1-2-3, Go Present!

Our parent company isn’t called Ethos3 just because that 3 looks oh-so-nice opposite the E (although we do love that).  Three is a powerful number.  If you’ve ever ridden a tricycle, learned how to juggle or been involved in a love triangle, you might have recognized just how important the number three can be.  Keeping that in mind, applying some “Rules of 3” to your presentation will help you convey your message in a clear and meaningful way.

The Art of Persuasion

Aristotle divided the art of persuasion into three categories: ethos, pathos and logos.  Ethos is the concept of persuading others through establishing your credibility.  As a speaker, you should always convince your audience that you are an expert worth listening to.  Pathos, persuasion through passion or emotion, requires that you appeal to those emotions that your audience will most likely respond to.  Finally, logos is the concept of persuading through reasoning and logic.  Although some subject matters are better suited to a particular persuasion method, presenters should always incorporate all three to be most effective.

Structure with Sense

Every good story is built on the same basic structure of having a beginning, a middle and an end.  Good presentations are also structured this way.  Your presentation should include an introduction that gives your audience some idea of what you will discuss.  The middle of your presentation is where you present your arguments, supporting facts and financial data, etc.  The presentation’s conclusion brings your presentation to a clear end and should include a summary of your (no more than three) main points.

K.I.S.S. with 3 Points

Keep It Simple . . . Sugar by limiting your presentation to three main points.  Trying to cover more will overload your audience.  The same rule goes for the information you use to support your arguments – keep it to three points.  If there are a million and one reasons to support your view, mention only the most compelling three.  Including more will take away from your main argument.  By the time you’ve reached your fifth supporting point, your audience will already have forgotten what you were trying to prove.

3^rd Time’s the Charm

Visit your presentation at least three times before you step in front of an audience.  You should create it or review it, practice it and deliver it.   Don’t gloss over that second step!  Practicing twice is better than practicing once, and practicing three times is even better.  If you stick to the Rules of 3, you’ll be once . . . twice . . . three-times a presenter.  And your audience will love you.

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