What You Do BEFORE Your Presentation

By James A. Baker
Founder and Chairman
Baker Communications, Inc.

When most people think about making a presentation, they immediately focus on delivery skills – tone, pace, posture, opening, form, structure, enunciation, projection, body language, etc. I certainly won’t dispute the value of all those things, because they are key elements for getting your message across in an effective and memorable way, but these are all technical skills which must be practiced and honed over time. Meanwhile, there are three key steps you can take right now that will enhance the value and impact of your presentation. These steps require no practice, only a little planning and common sense.

Be Sure You Know the Purpose of Your Presentation

Sometimes the purpose is pretty clear: maybe the boss has asked you to brief the Board of Directors on the marketing goals for the next quarter. At other times, it may not be so simple, especially if you have been invited to speak to a specific group in a specific setting, perhaps at a symposium or conference. Before you begin to work on your material, it is urgent that you learn everything you can regarding why you have been scheduled to speak to this group at this time. Read up on the organization, and study any current challenges and or important issues that would fit the agenda for this meeting.

It would probably be a good idea to contact the person who invited you to speak and find out why they invited you and what their expectations are. Even if you have been invited primarily because you have some celebrity status in your field, be prepared to deliver something substantial to your audience, something they can use in the real world when they return home. The only way to come armed with the proper information about the scenario and setting is to...

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