---

Do you need to give an important business presentation? 

Use this as an opportunity to build a professional platform and gain recognition for your expertise. 

Joan Detz, author of How To Write & Give A Speech (praised as “a how-to classic” by The Washington Post) offers these practical tips to help turn your next presentation into a real career-booster.

1. Say “no” sometimes. Don’t accept every speaking engagement that comes your way. Good presentations take a lot of time … so make sure you’re speaking to the right audiences.  

2. Request a good time slot. Why should you spend weeks  preparing a great speech – only to get stuck with the worst  time slot at a conference? Assume nothing. Ask the program chair to schedule you for a particular session. 

3. Choose the person who will introduce you. You’ll be judged by the company you keep … so keep good company. Leave nothing to chance. Write your own introduction. Highlight the most relevant aspects of your career for each audience.

4. Focus your topic. Position yourself as an expert. Resist the temptation to throw in everything you know about various  subjects. If you try to say everything, the audience will probably remember nothing. 

5. Analyze your audience. Start by looking at the demographics and the audience psychology. What do they already know about  your topic? Do they have biases? Can you solve any of their  problems? If you tailor your message to meet their unique needs, you will build a strong rapport – and present yourself  as a top communicator.

6. Target your research. Don’t hit your audience with tons of numbers. Research is more than just statistics. Use variety. Include some personal anecdotes, powerful examples, lively quotations, clever definitions, real-life comparisons, endorsements from customers, clips from the media, comments from employees, etcetera.  Be smart: Choose research that reflects your professional standing. 

7. Organize your material. Make it easy to follow. Give your presentation a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Whatever you do, make sure you stay within the allotted time frame.  What would it say about your professionalism if you ran  overtime? 

8. Simplify your language. Make it easy to understand. Get rid of jargon and gobbledygook. Keep it simple. (Don’t say “at this particular juncture in time.” Say “now.”) Your goal  is not to impress listeners with big words. Your goal is to communicate – as clearly as possible.

9. Avoid relying on A-V as a crutch. What is the purpose in  saying, “We’re here today to talk about quality” … and then  pointing to a screen with the word “quality”? Think about it: You’ve probably never heard an audience walk away saying,  “Gee, I wish that speaker had used more word slides!” 

10.Allow enough time to improve your delivery. Speakers aren’t born great. Speakers become great – with practice and good advice. So build ample rehearsal time into your schedule, and consider getting speaker coaching for major presentations. Presentations can be career-builders … or career-breakers. Choose wisely. And prepare accordingly.

11.Get a second bounce. If you think your presentation is “over” when you walk away from the lectern, think again. Savvy communicators seek media attention: Put your manuscript on your website … submit excerpts to trade publications … write op-ed pieces for newspapers … do spin-off articles … send the  manuscript to your alma mater’s magazine … reprint copies to distribute at future conferences. After all, it takes a lot of work to prepare a good speech. Use media attention to make  your speech work just as hard for you.

Copyright 2007, Joan Detz. 

Joan Detz is the author of HOW TO WRITE & GIVE A SPEECH

… IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S HOW YOU SAY IT … and CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS? (all widely available in libraries and bookstores). Since 1992, she has taught the distinguished Joan Detz Speechwriting Seminar Series (with Basic, Advanced and Master classes).