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Guide for Handling Questions after a Presentation

October 19, 2017 - Dom Barnard

The questions at the end of a presentation can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. However, questions form an important part of the presentation for the whole audience as they allow for clarification and consolidation of learning.

The presenter can enhance the usefulness of the question and answer session by treating it as a formal part of the presentation that requires as much careful planning and control as the delivery of the core material.

Identify possible questions and scope in your preparation

The background work that you undertook whilst planning your presentation is the key to handling questions effectively and understanding what  type of audience  you’ll be faced with. If you have defined a focus for your presentation and have explored this thoroughly in your research and planning, you are more likely to be able to confidently respond to questions.

When planning your presentation, you will need to prepare prompts for questions that are open and straightforward, for example saying “That’s the end of my presentation. I’ll be taking questions for the next 10 minutes”.

You might also want to define topics for discussion before taking questions, by stating the areas you’re willing to field questions in. Your preparation will help you identify topics you are not confident with and want to avoid in the questioning.

Set some rules for asking questions

At the start of your presentation, make it clear when you would prefer to deal with questions – as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

If you leave questions until the end, plan to leave plenty of time for questions so that the audience doesn’t feel rushed.

Framework for responding to questions

Answering questions under pressure can make you say things you shouldn’t have – the nerves can force you to give an inappropriate response. In your panic you might have misinterpreted the question or given away company information that was sensitive. Use the following framework to help you respond effectively to your audience.

Practice answering AI-generated questions on your speech or presentation with  VirtualSpeech .

1. Listen to the whole question

You don’t have to answer a question immediately. Pause for a few seconds,  actively listen  to all parts of the question and think about the best way to answer.

Frequently questions can change direction at the last moment, particularly if the questioner is thinking on their feet. This can throw you if you have already started to prepare an answer. Remember that questioners will frequently try to make a point whilst asking their question – it’s therefore important to both hear the content of the question and try to decipher the questioner’s intention.

2. Understand the context

If you are worried that you haven’t understood a question, ask them to clarify what they mean. Check for confirmation by paraphrasing the question back to the questioner – “You want me to list the improvements of X?”.

3. Involve the whole audience

It is important to remember that even though you are taking a question from one member of the audience, you are still responsible for the interest of the other audience members. This is particularly important in large groups as the audience will become bored if the presentation descends into a series of one-to-one discussions.

To involve the rest of the audience, make sure the whole audience has heard and understood the question by repeating it or paraphrasing it to the audience.

4. Respond concisely

When you reply to a question, direct your answer to both the questioner and other members of the audience. Try to keep your responses as focused as possible, leaving space for other questions. To avoid going into too much detail, check back with the questioner to see if you have answered their query – “Does that answer your question in enough detail?”.

We’ll cover different ways to respond in a later section.

5. Allow follow-up questions via email

You can also encourage your audience to ask questions after the event has finished by providing your email address. This shows a high level of respect for your audience and implies that the topic still has much further scope for enquiry.

Two good resources for handling questions

• What’s the art of answering a tricky question?
• Dodging the Question

Practice Answering Questions

Practice answering questions after your presentation using a 4 step process. Learn More

Options for answering the question

There are five possible choices depending on how well you understand and can answer the question. It’s okay to say that you don’t know the answer to something. This can add to your credibility instead of trying to waffle through an answer you don’t really know.

If you have a good answer for the question from the audience, go ahead and answer it in a short and clear message.

Ask a question back the audience member, such as “Can you clarify what you mean by that”. You can also attack the question if it is not related to the issue, factually inaccurate, personal or based on false assumptions. Be careful with this method.

Ask the question back to the audience or pass it to another panel member if possible. If suitable, another technique is to imply the question has been asked already, with you stating you don’t want to cover old ground.

Tell the audience member you will talk to them after the event. This gives you more time to think of a good answer and there is less pressure to give a perfect answer.

Or mention that that point is coming up in a slide.

This involves answering the question but changing the subject. You can also give a partial answer or give a negative answer, saying that something else will happen instead.

Avoid answering questions that fall outside of the remit of your talk: “I’m afraid that really falls outside of my objectives for today’s presentation. Perhaps we can resume discussion of that particular point later?”

Diagram Explained : Once you receive a question, you’ll have a few moments to think about it and reframe it in a way that makes sense to you. This will give you five choices on how to react – you can answer, reflect, deflect, defer or change the scope of the question. Once you’ve answered concisely, you can then follow up to check if the person asking the question is satisfied and then continue with the presentation.

Strategies to use when struggling to answer

Here are some strategies to use when you are struggling to answer the question posed to you. For more information, read this article on  Dodging the Question .

• Acknowledge the question without answering it – “That’s a good question, let’s consider the impact by looking at…”
• The question fails to tackle the important issue.
• The question is based on a false assumption.
• The question is factually inaccurate.
• The question is too personal or objectionable.
• Decline to answer. Refuse to answer on the basis that it is not your area of responsibility or it is sensitive company information – “You will have to ask [name] because I wasn’t involved in that particular project.”
• Partial answer
• Start to answer but change the subject
• Negative answer. You state what won’t happen instead of what will happen
• Answer a similar question
• State or imply the question has already been answered – “We’ve already covered that topic”

Things to avoid

When handling questions and answers, you will still need to be as professional as you have been for the main delivery of your presentation. There are some common dangers to avoid.

Answering the question you wished you’d been asked

A common trick played by politicians, this strategy ignores the precise nature of the question and uses a predetermined answer to the broad topic area. If handled poorly, this technique is very obvious to the audience and frustrating to the questioner.

Giving a lengthy response

This is the process whereby you make a lengthy response, including all the information you’d left out in planning the main presentation. Your unplanned response will be unstructured and rambling, so keep things focused and brief. If you find yourself rambling, ask them to talk to you after.

Passing the blame

Passing the blame to others comes across as weak and evasive. If an idea from the audience is a good one, acknowledge its value. If it isn’t, make a polite rebuttal and move on.

Defensive answers

Occasionally, questions can really put you on the spot, but it is important to remain calm and in control. An aggressive or defensive reply will be seen as weakness on your part and will spoil the effect of an otherwise successful presentation.

Handling difficult questions

It is important not to start responding to a difficult question before you have thought about the answer. Repeating the question and asking for clarification will help create some space for your thoughts.

Sometimes you will need to think about a question for a moment before responding. You may be able to buy a little bit of thinking time to help focus your response. Useful strategies include searching for an appropriate visual aid to help focus your response or simply pausing for a moment or two to think. For even more time, suggest that you’ll come back to the topic later (but don’t forget to do this).

7 myths when answering tough questions during presentations

Sometimes questions are too difficult to answer. Don’t worry about admitting that you don’t know something or haven’t considered an alternative approach. An enthusiastic “That’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that” is much more positive than a mumbled “I don’t know ”. Remember that a presentation is a two-way process and it is important to show that you are learning from your audience as well.

Finally, you can come across a questioner who disagrees strongly with your argument. Although this can feel very awkward, remember that you are still responsible for the whole audience and that you cannot allocate all of your question time to one individual.

If you feel that you have answered the initial question, announce that you will move on and suggest that you might continue discussion after the presentation. If the questioner persists, assert your position calmly by saying “I’m afraid I need to move on”.

You can read more on this topic here:  Responding to questions effectively (PDF)

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Many otherwise extremely competent and confident presenters will tell you that they really dread the question and answer session of a presentation.

They seek ways to ‘avoid’ difficult questions. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Dealing with questions in a presentation is a skill which anyone can master.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that, as a general rule, if people ask you questions, even hostile ones, it’s not to trip you up but because they genuinely want the answer.

Staying in Control of the Questions

Most people dread the question session because they fear losing control.

A little thought and some early planning can avoid this risk. But you can also avoid it by remembering that any presentation is an information exchange. It is as much for you to hear what people want to know as for them to hear from you.

However, if your presentation starts to get diverted by an interesting question, try saying something like:

“I think we’re getting a bit off topic here. Let’s put that to one side and you and I can chat about it later. Come and find me at the end and we’ll exchange contact details.”

“I’d really like to get on with the presentation, otherwise I may not have time to finish, but let’s talk about this later.”

Setting out some Ground Rules

At the start of your presentation, you should make it clear whether and when you would prefer to deal with questions - as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

Top tip! Categorising Questions

If you like to deal with questions as they arise, but you are concerned about the pitfalls, there is an easy way to handle this. In your introduction, explain that there are three types of questions:

• The sort that seeks clarification of something that has just been said – you will answer those immediately;
• The sort that asks a related question about something that you plan to cover later – you will answer those later in the presentation; and
• The sort that is best dealt with offline because most of the audience probably won’t be interested, or it’s outside the topic of the presentation – you will make a note of the question and come back to the questioner afterwards.

When a Type 2 or 3 question is asked, you can then say something like:

“ That’s a Type 2 question, so I’ll park that for now, and cover it later. If you don’t think I’ve covered it by the end, remind me, and I’ll go over it.”

Other speakers prefer to deal with questions at the end of the presentation.

If you prefer this approach, ensure that you set aside sufficient time for questions but also limit the amount of time available. The amount of time will depend on the type of presentation you are giving but usually 10 minutes of question time should be sufficient.

The big advantage of this approach is that if you talk too quickly, you will simply have a longer question session: a big incentive to talk slowly and carefully, and make sure that your audience understands everything as you go.

You should not close the presentation with the question and answer session.

When you have finished answering questions, make sure that you have the last word with a strong assertion of your main message(s).

In other words, you can thank the audience for their questions and then summarise once again the main point or points that your presentation was designed to communicate.

An Introduction to Question Sessions

The main rule of question sessions is to treat your audience with the respect you would like to have shown to you, and answer their questions directly and honestly.

If they have asked a question, it is because they want to know the answer.

It is very unlikely that anyone will ask a question solely to trip you up, although this does happen.

