The best presentations are like conversations
When people are in conversation, they constantly think. They think about what they’re hearing, considering how they might respond, and constantly engaging in the thread of the discussion to consider how it aligns with their experiences of the world.
Of course, you want them to do all of these things during your presentation, too!
If you rush to deliver all of your points, rather than linger and explore the ideas that cause the audience to lean in, you’re missing the opportunity to really tap into the zeitgeist of the room.
If you can consciously make space for the audience to think about what you’re saying, talk to the people around them to help them get clarity around their thoughts, and then share useful thoughts with the whole room, you’ll have a much more deeply engaged audience.
More importantly though, you’ll be learning about the audience, and what is currently stressing them or concerning them.
You can adjust your presentation on the fly to address their specific concerns and further position yourself as the expert they’re looking for.
This is yet another reason to be prepared, but not scripted.
P.S. — If you know a professional (accountant, consultant, economist, engineer, lawyer, researcher, etc.) who speaks to drive commercial goals (or they should), please send them the link to this article.
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Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels