Unlike the plot of a book or an exciting film, a presentation does not need an extensive run-up. If you do not want to lose the audience's attention too soon after the start of your presentation, then you had best begin as powerfully as possible. The right layout of your presentation helps you with this. You do that by immediately opening with the heart of your argument. The most important message, then.
Following a presentation strategy and a step-by-step plan (build plan) for PowerPoint ensures, on the one hand, that your audience is immediately drawn into the presentation. You answer their curiosity and immediately give them a reason to keep listening to what follows. On the other hand, you offer them a clear frame of reference for the rest of your story. After all, everything you tell after this will be directly related to that core message. As an alternative, you can open with a clear description of the problem statement. If this description is clear or dramatic enough, the audience will also be drawn into the presentation. It provides recognition ('as-is' situation) and gives a reason to keep listening for the solution.
The second important moment in your (PowerPoint) presentation is the closing. A moment that is unfortunately often forgotten, but your audience needs a clear conclusion to your story. This can be a repetition of the conclusion or, better still, a short summary of what you have discussed. Or as Piet Huysentruyt would say: "What have we learned today?".
Before you give the audience the chance to ask questions, you give a clear summary of your argument. What do you want the audience to remember of your presentation? With which message do you send the people home? Put these points (the take-aways) on the last slide of your presentation. These are of course once again the most important key points of your argument. Make sure it is no more than 3-5 points. The audience will not remember more. Also leave this slide on the screen when you move to the question round. You can refer to it while answering the questions. And the people who are a little less attentive have a meaningful slide on the screen to look at. The screen remains an important attention-grabber during the question round too.
So forget the long introduction and the weak closing. Begin every presentation as powerfully as possible and end convincingly. Give your audience something to remember.
Anyone can make a PowerPoint. But when your reputation, or that of your company, depends on it then you had better leave that to an expert. We look at the story, design, animations and transitions in PowerPoint and coach you in presenting.
Take a look at the possibilities for a company presentation, sales presentation, keynote or pitch presentation.
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