give.
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