Effective Speaking
[
Rebecca Ezekiel
Step-by-Step – The Five “W”s
The keys to planning an effective presentation
Preparation is the perfect way to minimize nervousness and maximize confidence before a presentation. To prepare thoroughly, think in terms of the five W’s: why, who, where, when and what.
Why am I speaking?
What is your objective in this presentation? Is it to inform, persuade, motivate or explain? Are you selling a product, promoting an idea, sharing financial results, appealing to investors or training your staff? Although many professional techniques apply to every kind of presentation, the style of presenting may vary according to your purpose. Ask yourself how you will judge the success of your presentation. Do you need audience members to order a product, get excited about a proposal or acquire a skill? In other words, what is your goal in this presentation?
Who is my audience?
Ideally, your presentation should be customized to the needs of your audience members. At an individual level, each attendee has his or her own interests, values and expectations; at a group level, they are all present for a purpose, which you must fulfill. Tailor your presentation to meet their specific needs.
If you are speaking to an internal audience from your own company, you may already know the audience members. Nevertheless, check in advance who will be attending.
If you are speaking to an unknown audience, try to find out as much information as possible in order to build a strong audience profile. Take into account who will be attending in terms of gender, age, rank, profession, background, and cultural background. Such information will provide you with valuable insights to personalize your presentation, and make it less generic. Audience members can tell when you have taken the time and trouble to do so, as opposed to delivering a standard presentation with no specific effort to connect with them as human beings. Value the opportunity to make a memorable impression on your
Rebecca Ezekiel
Step-by-Step – The Five “W”s
The keys to planning an effective presentation
Preparation is the perfect way to minimize nervousness and maximize confidence before a presentation. To prepare thoroughly, think in terms of the five W’s: why, who, where, when and what.
Why am I speaking?
What is your objective in this presentation? Is it to inform, persuade, motivate or explain? Are you selling a product, promoting an idea, sharing financial results, appealing to investors or training your staff? Although many professional techniques apply to every kind of presentation, the style of presenting may vary according to your purpose. Ask yourself how you will judge the success of your presentation. Do you need audience members to order a product, get excited about a proposal or acquire a skill? In other words, what is your goal in this presentation?
Who is my audience?
Ideally, your presentation should be customized to the needs of your audience members. At an individual level, each attendee has his or her own interests, values and expectations; at a group level, they are all present for a purpose, which you must fulfill. Tailor your presentation to meet their specific needs.
If you are speaking to an internal audience from your own company, you may already know the audience members. Nevertheless, check in advance who will be attending.
If you are speaking to an unknown audience, try to find out as much information as possible in order to build a strong audience profile. Take into account who will be attending in terms of gender, age, rank, profession, background, and cultural background. Such information will provide you with valuable insights to personalize your presentation, and make it less generic. Audience members can tell when you have taken the time and trouble to do so, as opposed to delivering a standard presentation with no specific effort to connect with them as human beings. Value the opportunity to make a memorable impression on your