6 Presentation Secrets To Gain Competitive Advantage

Normal 0 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";}

Maybe you’re at the top of your team, and wondering why you aren’t getting promoted. Or maybe you’re a young manager who wants to win respect and gain trust. Or perhaps you’re a budding entrepreneur who wants to win attention for your hot new business.

 

No matter where you are, you are probably reading this because you want to get exceptional results from your business presentations.

 

Here are 6 powerful secrets to getting attention and winning a distinct competitive advantage for yourself and your business.

 

1.        Research Like Crazy

Do your homework. Find out everything available about your audience, client, organization and situation. Find out about where you’re speaking, who is before you on the agenda and what’s coming afterwards.

 

From the biggest news to the tiniest detail, be prepared by doing your homework. If you’re tempted to go out with your buddies instead of researching, get focused. Your success depends upon it.

 

2.        Gather Shocking Statistics

One of the first things you’ll need to do is win attention of crazy-busy decision makers. To do this, you need to be prepared with data, facts and statistics.

 

The best ones? Statistics that have a shock value. Think I’m kidding? Check the headlines of the newspaper. Shock, awe and fear sell papers. You’re aiming to win attention—start with a dramatic reason why people want to listen to you.

 

3.        Relate To Real People

There are a lot of professionals, business experts and people in the world. What makes you different? Your ability to relate in a natural, conversational tone.

 

You’d be alarmed to know how rare this is. Just consider. When is the last time a presenter paid attention to you? See what I mean?

 

A lot of presenters are fully occupied with thinking about themselves. They may be nervous. They may be confident. But it is rare to find a presenter who is spacious, open and relating to people in the audience.

 

When you learn how to do this, you’ll have a distinct advantage.

 

4.        Offer Your Expert Help

Audiences are always on the look out for advice, help and expert insights. Start with an attitude of sharing your expertise, and keep things simple.

This sounds easier than it is. The reason you’re in your field is because of your passion, knowledge and depth understanding. So it may have been years since you explained your topic to rank beginners. Keep this in mind as you’re organizing your presentation.

 

It should work equally well for experts and novices. By offering your expertise in simple, easy-to-understand way, you’re reaching the largest number of people. This is a proven recipe for success. Reach the largest number of people with the simplest solutions possible.

 

5.        Anticipate and Solve Problems

Understand your audience and anticipate the problems they are facing. Depending on your industry, this will vary widely. From “10 tips for fixing the truck-sounding motor in your refrigerator” for an appliance company…to “10 tips for (fill in the blank) problem in your industry.

 

Not sure what to write about? Think about the questions your clients and prospects ask you. If you see a pattern, you’ve stumbled on a recurring problem you can solve.

 

6.        Focus On Specific Action

If you’re in an organization, you know the importance of specific actions, times and deadlines. If you’re new to business, you also know that getting specific is the key for sales.

 

For example, set an offer with a time, date and discount. “Until Friday night at 8pm, you get 30% off.” This kind of specificity helps buyers focus on a specific action, a specific time and a specific savings.

 

If you’re ready to gain a serious competitive advantage, put all of these 6 secrets into motion. You’ll give killer presentations that give you the recognition and results you deserve.