Lessons
Become an Engaging Presenter
1Class Introduction
01:57 2Engage Your Audience Right Away
08:13 3Why Presentations Miss the Mark
03:49 4Tips for Effective Communication
22:04 5Break Down Audience Barriers
04:16 6Stories vs. Statistics
08:44 7Build Your Presentation
05:10Lesson Info
Build Your Presentation
I know how to communicate with all of you. I'm gonna connect with you, but how do I build a presentation that's effective? And how do I actually prepare myself to share that message with you? So, this is how I prepare. And this is how I prepared this. Very simple, build, rehearse, execute. I spend a lot of time with people who say, "Oh, I'll just figure it out when I get up there." And they do. They figure it out when they get up there. But here's what happens. The audience knows that, and you're not giving them everything because I'm focused on what the message is. If I've rehearsed enough, I don't have to worry about what's on the deck. I don't have to worry about my slide notes. I get to worry about you. So, that's why this is such an important part. Here's the build section. What is it about building that's important to me? I need to know what the action is. Somebody better take an action here today. So, I need to build it so that somebody takes an action. I'm not about just sharin...
g the story. I'm not about just, "Here's my message. Have a great day." I need an action today. So, that means I need to have clear objectives when I start to build my presentation. What is the difference between a goal and an objective. Very simply, an objective to me is much more specific. A goal is a direction. My goal might be something like, I just want everyone to like me. That's a really general goal. A goal might be I want everybody to have a good time in my presentation class, and I want people to learn something. Pretty general. But if I wanna put specific objectives into my presentation, I've gotta write down my objectives. And so, I use this frame, who, what, why. This is my end goal action. Who do I want to take an action? What is the action I want them to take? And in my case, normally when I work with people on presentations, I want them to take risks. Cause it sounds great when we go, "Good. I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna do this." And then people walk on stage and they go back into what they used to do, cause it's comfort zone. It's like, "I know all these great things. I'm gonna do them." Then you walk up and you go, "No presentation." So, I want people to take risks. And I want them to have their comfort level. And the last is why are you gonna take the action? We talk about this a lot in this market. What's the value proposition? What are you gonna learn? Well, I need to know that. Why should you take that risk? It's really, really, really important. So, I need you to have you deliver strong messages. Who is this class for? So, the first thing I did was I wrote down the objectives. Who is this class for? This is for creative people. This is for business people. This is for people interviewing. This is anybody out there who's looking to be better at presenting. So, I put that down and I said, these are my who's. Do I know that for sure? Not yet, but I'll tell you how we figure that out. Then I need to know what is the action they're gonna take? The action I want you to take from this presentation is you're gonna go back and look at how you present. You're gonna put together something in your next presentation in how you plan, execute, and how you connect with the audience what is more effective for you cause you've put a plan together. That's the action I want you to take. Why do I want you to take this action? Cause you're supposed to. I want you to take this action because I want you to find more success. I want you to actually see the value in doing the work to do these presentations so that you actually get what you are looking for out of that. For me, it is literally helping someone. For you, it could be landing that job. It could be getting that contract. It could be pitching that idea to your company and they decide to move in that way with that product. It could be having a conversation with somebody, and engaging them where you feel like you've had a powerful conversation. All these techniques work on any level. The 3,000 people in this studio audience or the one person you have coffee with. That's the action I want you to take. So, I have to know how to do that. Well, what's the first step I do? I know my who, what, why and I wrote them down. These are my specific measurable objectives. Cause I know now if you go out and you take some of these things and you work on your body, you work on your voice, you practice, you work on your message, then you should have more success. And success also comes in how you feel about it. Cause the real success is the next time someone say to you, "Can you do a presentation?" You don't run away. Or you don't make an excuse. You go, "Absolutely. What do you need me to talk about?" I've had that experience. I've been asked last minute to fill in for somebody who didn't show up. And why am I here now? Because I didn't do very well. And I got really nervous, and I thought, "I can do that. I have some training." And it made me really nervous. So, I started to learn how to present and feel comfortable with myself and be myself so that I don't go through that.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
NeeLee
This is my second time as an audience member for Creative Live, and I have to tell you all - I'm hooked! I decided to give it a shot because I'm genuinely interested in the subject being covered, it is a wonderful networking opportunity, and its free for audience members - so I receive the course and the bonus materials. For those of you that are nervous about the cameras like I was, let me assure you that you hardly even notice them. If you ever watched a few courses before becoming an audience member, you can tell how little the audience is even shown. Now as for Mr. Whelan - CL couldn't have picked a better presenter to present about presentations. His knowledge and experience reflects in his presentation - he's warm, personable, and if he did rehearse and prepare the way he recommends, it's not noticeable. He's natural and you can relate to every point made. I hope there are other Andrew Whelan courses in the future. I highly recommend CL - as a participant and an audience member - for their variety of course content and bonus materials that I continue to use in my day-to-day. I strongly recommend any class or workshop that includes Andrew Whelan. His advice, experience, and genuine empathetic approach to helping others become better, is invaluable. Thank you Andrew and Thank you Creative Live!
Carolyn Winslow
Thank you! You gave me some fresh ideas to share when I am presenting, and when I'm helping folks be more comfortable when they need to speak in front of others. Good examples, to the point without fluff, and even a bit entertaining. Thanks!
Jack Foxe
This was my first live audience experience, and wow was i shocked how engaged i was! Im someone who has an awful attention span so the fact that i was listening and taking everything in was fantastic. Thanks Andrew for some great tips and making me laugh and thanks to Creative Live for having me in the audience. If anyone who interacts with other people on a regular basis this class is essential!
Student Work
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