Last week, I was teaching a workshop about how to write effectively for presentations. In one of the exercises, I showed the group a slide that they had created about the benefits to potential clients of choosing their company. Trouble was, it was actually a features list, which isn't nearly as … [Read more...] about Features vs. Benefits: What’s the difference and why should you care?
What language are you speaking?
Last week I had a choice. Either I could accompany my sons on a Scout cabin-camping trip where I could experience them and their little buddies burping, farting, swearing and all the other things that teenage boys like to do, or I could take a solo trip to Montreal. Guess which one I did? I … [Read more...] about What language are you speaking?
What’s your Presentation Plan B?
If you've been presenting for any length of time, you've experienced some sort of technical glitch in your presentation. How presenters react to technical glitches is what separates the pros from the noobs! Have a Plan B for when things go south. Here are two examples of real-life presentation … [Read more...] about What’s your Presentation Plan B?
Nobody likes busywork and pointless tasks
Have you ever been assigned a task only to find out afterwards that there was no point to completing it? If you're a marketer or public speaker, you have to avoid the temptation to give your audience busywork disguised as something they need to do. Because when they find out what you've done, … [Read more...] about Nobody likes busywork and pointless tasks
The National Scout Jamboree is no place for a political rally
In my work as a presentation consultant, I always tell my clients is that they must consider the wants and needs of their audience. No matter what the goal of the presentation—whether it's to sell, persuade, inspire or teach—it's important that we tailor our speeches for each audience so that they … [Read more...] about The National Scout Jamboree is no place for a political rally
Best. PowerPoint. Ever.
A TED Talk slide deck is the antithesis of Death by PowerPoint. There are few (if any) bullet points, overly complicated slides, and speakers don't narrate what's on screen. Instead, the slides advance automatically behind the speakers and serve to enhance what they're saying, not act as a … [Read more...] about Best. PowerPoint. Ever.
Six ways to make a presentation more boring
Last month, I attended a session to learn more about a large project. The information the presenter wanted to convey was, by necessity, complicated. Unfortunately, the presenter made a number of gaffes that made the audience experience that much worse. Six ways to make a presentation more … [Read more...] about Six ways to make a presentation more boring
Voicemail 101: Three basic rules for success!
This article is not so much about presenting as it is about presenting one's self to others. I recently suffered through a poorly recorded voicemail that left me more confused than intrigued. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to go over the basics of how to leave a great phone message. #1: … [Read more...] about Voicemail 101: Three basic rules for success!