There are several situations in which you may find yourself being asked to make a presentation. Each of these can impact on what you say and how you say it. They include:
• One-on-One
• Small Group
• Large Group
• Webinars
One-on-One
When conducting a one-on-one presentation with a receptive listener (more on that later), you have an opportunity to react to the individual and tailor your presentation more effectively. Too often presenters tend to monologue during a one-on-one, rather than converse, and they appear stilted. While it's important to stay on message, a one-on-one session can be a time to really focus on the needs of the listener and invite back and forth dialogue. Watch your listener for cues that they understand (and are interested in) your material and avoid the hand motions that you might use in front of a larger group.
Small Group
Small group presentations (usually no more than 6-8 people) are hybrids of one-on-one and large groups. As such, you should recognize the varying levels of audience interest and try to establish eye contact with each member of the group. Small groups can also present unique challenges. For example, if one member of the group has to leave the room, the group may be small enough that his or her leaving affects the overall flow of the presentation. Restating previous points to bring back the focus may be in order here.
Large Group
The best presenters treat members of a large audience as if they are speaking to them one-on-one. A large group presentation requires you to focus the audience on the points being made, which typically requires a presentation device. (Presentation devices can also be effective with small groups, as long as they don't become the presentation.) Many presenters become locked behind the podium during large presentations. Move out, walk around the stage or presentation area whenever possible. The trick with large group presentations is making them “small” and building the level of interest among all participants. One way to do this is to single out an audience member and ask them a leading question that supports the primary objectives of your presentation.
Webinars
An increasingly common type of seminar is the Webinar or Web-based presentation. The size of the group can vary from a single participant to a large group. Since your presentation is not in-person, it is extremely important to watch your vocal inflection and to use “flags” when speaking. A flag is a statement like: “Now, this is an important point.” A flag clues your audience into something that you don't want them to miss. Unlike many presentations, you can refer directly to your notes throughout a Webinar-but do not present as if you are reading a book.
It's important to ask for feedback more frequently-“did everyone understand that point?” “Are there any questions before I move on?” “That was a lot of material, did everyone get the main points of what I was saying? Can I go over anything for anyone?”
Presentation Basics
Presentation Environment
Presentation Attributes
Audience Dynamics |
