Be a better presenter. Don’t present.

Generally speaking, presentations are boring.  But yours can be different.

Over a series of posts, I will provide techniques for making your presentations more interesting and, therefore, your message more memorable. I begin with a somewhat counterintuitive approach: when presenting, don’t present.

Generally speaking, presentations are boring for audiences.  They are monologues.  And, unfortunately, many times are delivered monotonously, chock full of facts, figures, and numbers the human brain cannot remember five minutes after they have been stated (try to remember all the numbers pushed at you in the next presentation you sit through).  When this happens, it’s unlikely the audience will walk away with the message you’re trying to convey let alone the details you provide.  How do you get past this if you have to present to a group, large or small?  Don’t present.  Have a conversation.  Certainly, you have discussions regularly with individuals and small groups that are easy and flow.  Most likely in these conversations you use natural conversational steps like

1. stating your premise
2. articulating the first part of your message
3. asking questions for feedback
4. listening to participants’ responses
5. adjusting the conversation real-time based on the feedback you receive
6. moving on to your next point and repeating the steps above
7. closing with a summary of your messages plus modifications based on the discussion. 

The same can be done in large meetings with two modifications: the questions are rhetorical, and the responses are non-verbal.  Turn the monologue into a conversation by asking questions, pausing for effect, giving your answer, and then asking whether the group agrees or sees it differently. Even a simple “does that make sense?” will elicit responses.  Heads may nod or shake or perhaps you’ll see confusion on some faces.  In any case, you will receive feedback, providing insight into how to adjust based on what you see. 

The power of asking questions cannot be understated.  It is the crux of a conversation.  One person speaks, another speaks, questions arise, answers provided.  There is back and forth until understanding is achieved.  It does not have to be different when presenting.  Asking questions engages people’s brains, helping to ward off boredom.  They hold a conversation in their own minds, answering questions as you pose them and thinking more deeply about the topic and the implications to them.  This puts you in a completely different position for driving understanding and, therefore, action.

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Share your thoughts below.

What techniques do you use to engage your audience when you present?