Written by: Lisa Hugo, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When standing in front of an eager audience, there is more to delivering an effective presentation than just having an interesting topic and loads of confidence. The backbone of an unforgettable presentation lies in its structure. This is an incredibly important element that is often overlooked, yet when done well, will make the difference when delivering a message that is clear, impactful, and memorable. So today, I’m going to dive into some important considerations to ensure you don’t fall prey to this one major mistake when structuring your next presentation.
I recently had the opportunity to sit in the audience of a presentation that left a lasting impression on me, but perhaps not in the way the speaker intended due to a clear lack of presentation structure. The speaker kicked off by diving straight into the intricacies of their research process and, oh my was it, complex.
I listened in anticipation as they detailed the extensive data they had collected, how they had collected it, over how long, and from which demographics, offering a very thorough insight into their research.
As the minutes ticked by, I found myself, along with the rest of the audience, growing increasingly impatient. We were all there to discover the ‘aha’ moment that would offer us valuable insights and learnings. Yet we were caught up in an endless loop of data with no resolution in sight. You could feel the anticipation in the room as we wondered when the presentation would finally find a point.
Finally at the end of the presentation in the conclusion, the result was revealed. But by that point, the journey, the details, and the data were so heavy and overwhelming that it was difficult to connect the dots and fully understand the importance of the findings.
As accurate as the information was, it was boring and that’s because the presenter made a rookie mistake by neglecting the art of an engaging presentation structure. What he should have done is to present the final result and then explain the journey that was taken to get to this result. In simple terms, show us the completed house, before giving us a tour of the construction site.
This example exemplifies the importance of maintaining a solid, clear presentation structure. One that guides the audience through a journey, keeping them engaged and invested in the information being shared.
So, I want to give you some presentation structure tips that will keep the audience engaged and interested.
I’ve put together four key strategies to help you enhance your presentation structure, using parallels to the strategy you would use to put a puzzle together.
Start with the Big Picture When putting together a puzzle, we would usually start with the complete picture. You would keep the puzzle box lid in view, so you know the direction you are going. Even though this is the end state, it helps us put the pieces together along the way. You need to do the same with your presentations. Start with the big picture.
Establish a Clear Framework Lay out the borders. In other words, establish a clear framework for your presentation. Just as you would begin a puzzle by collecting and piecing together the edges, so should your presentation structure start with a clear outline, setting expectations and providing a roadmap for your audience.
Build Your Argument Step by Step Tackle your content in sections, gradually constructing your narrative. This mirrors the process of grouping puzzle pieces based on colors or patterns, slowly bringing the picture to life. Ensure there is a logical flow and that your content is easy to digest. Start with the foundation, then build on complexity, making the journey through your presentation smooth and engaging.
Drive Home Your Message with a Strong Conclusion The final stage in putting together a puzzle is to fill in the last remaining pieces, complete the image, and reveal the full picture. Structure your presentation to finish with a strong conclusion that ties everything together and reinforces your first step which was to offer the big picture initially.
This approach, when putting together your presentation structure, will ensure that your presentation is not just a collection of disjointed facts and data points, but a cohesive narrative that guides the audience through your content, maintaining their interest and ensuring your message is clearly communicated and memorable.
And the best thing is, even if you accidentally forget a few details, the audience has already grasped the main message because they’ve seen the completed puzzle. Therefore, they won’t be bothered if there is a small piece missing. They can still comprehend the end result and that’s what really matters.
If you would like to ensure that your next presentation has a great structure that keeps your audience glued, I’ve put together a free resource for my valued readers, that divulges my secret EIEI formula which can be used in any presentation to make it more impactful. Click here to get your free resource
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Lisa Hugo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Lisa Hugo, is a leader in the field of voice and communication as well as course creation and digital marketing. Having trained in performing arts, she spent a large part of her career on the stage as a singer/songwriter whilst also coaching the voices of up-and-coming singers. Now Lisa channels her performing experience into helping entrepreneurs, executives, and speakers to enhance their performance by unleashing the full power and potential of their voice. She is CEO of Audacia Marketing, and has helped 1000s of people around the world find their voices and confidence to grow their brand and share their message with the world.
