Effective Presentation Techniques: Engage and Influence Your Audience

1. Chapter 25 Oral Presentations and Webinars Technical Communication, 12th Edition John M. Lannon Laura Gurak

2. Advantages Interactive Body language, vocal tone, eye contact Ability to see reactions Ability to answer questions immediately Disadvantages On the spot Nerves often cause people to present poorly Advantages and Drawbacks

3. Planning Your Presentation • Analyze your listeners • Work from an explicit purpose statement • Analyze your speaking situation • Select a delivery method • Memorized • Impromptu • Scripted • Extemporaneous

4. Types of Presentations • Informative • Training/Instructional • Persuasive • Action Plan • Sales

5. Preparing Your Presentation • Research your topic • Aim for simplicity and conciseness • Anticipate audience questions • Outline your presentation • Plan and prepare your visuals • Consider available technology • Rehearse your delivery

6. Visuals Plan • Decide which visuals will work best where • Decide how many visuals are appropriate • Create a storyboard • Decide which visuals are achievable • Select appropriate media Prepare • Be selective • Make visuals easy to read and understand • Look for alternatives to word-filled visuals

7. Using Presentation Software • Don’t let the software do the thinking. • Have a backup plan in case the technology fails. • Start with an overview slide. • Find a balance between text and visuals. • Avoid overcrowding the slide. • Avoid merely reciting slides. • Don’t let the medium obscure the message. • Keep it simple, but not simplistic. • Keep viewers oriented. • End with a “conclusion” or “questions” slide.

8. Delivering Your Presentation • Rehearse your delivery • Check the room and setting beforehand • Cultivate the human landscape • Keep your listeners oriented • Plan for how you will use any non-computer visual aids • Manage your presentation style • Manage your speaking situation

9. Manage Your Presentation Style • Use natural movements and reasonable postures. • Adjust volume, pronunciation, and rate. • Maintain eye contact.

10. Manage Your Speaking Situation • Be responsive to listener feedback. • Stick to your plan. • Leave listeners with something to remember. • Allow time for questions and answers.

11. Webinars and Distance Presentations • While in person oral presentations are best, sometimes it is not practical to have all audience members travel; everyone must be available at the same time, but not the same place. • A webinar, or Web based seminar, allows you to deliver a presentation via the internet.

12. Webinars and Distance Presentations • Prepare your slides well in advance. • Test your slides on the webinar site. • Decide which webinar features to use. • Post your slides on the company’s server. • Consider adding audio. • Use slide sharing sites to allow those who can’t attend the webinar to access your slides. • Use collaboration tools to work a term presentation, when appropriate.

13. Any Questions? For additional help reviewing this chapter, please visit the Companion Website for your text at http://www.pearsonhighered.com/lannon.