Presentation Preparation: 5 Questions That Build Confidence

Summary

In this video, Riaz discusses how to convey confidence while presenting without being pushy. He emphasizes the importance of adopting a service-oriented mindset, which is guided by 'empathetic curiosity.' Riaz shares five insightful questions to ask your audience before a presentation, helping you understand their needs and motivations. These questions help build strong connections and allow you to deliver tailored, impactful presentations. He highlights how the right preparation and mindset can transform your speaking approach, turning anxiety into confidence and ensuring your message resonates with the audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Confidence in presenting comes from focusing on service, not just selling a product or idea.
• 😀 Empathetic curiosity is a key mindset to prioritize the audience's needs over the presentation itself.
• 😀 Researching and asking the right questions before your presentation is crucial for understanding your audience.
• 😀 Asking open-ended questions helps build a relationship with your audience before presenting anything.
• 😀 The question 'What do you need right now that you don’t already have?' helps identify the audience's biggest pain points.
• 😀 Asking 'What if you did nothing, what would you miss out on?' helps reveal the audience's priorities and motivations.
• 😀 'What does your ideal scenario look like?' is key to understanding what transformation the audience seeks.
• 😀 'How would your reality change if you achieved this result?' helps you understand how your offering will improve their life.
• 😀 'How committed are you to creating this desired outcome?' gauges how serious and motivated the audience is to take action.
• 😀 Curiosity builds connection, and a strong connection enhances your confidence in delivering a powerful presentation.

Q & A

What is the main challenge when presenting with confidence without being salesy?

The main challenge is striking a balance between confidence and not coming off as pushy. If you focus too much on your own performance or product, your audience will feel like they’re being sold to.

What does 'empathetic curiosity' mean in the context of presentations?

'Empathetic curiosity' refers to the mindset of focusing on understanding your audience’s needs and motivations before delivering your message. It’s about putting service first and genuinely wanting to help.

How can asking questions help build a relationship with the audience?

Asking thoughtful questions shows the audience that you care about their needs and are focused on providing value. This builds trust and creates a stronger connection before you even start presenting.

Why is it important to research your audience before presenting?

Researching your audience ensures you understand their pain points, motivations, and goals, which allows you to tailor your message in a way that resonates with them and offers the most value.

What is the first question you should ask to understand your audience’s needs?

The first question is, 'What do you need right now that you don’t already have?' This helps you uncover the audience's current challenges and what they hope to achieve from your presentation.

How does the question 'What if you did nothing?' help understand the audience?

This question reveals the audience’s fear of missing out on future opportunities. It helps you understand their priorities and the stakes involved, which you can use to tailor your message.

What is the purpose of asking 'What does your ideal scenario look like?'

The purpose is to learn about the transformation the audience is hoping to achieve. It helps you understand their vision and how you might be able to help them reach their desired outcome.

Why should you ask 'How would your reality change if you achieved this result?'

This question allows you to connect the benefits of your offering to tangible changes in the audience's life. It helps them see the value of your solution beyond the features.

What is the significance of asking about the audience’s commitment to achieving their desired outcome?

By asking how committed they are to the desired outcome, you assess their level of dedication. This helps you determine how much effort they’re willing to put in, which can influence how you present your solution.

How do the five questions contribute to a successful presentation?

The five questions help build a strong connection with the audience by understanding their needs, motivations, and priorities. This allows you to present your solution in a way that feels relevant and valuable to them.