Hello all,
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Pitching a 'corporate style' presentation.
- Thread starter ep1x
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killerkeith
Well-known member
Practice the pitch on as many people who will listen. Listen to their feedback.
Know what ... Don't sweat it. Make sure you have all your materials organized and ready, and have written point-form notes outlining what you want to say for each sheet (unless the sheet itself makes it obvious). If you know the subject matter and you have done a professional job of the powerpoint presentation (which I presume you have taken the time in advance to prepare and critique on your own), then talking about it shouldn't be a problem.
This is not like high school or university where you're being graded. I hated those and never did that well. In the real world, managers and engineers care about the facts and figures more than your old English teacher did, and care less about whether you've followed all of the rules that your old English teacher would have wanted.
DO make sure you've zapped all of your typos and grammatical errors, and DO make sure the numbers add up correctly, where applicable. You're not going to get a failing grade because of a typo or two that you miss (because it happens to everyone, including the people that you will be presenting to).
Also wherever applicable, point-form bullet points are more effective than a wall of text. Keep it short, keep it simple and understandable. You can talk about each point in more detail where applicable - the bullet-point will remind you what to say, if you know the subject matter - but the video presentation need not include so much detail.
Good luck. Been there many times myself. I've survived.
This is not like high school or university where you're being graded. I hated those and never did that well. In the real world, managers and engineers care about the facts and figures more than your old English teacher did, and care less about whether you've followed all of the rules that your old English teacher would have wanted.
DO make sure you've zapped all of your typos and grammatical errors, and DO make sure the numbers add up correctly, where applicable. You're not going to get a failing grade because of a typo or two that you miss (because it happens to everyone, including the people that you will be presenting to).
Also wherever applicable, point-form bullet points are more effective than a wall of text. Keep it short, keep it simple and understandable. You can talk about each point in more detail where applicable - the bullet-point will remind you what to say, if you know the subject matter - but the video presentation need not include so much detail.
Good luck. Been there many times myself. I've survived.
Our Power Point presentation is currently being designed by our graphic designer (friend who has a % in this idea). We're going to have everything in point-form, where we can elaborate on each point, while 'painting a picture' through the presentation from beginning to end.
Writing everything on Qu cards is a good idea.. I was thinking of buying a laser pointer and placing it on certain important points during the presentation.
This may sound weird. But if you are a smoker like myself, dont have a ciggarette at all the day of the presentation until after its done. I find when I smoke before a presentation I get jittery and lose focus. When i don't smoke before a big presentation it works miracles for my nerves and I present 100 times better.
OpenGambit
Banned
Watch some dragon's den
I am not really joking.
I am not really joking.
Oh and do practice with loved ones. You will feel awkward and stupid the whole time but it really does help. You will come up with more engaging phrases and can use the good ones where it counts. And make it flow well. Each point should tie seemlessly in to the next.
I talk to rooms full of 2-300 students two to three times a day every day and I remember the first time I did this. I've also given business pitches to pharmaceutical companies so I know what you're going through.
Speak slowly, don't underestimate how speech rate can make a talk look polished. Watch any presidential speech and listen to how slowly the speech rate is. Nerves make you speed up, also enthusiasm can do the same when answering a question...be measured and calm. Calm conveys trust.
Breathe...it's part of the above.
Do you know the set up of the room you'll be talking in? Can you practice in there? Familiar surroundings can help. I had to give a presentation to a bunch of faculty a week or so ago and I thought it was only going to be 4-5 people, it ended up being to 20+ in an amphitheater type room which was not what I was expecting. Will you be able to see your laptop screen? If so use the notes function of PowerPoint to add some key words to keep you on track, theres also a timer function on there in case you have a limit. Make sure you use extended desktop and not duplicate screen for this. You'll see what I mean in your practice. Don't talk to the projector screen...always talk to your audience.
Less is more with powerpoints. Your talk fills in the gaps, don't read from the slide...your audience can read. Make copies of the slides available for people to make notes on. End with a bang not a whimper....have a punchy summary slide they will remember. Anticipate a few key questions and have PowerPoint slides ready to answer them with (not handed out or part of the presentation), that makes you look totally prepared. If you use a laser pointer be careful, it shows up the shakes if you're nervous. Practice with it and keep it smooth. Use it to circle key items, you can use 2 hands to keep it steady. Don't wave it around willy nilly, again, less is more. Consider getting one that advances the slides too, it means you don't have to interrupt your flow and you can keep your eyes on your audience.
Make eye contact with everyone in the room at some point during the talk. Avoiding eye contact does the opposite of building trust.
Do you know if you have a speech inflection or a habit such as a particular hand motion? If so, consciously try to subdue it or the room will remember that and perhaps not your pitch. You'll find this out in the practice. If you can't practice in front of a friendly bunch beforehand video yourself.
Relax.....if you have done your work, and you've practiced you will probably be the most experienced person in the room on the topic you're talking about. If you do get asked a question that you don't know the answer to try to turn it into something positive but don't ********. If you get caught in a lie you are sunk. A good answer to a hard question is honesty and a little elaboration like " thats an excellent question, no, we haven't actually done x yet but we did try y with the following results.
If you want a lot more practice at public speaking join your local Toastmasters organization.
Speak slowly, don't underestimate how speech rate can make a talk look polished. Watch any presidential speech and listen to how slowly the speech rate is. Nerves make you speed up, also enthusiasm can do the same when answering a question...be measured and calm. Calm conveys trust.
Breathe...it's part of the above.
