There is more than one type of presentation that can be given to an audience. The purpose of each might be different, with the main goal being to influence the audience in some way. Below are some tips on how to get it right, as well as a list of some of the common types of presentations you might be asked to participate in throughout your life. Some you may have already tackled.
Getting It Right
Presentations are a way of communicating information to others. The best way to approach these presentations is to plan for them. As soon as you accept the challenge, preparation begins. Regardless of the type of talk, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Length of time – This dictates how much detail will be included.
- Topic – If you choose your own, make sure that you
get information on the target audience. If you are given one, research
it thoroughly for important facts to include.
- Outline – Plan what will be included in the presentation so you stay on topic.
- Opening and conclusion – Memorize your opening and conclusion so you don’t miss what you want and need to relay to your audience.
- Audience – Is it your student peers, a prospective
client, your students, children or novices? Using appropriate language
and examples, for understanding and engagement, is important to a
successful presentation.
What Type of Presentation Are You Giving?
1. Business – You may be a team leader or first- or
mid-level manager conducting a meeting for the staff. The topic could be
project updates, new product launches, monthly sales report or another
topic critical to your group. These are usually small groups and kept
informal.
2. Speeches – Maybe you are running for political
office or a seat on the school board. Speeches present your ideas and
approach to the issues to your potential constituents. Since people have
short attention spans, it is important to make them concise and highly
relevant.
3. Sales presentation – When you are speaking to a
prospective client, you get one chance to impress them. Provide what
they want and need from the outset to hold and keep their attention.
4. Job interview – Some job interviews require a
presentation. The key here is understanding the criteria your
interviewers are looking for and presenting your qualities in that time
frame.
5. Lecture – Students are notorious for dozing during
class. Keep them engaged in the topic by presenting it on their level
with real-time relevancy.
6. Conference or seminar presenter – Usually the entire
event has a unified theme with your talk being one aspect of it. The
audience may even be your peers (such as doctors, lawyers, or business
owners). Because they have been to other presentations, it is important
to gain their attention and interest from the beginning.
7. Debate – Students are presenting their side of an
issue to peers and their instructor for judgment. There is an allotted
time, a topic and a need to sway the audience to their side.
Crafting a presentation requires the same skills no matter the venue or the audience.
