A Guide For Effective Presentations

An effective presentation should have three major things: Substance, style and supporting materials.

Having these elements in place is the start to giving an effective presentation. The following guide will give you everything you need to know on how to conduct your next presentation.

1. Be Well Organized. Your presentation should flow in a logical sequence. Additionally, your major points should connect in an orderly manner.

2. Get to the Point. Your speech should be direct, clear and concise. Your audience should walk away remembering and understanding the key points.

3. Exude Confidence. You should express yourself with certainty and credibility. In order to do this you have to make sure you have done research on your topic.

4. Be Sincere. This goes along with being confident. You must be able to come across to your audience with care and concern.

5. Sound Positive. You should display your points in the best possible way. Make sure that what you say verbally matches your nonverbal communication.

6. Relate well to the audience. Understand your audience and convey your message in such a way that speaks to them. Your presentation should be useful and relevant.

7. Have enthusiasm. You can come across animated in your own style, whether low-keyed or full of energy. Sound as if you are interested in what you have to say.

8. Use visual aids to support your presentation. Visual aids enhance your presentation and can be used as talking points.

If you follow this guide, you will give an effective presentation.

Direct Selling Business Presentations

Home Party Plan Presentation Tips

There are many different types of selling in the marketplace today. Whether it is in a retail store, house to house, on the Internet, or with home parties, the basic principles have not changed over the years. To be successful there are many factors involved and that is why direct sales training is a good idea, especially if one wishes to improve their techniques, learn new tips or are new to the business.

With today’s economy, many people are trying to earn extra income. As a result, some are going to the Internet or to direct marketing companies who have a product and engage a person as a private contractor to sell their goods. This has been especially effective for those who have home parties and invite guests in to view the product firsthand. Having personal contact in a comfortable location leads the potential buyer to feel at home and avoid the pressure of direct selling. Having some refreshments and small prizes also adds considerably to the atmosphere.

Training From Your home party Corporate Headquarters

There are a number of excellent home party companies which specialize in this kind of training. The headquarters which provides the product, for example, will often have representatives available to personally disclose techniques and selling ideas that have proven effective over the years. Many have found that presenting the products in their home has been very successful.

Direct selling involve many things that have proven effective over the years. The basic premise is that one must be ethical, believe in what is being sold, and be able to stand behind the product. With this foundation in place one is ready to proceed with training to be a successful sales person.

When trying to present one’s products to others in a direct sales setting, knowing how to present a knowledgeable and clear picture is essential for success. Know the product or program, have all the facts, and present them in a manner that is clear, concise and understandable. There is nothing worse than attending one of these home show and hear someone reading from a piece of paper. Being able to make an effective presentation which involves potential buyers, and knowing the answers to any questions that might be asked, are essential for success.

With the proper home party training it is possible to learn how to work on one’s strengths to develop a way of making a presentation that is instinctive, giving one the appearance of confidence and trust in their product. Selecting the correct program and having the guidance of someone knowledgeable in the field makes it possible to move forward toward success. Once trained, someone in the home party business will be able to establish themselves as a base for people to come back to when more of the product is needed.

In addition, recruiting others to also sell the product will, over time, increase the business considerably with extra pay. A good party plan business takes advantage of the ability to make money at the show or home party but also by growing a sales team and teaching them how to do the same.

7 Steps to Effective Presentation Skills

Studies show that many people have more fear of public speaking than of dying. That’s huge. Whether you’re giving your first presentation or your 100th, these tips will help you give less fearful, more powerful presentations.

Step 1
Plan, Prepare, and Practice.

The first step is to plan your verbal presentation – what you’re going to say. When giving a presentation, you should always talk about something you know – something in which you are an expert. Credibility is important to get people to listen to you.

If you’re stuck on planning a talk, use this formula: Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them.

Once your presentation is complete – practice, practice, practice. Know your talk so well you could give it in your sleep. But so you won’t put your audience to sleep, follow these next tips.

Step 2
Focus on your visual presentation.

The visual aspect of your presentation is the most important in getting your message across. It includes your body language, gestures, facial expression, eye contact, appearance, and visuals such as PowerPoint – all of what the audience sees.

