How to prepare a presentation

Expert Academy (GLOBAL)

14 Sept 201604:01

Summary

TLDRThe video script advises against starting a presentation by immediately creating slides. Instead, it emphasizes beginning with a blank sheet of paper and identifying three key messages, as the brain can easily retain this number. These messages should focus on what the audience will take away and what benefits them. Examples, both rational (graphs, data) and concrete (relatable stories), build credibility. The script suggests avoiding clichéd introductions and using creative hooks to capture attention. Finally, the conclusion should reinforce the key messages, tying back to the introduction, before creating PowerPoint slides.

Takeaways

📝 Start with a blank sheet of paper and a pen to plan your key messages, not with PowerPoint slides.
🎯 Focus on identifying three key messages that you want your audience to remember.
🧠 The brain can easily retain three key points without much effort, making them more effective.
🤔 Consider what your audience wants to know: 'What’s in it for me?'
📊 Use rational examples like graphs, charts, and data to build credibility.
🧩 Concrete examples that relate to the audience's everyday life make your message more relatable.
📈 Rational examples, backed by research, help reinforce the credibility of your message.
🎬 For your introduction, avoid clichés like stating your name and topic; instead, use a hook to grab attention.
🔄 Close your presentation by restating your three key messages and linking back to your introduction.
💡 Only after completing this process should you start creating your PowerPoint slides.

Q & A

What is the common mistake people make when starting a presentation?
-Many people immediately open PowerPoint and start creating slides, but the correct approach is to first think about key messages on paper.
What should be the first step when preparing a presentation?
-The first step should be using a blank sheet of paper and pen to brainstorm the key messages you want to convey.
Why should you limit your presentation to three key messages?
-The human brain can easily remember up to three key messages without extra effort, making it more effective for the audience to retain the information.
How should you choose the three key messages for your presentation?
-Choose messages that answer the question: 'What do I want my audience to take home with them when they leave the room?'
What is a common question the audience has during a presentation?
-The audience often wonders, 'What is in it for me?' or 'Why am I listening to this?' They want to know how the presentation can benefit them.
What types of examples can you use to support your key messages?
-You can use rational examples like graphs, diagrams, and charts to build credibility, or concrete examples that relate to the audience's everyday situations.
Why do rational examples help build credibility?
-Rational examples are often based on research or data, which makes the audience more likely to trust the information presented.
What kind of concrete example does the speaker use to illustrate the link between body language and content?
-The speaker uses the example of a young boy saying 'I'm not mad!' to demonstrate the importance of matching body language with content.
What should you avoid when starting your presentation?
-Avoid cliché opening lines like 'Hello, my name is...' which can make the audience feel like they are in for a typical, unengaging presentation.
How should you end your presentation effectively?
-End by repeating your three key take-home messages without introducing new information. If possible, link your conclusion back to the introduction for a rounded, cohesive presentation.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Start with Pen and Paper, Not PowerPoint

When tasked with a presentation, many rush to PowerPoint, but the correct first step is to begin with a blank sheet of paper and a pen. Start by brainstorming your key messages instead of diving into slides. While you may feel compelled to share everything you know, focusing on three key messages is crucial, as it allows your audience to retain the information more effectively.

🧠 The Magic of Three Key Messages

The brain can comfortably process three key messages, so presenters should identify these crucial takeaways. These messages should answer the question, 'What do I want my audience to leave with?' Remember, the audience is also asking, 'What’s in it for me?' The key messages must address this concern, ensuring relevance to their needs.

📊 Using Examples to Enhance Credibility

To support your key messages, use a combination of rational examples, like graphs and charts, and concrete examples that resonate with the audience’s everyday life. Rational examples build credibility, while relatable examples make the information more memorable. For instance, citing research or using a personal story can add weight and relatability to your presentation.

🎯 Importance of Body Language

Body language plays a crucial role in communication. To illustrate this, one can provide credible research, like Dr. Mehrabian’s studies on nonverbal communication, or a concrete example, such as a child expressing emotion through body language. These examples demonstrate the need for alignment between spoken words and nonverbal cues.

🔑 Crafting a Strong Introduction

Avoid starting with clichéd introductions that make your audience tune out. Instead, use a hook that piques their interest, such as a question, quote, story, or personal anecdote. A strong start sets the tone for a memorable and engaging presentation.

