Whether you are interviewing thought leaders on your podcast, hosting a webinar, or giving a TED Talk, creating the perfect presentation can be daunting. Even when you have years of experience to impart, it’s easy to get stuck on how to present the information, avoid pitfalls, and find out what works and what doesn’t.
Recently, Business Success Consulting Group CEO Adi Klevit talked with the Founder of Everything Webinar, Kimberli Allen. Kimberli’s company sells an easy-to-use template and user guide that takes the mystery out of presenting. Adi has used Kimberli’s products on many occasions, and in their interview, Adi asked Kimberli a critical question.
“What is the process for creating a really good presentation?”
Kimberli answered that question and many more in their discussion. Read on for the answer – and listen to the entire interview here to learn even more.
Process Building: Creating Presentations
When building a new process, you can either create the process yourself or buy a premade process like the one Kimberli’s company provides. Either way, here are six steps to take any time you make a presentation.
Step 1: Establish clear branding
The first step of any presentation is to establish a branded image that speaks the magic language of your target market. This image can be used to begin your presentation, as a placeholder during the Q&A session, or any other time when a branded reminder would be useful.
Step 2: Write a brief, attention-grabbing opening that tells your audience “What’s in it for me?”
“What’s in it for me?” is an old marketing adage. Telling your audience immediately why they should listen to you and what they will get out of your presentation is a way to grab attention and directly engage them.
Building a brief (we are talking 45 seconds or less) opening that engages your audience can be difficult. Still, it’s worth writing and practicing that opening to keep audience’s attention throughout your presentation.
Step 3: Provide the objective of the presentation
Kimberli recommends sharing an image with the word “objective” in it or saying, “My objective for you today is…” and then sharing the objective statement you’ve created for the presentation. This provides a focal point during the presentation to keep you and your audience focused and on point.
Step 4: Integrate the three learning styles.
The three learning styles are:
1. Visual
2. Audio
3. Kinesthetics
Most presenters integrate the first two learning styles with graphics, videos, and speaking. The third can be more challenging to bring into a presentation. Here are a few suggestions Adi and Kimberli had for integrating kinesthetics into a presentation:
- Using the chat feature during a webinar.
- Integrating a Q&A period.
- Including call and response as part of your presentation.
- Sending virtual swag to your audience.
- Sending real swag like a workbook for audience members to use.
Including all three learning styles engages audiences of all kinds and makes your presentation more accessible to everyone.
Step 6: Once the presentation is completed, provide next steps.
The presentation is over! You did it! Now what?
We assume you want them to become clients, buy your book, or step into your sales funnel. Whatever it is you want your audience to do, you need to:
a. Tell them.
b. Make it easy for them to do.
The first step is simple. You can tell them something like “Do you want to put these tools into action? Download a free checklist!” The second step requires some additional forethought. Instead of telling people to download the checklist and leaving it at that, make it easy for them to do. Provide the clickable download link in your webinar. Include a postcard with a QR code for the download at your in-person talk.
No matter what you do, you want to make it easy for your audience to take the next step.
Processes are vital for creating a consistent product. Kimberli built a process around presentations. Adi and Business Success Consulting Group helps your company document and refine processes so that you can create consistency and build scalability into your business.
Find out how processes can help your company grow. Contact Business Success Consulting Group today.