If a question is provocative, answer it directly. Never be rude to the questioner or show you are upset. Do not compromise yourself but maintain your point of view and never lose your temper.

This tactic can be difficult to maintain but the key is being assertive.

Visit our section on assertiveness to learn some more tips, start with: Assertiveness - An Introduction .

Managing Questions

Listen carefully to the question and, if the audience is large, repeat it to ensure everyone in the audience has heard.

If you’re not sure you understood correctly, paraphrase it back to the questioner and check that you have it right. Answer briefly and to the point.

If you do not know the answer, then say so and offer to find out. Then ensure that you follow up . To be able to respond, you will need the questioner’s name and email address, so make sure that you speak to them before they or you leave.

“ I don’t know ” is a very acceptable answer to some difficult questions and it is much more acceptable than stumbling through an answer or making something up. “ I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know ” is even more acceptable.

Relax and do not feel as if you have to know everything. If you don’t know it is better to be honest than to try to pretend.

Trust takes a long time to build up, but it can be lost in moments, and audiences will almost always know when you are not being genuine.

An Alternative Tactic: Involving your Audience

If you are speaking to a well-informed audience, a professional group for example , and the question is a fairly general one to which you do not know the answer, consider asking the room if anyone else would like to respond. You may have the world expert on that subject sitting there who would be delighted to share their expertise with you all. If you have noticed someone in particular, you can even say:

“ I noticed that Professor X is in the room, so I wonder if he would like to comment on that to save me displaying my ignorance ”

“ My colleague over there is more familiar with that area than I am so, while I don’t want to put him on the spot, maybe he would be prepared to shed some light on this? ”

Most people will be fine with that approach, especially if they really do know more about it than you, and it will mean that the room gets a much better response. Yes, you’re the one standing at the front, but you don’t know everything.

You may also find our general pages on questioning useful see Questioning and Question Types .

Continue to: Coping with Presentation Nerves Managing the Presentation Event

See Also: Preparing for a Presentation | Organising the Material Deciding the Presentation Method Working with Visual Aids

How to Answer Questions After A Presentation – 11 Tips

August 12, 2022

How do you answer questions after your presentation? For many people, handling questions is the scariest part of presenting.

Answering questions becomes much easier if you prepare properly. so how do the best presenters answer challenging questions effectively, answering presentation questions is a real skill.  and it’s a skill you can learn.  over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant at presentation questions and answers. , do please call us and we’ll tell you about our presentation coaching – it’s fast and good value., having coached executives for critical presentations for nearly 15 years, we recently asked our team of experts for their top tips., whether you are a business executive or from the c-suite or just want to improve how you present, these ten tips will help you shine when you answer questions:, ten steps for answering questions after a presentation., 1. listen to the question fully 2. think like a teacher 3. remember, every question is different 4. think, all questions are good questions 5. use each presentation question is an opportunity 6. it’s more then just what you say 7. prepare your answers properly 8. avoid unanswerable questions 9. end your answer strongly 10.avoid question traps 11. extra question answering tip.

Let’s review each tip in turn:

To Answer Questions Tip #1. Listen to the question!

Take a mental step back when you hear a question.

• What’s really being asked?
• What’s behind the query?
• Is there a hidden agenda?

Don’t be tempted to think of the answer as soon as you hear the start of the question. Instead be an active listener. You may need to clarify the question before answering. If you are not certain what you are being asked, you may answer the question you want, rather than the question they asked. And as you listen, you will learn something . Most questioners are looking for something specific.

How to clarify the question you are asked If you are not 100% sure what you are being asked, then use one of these question clarification techniques. 1. Repeat the question back and rephrase – then check that’s what they want to hear 2. Ask a question 3. Ask them to repeat the question. 4. Apologies, and say you did not understand, could they please repeat.

Answer Questions Confidently Tip #2. Have the mind-set of a teacher

A question is not an exam test . If you are asked a question, its because someone wants to know something. Your job is to help them understand. Whatever is on their mind, how can you help them?

So, put yourself in the role of a teacher. You have presented on a subject you understand, and you have a someone who wants to know more. Your can inform, educate and perhaps even entertain. If you do it right, you will look good in the eyes of the questioner and in the eyes of the audience. Enjoy the prospect of helping people when you answer questions.

Answering Questions Tip #3. Every question is different

We can never know what’s going on in the minds of the audience. That means each person in the audience will see you differently. For some, it will be about protecting their own interests, for others it may be about gathering more information.

And people have their own style – from super soft to nail hard . You’ll have to assess where they are coming from, what they re looking for and how they think. The best way to answer questions is to listen and learn from the comments they make and the questions they ask.

Contact us for a free consultation on your coaching needs

Answering Questions Tip #4. There’s no such thing as a stupid question

It may sound stupid to you, but every audience question is aimed at understanding something. Don’t assume that you know what the person really wants. Perhaps they don’t understand – or perhaps they are testing how you react (yes, some people do this!). So treat every question with respect, consideration and then use it as an opportunity to help the audience understand better.

Presentation Questions Tip #5. Every question is an opportunity

If you are properly prepared for your presentation, then you will have key messages to get across. Use your answers to reinforce, restate, or reframe your messages.

Beware of feeling challenged by tough questions . You do not want to look defensive of uncertain. Instead, like a teacher, you want to help your questioner and perhaps help the audience see the world the way you see it. One powerful piece of advice is Show, Don’t Tell. Use stories , examples and illustrations to bring your business to life when answering tough questions.

Answering Questions Tip #6. How you answer questions is as important as what you say

As we said before, your meeting is not an exam. It’s more like a meeting of minds. So work out what the other person believes and is feeling. How can you do this?

You could ask probing questions, such as:

• Does what I’ve just said explain it?
• Do you want to know more?

For more hypothetical questions you could explore what they believe: “And what do you think?” The more it feels like a conversation rather then a quiz, the more likely you’ll be successful.

Give Great Answers Tip #7. You must prepare

We have seen too many people turn up to presentation Q&A sessions unprepared. By contrast, successful presenters and management teams prepare to answer questions with the intensity of an elite athlete.

After all, you want to be seen at your peak when presenting.

There are three best practice techniques for preparing your Q&A:

• List the tough questions you may be asked – especially the ones you don’t want to be asked. Work out answers to these in advance, decide which should be answered before the Q&A by incorporating it into an earlier part of your presentation, and which will wait for the Q&A.
• Select who in your team will respond – You will feel more confident and, if the questions do get asked, you will be properly prepared.
• Bring in a fresh perspective . Get someone outside the organisation to identify new questions you may get asked – and get the outsider to listen to your answers to the tough questions. A neutral third party (like Benjamin Ball Associates ) can give you insight and expose the weaknesses in your arguments and answers.
• Stress-test your answer s. Spend time as a team firing questions back and forth. Then review how you answer these. Keep at this until you have got it right. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound.

For important presenting events, we frequently spend many hours preparing teams with tough questions, video review and rehearsals. Just like elite athletes, you only build muscle strength with practice.

Answering Questions Tip #8. Don’t try and answer impossible questions

There are some audience questions you cannot answer. If you learn our approach of Question Triage (a technique for classifying questions up front) you can spot these a mile off. Then you can use proven techniques to get yourself back to safe ground and onto a topic that you can talk about with confidence.

Presentation Question Answering Tip #9. Finish strong

Audience question sessions often end flat. Frequently, people feel pressured to finish quickly, especially if time is short. This is a mistake.

Never miss this opportunity to reinforce your important messages while also showing that you have listened to what the other person has said. Even a strong 30-second summary at the end will show that you have listened. This can also highlight what they need to hear.

Tough Question Tip #10. Beware the last question trap

AKA the Columbo moment. If you are a child of the ‘70s you may remember the TV series Columbo .

The bumbling detective always finished his interview with a suspect and, as he walked away, would say “Just, one more thing….’  With that one line he caught the suspect off guard and got the information he needed.

How to answer questions confidently

Top tips for answering questions confidently

What To Do Next to Better Answer Presentation Questions

I f you’d like to improve how you handle tough questions, please give us a call.

We’d be happy to discuss ways we can help you. For example, we run extensive Q&A rehearsals to build skills and increase confidence. You’ll find that working with our experts is a small investment that can deliver amazingly high returns. We offer short, intensive coaching sessions.

To discuss how you can improve your next presentation question session, please call Louise Angus on 020 7018 0922 or email [email protected] .

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For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice of leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve presentation skills and presentations through coaching, training and expert advice.

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to find out more and discuss transforming your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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• 7 Tips to Encourage Audience Questions in Your Presentation Q&A

September 19, 2017

Ever seen a presenter ask “Any questions?” at the end of their presentation, and heard only crickets from the audience?

In my work as a professional emcee and trade show presenter , I see it often, and it always makes me cringe because it’s so awkward, and so completely avoidable.

Asking for questions and getting none kills a presentation’s momentum. It usually goes like this:

• The presenter, having run out of content, asks “Any questions?”
• The audience, having no questions, freezes in place.
• Everyone thinks they hear crickets, though there are none in the room.
• The presenter, getting no questions, says, “OK, I guess I’m done.”

OUCH. How’d that happen?

Chances are, you caught your audience by surprise. They didn’t know you’d take questions, so they didn’t think of any. When you asked, you caught them off guard.

I want your next presentation to end with a bang, not a whimper. So try these tips to encourage questions:

1. PREPPING YOUR Q&A: PRIME YOUR AUDIENCE

> TIP THEM OFF EARLY:  As you start your presentation, tell your audience: “I’ll take all your questions at the end, so write down your questions as you think of them along the way.”  That’ll get them active thinking of questions throughout your presentation.

> REMIND THEM:  A few minutes before you take questions, say: “I’ve got one more slide to cover, then I’ll take your questions.” That’ll remind them to think of some questions if they haven’t yet.

