Anyone can give a presentation. No, really. Anyone in the entire world can deliver a presentation. They can highlight a few main points. They can flip through some PowerPoint or Keynote slides. But, not many people can give a talk with a highly durable presentation message. If you’ve taken the Badge assessment, you have likely discovered your presentation persona. Did you score as one of the following profiles?
Performer
Befriender
Activator
Scientist
Director
Demonstrator
Navigator
Educator
If so, you may not currently have a presentation message with any real lasting impact on your audience. It’s okay, though. Because this article will provide you with actionable tips on how you can produce a message capable of standing the test of time. To outline these methods, we will use the TED Talk by Scott Dinsmore below.
Build Your Platform
During Scott’s TED Talk, he mentioned the initial failure of his startup, Live Your Legend. For 4 years, he tried to get the company off the ground to no avail. Eventually, however, he succeeded. And now, he continues to blog about articles related to his business at liveyourlegend.net/blog. Scott also regularly exchanges information on Twitter to his 18.1K followers. The lesson to learn here is that you must actively build your social platforms if you want to ultimately deliver a presentation message that is durable.
Establish a Unique Point of View
The title of his TED Talk is in and of itself setting the tone for his unique point of view on the subject of careers. Although 80 percent of employees dislike their jobs, as Scott mentions in the video, not many people speak to the tune of finding a job you absolutely love. So, in that way he is very much a thought leader in the area.
“I have just one question to ask you guys, and I think it’s the only question that matters. And it’s what is the work you can’t not do? Discover that, live it, not just for you, but for everybody around you, because that is what starts to change the world.”
Source: Scott Dinsmore – How to find work you love
Be Personal and Personable
Your message is only as durable as you are personable. Why? Because people tend to trust someone who is able to be the slightest bit vulnerable with them. When presenters let their guard down, they can effectively let their audience in to their world. Scott demonstrates his personable nature from the beginning of his TED Talk.
“So eight years ago, I got the worst career advice of my life. I had a friend tell me, ‘Don’t worry about how much you like the work you’re doing now. It’s all about just building your resume.’”
Source: Scott Dinsmore – How to find work you love
This quote is a perfect example of a personal moment that captures the entire essence of his presentation message.
For more information that is focused on enhancing your message and overall content, review the resources listed below.
Using Literary Devices in Presentations
Using Props in a Presentation: A TED Talk Review
How Presenters Can Be Better Listeners
Fun Ways to Engage Your Audience
