Presentation Zen

Prepare for your presentation

Instructions

Define your presentation's core topic. Having a well-defined topic provides a foundation and sets the direction for the entire presentation. Write your topic down.
Equip yourself with traditional brainstorming tools. : Before diving into idea generation, ensure you have the necessary tools at hand. You may use a pen and paper, whiteboard markers, or post-it notes. Having them ready streamlines the brainstorming process.
Brainstorm ideas freely.
Let your mind roam free around your core topic. Do not censor or limit your thoughts at this stage. Capture every idea that comes to mind, ensuring you have a rich pool of ideas to select from later on.
Distill your core message.
Amidst all the ideas and information, there's always a primary message you want your audience to remember. Identify that message and define what impact it should make. Refine your presentation's content based on this.
Put yourself in the audience's shoes.
Empathy is crucial in effective communication. Regularly improve your content by asking, "So what?" from an audience's perspective. Address the potential questions they might have and ensure the content resonates with them.
Conduct an elevator pitch test.
Try encapsulating the essence of your presentation within 30-45 seconds, similar to an elevator pitch. Though you might not use this exact pitch during your presentation, the exercise will help you sharpen and clarify your main message.
Draft a comprehensive handout.
Preparing a detailed handout ahead of time allows you more freedom during your presentation. Instead of feeling pressured to cover every tiny detail, you can focus on the main points, knowing your audience has access to supplementary information. This also prevents the pitfall of overloading your slides with information. Aim for simplicity in your slides, reserving the detailed content for your handout.
Avoid slideuments. It's tempting to use your slides as a multi-purpose tool, but they should not double as a document. Slides should be simple, clear, and visually appealing. Save the detailed explanations, charts, and additional information for the handout. This ensures your audience remains engaged and isn’t overwhelmed by information during your presentation.