2. STARTING YOUR Q&A: GIVE THEM A NUDGE

> LEAVE ROOM: Starting a Q&A with little or no time left discourages questions; your audience wants to leave on time too! Instead, carve out 5-10 minutes or more for questions (and cut some content to make room if needed; your audience prioritizes the information they want to get over the information you want to share).

> USE A PLANT: Have a “plant” in the audience who’ll ask the first question (one you’re comfortable answering), which encourages other audience members to ask (and saves them the awkwardness of going first) and gives them time to think of something to ask.

> CHANGE YOUR PHRASING: Your audience may interpret the phrase “Any questions?” as a sign that you don’t expect or even want questions, which discourages them from asking. Instead, encourage questions by phrasing your question with a more upbeat, expectant tone:  “Who’s got a question?” or  “Who’d like to go first?”

> ASK IT YOURSELF: Ask yourself a common question:  “One question I get often is…” Then answer it. Again, this encourages the audience to follow suit, and gives them more time to think of a question.

3. ENDING YOUR Q&A: ADD THAT BANG!

Q&A or not, ending your presentation by saying you’re ending your presentation (“OK, I guess I’m done”) will end your presentation with a whimper. You can easily replace that whimper with a “bang” by restating your main takeaway and thanking your audience:

“Folks, I hope my presentation has shown you that when it’s raining and you want to stay dry outside, use an umbrella! You won’t regret it. Thanks so much for your time.”

And thank you so much for your time!

by Andy Saks

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Blog Beginner Guides

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

Presentation Guru

How to prepare for the unexpected questions.

As presenters, many of us have been caught off guard during the Q&A section after a presentation. In this article, Jim gives a detailed list of the importance of rehearsal and preparation, and the necessity for speakers to anticipate what their audience may ask.

The Honey Guy

Driving home one evening, I listened to an interesting interview on national radio, about a special kind of honey: Manuka honey . Apparently, Manuka is the world’s rarest and most expensive type of golden nectar, and is only available from a few small producers in New Zealand. The Global Marketing Director of one such producer was talking about his product.

Eating Manuka, he explained, has many health and therapeutic benefits. He was an engaging and enthusiastic speaker and my cynical, salesman’s mind began to warm to the Kiwi. The journalist interviewing him was also warming to his pitch and, at the end of the interview, gave him a great set-up to finish. The journalist said,

“Why not take this opportunity to pitch your amazing product to the listeners at home. We don’t usually allow advertising on the BBC, but if you talk about the honey and not your brand, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

I waited, expecting a good sales job about the life-enhancing sticky stuff, but there came only silence, which on radio stretches on for an age. The Marketing Director’s words had failed him, just when he needed them most. It was excruciating, even over the radio. The journalist again, trying to help, said,

“OK then, never mind, perhaps you could give us one unique thing about your amazing product that will help our audience understand why it’s so special. What does it taste like?”

More silence and my chest tightened in empathy for that poor guy searching for the right word. After a few more agonizing sentences, he found the word: “Medicinal.”

“Medicinal?” said the journalist in utter horror. “Medicinal?” he said again as if unable to believe what he had just heard. He ended the interview with,

“Well that was Robert X from the New Zealand Manuka Honey Producers’ Association making his last ever public appearance.”

From the honey guy, there came not another sound. Not even sobbing. He’d blown it and I’m sure he knew. He had had that one chance. And when the time came he couldn’t deliver.

Why did he blow it?

It was clear that the Marketing Director hadn’t rehearsed enough. It’s as simple as that. How do we know? Because when he needed the perfect words to come, they didn’t. And that almost always means that the speaker wasn’t prepared.

It’s only in films that the perfect words come fluttering to the tips of our tongues just at the right moment. In real life it rarely happens. Even for the most experienced of us. But if we can’t necessarily find the perfect words, we can often find good words; words that answer a question with impact.

So what can we do to make sure that we are not found wanting when our audience wants answers?

Learn from Pilots, Salespeople, Politicians and Stand-up comedians

Stand-up comedians know something about preparing for the unexpected.

They know that, sooner or later, they are going to to get heckled. They just don’t know when. They know that right from the start of their careers and they know that their ability to handle such (often drunk) people will define them. Why? Because the audience expects them to be able to deal with this kind of trouble. When the audience knows that if the comedian can’t handle the heckler then it can spoil the show.

So comedians constantly practise their responses. They write them, rehearse them, steal them and share them, until they are so ingrained into their psyche that they become instantly available when the moment occurs. They rehearse to a point of second-nature fluency. As the late and very great Robin Williams said,

I rehearse every single line I’ll ever say 1000 times so everything I say comes out as if I made it up on the spot.

Here’s a really interesting article that shows the results of that kind of preparation. That the heckler gets put back in his place and told to shut up in no uncertain terms. Be warned. It’s a bit brutal, but it proves the point brilliantly.

And, if you want a terrific insight into how hard comedians work, watch the documentary Comedian , featuring Jerry Seinfeld. You will get to look “behind the curtain” and see the struggles, the insecurities and the incredible amount of work that goes into creating even a short set. John Zimmer outlines what the presenter can takeaway from it in his great article, 12 Public Speaking Lessons from ‘Comedian’ .

Salespeople will never admit it but they use “scripts” too

It’s the same for salespeople. They enter their profession knowing that they will have awkward situations to deal with every day. Situations like:

• Meeting prospects for the first time
• Presenting the product in a way that’s interesting to an audience
• Handling audience questions
• Dealing with challenges and objections
• Closing the sale
• Arranging what happens next (invoicing, delivery etc.)
• Keeping in touch with the customer after the sale
• Keeping in touch with the prospective customer if there is no sale

Salespeople know that these moments will occur, but they don’t hide from them; they run towards them. They script, rehearse and refine  the perfect play for each occasion, so when each occasion arises they skate through with the grace of a swan. They don’t just have one elevator pitch, they have dozens. How about the conversation opener?

• For the foyer of the client’s building – “Hi there, it’s lovely to meet you. Shake hands. How long have you worked here?”
• For the client you haven’t seen in a long time – “Insert name. I can’t believe it’s been so long. How come you look younger and I look older? How’s things?”
• For the client whose name you can’t remember – “Hello. It’s been such a long time. When was the last time we met?”

Or for the expected and inevitable challenge to their price:

• For the client they know well – “Well you know what they say, we’re reassuringly expensive. What price were you thinking of?”
• For the hardball client they’re pitching to for the first time – “We’ve scoped out our response to the detailed requirements you’ve given to us. What are the stages that aren’t needed here?”

They practise endless variations to the same theme for every situation that they face. The best of them do it before they face a situation like that. Most of the rest of us do it after we’ve fallen flat on our faces and spend the next hours slapping ourselves and saying, ‘Why on earth did I say THAT?’.

Politicians know that their lives will be an endless succession of people trying to trip them up

Counterintuitive as it may seem, politicians can teach us a lot too. Just imagine preparing to appear on a TV panel show in front of millions of people, sitting opposite a collection of political opponents and members of the public, all with a point to prove or an axe to grind.

Tony Benn, a former UK cabinet minister and skilled operator, told me once how he prepared for that kind of TV trial by fire. Rigorously. He’d get to his hotel in the afternoon even though the show was only being filmed at 7pm. Then he’d take a box of index cards (post-its work just as well) and write all of the possible subject areas for questions in that evening’s show. They might include the Middle East, unemployment, the economy, the most recent political scandal etc.

Then, Tony would brainstorm the questions most likely to be asked for each of those areas. He would then sketch out the likely responses that each of his opponents might make. Finally, he would think about his own answers, making notes, finding statistics and examples to support his case and weaken his opponents’ case.

Tony would spend two to three hours preparing as if his reputation depended on it. And of course, it did. So it was no coincidence that, even under tremendous pressure and scrutiny, he was seldom at a loss for words. That kind of fluency can only come with massive amounts of preparation.

Pilots know that they can’t be trusted

One of my friends is a commercial pilot. After 30 years flying military fighters with the RAF, the USAF and even the Israeli Defence Force, he now flies passenger jets all over the world. He’s the kind of man with whom you would entrust your family’s safety. My friend has talked to me a lot about the life of a pilot and how 108 years of aircraft tragedies have taught the industry how seldom people can be trusted to make the right decision under pressure.

The media like to paint the picture of the heroic pilot saving the plane. Pilots, understandably, also like that image of themselves. But it seldom works like that in reality, particularly as planes get ever more complex.

These days, pilots are flying a massive set of computers and systems and even their inputs are moderated by electronics, computer programmes and hydraulics. There are many examples of tragedies that have been caused by pilot error alone, and the increasing safety of air travel has owed as much to improved understanding of human behaviour as a contributing factor, as to technological advances over the last 30 years at least. (It’s too long for this post, but for anyone interested, in Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers there is an excellent chapter on pilot error, The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes “Captain, the weather radar has helped us a lot.”)

Pilots are human, and human beings tend to make poor decisions under pressure.

Today, pilots are trained to follow rigorous, written procedures at all stages of a flight, from preparing for take-off to dealing with an emergency landing. When trouble strikes, pilots reach for the plastic cards and read out the procedure that they should follow. A procedure that has been documented and tested to destruction hundreds of times. A step-by-step set of actions that is the proven best way in the industry for dealing with that particular scenario at that precise moment. Why? Because bitter experience tells the most safety conscious industry in the world that preparation and routine saves lives. Unscripted human responses under pressure kills people. And careers.

What can the honey guy learn from all this?

Back to the honey guy. What he can learn from his awful experience is that he isn’t entirely at fault. His humanity is at fault. People are not trained or built to say the right thing when they are most under pressure. They are built to respond quickly to a threat, as the adrenalin squirts into their system. They are given speed, not reason, when they are in danger.

