As virtual assistants, we are often called upon to make presentations on behalf of our employers or clients. We must deliver persuasive, professional, and winning presentations that will impact the audience.
What Makes A Winning Presentation?
A presentation is a way to communicate with your audience, whether trying to inform, inspire or entertain.
There are different types of presentations, and the most effective way to deliver your message will depend on the kind of presentation you are giving. But what makes a winning presentation?
There is no one answer to this question, as what makes a winning presentation will vary depending on the audience. However, this blog will give you a few key elements that can make a presentation a success. So tune in and apply, maybe?
Tips To Make A Winning Presentation
Be Prepared
“If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail” Preparing for a Presentation is essential for making an impact in front of your audience. So here’s what you need to do to prepare:
- Do some research on your topic and come up with interesting facts and figures to share
- Draft your main points and rehearse your talk
- Make sure your slides are well-organized and easy to follow
- Practice speaking slowly and clearly, using strong gestures to keep your audience engaged
Know Your Audience
It’s also important to consider who will attend your presentation when preparing content. Research their backgrounds ahead of time and tailor the information accordingly so that it resonates with them more personally. Additionally, make sure to refrain from talking over people or assuming too much knowledge about a subject; keep things simple enough for everyone in attendance, no matter their level of experience with the topic.
Organize Your Content
This means breaking down all the topics you plan to cover into an outline with main points and sub-points. This makes it easier for you to structure your presentation, ensuring that each point flows logically from one to the next. Additionally, organizing your content ahead of time can help you practice delivering your presentation more efficiently and accurately.
Make It Visual
Visuals are essential for any good presentation since they can capture the audience’s attention and help them better understand the information presented. Adding visuals lets, you keep your audience engaged and makes it easier for them to remember and recall what they’ve learned afterward.
- Use pictures or videos in your presentation
- Use fonts that are easy to read
- Include graphs and charts to help illustrate your points
- Use a color theme that matches your presentation
- Use contrasting colors to make the texts readable
Websites that offer free PowerPoint templates
- Canva
- Google Slides
- Slides go
- Slides Carnival
Make It A Story
Another vital component is making your presentation a story rather than just a list of facts. Visualize the narrative you want to tell by creating an introduction, main points, and conclusion that all work together to help get your message across. Focus on making your story as captivating as possible by including interesting anecdotes or facts while also keeping it relevant to your
- Start your presentation with a story or anecdote that will capture your audience’s attention
- Make sure each point you make is tied back to the story you started with
- Engage your audience by asking them questions or inviting them to share their thoughts
- End your presentation with a solid call to action
Keep It Concise And Consistent
Your presentation should be as clear and concise as possible. Don’t put your whole script on the presentation.
1. Make sure each point is brief and concise, and use bullet points to highlight important information.
2. If you feel a certain point should be longer, turn it into a separate slide for your presentation
3. Make sure all of your visuals are consistent with one another
4. Keep transitions between slides as smooth as possible
Practice & Rehearse
Once you have organized your content and added visuals, it’s time to practice! Practicing beforehand allows you to work out any kinks in your delivery and give yourself time to become comfortable with the material so that when it comes time for presenting, you feel confident and prepared. Rehearsing also allows you to identify areas where there may be room for improvement so that you can adjust accordingly before showtime.
Delivery
In addition to following the guidelines above for creating a successful presentation deck, it is important to practice delivery skills before giving your presentation. This means rehearsing out loud before going in front of an audience so you can get comfortable with different timings and delivery styles. Additionally, try recording yourself so you can review areas where improvement might need improvement, such as speaking too quickly or not enunciating words properly. Lastly, be sure to practice speaking loudly enough so everyone in the room can hear clearly what is being said since no one wants a presenter who mumbles through their words!
Presentations are an effective way of delivering information while engaging with your audience in real-time. By considering who your audience is and understanding how best to organize and deliver content effectively, virtual assistants can create professional presentations that leave audiences feeling informed and inspired by what was presented! With these tips in mind for crafting presentations tailored specifically for audiences’ needs—and of course, some practice—presenters can ensure success no matter what situation they find themselves in!
