The most important 30 seconds of your presentation As it becomes - PDF document

The most important 30 seconds of your presentation As it becomes increasingly difficult for businesses to differentiate themselves from their com- petitors a presentation at a business event offers a fantastic opportunity to help you and your company stand out. Many presenters though overlook that the most important 30 seconds of their presentation is the first 30 seconds . During those first 30 seconds the audience are already deciding if they could work with you and your company. As demonstrated at the Olympics a strong start is vital to success. So make sure your first 30 seconds are well planned, well rehearsed and immediately cap- tures the imagination and attention of your audience. To help you here are some do's and don'ts for those first 30 seconds. I start with the don'ts as they are the ones you will see most often. What not to do in the first 30 seconds: 1. No excuses or apologies Far too many presenters at business events start their presentation with an excuse or an apology: 'I hope you can hear me as I've got a bit of a cold' 'Apologies but I only knew I was doing this yesterday’ ‘I’ll aim to keep it short’ (most people who say that overrun on their time) 2. No rambling So not this type of opening please: 'Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak to you on this lovely day when I’m sure many of you would much rather be outside than listening to me..…I’m so pleased that I was given this

opportunity and would like to thank everyone who made it possible including…..and wasn’t that a lovely breakfast we enjoyed and isn’t this a great venue….etc…etc… I think you get the point. 3. Aren’t we great So many presenters feel the need to spend the first few minutes talking about their company and /or themselves - is this really going to grab the attention of your audience? - I think not so don’t do it. Work on the basis that the audience aren’t interested in you or your company only what your product or service or idea will do for them. Top Tip - If you are to be introduced write the introduction and hand it to the event host to read out. This is the place to cover a brief summary of you and your company. 4. Don’t try to be funny.... Most people who start their presentation by trying to be funny usually aren’t, so no jokes or comical observations - you're not here to do stand up comedy you are here to present an idea or share your expertise etc.. 5. Don’t do a sound test.... ..by tapping on the microphone ...... 'Is it on?’ 'Can you all hear me ok?’ Check this before the audience arrive and trust it is still ok when you start. Top tip: most people who don't use a microphone thinking they can heard by everyone usually can’t, so if there is a mic use it. 6. Or fiddle around with the presenting equipment.... Make sure you check all the equipment before the audience arrives so you know how it all works and you are clear about: • Where you will be presenting from • How the seating will be laid out • Where the screen and projector will be • Is an audio system available (top tip - use a microphone if one is available - most people who think they can be heard without a microphone are usually wrong!) Here are several options for those vital opening 30 seconds: 1. Start with a bold statistic relevant to your subject 'This morning 54% of children went to school without eating any breakfast' 2. or a question ‘How many of you here today have checked your phone since you at down?’ 3. or a striking image ‘This is what happens when you don’t look after your customers’ 4. or a short - 30 second max - video ‘Here’s something you will find useful’ 5. or a summary

'Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Over the next 10 minutes I'm going to show you 3 easy and quick ways to make much more of your marketing activity and investment which you will easily be able to implement at little or no cost’ This opening tells the audience several things in one sentence : How long you are speaking for How many items you will cover A promise of free advice Its relevancy to your audience And the ease and cost of implementation A few thoughts and ideas about how to make best use of the first 30 seconds of your next presenta- tion. If you would like to discuss enhancing your presentation skills then please give me, Trevor Lee, a call on 07785 390717 or email me via trevor@trevorleemedia.co.uk. I work with groups of people from the same company or one to one with individuals, with each ses- sion designed to match you or your company’s presenting needs. Presenting is an increasingly invaluable business skill so make sure you are the best presenter in your sector and use presenting to help you stand out.