Nevertheless, as we have seen in the cases of salespeople, pilots and stand-up comedians, reasoned responses to the unexpected can be prepared in advance. So here are three things that the honey guy can do to prepare next time:

Prepare backwards – from few to many

So many of us prepare for the elevator pitch in completely the wrong way. We write down everything that we could possibly say on the subject, and try to reduce the content back to the shorter versions; eg.  prepare many and reduce to few. This causes problems because “many to few” is the way we will continue to think about the issue every time we are asked to think about it and so we will have to do the reduction in our heads and on the spot.

If we spent time identifying the one, most important, thing that we want the audience to remember as the first thing, we would start there when we were asked to reduce. We’d start with few and expand to many.

Let’s try it with Manuka: Write down everything that you know about Manuka honey – no doubt we get a lot of information.

Prepare for all eventualities

By rehearsing a long, medium and short elevator pitch for different audiences and every eventuality. Once we’ve done the heavy lifting of identifying the few-many things that we could say about or product to that particular audience, we need to put those things together into written and rehearsed “ad-libs” to use as necessary when we’re put on the spot by our customers.

• We should practise a 15-second pitch as so desperately needed by the honey guy. How about – “It’s delicious and life-giving.”?
• We should also prepare a 2-minute pitch for when you are given a bit more time to respond. This pitch should give headlines and maybe 3-5 examples. How about: “It’s delicious and life-giving with a 10,000 year history – (with examples)”, “It’s natural, organic and therapeutic – with a few fascinating facts about bees and the Manuka bush thrown in”,  or “It is unique and derives from an endangered ecosystem that is secured by this business – (with details, examples and testimonials).”
• Finally, we should have a detailed 5-10-minute version that has headlines and more detail, but that still leaves the audience wanting to ask questions and to buy the product. How about all of the above and then a case study of one honey producer from pollen to purchaser?

The key point is to write, speak and refine the responses so that they trip off your tongue when the need arises. Try it now with Manuka as defined here. See how easily the ‘one single point’ sticks in your mind? See how easy it is to expand to the next level?

Practice the impromptu pitch – forwards, backward and sideways

You must practise these responses over and over again until they come naturally. Fluency is the love-child of practice and preparation. If the worst of amateur actors rehearses twice a week for eight weeks before a show, and lowliest of professionals has a schedule of four weeks full-time preparation before opening night, what’s the right level of rehearsal for a professional person in business?

• Pilots are forced to rehearse under pressure every 6 months, in flight simulators that generate incidents harder and more frightening than the things they will likely face in the real world.
• Billy Connolly is one of the most spontaneous stand-ups of the last 40 years. His whole act riffs as if he’s just making it all up on the spot. He isn’t. In interviews, Connolly has shared just how much work goes into the preparation of his routines.
• Salespeople (though they probably won’t admit it) rehearse in the car, walking the dog and in front of the mirror. They practise lots. They say the words out loud as if they were talking to a real human being. Because that’s how performers practise – out loud, in the real expectation that if they practise enough then they’ll sail through the most difficult of circumstances when they arrive. And arrive they will.

In conclusion

If you speak in public, sooner or later you are going to be asked questions. And yes, those questions will not always be easy. However, if you prepare for questions the same way you prepare for your presentation, you will be surprised just how many “unanticipated” questions you can anticipate.

Don’t neglect questions when you prepare for a big speaking engagement. Give it some thought. Focus on key areas where questions may arise. Practise your answers. If you prepare properly, then, when you answer the questions, the words will drip from your tongue. Like honey.

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+Jim Harvey

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26th November 2018 at 9:08 am

This is really great article. Thanks for sharing these tips!

20th December 2018 at 6:01 pm

Every endeavor in life requires patience and plenty of practice. Athletes practice long hours away from the playing field. When it comes to game time, their moves look so effortless.

Mayumi Liwayway Espina

30th December 2018 at 9:44 am

Great article! I think preparation is still needed. Even if such question may not arrive anytime soon, it still is playing safe to just prepare. Thanks for the advice!

8th January 2019 at 4:22 am

Thank you for sharing these tips!

31st January 2019 at 3:34 pm

Comedians are more intelligent than people think. It takes a lot of quick thinking and wit to do what they do.

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Tips To Prepare for and Answer Questions During Presentations

• Tell the audience in advance when you will be taking questions.
• Anticipate questions in advance.
• Realise that questions are a good thing.
• Make eye contact with the questioner.
• Always take a brief pause before launching into your answer.

Presentations can be a daunting task for many individuals. From gathering research and organizing content to delivery and engaging with an audience, the process of creating a successful presentation can be overwhelming. This blog post will cover the importance of preparing questions for a presentation, what types of questions to consider, and techniques for engaging with an audience. Questions are a fundamental element of any presentation as they allow the presenter to demonstrate their knowledge on the subject and engage with their audience in meaningful dialogue. They also provide a platform to expand upon the subject being discussed, making the content more comprehensive and memorable. Asking questions during a presentation can also help the presenter stay in control of the situation. Therefore, it is important to think through and prepare questions in advance. The types of questions that should be considered when preparing for a presentation depend on the purpose of the presentation, the length of the presentation, and the audience that is being addressed. Questions should be relevant to the content being discussed and

How to Answer Questions in a Presentation

Benefits of answering presentation questions

Although not every presentation will involve answering questions, many have a Q&A format. Answering questions during or after your presentation has many advantages, including ensuring that your audience is satisfied with the information you’ve provided and that you’ve covered all the bases regarding your subject. Answering questions competently can mean the difference between getting hired and not getting hired if you’re giving a presentation to pitch a project or gain business.

It can be advantageous for everyone involved if you respond to questions from the audience during or after a presentation. Your audience will now perceive you as an authority on the subject who can respond to inquiries, giving you the chance to share more details.

What is a presentation?

You could deliver a presentation in a variety of settings, usually with the aid of visual materials. You might give a presentation to just a few people to discuss a business proposal, or you might do so as a subject matter expert to hundreds of people. The visual materials you use to support your speech during a presentation are typically in the form of a slideshow that provides context and visual aids. Whatever the purpose of your presentation, you might have to respond to inquiries about it.

How to prepare for presentation questions

The actions you can take to get ready for presentation questions are as follows:

1. Consider what others might want to know

How you approach your presentation will depend in part on your audience. Your approach may differ depending on whether you’re addressing a group of professionals in your field or those who aren’t familiar with the subject. By determining who your target audience is, you can think about the kinds of questions they might have and the best ways to respond to them.

Experts are more likely to focus their inquiries on particular aspects of your subject that are relevant to other professionals in your field. They might demand in-depth responses and be amenable to industry-specific jargon. Unacquainted people are more likely to have general inquiries and may require straightforward responses in understandable language.

2. Ask others what they might ask after your presentation

Asking people you know who are similar to your intended audience what their questions are can be a good way to find out what concerns your audience might have. If you’re presenting to a customer or client, this may be more difficult, but you could still talk to people you know who work in a related field or position about it. You can either give these people written copies of your presentation materials or give your presentation in person or on video for them.

You could even create a list of questions for them to ask in order to anticipate their inquiries. To find out if certain key points were understood or to learn what questions they would have at the conclusion of your presentation, you could ask about specific sections of your presentation.

3. If possible, review other presentations on this topic

You might be able to find similar presentations online that are on the same topic or at the same event, depending on the type of presentation you’re giving. This can give you a sense of the questions those audiences had and the subjects that generated the most inquiries. Additionally, it can show you how other speakers handled their questions and what sort of responses worked best. Additionally, it might provide you with ideas for relevant data to include in your presentation or additional details to use when responding to inquiries.

4. Research frequently asked questions on your topic

Finding out what questions people frequently ask about your subject online is another way to get ready for the kinds of questions you might receive. This could range from reading questions on websites designed for queries to reading academic research papers, depending on the complexity of your topic. Understanding prior inquiries into this subject will help you prepare for how to respond in the context of your presentation. If the presentation is more of a sales pitch, do some research to find out what queries customers usually ask.

5. Educate yourself on your subject beyond the basics

Depending on the subject you’re presenting on, you might already be a subject-matter authority who is able to respond to even the most difficult queries. However, you might want to prepare by doing more research than just for your presentation if this is a new topic for you or one that you are still learning about. While you aren’t required to respond to every query, having knowledge at least slightly beyond the scope of your presentation can make you seem more knowledgeable to the audience as they do so.

Tips for answering presentation questions

Here are some suggestions for how to respond to questions if you’re getting ready to give a presentation where you expect to field them:

Consider vetting questions

If you are giving a presentation on a delicate subject or to a large audience, it might be difficult to plan a Q&A session. You might be able to arrange this through a contact at the venue where you’re giving your presentation, or you might even be able to set up a way for people to ask you questions online. Then you’ll be able to anticipate questions, prepare responses, and overcome problems with who gets to ask questions during your presentation.

Tell the audience when to ask

Not being clear about when you consider it appropriate for audience members to ask questions can lead to problems with questions during a presentation. The response may differ depending on your presentation style and subject, but typically, the two main choices are throughout your presentation or only during a particular Q Unwanted interruptions can be avoided by stating at the beginning of your speech how you intend to handle questions.

Its okay to pause

You might feel pressed for time if you are asked a question that you weren’t expecting or that is more difficult. However, it’s acceptable to pause briefly before responding if you need a moment to collect your thoughts and decide how to respond. Generally speaking, you don’t want a pause that lasts too long during a presentation, but if you have to pause for a minute before responding to a challenging question, it’s preferable to stumbling over your words or providing a poor response.

Answer truthfully

It’s preferable to respond honestly to a question if you don’t know the answer rather than making up one that might be incorrect. If you’re unsure, you can admit it and provide resources to help people find the answer. Similar to this, you ought to respond in a way that accurately covers your subject and demonstrates your knowledge rather than giving a response that corresponds to what you believe the questioner wants to hear.