🔄 Concluding with a Recap and a Full Circle

At the end of the presentation, summarize the three key messages without introducing new information. A clever technique is to reference the introduction in your conclusion, creating a sense of closure. Once this is done, only then should you start working on your PowerPoint slides, ensuring they serve your structured presentation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Key Messages

Key messages refer to the three primary points that a speaker wants their audience to remember. The speaker emphasizes the importance of limiting the number of key messages to three, as the human brain can easily recall this number without extra effort. The idea is to focus on the most important takeaways that will resonate with the audience, rather than overwhelming them with too much information.

💡Audience Perspective

The 'audience perspective' is the idea that the speaker must always consider what the audience is seeking from the presentation, asking the question, 'What’s in it for me?' This concept is key to ensuring that the presentation provides value and remains engaging. It's essential for the speaker to align their message with the needs and interests of the audience.

💡Examples

Examples are used to illustrate the speaker's key messages and can take two forms: rational examples (like graphs and charts) and concrete examples (stories or situations from everyday life). Rational examples help build credibility, while concrete examples make the content relatable for the audience. The speaker stresses that using a balance of both types can enhance the effectiveness of the message.

💡Introduction

The introduction is the opening part of the presentation, designed to grab the audience's attention. The speaker advises avoiding cliché introductions such as 'Hello, my name is...' and instead suggests using a 'hook' to captivate the audience. This could be a quote, question, or anecdote. The introduction is crucial for setting the tone and making the audience want to engage with the content.

💡Hook

A hook is an engaging element used in the introduction of the presentation to capture the audience's attention. It can be anything from a question, a quote, or a story that sparks curiosity. The purpose of the hook is to make the audience want to listen and learn more about what the speaker has to say. It's a way to break away from traditional, predictable openings.

💡Rational Examples

Rational examples are data-driven elements like graphs, charts, or statistics that lend credibility to the speaker’s argument. In the script, rational examples are used to back up claims, such as body language being important for success, supported by research from Dr. Mehrabian. These examples appeal to logic and help the audience trust the speaker’s information.

💡Concrete Examples

Concrete examples are real-life stories or situations that the audience can relate to directly. These examples make abstract concepts more tangible and memorable. In the video, the example of a boy saying 'I’m not mad!' is used to illustrate how body language must align with verbal communication to convey a message effectively.

💡Body Language

Body language refers to nonverbal cues, such as gestures, facial expressions, and posture, that convey a message in a presentation. The speaker mentions how crucial body language is in reinforcing the content of a presentation, and cites research to support this claim. It’s a key factor in how a message is received and interpreted by the audience.

💡Closing

The closing is the final part of the presentation where the speaker wraps up their points and reinforces the key messages. The speaker advises against introducing new information at this stage and instead encourages repeating the three main takeaways. A clever closing can also reference the introduction, creating a full-circle effect that ties the entire presentation together.

💡PowerPoint

PowerPoint is referenced as a common tool used for presentations. However, the speaker argues against immediately jumping into slide creation. Instead, they suggest first planning the content and structure of the presentation using pen and paper, focusing on key messages and examples before relying on visual aids like slides. PowerPoint should complement the presentation, not drive it.

Highlights

Begin by using a white sheet of paper and pen, not PowerPoint, to think about your key messages.

Focus on identifying three key messages, as the brain remembers three key points more easily.

Ask yourself, 'What information do I want my audience to take home?' when defining your key messages.

Your audience also asks, 'What is in it for me?' so tailor your content to address their needs.

Use rational examples like graphs, diagrams, and charts to build credibility.

Concrete examples that relate to the audience's everyday experience help them identify with your message.

Rational examples, backed by research, can enhance the credibility of your message.

A good example is Dr. Mehrabian's research on verbal and non-verbal communication to support the importance of body language.

A concrete example like a child saying 'I’m not mad' shows the link between body language and content.

Avoid cliché openings like introducing yourself and stating the topic immediately.

Use a 'hook' to grab the audience’s attention, such as a quote, story, or interesting fact.

Ensure your introduction makes the audience want to learn more, avoiding predictable lines.

To conclude, repeat your three key messages without introducing new information.

For a clever closing, reference your introduction at the end to make the presentation feel complete.

Only after developing your presentation's structure should you create your slides in PowerPoint.