How To Create a Knockout Presentation.

How many presentations did you sit through in the last 12 months? 

Was it 10, 20, over 40 perhaps? We are exposed numerous presentations every year. At work, conferences, organizations you’re involved with. Yes, slide deck presentations are the go-to communication medium in most organizations today.

Yet, how many of you walk out of a presentation inspired to take an action? How many presenters left you wanting more? My guess is that you can probably count them with the fingers on one hand and you’d have a tough time remembering any details from their slides. 

You likely, however, remember how the presenter made you feel. Maybe they told a great story that you relate to. Maybe research findings were presented in such a way that the visualization of the impact blew you away. Or, perhaps the person had so much energy that it was infectious. 

Turn Your Computer Off When Preparing Your Presentation.

Here’s the deal. Anyone can create a presentation. Simply open a software program and begin creating slides, right? My eight year old twins, who are in grade 3 handed in their first PowerPoint presentations for a class assignment this year!

However, just because you can click a button to open presentation software, doesn’t mean that’s how you should start. Especially if you want to create a story that moves your audience to take an important action. What I’ve learned over the years, is that you should begin creating a presentation as far away from your computer as possible.

The next time you need to create a presentation, I want to challenge you to think differently about it. How great would you feel knowing that you involved your audience in a way that they didn’t expect? How would you feel to knock the socks off your boss, peers, or even customers by connecting and engaging them in your presentation? 

I would love to see more people become confident and inspiring presenters. I have committed myself over the last 10 years to improving this skill. I’ve read many books, delivered many presentations, and even screwed a few up during my transformative journey from a mediocre presenter to an inspiring presenter. I’m not there yet, but I feel I’m getting closer.

In this article, I’ve put together 10 easy to execute steps that have helped me create the best presentations I have ever delivered. I am certain that they will help you too!

1.     Determine Your Goal. 

It is that simple. What is your main purpose? Are you preparing this presentation to:

• Summarize findings from a research study
• Communicate strategic plans & priorities for the year ahead
• Inspire your team to take an action
• Teach something new

You get the picture. With a clear and concise goal, you will be better positioned to craft a focused message for your audience. One trick that I use is to be clear on where the audience is today and where you want them to be after your presentation. 

2.     Understand Your Audience.

How well do you understand your audience? Try to envision yourself in their shoes. Develop deep empathy for what they are thinking or worrying about. We must understand the emotional state of the audience in order to connect with them. When you convey understanding for an audience through language or common beliefs/stories, you instantly earn their attention. They may think “Hey, how’d they know that? It’s exactly how I feel!” Powerful things happen when an audience feels that they have something in common with the presenter.

3.     Identify Your Core Message.

You may assume that your core message is similar to your goal, but they are different. Your core message is the overarching theme. It’s what matters most to your audience. Think of it this way. What is the one thing people will remember when they walk out of the room? 

If your goal is to “inspire your team”. You core message may be that “there are ordinary people all around us doing amazing things. Sometimes we just need to stop and notice our neighbours.” Delivering this core message throughout your presentation, with examples (stories, images, videos, etc.) will enable you to achieve your goal. Can you see how this core message will echo through a presentation?

4.     Brainstorm Ideas

Don’t turn on your computer just yet! Now is the fun part. Get yourself some sticky notes and start brainstorming ideas about your topic and core message. These could be facts, charts, graphs, ideas, and so on. Anything goes at this point. You can do this alone, or with a team. Just remember to not filter or limit what comes to mind. You will edit later.  

5.     Consolidate  

With your sticky notes ‘neatly’ displayed all over your desk, table, window, wall, whiteboard, or whatever your canvas may be, you will begin to see patterns. Now is the time to cluster your sticky notes. Look for similar ideas or themes and try to create three to four clear categories that support your core message. Ideally, your groups will begin to form a story line. Perhaps, a beginning (current state, problem identification), middle (ideal future state, possible solutions), and conclusion (path to resolve problem, clear call to action). 