Do you know the set up of the room you'll be talking in? Can you practice in there? Familiar surroundings can help. I had to give a presentation to a bunch of faculty a week or so ago and I thought it was only going to be 4-5 people, it ended up being to 20+ in an amphitheater type room which was not what I was expecting. Will you be able to see your laptop screen? If so use the notes function of PowerPoint to add some key words to keep you on track, theres also a timer function on there in case you have a limit. Make sure you use extended desktop and not duplicate screen for this. You'll see what I mean in your practice. Don't talk to the projector screen...always talk to your audience.
Less is more with powerpoints. Your talk fills in the gaps, don't read from the slide...your audience can read. Make copies of the slides available for people to make notes on. End with a bang not a whimper....have a punchy summary slide they will remember. Anticipate a few key questions and have PowerPoint slides ready to answer them with (not handed out or part of the presentation), that makes you look totally prepared. If you use a laser pointer be careful, it shows up the shakes if you're nervous. Practice with it and keep it smooth. Use it to circle key items, you can use 2 hands to keep it steady. Don't wave it around willy nilly, again, less is more. Consider getting one that advances the slides too, it means you don't have to interrupt your flow and you can keep your eyes on your audience.
Make eye contact with everyone in the room at some point during the talk. Avoiding eye contact does the opposite of building trust.
Do you know if you have a speech inflection or a habit such as a particular hand motion? If so, consciously try to subdue it or the room will remember that and perhaps not your pitch. You'll find this out in the practice. If you can't practice in front of a friendly bunch beforehand video yourself.
Relax.....if you have done your work, and you've practiced you will probably be the most experienced person in the room on the topic you're talking about. If you do get asked a question that you don't know the answer to try to turn it into something positive but don't ********. If you get caught in a lie you are sunk. A good answer to a hard question is honesty and a little elaboration like " thats an excellent question, no, we haven't actually done x yet but we did try y with the following results.
If you want a lot more practice at public speaking join your local Toastmasters organization.
hold direct eye contact with the audience, rotating between each person periodically (10 seconds or so)- its something some people don't think about, and something that shy people especially have a problem with...i'm by no means a public speaking expert but my managers have sent me to a few presentation courses and this was one of the things i remembered to keep note of.
this of course does not apply to large audiences, but since you have a few notable members in your audience, you will project yourself to be more personable as well as confident.
your slides - NEVER READ off of them...any idiot can read...points should be short and concise, you need to elaborate on the points. They're there for your expertise, not to read a report...everything elsei think other people have already explained.
this of course does not apply to large audiences, but since you have a few notable members in your audience, you will project yourself to be more personable as well as confident.
your slides - NEVER READ off of them...any idiot can read...points should be short and concise, you need to elaborate on the points. They're there for your expertise, not to read a report...everything elsei think other people have already explained.
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No coffee either
Just remember you know more about what you are presenting that they do, so go in with confidence. I do on average 10 presentations a week and some are for really huge clients. It is all about presentation, dress good, be outgoing, use ur hands, look them in the eyes, get ur point across. And don't use a mono-voice, you will bore them out in 10 minutes. It is not a school lecture, if you notice they are wandering off, checking their phones it means you are losing them. If it is your first time presenting, practice practice and practice. Don't put your hands in your pockets, and most important thing is relate to them, they are people just like you and me, they don't have an extra head or extra hands. They were in your place once upon a time, and by giving you an opportunity to present that means they already have some interest.
Best of luck dude, knock em dead, and regardless win or lose don't let it bring you down, never take rejection personal it is just a part of the business world.
Cheers,
Nas
Best of luck dude, knock em dead, and regardless win or lose don't let it bring you down, never take rejection personal it is just a part of the business world.
Cheers,
Nas
He needs help with confidence, nice job.
MAKE SURE THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Worrying about you is one thing, but if you can't display the presentation, what is your plan(don't have one? right?)
Who's equipment are you presenting on? Do you know anything about it?
What platform is the presentation equipment? Windows/MAC? What platform is the the presentation being built?? (graphic designer usually = MAC) there are incompatibilities and issues when this is done,,, yes, everyone will tell you "THIS IS CROSS-PLATFORM"
This is a lie!
Have your own equipment, Test the presentation on that equipment and make sure EVERYONE involved knows how things work.
Worrying about you is one thing, but if you can't display the presentation, what is your plan(don't have one? right?)
Who's equipment are you presenting on? Do you know anything about it?
What platform is the presentation equipment? Windows/MAC? What platform is the the presentation being built?? (graphic designer usually = MAC) there are incompatibilities and issues when this is done,,, yes, everyone will tell you "THIS IS CROSS-PLATFORM"
This is a lie!
Have your own equipment, Test the presentation on that equipment and make sure EVERYONE involved knows how things work.
The key to a good presentation is knowing your ****. Know it really good, if you don't know, don't ******** say you will look into it.
Here is something a friend of mine told me who is a wicked public speaker.
A person who isn't very good giving speeches/presentations is usually occupied or worried that his presentation is going good and that he is making a good imrpession up there.
A good presenter is usually worried about whether or not they have delivered all the information they wanted to clearly.
The first is worried about himself. The latter is worried for his crowd. Think on that.
Here is something a friend of mine told me who is a wicked public speaker.
A person who isn't very good giving speeches/presentations is usually occupied or worried that his presentation is going good and that he is making a good imrpession up there.
A good presenter is usually worried about whether or not they have delivered all the information they wanted to clearly.
The first is worried about himself. The latter is worried for his crowd. Think on that.
