Presentation Pro Tip 013 - Focus on Your Message
Above all else, center your message
Presenters often fall into the trap of talking about themselves rather than their idea.
We recently saw a presentation over Zoom. In addition to the email with the presenter's bio, the host gave a long verbal introduction. Then, the presenter spoke about themself at length and a little bit about their organization.
It was 12 minutes into the presentation before the speaker got to the content. Even after the content began, the presenter kept talking about themself.
People pay the most attention to a speaker at the beginning of their presentation. The first words you say in your presentation ought to be your big idea. Your big idea is the one thing you want your audience to remember.
Do this instead
This is a great example of beginning a presentation: “I am Kevin Holliday, and I am thrilled to be speaking with you today. I want to tell you how our widgets will enhance your life.”
Let's break down those two sentences.
“I am Kevin Holliday…”
This is the only intro you need to give.
We have seen people give their complete credentials and a resume summary, even in internal meetings, and we watch the audience tune out. If someone is interested in your bio, they will have looked it up in advance. If you plan to talk about yourself, do so at the very end of your talk.
“...and I am thrilled to be speaking with you today.”
This is your first opportunity to connect with the audience. You want to make the audience feel important and acknowledge how much you value the audience's time and attention.
“I want to tell you how our widgets will enhance your life.”
Remember your essays in high school? Remember your English teacher telling you that your thesis needs to be in one sentence and it should come at the beginning? Your teacher was right, and presentations are no different. The very beginning of your presentation is your best chance to get your crucial idea implanted in their minds.
Once a staff member attended a conference, the keynote speaker's first line was very memorable. It came after a five-minute summary of her bio read by one of the conference organizers. The speaker said something along the lines of, “I find that the speaker's importance is inversely proportional to the length of their bio. For example, when the leader of the free world speaks, his introduction is simply, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.’” The conference was 20 years ago, and we wish we knew the speaker's name or even what she talked about, but that's all the staffer could recall.
Keep it short and get to your point
If someone is introducing you, cut your bio to the bare minimum or waive the reading altogether. If you are introducing yourself, say your name and how excited you are to have this audience's attention, and then immediately state your big idea.
If you would like help with your presentation delivery, please let us know. We will be happy to help.