Be clear about opinions

It can be beneficial to make it clear when you are offering an opinion when responding to a question if the topic is one that is heavily focused on factual data and research. This is a good way to keep the audience from becoming confused or from hearing your opinion presented as fact. Declaring to the audience that your response is your opinion on the question being posed is clear and has no bearing on their perception of you as an authority on the subject.

Redirect as needed

Sometimes during presentations, attendees will ask questions that are irrelevant to the topic at hand or that may be more concerned with what they want to say than with what you are discussing. In the event that a question is irrelevant or unfocused, it is perfectly acceptable to reroute it. It’s important to do so politely, but you can let them know that you’d prefer to focus on your presentation’s subject and respond to any questions specifically related to it.

Offer to follow up

If a question is posed to you that you are unsure how to respond to, you can offer to follow up with the questioner later. You can admit to them that you are ignorant of that particular aspect of your subject but that you would be happy to speak with them later to discuss how to find the solution. If you can provide an honest response that demonstrates your integrity and lets the audience know you’re willing to find out for them, that can be helpful because if you’re giving a presentation, you’re frequently regarded as an authority on your topic, even if it’s a sales presentation.

What are the 3 questions to ask yourself when setting up a presentation?

• Question # 1 – What do I want my audience to know? This question deals with your audience’s minds.
• Question # 2 – What do I want my audience to feel? .
• Question # 3 – What do I want them to do?.

How do you prepare a presentation question?

• Consider what others might want to know. …
• Ask others what they might ask after your presentation. …
• If possible, review other presentations on this topic. …
• Research frequently asked questions on your topic. …
• Educate yourself on your subject beyond the basics. …
• Consider vetting questions.

What are the 7 presentation skills?

• Understand your audience. …
• Tell the story of you. …
• Create a call to action. …
• Use storytelling to make your résumé come to life. …
• Rehearse your interview. …
• Watch your body language. …
• Control your voice.

Should you ask questions during a presentation?

The majority of presentations include audience questions, so speakers should anticipate them. Questions demonstrate interest and a desire for more information from the audience. And even if someone wants to argue with you, it at least shows that they were listening.

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• RASCI: What It Is and How To Use It for Project Management
• Interview Question: “What’s the Most Difficult Decision You’ve Had to Make?”
• Blog : Is there a dress code for the modern paralegal?

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How to Prepare for a Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Master the art of presentation preparation with our comprehensive step-by-step guide, "How to Prepare for a Presentation." Whether you're a seasoned presenter or just starting out, this resource is packed with essential tips. Learn how to practice, engage your audience, enhance your delivery skills, and conquer nerves and anxiety.

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Table of Contents  

1) Steps on How to Prepare for a Presentation 

      a) Understand your audience 

      b) Define your objective 

      c) Research and gather information 

      d) Organise your content 

      e) Design visual aids 

      f) Practise and rehearse 

      g) Prepare to engage the audience 

      h) Enhance delivery skills 

      i) Manage nerves and anxiety 

      j) Utilise technology 

     k) Plan to pace your Presentation

2) Conclusion 

Steps on How to Prepare for a Presentation   

In this section, you will learn how to prepare for a presentation in a step-by-step manner and enhance your  Presentation Skills . The blog will also look into advantages and disadvantages of presentations . 

Understand your audience  

To effectively engage your audience during a Presentation, it's essential to understand who they are. Consider their demographics, interests, and background knowledge in relation to the topic. By gaining insights into your audience, you can tailor your content and its delivery to meet their needs and capture their attention. Understanding your audience involves: 

a) Identifying audience demographics: Consider age, gender, educational background, and professional experience. This information will help you determine the appropriate tone, level of technicality, and examples to include in your Presentation.  

b) Assessing audience interests: Research the common interests and preferences of your audience. Are they more inclined towards statistics and data, or do they prefer real-life examples and stories? By aligning your content with their interests, you can create a stronger connection and keep them engaged.  

c) Adapting to their knowledge level: Assess your audience's existing knowledge about the topic. Are they beginners, intermediates, or experts? This understanding allows you to avoid overwhelming them with complex concepts or boring them with basic information. Tailor your content to their knowledge level, ensuring it provides value and challenges them appropriately. 

Define your objective  

Clearly defining your objective is crucial to staying focused and delivering a Presentation that meets your goals. Here’s what you need to do to define your objective effectively: 

a) Set specific goals: Determine what you aim to achieve through your Presentation. Are you trying to inform, persuade, inspire, or educate your audience? Setting specific goals will help you structure your content and guide your delivery towards the desired outcome. 

b) Decide on the main message: Identify the core message you want to convey to your audience. What is the key takeaway you want them to remember? This main message will serve as a guiding principle throughout your Presentation, ensuring coherence and clarity. 

c) Align objectives with audience needs: Consider how your objectives align with the needs and interests of your audience. What value will they gain from your Presentation? By aligning your objectives with their needs, you increase the chances of creating a meaningful impact and fostering engagement. 

Research and gather information  

One of the most important steps on How to Prepare for a Presentation is conducting thorough research. Thorough research and gathering relevant information are essential steps in preparing a well-informed and credible presentation. You can also refer to various presentation skills interview questions and answer to build you confidence and Improve Your Presentation Skills . To conduct effective research, you need to cater to the following aspects:

a) Explore diverse sources: Use a variety of sources such as books, academic journals, reputable websites, and credible online platforms. Ensure that the information you gather is reliable, up-to-date, and relevant to your topic. 

b) Collect data, facts, and examples: Support your key points with data, facts, and examples. This evidence strengthens your arguments, enhances credibility, and provides valuable insights to your audience. Use statistics, case studies, anecdotes, and expert quotes to enrich your content. 

c) Take notes and organise information: As you research, take detailed notes to capture the key ideas and information. Organise your notes based on themes, subtopics, or the logical flow of your Presentation. This will facilitate the later stage of organising your content effectively. 

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Organise your content  

Organising your content clearly and logically helps your audience follow and understand your Presentation. Effective organisation involves: 

a) Creating a logical structure: Develop a clear outline or structure for your Presentation. Start the Presentation with an introduction that grabs attention, followed by distinct sections or chapters that cover the main points. End with a concise summary or conclusion that reinforces your main message.

b) Using headings and subheadings: Divide your content into sections using headings and subheadings. These serve as signposts, guiding your audience through different topics or ideas. Headings also make it easier for your audience to refer back to specific sections if needed. 

c) Ensuring smooth transitions: Ensure smooth transitions between different sections or ideas. Use transitional phrases or sentences to connect ideas and create a cohesive flow throughout your Presentation. This helps your audience follow your thought process and prevents disjointed or confusing transitions. 

Design visual aids  

Visual aids can enhance the impact and understanding of your Presentation. Consider the following when designing visual aids: 

a) Choose appropriate visuals: Select visual elements that support and reinforce your content. This could include charts, graphs, images, videos, or infographics. Ensure that the visuals are relevant, high-quality, and easy to understand. 

b) Simplify complex information: Visual aids are particularly effective in simplifying complex information. Use visuals to present data, comparisons, or processes in a visually appealing format. This helps your audience grasp complex concepts more readily. 

c) Balance visuals and text: Find the right balance between visuals and text. Avoid overcrowding slides with excessive text, which can overwhelm and distract your audience. Use concise bullet points or keywords to complement the visuals and aid in comprehension. 

Practise and rehearse  

Practise and rehearsal are essential for delivering a confident and polished Presentation. Consider the following when practising: 

a) Rehearse your content: Familiarise yourself with the content and flow of your Presentation. Practise delivering each section, ensuring a smooth transition between ideas. Pay attention to your pacing, articulation, and clarity of speech. 

b) Time your Presentation: Practise timing your Presentation to ensure it fits within the allocated time. This helps you avoid rushing through important points or exceeding the time limit. Adjust your delivery as necessary to ensure a well-paced Presentation. 

c) Seek feedback and refine: Seek feedback from trusted individuals who can provide constructive criticism. Incorporate their suggestions to refine your delivery, eliminate unnecessary filler words, and enhance the overall impact of your Presentation. 

Prepare to engage the audience  

Engaging your audience throughout the Presentation helps maintain their interest and active participation. Consider these strategies and elements of presentation to engage your audience effectively: It is also important to understand various elements of presentations. Consider these strategies to engage your audience effectively: 

a) Interactive elements: Incorporate interactive elements such as rhetorical questions, quizzes, or brief activities to encourage audience participation. This stimulates their thinking and keeps them actively engaged in the Presentation. 

b) Address audience concerns: Actively listen to your audience and address their queries or concerns promptly. Encourage questions and create a safe environment for open discussion. This demonstrates your expertise and builds rapport with your audience. 

c) Tell stories and anecdotes: Use relevant stories, anecdotes, or case studies to illustrate your points and captivate your audience. Stories have a powerful impact and make your content more relatable and memorable.   

Enhance delivery skills  

Enhancing your delivery skills is essential for creating an engaging and impactful Presentation. Consider the following to improve your delivery skills:

a) Body language: Pay attention to your body language and use it to convey confidence and authority. Maintain good posture, make purposeful gestures, and establish eye contact with your audience. This non-verbal cue enhances your message. 

b) Tone of voice and pace: Master your tone of voice and adjust it to emphasise key points or create a sense of urgency. Vary your pace to maintain interest and add emphasis where needed. Use pauses effectively to allow important information to sink in. 

c) Use visual aids as support: Visual aids should complement your delivery, not overshadow it. Use them as support to enhance your message rather than relying on them completely. Maintain a balance between your verbal delivery and the visuals. 

