Giving a presentation is not necessarily hard – but you need to be sure that you understand your audience and what is available to you to get your points across as well as possible. There are some things to consider, and when you are able to plan well, your chances of success increase dramatically.
One important way to prepare your speech is by understanding that there are various ways in which you can give your presentation – not all presentations are the same, and your speech needs to be adjusted to your audience and the various tools you have at your disposal. Here’s an overview of the different presentation methods you can use.
How do you decide?
Here are some things to consider whilst you plan your presentation:
- The occasion. Is it a happy occasion? A sad one? Does it involve an exciting discovery or is it a debriefing of an event which requires immediate attention? The mood of the presentation will largely dictate your style and the kinds of aids you choose to employ.
- The audience. Is it an audience of about 200 people, or are you speaking to a small group of people? It’s a matter of clarity and atmosphere. The type of audience is also important in terms of knowledge and experience; are you speaking to experts or to amateurs?
- The venue and the facilities. Where you are will make a difference. Also, make sure you know in advance what kind of visual/audio aids will be available for you to use.
- Your expertise. Are you an expert or do you need help from someone else?
Different methods of presentation
There are different methods you can use – here are just some of them:
- For small crowds: keep it as informal as possible and encourage audience participation; it’s the best way to make sure your crowd and you are on the same page.
- When to stand and when to sit: when you are addressing a large crowd or are speaking about a very serious topic, it’s best to stand.
- Visual aids? Great for formal occasions, not so great for smaller crowds.
- What to give the audience: when you have a formal or large occasion, give the audience booklets and material to review. The smaller the crowd, the less give-away materials are necessary. And in order to transcribe your materials in written format, always use transcription services. Transcription services will make sure there are no errors and mistakes and that everything is clear and well-presented.
As you can see, a lot of it will be dictated by the audience (both the size and kind of people it is comprised of) and the venue (considering the aids you have at your disposal). It’s normal to be nervous before a speech or presentation, but the level of preparedness will carry you through and make it a success. Good luck!