CREDIBILITY

Part Eight: Your Eighth Strategy on How to Give a Presentation

“How to give a presentation” Tip 8: Build Your Credibility

Blog Tip #6 and #7 discuss how to engage and hook your audience. Today’s blog ties your first chunk of your meeting/presentation/conversation together so that your listener(s) want to buy in. When you engage your audience and when you get your audience “hooked” (no desire to check email on cells/watches) you will build credibility.

With this blog – here are three considerations/tips on building your credibility… without appearing like you’re a pretentious braggart.

1. Write your own introduction for the introducer to read – if you are presenting a formal speech. Write it so that it’s clever, short, and sells you. Do not leave this introduction up to chance. Make it work for you. Call me if you want my help on constructing your beguiling intro!
2. Drop in an example that highlights your track record. Examples: your latest billion-dollar real estate venture, or your keynote in Hawaii to the Global Wealth Fund Association, or your recent IPO. You do NOT want to list these accolades about yourself; but sprinkle one in to make a point that relates to your message and listener(s).
3. Think in advance about what street cred would add to your message to that specific meeting/proposal/pitch. The best street cred is that which relates specifically to your audience. If you’re talking to bankers can you add something financial that your organization has been successful with? If you’re pitching an elevator construction company can you add a relevant story about your work with architects? Get industry specific.

Again, if the ship misses the harbor, it’s rarely the harbor’s fault.

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/