Manage nervousness and anxiety  

Managing nervousness and anxiety is crucial for delivering a confident Presentation. Consider the following strategies: 

a) Preparation and practice: Thorough preparation and practice build confidence and reduce anxiety. The more familiar you are with your content, the more at ease you will feel during the Presentation. 

b) Deep breathing and relaxation techniques: Before as well as during the Presentation, practice deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to calm your nerves. Focus on slow, deep breaths to regulate your heart rate and promote a sense of calm. 

c) Be early: It is a good idea to be early for your Presentation. This will give you more time to get ready to set up your equipment . When you reach early at the venue, you get plenty of time to work on the finer details of your Presentation.  

c) Visualise success: Visualise yourself delivering a successful Presentation. Imagine the positive outcomes and the impact you will have on your audience. Visualising success helps boost your confidence and reduces anxiety. 

Utilise technology  

Utilising technology can enhance the effectiveness of your Presentation. Consider the following when incorporating technology: 

a) Choose appropriate tools: Select Presentation software or tools that suit your needs and style. Familiarise yourself with their features and functionalities, such as slide transitions, animations, or multimedia integration.  

b) Prepare for technical issues: Anticipate potential technical issues and have contingency plans in place. Ensure you have backup files saved on different devices or formats, and familiarise yourself with troubleshooting techniques in case of technical difficulties.  

c) Integrate technology seamlessly: Use technology to enhance your Presentation, not distract from it. Ensure that the technology supports your message and engages your audience effectively. Practice using the technology beforehand to ensure seamless integration into your Presentation. 

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Plan to pace your Presentation   

Pacing your Presentation effectively ensures that you maintain the interest and engagement of your audience throughout. Consider the following when planning the pace of your Presentation: 

a) Set a realistic timeframe: Determine the allocated time for your Presentation and plan your content accordingly. Be mindful of the time constraints and ensure that your Presentation fits within the given timeframe. Avoid overloading your Presentation with excessive information, which can result in rushing through key points or running out of time. 

b) Structure your content with timing in mind: Divide your Presentation into sections or key points and assign a specific amount of time to each of them. This helps you allocate your time effectively and ensures that you cover all the essential aspects without rushing or dragging on. 

c) Practise timing during rehearsals: Practise your Presentation multiple times while keeping an eye on the clock. Use a stopwatch or timer to simulate the actual Presentation conditions. This allows you to gauge how long each section takes and make adjustments as needed to maintain a smooth and well-paced delivery. 

d) Allow time for interaction and engagement: Incorporate interactive elements, such as questions, discussions, or activities, throughout your Presentation. Plan for these moments by allocating specific time slots. This not only breaks up the monotony but also encourages audience participation and keeps their attention focused. 

e) Be aware of audience cues: Pay attention to the reactions and engagement levels of your audience during the Presentation. Adjust your pace accordingly. If you notice signs of confusion or disinterest, you may need to slow down, provide more context, or clarify certain points. On the other hand, if you see that your audience is highly engaged and responsive, you can maintain a slightly faster pace to keep the energy up. 

f) Use silence effectively: Don't be afraid to use silence as a powerful tool. A well-timed pause can create a solid emotional impact. It lets people really listen to what you are saying and respond in turn.it is essential to pause if you are using humour so that people don't miss the next part of your Presentation while they are laughing. 

g) Practise smooth transitions: Smooth transitions between sections or ideas are crucial for maintaining a good pace. Avoid abrupt jumps or awkward pauses. Practise transitioning between different topics or slides, ensuring that the flow between ideas feels natural and seamless. 

Conclusion  

Preparing for a Presentation requires careful planning and attention to detail. By understanding your audience, defining clear objectives, conducting thorough research, and organising your content effectively, you can deliver a successful Presentation. Remember to engage your audience, enhance your delivery skills, manage nervousness, utilise technology wisely, and handle Q&A sessions with confidence. Hope we could provide you with all the information you needed to know about How to Prepare for a Presentation! 

Want to master the art of impactful Presentations? Explore our Presentation Skills Courses and elevate your communication prowess!  

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How To Prepare a Presentation in Six Questions

From an earlier post – What’s the secret of a great presenter? – I’m adding more detail on how to prepare a presentation in six questions.

Notice the word prepare .

Many people will find that an unprepared mind will cause all sorts of strange behaviours in the body, none of which are good. In other words, a presenter must get their head organised and sorted, their messages articulate and clear, before they get up in front of an audience.  Here are the six steps to get ready.

1. GOAL:  What are you trying to accomplish?

Specifically, what do you need to happen? What business result is driving this presentation? At the end of the conversation, what outcome do you want to occur? What do you want the audience to do, explicitly. Tell them. Be clear and concise. At the end of the presentation, if your audience does not understand what you expect of them, they very likely will not do it.

Another way to ensure that you’re thinking of the most objective answer is to ask yourself this question: If one attendee listening to your presentation told someone not at the meeting your purpose, what would they say? Again, be explicit.

For some, the SMART system  is useful in writing objectives.

2. CONTEXT:  What’s happening around you that will influence what you say (or write)?

What’s the environment, context or history surrounding this presentation or communications?  Will any of these factors change or influence whether or not your objective will (or can) be reached? Just as important, what external forces or internal politics might prevent you from achieving this goal? How are you going to address those issues, if at all, in your presentation?

In my experience, this question is often overlooked or dismissed as unnecessary. Yet, it’s one of the fastest ways to destroy your credibility because you will look out of touch or insensitive. For example, I was listening to a presenter – the head of a bank’s ATM network – talk about her 5-10 year strategic plan. The bank’s CEO asked about her thoughts on the environment, particularly is it related to rubbish. Without pause, she replied that it wasn’t part of the plan, which the CEO asked why she wasn’t concerned about the amount of paper rubbish left behind at an ATM when customers didn’t take their ATM receipts. She instantly tried to backtrack, but the damage was done.

At the same time, this step is also the time to consider what opportunities there are to leverage. What trends may give added urgency to your recommendation or hypothesis? Be careful not to position the opportunities over your issues, as opportunities don’t stand in the way of your success, issues do.

3. PEOPLE:  Who is your audience?

Rather than think of your audience as one homogenous group of statistics (demographics), think of them as people with similar values, opinions and behaviors (psychographics). Be explicit when describing them. Even better, reach out to them in advance to get a complete perspective on what presentation may be appropriate, asking specifically about their …

4. MINDSET:  What does your audience think, believe or behave now? And why?

You cannot convince anyone to change their attitude or behaviour if you don’t know what they think about a specific topic. What’s their opinion of your topic? What happened to create this impression, perception or belief? Whether you like it or not, or believe it or not, people’s perceptions are real. It often has little to do with accuracy. Lots of people ask me what’s the most important aspect of a good presentation. It’s to be relevant. You speak directly to and engage the audience on their terms about the topic you are speaking. To be relevant, you must know what they know, and why they know it. Using this background, now you need to think about what you’re going to say. In other words, your …

5. MESSAGES: What are you going to say to change your audience’s mind?

What is your single message in one sentence? If they forget everything you said – which is possible, even of the best presenters – what’s the one takeaway message that remains in their memory? Make it as actionable as possible. Avoid passive action, such as remember this …  or I hope that you … because there’s no urgency to do anything. If you can’t say your message in one sentence and in one breath, it’s too long. Your audience will not remember your key message if it’s passive (no action) and rambling (not short, punchy).

The reason why you are speaking to your audience is likely because what you believe and what they believe are not aligned. You want agreement, which leads to positive action. If they don’t get the alignment you need, you are wasting your and your audience’s time.

The last thing to say about your messages is the Rule of 3. Do you have a message house?  If not, read this post:  Break Your Presentation Into Chunks .

6. ACTION: What do you want your audience to do, specifically? And by when?

This step is often put at the beginning. It’s not wrong if you do, but I ask this question last only because the answers to the previous questions may influence the answer to Question 6. That said, it’s typically the first message you communicate to your audience. But again, in preparing for your presentation, ask it last.

Once you have legitimate and honest answers to these six questions, you can now start to structure your presentation in slides.

If I can add one additional tip, don’t begin constructing your presentation by opening PowerPoint and starting to write. Get your thoughts organised before you write. It will save you editing time later on.

Any other suggestions, tips or advice on preparing for a presentation?

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• Categories: Message Development , PowerPoint , Presentation Skills
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Four Tips to Make Your Sales Presentation a Winner

Being prepared and not being boring can go a long way toward persuading a potential customer to buy into what you’re offering.

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“I am CEO of an educational sales organization, and we need to transform our telemarketing staff into salespeople who go out into the field, make presentations and do lunch-and-learn new product seminars with potential customers. May I legally change their job duties? Would I be required to provide training for them, and if so, what type? Thanks, ‘Walter.’”

“Yes to both questions,” says Southern California labor lawyer Daniel Klingenberger . “If employers prefer sales presentations face-to-face with existing or prospective customers, they can establish those job requirements. They would be well advised to provide appropriate sales or presentation skills training to these employees.”

I also consulted on this topic with Terri Sjodin , principal and founder of Sjodin Communications in Newport Beach, Calif. “Dennis,” she says, “you would be surprised at how often these same issues come up as employees have gone from home-based to virtual and now are sent out into the field.”

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Sjodin, a New York Times bestselling author and a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, has dedicated her professional life to helping people become effective speakers. Her most recent book is Presentation Ready: Improve Your Sales Presentation Outcomes and Avoid the Twelve Most Common Mistakes .

How to build presentation skills

“Most people want to improve their presentations,” she says, “but don’t know where to start. Understanding the most common mistakes — and figuring out how to avoid them — is critical because you can’t course-correct what you don’t recognize as a problem.”

She provided some confidence-boosting insights to help Walter’s sales professionals get started on learning good presentation skills.

Don’t wing it. Failing to prepare reveals a lack of product knowledge.

Winging it is improvising, ad-libbing or generally conducting a presentation without much preparation. It is among the top mistakes salespeople reported making that had likely ruined transactions.

Goal-oriented, persuasive presentations that need a customer’s buy-in risk failure if you are not well prepared, if you haven’t done your homework and if you don’t know your company’s product or service well. Listeners easily sense a lack of preparation where the speaker appears disorganized, unskilled and distracted.

