If you have to build a keynote presentation, or any presentation for a large audience, what are the key areas to focus on? Here’s some tips on story-telling and audience engagement.
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BUILDING THE OVERALL STORY
- Think of your presentation as a story. It can be hero/villian, preacher approach (tell, tell, tell), an analogy, partially educational. Lots of different approaches work.
- Put yourself in the audience’s shoes. Who are they? Would they want to hear your story?
- What does the audience get out of your talk?
THE KEY AREAS TO FOCUS ON
- Are you bringing the right level of energy for the room? Are you educating, or motivating, or introducing new ideas?
- Are you bringing empathy for your audience, or are you trying to portray confidence/leadership?
- Are you at the right level for the audience? Technical vs. Business. Prior knowledge required? What about a mixed audience?
- How are you interacting with the audience? Do they provide any feedback (raising hands, laughing at jokes, applause, etc.)?
- Plan for 2-3 minutes per slide. Try not to waste any slides.
- If you’re introducing new ideas, don’t make people listen AND read at the same time. Keep the visual simple and easy to view.
- “Sell” the important parts. Emphasize them. Alter the pace to ensure people get it.
- Use data (stats, graphs, charts) that make concepts easier to understand, or better emphasized.
- Use comparisons - especially with new ideas.
- Demonstrations can be valuable, but make sure it’s at the right level for the audience - and that it works (pre-recorded is an option)
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