2. HOOK
Starting without a 'grab'
Fishing without a hook is pointless. So
too is a presentation without a 'grab'.
Therefore it's worthwhile starting with
an engaging story, fact or statistic.
Hold your audience in suspense or pose
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a question. Make sure your
hook is relevant and supports
your message.
3. RAPPORT
Rushing through with no rapport
Don't rush to get to the detail. Once
you've got your audience's attention,
develop rapport with them. Give
them insight into who you are, your
background and why you're passionate
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about your topic. Then unwrap
your intention, agenda and
the detail.
4. INTENTION
No clearly stated intention
A business presentation without a
clear intention is like a ship without
a rudder. Once you've cast your hook
and built rapport, articulate your
presentation's purpose, your main
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point and why your topic is
relevant to the audience.
5. EYE CONTACT
Losing eye contact with people
Poor eye contact with your audience
communicates lack of confidence,
uncertainty and mistrust. Research
indicates good eye contact ranks as
the most important component of a
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successful presentation. So
make the effort to maintain
eye contact.
6. SLIDES
Using busy slides
Slides with masses of boring text and
bullet points are an instant turn-off
for an audience. The content of each
slide should be uncluttered, bold
and contain no more than four bullet
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points. Don't be afraid to use a
single eye-catching visual on a
slide to support a point.
7. REHEARSAL
Not knowing the slide content
It's distracting for an audience when
a presenter constantly turns around
to look at slides on screen. If you've
rehearsed your presentation, you will
know what slides are coming up. As a
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result there will be no need
to lose eye contact with your
audience.
8. PROPS
Having no prop variation
If appropriate and depending on the
forum, use a variety of props in your
presentation. Use a whiteboard, flip
chart, powerpoint slides and physical
objects to communicate your message.
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This adds variety and helps
maintain audience attention.
9. VOICE
Using a monotonous voice
If you want your audience to lose
interest in what you're saying, present
in a monotonous voice! Make the effort
to vary your voice, change your pace
and pause every now and then. Alter
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your pitch and volume. This
will help you add emphasis to
your presentation.
10. MOVEMENT
Staying in one spot
A presenter who stays glued to one spot
is not as effective or engaging as one
who moves around while delivering a
message. Movement adds variety and
changes the dynamics of your delivery.
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It's a sure way to maintain
audience attention.
11. CALL TO ACTION
No clear call to action at the end
A business presentation with no clear
call to action at the end always feels
half-baked. Make certain your ending
is clear and you issue a strong call to
action. Your audience needs to know
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exactly what you want
them to do.