This can have a greater cost than one lost sale; it puts the employer’s reputation at risk.

Don’t be boring. Being informative has its limits.

The 2023 State of Sales Presentations Research Study from Sjodin’s company revealed that being boring is the most common mistake presenters recognized in others. This can happen for a host of reasons, including sharing too many facts and figures.

A good presentation is much more than just delivering information; you need your message to land, to create a connection with the listener.

This is accomplished by crafting a message that is engaging, interesting and amplified by stories listeners will tune in to emotionally, making the product or service relevant — something they can visualize owning or using. “Your enthusiasm is vital!” Sjodin says.

While it is important to provide a factual basis for why someone should purchase your product, you don’t want customers to feel as if they are being asked to drink from a fire hydrant. “Buying decisions are seldom based on a massive amount of detail but are strongly linked to positive feelings the audience has about the speaker,” Sjodin points out.

Do be the first person in the room and know who your audience is.

“Audience analysis refers to knowing who will be in the audience,” Sjodin notes. “This intelligence is golden, as the more you know about your listeners, the better able you should be to fine-tune the presentation. But sometimes you will have no idea who will be present, and they might have no idea who you are.”

The solution is to be the first person in the room. By greeting listeners as they come in, you can exchange a few words and, time permitting, ask them what they might like to know about your product or service. “In so doing, your presentation has already begun, and you have likely won a friend,” Sjodin says.

Keep in mind that for a lunch-and-learn seminar, the food is important.

Lunch-and-learn seminars are popular in the investment world. “A common mistake,” Sjodin says, “is for the financial adviser to lecture while guests are eating. Few will pay attention!”

Sjodin recommends that, prior to lunch, open the session with a few welcoming remarks, advising that lunch will be served in a moment and that afterward the presentation will begin.

“In summary,” Sjodin notes, “providing your team with presentation skills training will

boost their comfort with the new job responsibilities and help them to succeed.”

In Presentation Ready , Sjodin puts her all into helping readers become more effective in the world of sales. It is a shot of confidence-building Vitamin B-12 and the ideal gift for employees preparing for a required change in performance skills.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield, Calif., and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to [email protected] . And be sure to visit dennisbeaver.com .

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After attending Loyola University School of Law, H. Dennis Beaver joined California's Kern County District Attorney's Office, where he established a Consumer Fraud section. He is in the general practice of law and writes a syndicated newspaper column, " You and the Law ." Through his column he offers readers in need of down-to-earth advice his help free of charge. "I know it sounds corny, but I just love to be able to use my education and experience to help, simply to help. When a reader contacts me, it is a gift." 

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Home Blog Business Guide to Crafting an Effective Strategy Presentation

Guide to Crafting an Effective Strategy Presentation

Presenting and communicating your strategies to align a team’s effort remains one of management’s priority tasks. Regardless of the company’s scale, strategic presentations help convey complex strategic plans into clear and actionable tasks to follow in accordance with the business goals.

In this guide, we will show you how to effectively create a strategic presentation, the elements it should list, and some recommendations for PowerPoint templates to speed up this process.

Table of Contents

• What is a Strategy Presentation?

Types of Strategy Presentations

• How to Structure a Strategy Presentation

Do and Don’ts of Strategy Presentations

Recommended powerpoint templates for strategy presentations, key takeaways, what is a strategy presentation.

A strategy presentation is a communication tool designed to communicate goals, strategic plans or pre-formulated strategies, and initiatives to stakeholders. The strategy presentation slide deck aims to outline the company’s vision, strategic goals, and the specific actions needed to achieve them. To accomplish that, strategy presentation slides typically introduce a mixture of visual aids with relevant data to maximize the retention rate across the audience.

We can define the following categories for strategy presentations.

Strategic Plan Presentations

Strategic plan presentations are intended to communicate the organization’s long-term goals and the strategies to achieve them to stakeholders. This kind of presentation may cover topics such as market analysis, strategic objectives, and detailed action plans. 

The primary purpose is to align the team and stakeholders around a shared vision and ensure everyone understands the steps necessary to drive the organization toward its strategic goals.

Sales Strategy Presentations

Sales strategy presentations are targeted toward increasing the sales revenue inside an organization within a specific time frame. These presentations detail the tactics, target markets, and objectives involved in boosting sales performance. They typically include an analysis of market trends, competitive positioning, and specific sales goals – elements we can find in a sales plan presentation . 

The core objective in sales strategy presentations is for team members to understand their role in executing the sales strategy and how to measure the impact of their actions.

Marketing Strategy Presentations

Marketing strategy presentations are instances in which the marketing plan presentation is communicated to the team and stakeholders. These presentations outline the methods and channels the company will use to reach its target audience and achieve marketing objectives. We can find details on market research, customer segmentation, positioning strategies, and planned marketing campaigns.

Think of a marketing strategy presentation as a roadmap for how marketing efforts can contribute to the overall business goals. It ensures clarity on task execution, expected outcomes, and resource allocation.

Business Model Strategy Presentations

Business model strategy presentations outline the fundamental structures and mechanisms through which a company creates, delivers and captures value. These presentations explain the business model components, such as revenue streams, cost structures, customer segments, value propositions, and key partnerships. 

The objective is to articulate how the company operates within its market and competitive environment, detailing strategies for sustainability and growth.

Product Development Strategy Presentations

Product development strategy presentations focus on the stages and processes required to design, create, and launch a new product. These presentations typically cover the product concept, design iterations, market research, target customer analysis, production processes, and marketing strategies. They aim to align cross-functional teams—such as R&D, marketing, and production—on the product’s vision, features, and roadmap.

IT Strategy Presentations

IT strategy presentations communicate an organization’s technology-related plans and objectives. They outline how IT resources, infrastructure, and initiatives align with the broader business strategy to enhance operational efficiency, support growth, and mitigate risks. Key topics typically include adopting new technologies, cybersecurity measures, data management strategies, and IT governance.

Change Management Strategy Presentations

Change management strategy presentations are typically used in organization restructuring scenarios – after mergers, acquisitions, or significant internal restructuring – outlining the approach and plans for managing organizational changes. Change Management Strategy presentations detail the reasons for change, the specific changes to be implemented, the strategies for managing the transition, and the impact on stakeholders. Key elements often include stakeholder analysis, communication plans , training programs , and mechanisms for feedback. 

The primary goal of Change Management Strategy slide decks is to facilitate a smooth transition by preparing the organization and its members for change, minimizing resistance, and ensuring that changes are effectively integrated into the organization to achieve desired outcomes and improve overall performance.

How to Structure an Effective Strategy Presentation

In our experience, here’s a suggested presentation structure format for a strategic presentation.

The Introduction

Begin your presentation with a relevant hook for the topic you are approaching (see our guide on How to Start a Presentation for tips). Use an agenda slide to introduce the key themes and strategic objectives to discuss. Additionally, consider incorporating an executive summary to provide a concise overview of the strategy, highlighting key decisions and expected outcomes.

Body of the Presentation

Depending on the kind of strategic presentation you deliver and the tools and slides required to design it. As a general guide, consider this approach per category:

• Strategic Plan Presentations: Strategic planning requires vision and mission statements, strategic goals , market analysis, SWOT analysis , action plans, and a timeline for accomplishing them.
• Sales Strategy Presentations: We need to showcase sales objectives, target market analysis, sales methods and tactics, performance metrics, and sales forecasts.
• Marketing Strategy Presentations: For this category, consider listing the marketing goals, customer segmentation, value proposition, marketing channels, budget, and timeline.
• Business Model Strategy Presentations: This can be done as part of a business plan presentation . Include the business model canvas, revenue streams, value propositions, key partnerships, and customer relationships.
• Product Development Strategy Presentations: Since we’re considering an entire product development plan, be sure to list the product concept, design and development process, market research, product roadmap, and the Go-to-market strategy .
• IT Strategy Presentations: This selection is mainly intended for organizations looking to renew their IT strategy. List the IT objectives, technology roadmap, infrastructure needs, cybersecurity strategy, IT budget, and resource allocation.
• Change Management Strategy Presentations : In this case, be clear about the core reason behind the change management. Include the change management plan, stakeholder analysis, communication strategy, training, and support plans.

The Conclusion

Concluding a strategy presentation effectively is crucial for reinforcing the key messages and ensuring that the audience leaves with a clear understanding of the strategic objectives and their role in achieving them. To achieve this, consider the following steps:

• Summarize Key Points: Summarize the business presentation , briefly recap the main strategic goals and necessary actions, reinforcing the session’s core messages.
• Closing Statement: End with a compelling statement or call to action that encapsulates the presentation’s vision, motivating your audience.
• Multimedia Element: Optionally, use a short impactful video or visual to vividly summarize the strategy, enhancing retention.
• Q&A Session: Allocate 3-5 minutes for questions to clarify uncertainties and engage the audience further.
• Follow-Up Details: Provide information on how attendees can access more resources or ask additional questions.
• Express Gratitude: Conclude by thanking your audience for their participation, emphasizing their importance to the strategy’s success.

Aside from these tips, we can also follow the recommendations from our article explaining how to end a presentation , which also recommends using a media presentation asset, like videos, although it’s advisable to leave 3-5 minutes for a question and answer session.

Follow these insights to improve the quality and impact of your strategy presentations.

Do(s) of Strategy Presentations

• Use visual aids to summarize concepts. 
• Prepare handouts so the audience can further reference the information you deliver.
• Tailor your presentation to include interactive presentation instances, as they can help to engage the audience in the importance of their role.
• Consider a follow-up after a week. This can be in email format, with a poll, or a brief meeting in which you can evacuate doubts.

Don’t(s) of Strategy Presentations

• Respect your audience’s time, and don’t go overboard, especially if this involves sacrificing the Q&A session.
• Don’t use outdated data. Ensure all your statistics and references are current and relevant.
• Avoid using industry-specific terms without explaining them, unless you are sure that your audience will understand.

