Practice Makes Perfect

Presentation skills go beyond the ability to stand in front of an audience and speak with a strong and convincing voice. Having the confidence to give a presentation grows from product knowledge and how the product can benefit the audience which means that preparation is vital, and practice is mandatory.

With the expansion of online and event opportunities added to print schedules, more of you are now presenting integrated package proposals to client and/or agency teams. The question that you will have to ask yourself before you present is: “Does the content describe a clear opportunity that everyone can follow?” “Am I keeping it simple?” If the answer is “no”, than you had better rethink the content and begin to practice your delivery.

How many presentations have you heard that left you confused? How many times did a speaker cause you to glance at the clock wondering when this boring topic would end? Don’t become a boring presenter. If you practice the presentation enough times, you will never have to refer to, or look at a slide to make a point known. With practice, you will deliver the content with confidence and be able to ad-lib without missing a beat.

Another presentation point to practice has to do with the look and feel of the presentation slides. If you hold to the keep it simple method, the presentation should not be longer than eight or nine minutes. However, if the presentation format is not consistent (color, style, font, font size), if the audience cannot read the slide because the font size is too small, or the copy is in pale blue reversing out of an orange background, then it will not matter how well you followed the KISS method.

Presentation skills differ with each individual, but no matter what your skill level is, it is imperative that you practice the presentation as often as possible. Practice will not only enhance presentation skills, it will help drive those points home that make the client want to buy. Do yourself and your audience a favor and practice that presentation and make it perfect.

Keep making those calls,


Tony