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I see this all the time.
Smart presenters omit an important part of their presentation because they think “everyone already knows it.”
The part that gets omitted is: declaring the reason you are there at the start of your presentation.
That’s a huge mistake. Let me explain:
Even if you know for a fact that others know why you are there, you should still declare it.
If you don’t clearly state your reason for speaking, your audience will be confused. They may spend the first few minutes trying to figure out what you will be talking about and why it’s important.
To get your audience on the same page as you from the start, begin your presentation by explaining why you are there.
It’s simple: Here are examples of what you can say to declare why you are in front of your audience.
Right after you say “Hi,” say one of the following:
I am here to present on X
I am here to update you on project Y
I am here to propose a new way of doing Z
I am here to present our strategic plan
I am here to get your approval on W
Etc.
After you explain your reason for being there, continue with your introduction and your presentation.
Never assume that your audience will know why you are in front of them. Always tell them.
>> The only possible exception to this is when somebody explains why you are there when introducing you to the audience. I say “possible,” because, I typically repeat the why I’m there, even if somebody else said it for me; to make sure it’s heard.
Hope you like this short Tip-Tuesday!
