7

Backstage

Preparing Your Presentation

Key Topics Covered in This Chapter

  • Defining your objective
  • Understanding the audience
  • Deciding what to say
  • Getting organized
  • Developing effective visuals
  • Rehearsing

CHAPTER 6 described time-tested principles that you can use as a foundation for your presentations. This chapter moves from principles to six practical steps you can take in preparing those presentations.1

Step 1: Define Your Objective

The objective of your presentation is the outcome you seek—shared information, discussion, buy-in, feedback, or a sale, for example. It drives the development of your presentation. Ask yourself, “Why am I making this presentation, and what do I want my audience to do as a result?”

Do you want to inform, persuade, ...

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