Presentations: secret no. 1

Along with many people these days, this is not my first career. Until eight years ago, for me the only business was ‘show business’.  For ten years I lived in a world full of sparkle, actors, directors and, yes, a fair few egos.

I spent those years in the dark watching others perform, I was a stage manager and enjoyed being behind the scenes.  The thought of running my own business and putting myself centre stage filled me with fear, yet I knew it was a great way to grow.

Today, I train people in presenting and, always remembering that it is a step by step process, if I can go from being scared of public speaking to loving it, then you can too.

So, how can you start now to take your presentations to the next level? My number one secret has the potential to turn all your presentations around.  Shared with all my clients be they seasoned professionals or newbie presenters and so simple that many over look its power. "What is it?"  I hear you cry!  Simply ask your audience what they want and then give it to them.

Simple yes, but so rarely used! Far too many speakers have their content rehearsed and prepared, which is great, but when they were booked or asked to present did they ask that magical question: “What do you want your audience to walk away with?”, or “What are your audience expecting?”, or, even better, if the person you are speaking to is a member of the audience, “What do you specifically want to gain from this session?”

If this question isn’t asked then you could be delivering brilliant content to an audience who wanted something totally different. 

Ask people what they want and then give it to them.

At the Big Ideas Collective we love to talk and best of all we like to talk face to face. More memorable than a video or online chatter, improve the way you personally communicate with colleagues and clients and make the most of all your opportunities.