There are thirteen expert tips you need to know as an entrepreneur preparing to present a powerful business presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business presentations are more than glitz and glamour. Today\u2019s investors want concise yet meaty presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want an interactive, user-friendly informational meeting that helps them make a decision quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The audience may be banking executives, venture capitalists, management professionals, or potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first impression is what counts, and that impression should be indelible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The occasion should not be a nightmare for you, the presenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are not enjoying yourself, the audience isn\u2019t either. Some business professionals clamor at the mere thought of presenting, but this is only a conduit for growth. How can your business idea grow if you don\u2019t share it with others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those who are developing as presenters, below are thirteen tips that will help take your presentations to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever heard of the acronym S.M.E.? It stands for Subject Matter Expert – this is your business, and no one should know it better than you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore be competent. As an entrepreneur, you must know everything about your business. The idea must roll off your tongue like a flowing river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using visual aids, note cards, and slides is ideal for optimizing information sharing. Investors want to see what you are saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember Show-and-Tell in kindergarten? Well, it works wonders in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Show the information as you are telling it. Convey knowledge on slides for the best result, use charts, images, bullet points, and video clips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While tools are necessary, remember they are tools – they are not you. They cannot replace you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They cannot communicate what you can communicate. Therefore, use them as reference points. They are not the main event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use data to support every point on your slides. You may want to add footnotes at the bottom, but this is not necessary. You want your presentation to be respectable – this will inspire confidence in you and your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, be comfortable with yourself. Stand firm, walk if possible, and share what has so intrigued you about your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get excited about your business and let others see it. It is contagious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are excited, your presentation will be exciting. No investor wants to sit through a dreary presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want to know why you are before them and what fuels you. That fuel is exciting about your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let your passion come through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Body language communicates passion more than words. Your eyes, hand gestures, and gait, coupled with your voice tone, will tell the truth about your heart and the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you love the company?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you believe in the mission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investors will know once you begin speaking. Presenting in front of a crowd or just a few should be an event for which you prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s right, you must practice for the big day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clear your mind of distracting thoughts. Some people listen to classical music, while others read inspirational quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some entrepreneurs sit in a dark room and breathe deeply. These exercises prepare you both physically and mentally. You will be ready, and you will succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get to the presentation room early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You do not want to walk into space for the first time and present without spending a few moments in that room while it is empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you\u2019ll need to set up your presentation tools and make sure you do a soundcheck. Prevent technology problems by setting up early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If audio-visual equipment is made available for you, practice using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since it is usually not yours, you will want to know how to operate it effectively. Smooth presentations happen when the presenter is familiar with the equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, make sure nothing is blocking you from the audience. If so, make adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask maintenance to help you with this. If you cannot remove the impediment, figure out a game plan to make it work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing out of your mouth sets the tone. It leaves a lasting impression. It will also be the thing that prompts the audience to listen further to your presentation. So, start with a bang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some great starters include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reassure your audience that you are in control by saying, \u201cI know what you may be thinking\u2026\u201d or \u201cAre you a bit perplexed? No worries, I\u2019m taking you somewhere. Stay with me, folks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First impressions mean everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By drawing an audience into your presentation, you will build trust as you take them from one point to the next.
Guided journeys are something people love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the outset, provide your audience with objectives. These objectives are milestones that give the audience a framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While audiences like being surprised, they do not like journeying with you without a roadmap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want to know where your presentation is going from the beginning. Achieving objectives will make your audience feel a sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have used your time wisely. Investors and other professionals want to feel that being at your presentation brought them some achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When they have a sense of accomplishment, they will more than likely become emotionally and mentally invested in your concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An invested group of people makes the Question and Answer session emotionally and mentally engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They will all want their questions answered. They will want to probe deeper. They will like to learn more and as they learn you earn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facts and figures are essential, but any high-performing sales professional will tell you stories to sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People want to know the story behind the numbers. How do these numbers translate? Who is representative of your statistics? Where are the people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By nature, most people are rather nosy – this is why the Biography Channel is such a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all want to know someone\u2019s life story. We want the inside scoop. The same applies in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investors want to know who will be affected by their investment. They want to know how your business improves the lives of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making a profit is great, but making a profit by solving a problem is rewarding and enduring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell the story straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a name, a place, weather, and emotions to set the tone. Many presenters use the catchphrase, \u201cPicture it\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guess why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People like to have images painted upon the canvases of their minds. Paint a picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have painted the picture, end the story quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s just a story, not a sitcom or a major motion picture – concise is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reality TV has transformed the American experience. No longer is it enough to sit and watch, but viewers want to vote for you or against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want to be involved in the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During your business presentation, get the audience involved – this is simple yet demands thoughtfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever you do, make sure it fits your style and content. Allow the audience to participate, and what the audience does will cement the information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interaction is yet another way of painting upon the mental canvas of the listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the presentation is rather lengthy, make sure it is pleasantly funny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep your tone professionally light. You do not want to speak in long sentences as this fatigues an audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share as you would with a friend. Remember, if you are enjoying the presentation, so will your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make light jokes but not inappropriate jokes. Be professional. You are an entrepreneur seeking investors. Do not dissuade them with a tasteless wisecrack. You will look foolish and depart empty-handed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing beats a good shock – this is what makes suspense movies so enthralling. So, make some shocking statements to keep the attention of your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not be afraid to challenge the established beliefs associated with the data set surrounding your business. You are presenting because you have found a novel idea to address a problem. Sometimes that problem is old, but it is still a problem. Be bold, tactful, and shock them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many professionals employ the 10-20-30 rule when presenting. It\u2019s simple, effective, and ensures things do not get boring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking toward the floor and talking to your feet won\u2019t engage the audience. Investors want to know you see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are nervous, you may look just above their heads, but do not fear looking at people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eye contact is a confident move in presentations. Speak to all of the audience, but personally address certain people as if they were the entire audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proper strategies will draw everyone into your presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With an open hand, extend it to others as you speak. Body language conveys an offer, a suggestion, and a gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you look at the audience and make eye contact with specific people, your presentation moves from a large-scale event to a personal one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The audience will depart feeling as if you spoke directly to them as an individual – this is memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You want an engaging, rigorous Question and Answer session. But, you better get ready for the tough questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truthfully, you should already know what the tough questions will be. You should anticipate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your study of the business should have been an incubator for all the tricky points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will gain trust if you can answer these questions honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are yet exploring various solutions, share that information. You need not know the answer to everything, as no one person does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, you better understand the response to most things<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the Question and Answer session is complete, close your presentation on a high. Accomplish this in various ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investors should leave your presentation feeling as if it was a good use of their time. They should have learned something, been adequately challenged in their thinking, and be intrigued to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behind every excellent presentation is a lot of hard work and preparation. Great presentations do not happen overnight. Great presentations are organized, objective-driven, intriguing, insightful, and engaging. It is not the visuals that achieve this. It has a lot to do with your delivery style.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
It would help if you were organized, objective-driven, intriguing, insightful, and engaging. The best way for you to do this is to be yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not morph into some stage character when it is time to present. The audience will know this is not your authentic self, and the entire presentation will be weird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have the business idea; you have the process efficiently calculated; this is your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are more than good enough to present it. The reality is, no one can do what you can when it comes to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pitch Masters<\/a> seeks to provide entrepreneurs like yourself with valuable information to make your business a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of the type of business you operate, Pitch Masters<\/a> can help you present it in such a way that your authentic self shines through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n