Most salespeople are strong conversationalists when sitting down and talking with customers. When asked to deliver a presentation standing up, the dynamics can change dramatically for you if you're not prepared. You can easily make every stand-up presentation a conversation with your audience, regardless of size. Here's how.
The two most memorable parts of a stand-up presentation are the beginning and the end. The four easiest and most powerful ways to begin and end your presentations include:
1. Start with an exciting quotation that you can link to your presentation.
2. Begin your presentation with a compelling statement. Seven years ago, I gave a sales presentation titled, The 12 Best Ways To Increase Sales, Earn More Money, And Have More Fun. I began my presentation with, "There¡¯s not a single thing I can do for you today, to show you how to increase sales, earn more money, and have more fun. Not one thing ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to share 12 creative ideas with you today."
3. Start your sales presentation with a rhetorical question that creates a transition into your presentation.
4. One of the best audience grabbers is to start your sales presentation with a short story. Beginning your presentation with a success story that involves someone in your audience is even more powerful.
The next time you're preparing how to begin and how to end one of your sales presentations consider one of these proven approaches.
Now, here are nine ways to jazz up your stand-up presentation skills. These nine tips will take your public speaking skills to a new level. Here they are:
1. Always prepare and rehearse the first 25 words and the last 25 words of every presentation. Practice your spontaneity until it sounds spontaneous.
2. Start with your expectations. Tell them specifically what the take-aways will be early in your presentation.
3. Never read your presentation. Never. No exceptions. It's the quickest way put your audience to sleep.
4. Show that you're alive by being animated. Remember it's easier to be yourself than trying to impersonate someone else.
5. Pay attention to your hands. Nothing will make you look more awkward than unnatural hand movements.
6. Keep slides to a minimum. They should emphasize and reinforce your key points - not tell your entire story.
7. Use large type, so everyone in the room can clearly see what's on the screen. Darken the screen as often as you can. You want the audience looking at you - not at the screen.
To darken the screen hit the letter "B" on the keyboard. Hit the letter "B"
again to turn the screen on.
8. Don't worry about making mistakes. Actually, mistakes make you human. Have fun, sharpen your sense of humor, and be sure to tell stories.
Your stories are the quickest way for your audience to connect with you.
9. After every presentation ask yourself, "How can I do it better next time?"
Then next time, be sure you do it better.
Take it from someone who gives a lot of sales presentations, and had to overcome a fear of public speaking, these nine suggestions really work.
Adopt these as your own and I'll bet your next stand-up presentation will stand-out!
Jim Meisenheimer is the former Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Baxter International and is the creator of No-Brainer Sales Training.
His sales techniques and selling skills focus on practical ideas that get immediate results. You can discover all his secrets by contacting him at (800) 266-1268 or e-mail: jim@meisenheimer.com
Nine Ways To Jazz Up Your Sales Presentations - To learn more about this author, visit Jim Meisenheimer's Website.
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