9 Tips For More Powerful Business Presentations

Michel Theriault​ ​Contributor ​AllBusiness

When delivering presentations to a general audience, senior _____________ [MANAGE] in your company, or even a
venture capitalist​, a ___________ [SUCCESS] presentation isn’t about the Po​werPoint slides​ you create – it’s about much
more than that.

These nine points will help you deliver a powerful presentation.

1. Establish Your _____________ [CREDIT] Right Up Front

Lets face it, your audience is more likely to listen to what you have to say if they know you are credible. And it’s not
about a ​lengthy intro​ with your career highlights.

Instead, ​whether​ giving a public presentation ​or​ an internal presentation, start your presentation by establishing credibility
before you give them information.

You can use a short story about your background related to the topic, share an experience that shaped the presentation or
conclusion, or even reveal other references that support your information and is directly related to what you are about to
tell them.

Make a point about establishing credibility -- don’t just hope it happens.

2. Include a Goal Early in the Presentation

If your audience knows the purpose of the presentation from the start, they are more likely to relate what you have to say
with that purpose as you present your material. This makes it easier at the end to get the action you want, whether it’s
funding​, approval to proceed with an initiative, to change their minds, or simply get __________ [AGREE] and
understanding.

It will also help you shape your presentation by focusing on that goal rather than straying from the primary purpose.

3. Use Supporting Material Liberally

Even if you establish your credibility, you also need to establish the credibility of what you say during your presentation.
Instead of just presenting the material, accompany it with _____________ [INFORM] that supports it and gives it
credibility. You don’t have to include it in your slides, but make sure it is in your speaking notes. For instance, you can
tell a story, give statistics, reference research, or even provide quotes from well-respected figures that support your
message.

And don’t be shy about ​addressing​ credibility. You can even say “you may be sceptical about this, but ...” or “I know this
is surprising, but ...”

4. Begin Separate Ideas with Powerful Quotations or Images

For more impact, introduce each separate topic or idea with a relevant quotation or full-screen image that ​evokes​ the topic
instead of using a title slide. Add a word or two about the topic if you have to, or simply say it out loud and let the quote
or image support it.
This gives your topic more impact since a strong quote or image will stick in their minds as they listen to the related
material. It also breaks up the presentation, particularly if you have no choice but to include material like sales graphs or
bullet points in your PowerPoint presentation.

5. Ask Thought-Provoking or Rhetorical Questions

An effective way to convey information is to ask a question first instead of launching into the presentation material. This
will get them thinking about the material in the context you want.

For instance, you could say “You might wonder why ...”; “When I started to look at this issue, I asked myself ...”; or
“How much longer should we ...?”

Be sure to consider your audience and the things they would wonder about, and phrase your questions so you answer
those things for them, while at the same time advancing your message and your goals for the presentation.

6. Make ​Startling​ Statements

Sometimes the best way to get attention about information you are presenting is to make startling statements. It gets their
attention and if you can back it up with your information, you will drive home your point.

If necessary, you can pull one fact out and use it, even if it isn’t your main point. It is simply a catalyst for your message.

7. Be Prepared for Difficult Questions

Questions may ​come up​ during your presentation or even at the Q&A session, so you need to be prepared for the most
difficult ones, particularly ones that may ​derail​ your presentation or subvert your goal. Since you should know your topic
and your audience, you should plan for these kinds of questions.

Consider all the objections the audience might have or questions they may raise about your points and information.
Include the most critical ones within your presentation to sideline objections, or be prepared to answer them when they
come up.

This can be as simple as being able to justify statements or address concerns about an approach from subject matter
experts like finance, IT, HR, etc., who may be part of your audience.

8. Have Your Own Questions Ready in Case Nobody Asks One

Regardless of whether you are doing a public presentation or a focused business presentation, you should leave time for
questions and answers at the end. If nobody asks a question, be prepared with your own questions that you can then
answer. Ease into them by saying something like “I’m usually asked…” or “One thing you might still be wondering about
is ...”

Of course, your questions should be directly related to getting your message across and achieving your goal, so use them
strategically. Even if you get questions, you can still use yours at the end of the Q&A.

9. Have a Second (Short) Closing After the Q&A

Just like an ​encore​ or a curtain call, you should include a short closing after the questions. This is the time to summarize
(again) and drive home your key messages and points, including your call to action.

If you need to, you can prepare a slide for this, but you should be able to do the final closing without a slide to support
you.