Four pillars of a great presentation

You may have the best idea, the best product or the best proposal. However, if you are unable to present it in a professional manner, it may never be recognized as valuable. There are four simple steps to giving a successful presentation, called the four pillar methods:

1. Understand your audience

2. Understand your purpose

3. Understand the material

4. Understand yourself

Mastering these four areas will give you the skills to prepare and deliver a more effective presentation.

1. Understand your audience

Understanding your audience allows you to determine what and how you need to present. You can also address your interests in a personalized way. Take the first step by creating an audience profile that includes roles and responsibilities, age, knowledge base, learning styles, culture, number of attendees, purpose of attendance, or expectations. This will facilitate the preparation of appropriate content/material, incorporating all the necessary learning styles, etc.

Gathering information about your audience doesn’t have to be complicated. There are several ways to collect audience information:

• Arrive early to speak to audience members beforehand.

• Distribute a survey before the presentation

• Talk to the organizer

• Review evaluations of previous presentations

• Attend a performance before yours to get an idea of ​​what the group is like.

• Request for information or written materials describing the audience

2. Understand your purpose

It is essential to know the purpose of making a presentation. Writing a simple sentence can be a means of defining purpose. You can always wonder why I’m doing this presentation. To provide information (raise awareness) or to change attitudes (create excitement) or to develop new skills.

3. Understand the material

One way to increase your confidence as a presenter is to know where the information in your content is coming from (understand your source). Take advantage of what you already know about the topic by reviewing the content. To identify what you need to know by conducting literature reviews and searches using trusted sources. You can also use data/statistics that are relevant to the audience, etc.

4. Understand yourself

Building confidence as a speaker starts with understanding yourself. This includes knowing “Your style.” For example: use humor, use stories, prefer to stand behind a podium, etc. Know “Your abilities/strengths”. For example: ability to establish a good relationship with the audience, great graphic designer, etc. Knowing “Your weaknesses”. For example: using filler words, speaking softly, nervous in front of a group, etc.