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6. Stage
You did it! well... almost... Now its time to take your message to the stage! er... webcam...
Going into your presentation, how do you make sure that you actually feel ready? How do make sure you don’t miss any critical information?
While it might seem like the easiest approach, reading from a script really isn’t an effective way to connect, and trying to memorize every detail and create a fixed performance can also come across as inauthentic and rigid. You’ll need to be flexible in the moment in case something unexpected comes up (#zoomfails). It is actually possible to over-rehearse. On the other hand going “off the cuff” isn’t a smart strategy either - not if you want the depth of your message to come through and to trigger action.
While it’s true that there is no “one size fits all” approach, and the right amount preparation for you may be different than your peers, you’ll still want to strike an appropriate balance between flexibility and preparation. The approach we provide here focusses on helping you be present in the moment with your audience while also having support to hit your key points and deliver your message.
1. One page Summary 🖌️
The most powerful step you can take is break your presentation into chunks based on the top points you will be communicating, and create a one sentence statement for each chunk. Arrange these statements onto a single page so that you can see your whole presentation in a glance. Printing or writing this out in a bold font will give you a map that you can reference at any time during practice and delivery, to help you know where you are.
2. 1 to 3 Visuals 🖼️
When it comes to conveying your message visually, often less is more. Especially in a short presentation. While this is completely at your discretion we recommend preparing 1 to 3 very simple slides that your audience can point at (with an image, a statement, or a heading with 2-3 bullet points) can be more than enough to help your audience stay with you. Don’t be afraid to leave open space where you are talking without a slide - as this will help your audience to engage more directly with your presence and listen to what you’re saying.
3. Rehearsal & Mindset 📣
Now that you’ve prepared all your content and materials, all that’s left to do is give yourself a couple of run throughs and practice putting yourself in a healthy frame of mind to enjoy the experience. Take a deep breath! This is just an opportunity to connect with people, share, and make change together.
You did it! 🎉
Don’t forget to celebrate once you’ve completed the presentation! You’ve earned it!
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