To speed up your strategy presentation design process, here’s a list of recommended PowerPoint templates and Google Slides templates by SlideModel.

1. Brand Strategy PowerPoint Template

This brand strategy template for presentations includes striking visuals and cohesive color scheme. Whether you’re presenting a brand strategy presentation to stakeholders or team members, this brand strategy PPT template empowers you to convey the essence of your brand strategy with clarity and impact. Use the brand strategy PowerPoint template to guide your audience through your brand’s journey and strategic milestones.

Use This Template

2. Goals Based Strategic Planning PowerPoint Templates

With a goal-oriented approach, the goal-based strategic planning PPT template emphasizes setting measurable objectives to transform visions into actionable results. This strategy presentation template provides a forward-looking framework, where goals are established from a future vantage point and brought to life through detailed KPIs, such as revenue targets and profit margins.

The Goal-based strategic planning template contains 15 customizable slides, including GAP analyses, problem statements, and strategic action plans, complete with a 30-60-90 day timeline.

3. Sustainability Strategy PowerPoint Template

4. Communication Strategy PowerPoint Template

5. Go-To-Market PowerPoint Template

Frequently Asked Questions

To make a strategy presentation more engaging, use interactive elements like polls or Q&A sessions, incorporate storytelling to contextualize data, and use visual aids and animations to highlight key points.

The ideal length of a strategy presentation varies based on content and audience, but generally, it should not exceed 30 minutes. This duration helps maintain audience attention while leaving time for discussions and Q&A session .

Strategy presentations should be updated regularly, at least annually or as major changes occur within the organization or industry. Regular updates ensure that the content remains relevant and reflects current goals and strategies.

To engage senior executives, focus on summarizing strategic impacts, ROI, and alignment with overarching business goals . Keep the presentation concise, data-driven, and directly related to decision-making and organizational growth.

Providing handouts can be very beneficial, especially for complex presentations. Handouts allow attendees to revisit the content at their own pace, which can aid in better understanding and retention.

• Clarify Goals and Objectives: Strategy presentations are essential for communicating clear, actionable goals and strategic plans to stakeholders.
• Incorporate Visuals Aids: Incorporating visual slides with charts, graphs, and infographics can greatly enhance understanding and retention of complex information.
• Adapt Presentation to Audience: Tailoring the presentation to the audience’s knowledge level and interest ensures greater engagement and comprehension.
• Use of Templates: Employing professional strategy PowerPoint or Google Slides templates can streamline the creation process and ensure a consistent, professional appearance.
• Engagement and Interaction: Incorporating interactive elements and engaging visuals helps maintain audience interest and facilitates better understanding of their roles in strategy implementation.
• Continuous Update and Feedback: Regular updates and follow-ups help keep the strategy aligned with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.

Final Words

A well-prepared strategy presentation is a powerful tool for communicating an organization’s objectives. Presenters should focus on leveraging their graphical assets so the text inside slides is reduced to the minimum—content that can be shared in handouts for presentation format—which guarantees a smooth experience for the audience.

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The Ultimate Guide on How to Prepare for a Job Interview

J ob interviews play a crucial role in the hiring process, as they provide an opportunity for employers to assess a candidate's qualifications, skills and cultural fit. It's a chance for job seekers to make a strong impression and showcase their suitability for the position. Interviews go beyond what is written on a resume, allowing employers to gauge an individual's communication skills, problem-solving abilities and professional demeanor.

In today's competitive job market , standing out from other candidates is essential. A well-executed interview can make a significant difference in securing the desired job offer. It is not just about answering questions; it's about presenting oneself as the ideal candidate, building rapport with the interviewer and demonstrating enthusiasm for the role and the company.

Related: How To Prepare For A Job Interview | Entrepreneur

How do hiring managers and recruiters contribute to the hiring process?

Hiring managers and recruiters play crucial roles in the hiring process. But what exactly do they do, and how can understanding their roles better prepare you for an interview?

Recruiters, often the first point of contact, look for potential candidates, match their skills and experiences with the job description and arrange the initial stages of the interview process.

Hiring managers, on the other hand, make the final call. They evaluate your interview answers, gauge your fit within the company culture and decide if you're the one who will receive the job offer.

Knowing the role these key players have can shape how you approach the interview. Recognizing the recruiter's role can help you tailor your cover letter and resume. Understanding the hiring manager's expectations can aid you in crafting specific examples during the interview to demonstrate you're the right person for the new job.

Related: Job Interview Preparation Checklist | Entrepreneur

How can researching the job and company enhance your interview performance?

The importance of researching the job and company before an interview cannot be overstated. A thorough understanding of the job description allows you to highlight how your work experience and certifications align with the job requirements. Furthermore, researching the company culture enables you to demonstrate how you would fit within the company.

LinkedIn is a valuable tool in this research process. It can provide insights into the company and potential interviewer and even offer networking opportunities with current employees who could share useful tips. The company's website is also a crucial resource that gives a more formal view of the company's mission, values and recent achievements.

Finally, checking the company's social media platforms offers a less formal view of the company and its culture. Observing how the company represents itself on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter can provide a comprehensive picture of the company, preparing you to impress the potential employer with your detailed understanding during the interview.

Related: Job Seekers: Questions to Ask in an Interview | Entrepreneur

What are the different types of interviews and how do you prepare for them?

Job interviews come in many forms , and knowing what to expect can significantly impact your performance.

The three most common types of interviews are phone interviews, video interviews — typically conducted over platforms like Zoom — and in-person interviews.

Phone interviews

Phone interviews are often an initial screening tool used by recruiters. Preparation for this type of interview involves ensuring a quiet environment and having a copy of your resume at hand for reference. It's essential to listen carefully to the recruiter's questions and answer clearly, keeping in mind that without visual cues, your tone of voice carries extra weight.

Video interviews

Video interviews have become more prevalent in recent years, and they require unique preparation. Just like an in-person interview, dressing professionally is crucial — even if only the upper half of your outfit will be visible. Choosing a quiet, well-lit environment with a neutral background ensures that focus stays on you. Practicing with a family member can help iron out any technical issues and get you comfortable with talking to a camera.

In-person interviews

In-person interviews call for more traditional preparation. This involves planning your journey to the interview location, dressing appropriately and carrying multiple copies of your resume.

Remember, a firm handshake and maintaining eye contact make a positive first impression. Also, mock interviews with a family member can help reduce nerves and fine-tune your interview skills.

Related: Phone Interview Questions: What To Expect and How To Prepare | Entrepreneur

How can you master the art of answering interview questions?

Answering interview questions effectively is an art that you can master with practice and strategy. Most interviews involve common interview questions like, "Tell me about yourself," or "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Preparing for these gives you a chance to showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

Some interviews feature behavioral interview questions. These aim to understand how you've handled specific situations in the past under the premise that past behavior can predict future performance.

Using the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action and Result — can help structure your responses effectively. This approach involves describing a situation, the task you had to accomplish, the action you took and the result of your action.

It's vital to incorporate specific examples into your responses. This demonstrates to the hiring manager that you have real-world experience that translates into potential success in the new job. If you're a recent graduate with limited work experience, don't hesitate to use examples from internships, school or extracurricular activities.

Related: 15 Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared to Answer | Entrepreneur

What are the key aspects of presentation during an interview?

During an interview, your verbal communication is just as crucial as your non-verbal cues. Experts recommend maintaining positive body language — this includes maintaining eye contact, giving a firm handshake and using open postures. These non-verbal cues can project confidence and engagement.

Your interview outfit also plays a part in your presentation. Dressing professionally, irrespective of the company culture, shows respect and interest in the role. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Another aspect of the interview presentation is discussing salary expectations. This can be a tricky part of the interview process. It's generally best to research beforehand what similar roles in your location pay and be prepared with a range if asked.

Lastly, prepare a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the job and engaged in the process. Questions could be about the company culture, the role or the next steps in the hiring process. Remember, an interview is a two-way street — it's as much about the company impressing you as you impressing the company.

Preparing for common interview questions is essential to boost your confidence and improve your interview performance. While specific questions may vary depending on the job and company, certain types of questions are commonly asked. These include questions about your work experience, skills, strengths and weaknesses, problem-solving abilities, teamwork and your fit for the role.

Related: 6 New Rules for Acing Your Job Interview | Entrepreneur

How can you stand out post-interview?

While the interview itself is crucial, your actions post-interview can set you apart from other job seekers. Sending a thank-you note to your interviewer is a great way to show your appreciation for their time. A brief, well-written email within 24 hours of the interview is usually adequate. This is also an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role and the company.

In the thank-you note, reference a part of the interview conversation that stood out to you. This personal touch shows that you were attentive and engaged. Also, if there was something you wished you'd explained better during the interview, this could be a chance to clarify briefly.

After the interview, be sure to follow up professionally. If you were informed of the next steps in the interview process, be patient and wait for that period to pass before reaching out. If you weren't given a timeline, waiting for a week before sending a polite follow-up email is a good rule of thumb.

Lastly, regardless of the outcome, view each interview as a learning experience. If you're offered the job, great! If not, seek feedback where possible, refine your approach and remember, the goal is to find the right fit for you and the employer.

Related: 6 Reasons This Is the Perfect Thank-You Email to Send After a Job Interview | Entrepreneur

Landing your next job

In conclusion, navigating the job search and acing a job interview requires strategic preparation. By considering these interview tips, understanding the kind of interview you're facing and mastering your responses to common job interview questions, you're setting yourself up for success.

It's important to keep in mind that the next interview you face could be the one that lands you your dream job. Keep refining your interview prep strategy, pay attention to the feedback you receive and never stop learning. Remember, each interview is a stepping stone, bringing you closer to your ultimate career goals.

If you're interested in learning more about how to land your dream job, then check out some of t he other articles at Entrepreneur for more information.