The people in your audience will form their first impressions of you when you walk into the room. So dress for success and appear confident and friendly, even if your knees are knocking.

Good posture and natural gestures are important. Your most important facial expression is your smile. Smile and they won’t notice if you’re nervous. The most important visual is eye contact. Look at each person during your talk.

Use visuals whenever possible. Some basic rules for PowerPoint are that your slides should always be in color (no exceptions) and use graphics. If you’re talking about going green, for example, show video, photographs, or clip art that represent what you’re saying in each slide. Don’t hesitate to be humorous if it feels right for you.

Step 3
Use variety in your vocal presentation.

The second most important aspect is your vocal presentation – how you use your voice. It includes volume, pace, tone, inflection, and enunciation. Speak loudly and clearly (even with a microphone), not too fast or slow.

Vary you pace and don’t forget the all-important PAUSE. Don’t be afraid of silence and say “uh.” Pause before and after you make a point; it makes your listeners’ ears perk up. If you go along in a monotone, don’t be surprised if they go to sleep. Pausing can make you sound conversational. Say, “There’s one thing that (short pause) can make recycling more effective.” That slight hesitation makes it seem as if you’re just thinking of what you’re going to say next, as you would in a conversation.

Use a downward inflection at the end of a sentence. Don’t say, “More and more people are composting than ever before?” You’re telling them, not asking them. This is a bad habit a lot of people have, even experienced speakers. Don’t be guilty of doing this or you’ll sound wishy-washy and unsure of yourself. A fatal flaw for speakers.

Step 4
Use notes, but don’t read or memorize.

When I prepare a talk, I think of what I want to say and say it aloud. Then I write a phrase or some key words that will remind me of what I want to say. I’ll type a twenty-minute talk on one or two sheets of paper with just notes that guide me to the next point.

There are a couple of exceptions to this rule. Since your introduction and closing are most important, it’s okay to memorize them so you can begin and end with confidence and effective eye contact. Also, if you’re quoting someone, it’s all right to write the quote in full and read some (not all) of it.

If you’re going to allow for questions and answers, do them before closing your talk. You want to leave them with your strongest point and call to action. I like to end by saying, “I’ll leave you with these words of…” and give a powerful quote that sums up my presentation. Don’t end by saying, “thank you,” as if they’re doing you a favor. You’re doing them a favor. If you must, say instead something like, “You’ve been a great audience and I’ve really enjoyed being here.”

Step 5
Tell stories.

Tom Peters said, “The best leaders…almost without exception and at every level…are master users of stories and symbols.” And, of course the best leaders are the best speakers.

Tell them the story of how you got your children to turn off lights, save water, and recycle. Your stories should be personal and related to a point you’re making. Have you ever gotten teary-eyed or a lump in your throat when a speaker told you how they escaped death in a car accident? Make ‘em laugh; make ‘em cry. They’ll relate to and remember you for it. And stories just make your presentation a lot more personal and interesting.

Step 6
Control your fear of public speaking.

Notice I didn’t say eliminate it, although you may reach that point with enough experience. A little nervousness is a good thing – it keeps you on your toes and gives you energy. Just don’t let it show. Steve Bull advises, “Nerves and butterflies are fine – they’re a physical sign that you’re mentally ready and eager. You have to get the butterflies to fly in formation, that’s the trick.”

There are only two reasons I can think of to be nervous or fearful of giving a presentation. One, you’re putting too much importance on what people think of you (ego). Think of what you can do for them instead; that’s what you’re there for. And know that audiences are on your side. They want you to do a good job; they’re not sitting there judging you unless you’re awful. Your presentation is for them – not you.

The other reason – a legitimate one – to be nervous is if you’re unprepared. There’s no excuse for this. People don’t mind if you make mistakes or lose your place, but they do mind if you bore them or show a lack of concern for them by not being prepared.

Step 7
Get speech coaching.

Hopefully, these steps have given you some ideas on improving your presentation skills. The best way to make huge improvements is to hire a professional coach. Every experienced, dynamic speaker has had one. Your coach will support you and diplomatically point out ineffective things you’re doing that you may be unaware of on your own.

Here’s to your success as a personable, professional, powerful presenter!