Last month, public officials in Rapid City set new rules for city council and committee presentations. Individuals delivering digital presentations will be required to give their slides or images to government officials at least a day before the meeting. This leaves the meeting hosts flustered and could cause the event to last longer than it should. No matter where the presentation venue is or what kind of set-up a presenter could be dealing with, the important thing is that he or she arrive prepared. Obviously, this is not happening in Rapid City’s local government gatherings. Here are just a few reasons presenters need to pay attention to their presentation preparation:
Streamline Your Message
If you decide to walk into a presentation venue 5 minutes prior to show time, you could be setting yourself up for an audience riot. You need to be able to give your presentation in as little time as possible – allowing for maximum retention of your presentation message. It is virtually a presentation crime to expect your audience to wait while you tinker with cords or check for file viruses. Don’t break the cardinal presentation rule: Never waste your audience’s time.
Project Your Authority
A sure sign of laziness and lack of passion for your own content is showing up to your presentation unprepared. If you haven’t taken the necessary measures to ensure smooth delivery of your slides, then you are communicating nothing but negativity about yourself to your audience. You’ll immediately lose a chunk of any perceived authority you may have had. Set aside time to plan out your presentation opening – perhaps opting for a third party introduction to enhance your credibility.
Demonstrate Your Buy-In
If you’ve done your presentation preparation, it typically shows on a variety of levels. First, you’ll be dressed in an appropriate manner. The content you present will be crafted in a way that connects perfectly with your audience. You will have included the perfect mix of activity and lecture-based sections. And you will conclude on the most impactful call to action – one that will speak to your presentation audience.
I believe Rapid City officials made the right move with their new presentation preparation guidelines. Although, a presenter who is on top of the ball wouldn’t need to be told, he or she would simply do. For more information to help you get prepared for your presentations, review the links below:
Presentation Preparation: How to Visualize Your Presentation
Presentation Training Tips for the 7 Types of Learners
How Well Do You Connect with Your Audiences? Get Better Now.