 6.     Create your visuals.

Now you can begin to turn some of your words or ideas into pictures, diagrams, charts or videos. Draw it out on paper first. What type of data would a graph need to show to enhance your idea? What response / reaction / emotion would an ideal image need to evoke? What is the best diagram to show the relationship between A, B, and C? If you know what you are trying to go after, then you can create the business requirements and begin to build it. At the end of this process you will be left with a storyboard. Congratulations, your presentation is now starting to come together on paper.

7.     Build the presentation.

Now you can return to your keyboard. That’s right. You don’t begin using presentation software until you reach step seven! Power up whatever presentation creation software you choose and begin creating your slides. 

You’ll want to create slides that convey the most important 1-2 main points only. It is too confusing to show your audience complex charts and graphs with multiple data points. That’s not a presentation. Densely packed slides are what Nancy Duarte calls a ‘Slidedoc’. Feel free to read up here. You want to rely less on slides and more on your key messages during your presentation. Use the KISS (Keep It Simple Silly) philosophy when you are at this stage.

8.     Edit. Edit. Edit.

This phase will take some time, but it is a critical step. If you skip this step, you run the risk of delivering a presentation that does not connect with your audience. In other words, a presentation that fails to achieve its goal.

You need to be realistic and stay true to your core message. Each slide counts. Remember, you are trying to move your audience towards a new state of understanding. So don’t confuse them with too much detail per slide and fancy graphics. 

Remember, YOU will move your audience to action, not your fancy slides. 

Also, take a moment to review step two: your audience and three: core message again and ensure that each slide aligns with your focus. If a slide does not ladder up to your goal and core message, then remove it or change it.

9.     Rehearse. A LOT.

Many of us focus on the presentation creation process and don’t leave enough time to rehearse.  I’ve been there.  I can’t stress how important rehearsing your presentation is. Whether it’s a formal presentation with you at centre stage or a presentation around a table of internal clients, all your hard work will fall flat if you do not know your material. Run through your presentation at least six to ten times. It may feel weird at first to be speaking to yourself, but your confidence will quickly increase and you will work out all the kinks ahead of time. 

Never turn your back to your audience; you must know the material without looking at your slides. As a presenter, it is your job to be the tour guide as you take the audience along with you on an adventure. Think about your presentation as a conversation with your audience. Engage them with questions and stories. You wouldn’t turn your back on a friend would you?

10. Deliver With Energy.

It’s almost show time.  If you’re nervous, don’t worry. That’s normal and a good thing. It shows you care and want to do a good job.  I’ve found that the best way to reduce nerves is to ensure you’re prepared. If you have put in the time and effort to prepare ahead of time, once you get going, instinct will take over and you will be fine.

Another tactic that I use is to arrive early, test out the equipment, and speak with your audience as they enter the room. Establishing some contact with audience members before I begin speaking, usually helps relax my nerves. 

The audience wants you to succeed. You will see the smiles on their faces once you begin…you are no longer a stranger, you’re a friend.

No Presentation Is Too Small. Embrace Each Opportunity.

So there you have it. A simple 10 step formula to really crush it at your next presentation. I think you’ll agree that these steps are familiar, but often forgotten. If you follow them, then you will no longer be part of the dozens of boring presentations that so many of us are forced to suffer through. Be memorable, leave a mark on your audience. Inspire them! 

I hope you’ve learned something new from my post about presentations. Is there anything I missed? If you have an opinion, then let’s keep the conversation going. Simply leave your feedback below or drop me a line at [email protected]. I’d love to learn how you prepare engaging presentations. Also, if you are interested in learning more, please pick up Nancy Duarte and Garr Reynold's books. They are excellent resources for creating and delivering engaging presentations!

If you liked this article and my Slideshare, please give it a thumbs up and share it with your network on LinkedIn, Twitter, G+, Medium, or Facebook.  I truly appreciate your support!