Less Is More

Part Three: Your Third Strategy on How to Give a Presentation

“How to give a presentation” Tip 3: Less data and more stories, metaphors, examples, quotes, analogies and humor.

Once you’ve answered the questions in Part One of this blog series and designed your Table of Contents in Part Two – you are now ready to create the body of your presentation.

You will spend most of your presentation time in the “body” of your speech. This is where you inform or persuade your buyers or colleagues or board of directors about your … let’s say – One-Year Strategy.

You notice that I’ve recommended less data. I’m not asking you to cut your feet off to fit into a short bed. Please share your data. BUT DON’T GET INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL unless this is a financial shareholder analyst situation (and there’s still room for what I want you to include – even in these types of speeches). Give your leaders an overview of the data with a promise to email a link or provide an appendix to be given as they exit.

What will make your presentation easier for you to share and will increase retention by your listeners is to add “the color” – stories, analogies, metaphors, – see list above. The rule here – all of this color must relate to your message. No dumb jokes please.

Stay tuned to additional blogs in this series on how to give a presentation and what to do next.

Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with organizations on how to communicate to make more money. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Read more at www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog/