Sample of Leftbound report

Planning a Successful Presentation

Presenters realize the need to prepare for a successful presentation. Two areas of extensive preparation are the development of a thorough audience analysis and a well-defined presentation purpose.

Audience Analysis
The presenter must conduct a thorough audience analysis before developing the presentation. The profile of the audience includes the following demographics. Age Gender Education Ethnic group Marital status Geographic location Group membership

Given sufficient time, the presenter will research each of these areas carefully. Additionally, interviews with program planners and organization leaders will provide insight into the needs, desires, and expectations of the specific audience. Many successful presenters find it useful to arrive early to the presentation and meet participants as they enter the meeting room. Carefully planned questions can provide pertinent information needed to ensure a relevant presentation for the audience. Often presenters may begin the presentation with one or two directed questions to understand the profile of the audience. Knowing the audience is an important first step in preparing a successful presentation.

Purpose of the Presentation

After analyzing the audience profile, the presenter has a clear focus on the needs of the audience and then writes a well-defined purpose of the presentation. With a clear focus, the presenter confidently conducts research and organizes a presentation that is on target. The presenter remembers to state the purpose in the introduction of the presentation to assist the audience in understanding the well-defined direction of the presentation. kq