How should someone who is making a presentation treat their audience? Structure your presentation and never request more from your listeners than they can handle. Respect them – meaning you must never bore them. Be well prepared. It is necessary to rehearse, be able to use your remote control and know where the light switches are – these are the basics, according to the presentationmagazine.com website.
Structure it well
You must deliver your speech and presentation in a structured way. Keep your audience informed with what is going to come in next few minutes. Tell them at the very beginning what they are going to hear from you and what is in it for them. That is especially important when there are several topics in your presentation.
You don’t want them to be surprised to the point of becoming confused. Put up a slide with the title of the topic you are going to present next every time you change the subject. Wait a while, give your audience the time they need to digest that piece of information. Then go to the next slide and start talking about the topic.
Mutual respect
Your audience will follow you only if you are worth paying attention to. Respect ought to be mutual – never fail to be polite to the people who are listening to you. For example, that means you should recognize when they are bored by what you are telling them. It is your fault, so don’t blame it on them. Well, honestly, it may not be your fault, but it certainly is your responsibility to present your information in a way that is worth watching!
Timetable and agenda
An agenda and a splash screen help you inform your audience about what your speech will offer them. Align the expectations and mental place of your audience with what you are going to deliver.
Read more in What should be on your first slide and in our Presentation Skills section.
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