“KISS-ING” Your Presentation
Keep It Simple
As I said in my previous blog post, I have been to presentation hell. I have been called to presentations where I thought, “Oh dear God, not again!” I have sat through lonnnngggg drawn out presentations with hundreds of slides.
And, if I’m honest with you – I’ve been guilty of giving some long boring presentations with lots of information and lots of slides.
It’s time to STOP THE MADNESS!
About five years into my career, I asked myself a critical question (with the help of a great coach). I asked myself if I could sit through one of my own presentations?
Could you?
The answer was that I could sit through my presentations, but I probably wouldn’t be so happy about it (big yawn). Things needed to change.
I went to work.
I stopped using cards and slides as a crutch. I started using a simple principle – Keep It Simple…(well you know that last word).
I took a look at my slides. I decided if they were really benefit my audience, they were keepers. If they were more a “prompter” to me, they got scratched.
I scratched jargon.
I added stories to illustrate points.
I decided that if I wanted people to listen and remember I needed to be somewhat entertaining.
I practiced and practiced and practiced.
In short, my presentations became simple yet entertaining, informative and with a clear call to action.
It worked. No one in my classes was nodding off or bleary eyed! Even though I was teaching important stuff it didn’t come off as dry.
I got calls and thank-you cards. My business increased by 50% in six months.
Stick with me on this series on presentations. Next week I am going to share a dynamite sales presentation skill that I learned from the best of the best.
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Until next time, ROAR!
