PowerPoint Tip - Use An Audience-Centered Structure

In a recent webinar, I covered many ways to organize, design, and deliver a presentation around the needs of the audience, and in turn, get better results.

If you missed it, I can share one of the concepts in the area of organization.

First, why create a presentation around the needs of the audience? You'll be able to keep your audience on the same page as you, resulting in better understanding, more retention of the material, and greater motivation to act. Remember that if you present what you want to say instead of what the audience wants to hear, you may miss the mark completely.

Most people start and end the wrong way, especially in a sales-type presentation. They start by telling the audience about themselves, perhaps with a history of the company and a list of other clients. Then they start to talk about their product or service. Finally, they mention the problems that it solves.

But the audience cares first and foremost about a solution to their problem. They want to know how you can solve the issues that keep them up at night. So, that's where you should start -- with the problem.

Researching your audience's situation in advance is very helpful for knowing what the problem is. It may not be obvious. You may think that the quality of your product and its excellent price are important. Your potential client might be more concerned about service.

Here is a better order for structuring your presentation:

1. Explain the problem. Review the difficulties of the current situation.
2. Explain how your product or service can solve the problem.
3. Validate your solution. Here's where you can talk about yourself and your company, and explain why you are the best person to solve the problem.
4. State a call to action, if appropriate.

By considering your audience first, you've turned the presentation upside down. The next time you prepare a presentation, think about this order. Your audience will thank you for it.

Ellen Finkelstein, is the best-selling author of How to Do Everything with PowerPoint 2007 (and previous editions for PowerPoint 2002 and PowerPoint 2003) Her award-winning Web site features loads of free tips on PowerPoint, the monthly PowerPoint Tips Newsletter, and the PowerPoint Tips Blog - http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com

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