Improve Your Presentation Before You Even Start

By Kelly Vandever

Do you want to look more polished when you present?

Of course you do!

Do you want the audience to care about your topic?

Yes!

Do you want them to listen to you? Obviously.

So why not improve your presentation before you even start with a great introduction?!

By introduction I mean that little blurb of information that someone else reads before you start your presentation. A lot of presenters don't think about this important stage-setting step. But a strong introduction can help you present yourself as the polished professional that you are. Here's how.

Find Out Who Will Introduce You

If you're speaking in front of a formal group, the person who asked you to speak or the person running the meeting will likely be the person who introduces you. What often happens if you don't provide an introduction is that someone will pull information off of your website or LinkedIn profile and create their own introduction.

Send them your introduction before the actual event. The day of the event, bring along two hard copies of your introduction just in case they forget to print it out and bring it. Hand one copy to the person who will be introducing you. The second one is a back up in case the person introducing you loses the copy you gave them. (You'd be amazed at how often that happens!)

Your Introduction Should Do Two Things

1. Let the Audience Know Why They Should Listen to the Presentation

Every audience member wants to know "What's in it for me?" Don't rely on them to remember what they read about your presentation on a website or in the meeting program. Don't make them wait to find out once you start speaking. Include information in your introduction that creates curiosity and lets them know even before you start speaking why they should care.

For example, in a recent presentation, my introducer set the stage by saying, "Imagine... A room full of small business owners, assembled to listen to YOU! You have a golden opportunity to make a great impression. Are you ready?" The audience, whose best customers are small business owners, was poised and ready to listen!

2. Establishing Why They Should Listen to You

Once you've established for your audience why they should listen to your topic, then they need to understand why they should listen to you. what makes you the expert? Let your introducer explain why you're the one to talk about your expertise.

There's a reason you want the introducer to explain your credentials. If you were to take time to explain your credentials to the audience, you risk being perceived as bragging. No one likes a bragger. Let your introducer brag about you! The audience will find the information more credible coming from a third party. And you avoid having the audience dislike you because they think you're full of yourself

Formatting Your Introduction

Type your introduction so that it fits on a single page, double-spaced, with large font, either 16 or 18 point. Why so large? Two reasons. (If you're over 40, you already know the first reason.) As we age, our eyesight gets worse. The larger print makes it easier for aging eyes to read. Often times, it's the middle-aged person that happens to introduce you and they will appreciate the larger type. The second reason is to keep the introduction from going too long. You want the introduction to interest the listener as to why they should care about you presentation. You want the introduction to establish your credibility. But you don't need for your introducer to go on and on forever with the introductions! A double-spaced single sheet of paper helps you keep to an introduction that's about a minute while still giving the introduction time to establish the relevancy of your presentation and your credibility as the person talking about the subject.

Coach Your Introducer

I'm not sure why but many introducers seem reluctant to read the introduction as written. This can really throw you off if you're relying on your introduction to set the stage for your presentation. On the day of the meeting, touch base with your introducer and confirm she's got your introduction ready (and whip out one of the hard copies you brought with you if she doesn't). Let her know that you'd like her to read the introduction as written because it helps set up the presentation that comes next. Most people are happy to comply because it let's them off the hook to try and adlib something cleaver. They may still botch up the introduction. If they do, be ready to hit the stage and start your presentation as planned. And if they read it as planned, then you've set yourself up for a great presentation.

There's a lot that goes into make a great presentation. But having a great introduction can help you get off on the right foot before you even get started.