Presentation Skills 101

I recently attended a regional function hosted by the Institute of Directors and, after being a member for quite a few years, I have to say that the standard of presentation is exceptionally poor.  New members have the opportunity of speaking for three or four minutes (before the main speaker is introduced)  and tell the audience about themselves – what they do – it’s an opportunity to do a sales pitch. An opportunity to possible create new brand awareness, gain new customers and encourage people who don’t use your company to convert.

But the presentations …. OMG!

Whizzing power point presentations with words flying haphazardly over a screen. Densely typed presentations which are read out loud in a monotone voice.

Why don’t they realize that this is about engaging with a new audience.  Your audience are not necessarily au fait with all the acronyms that you take for granted. They need to know what you do and why they should care.

What’s in it for them?

It’s all about the salesmanship.

Dont talk the talk, if you won’t walk the walk…

I am surprised by clients who want one thing, then expect something else.

They want a greater online presence but don’t want me to engage online with anyone – especially with someone they don’t know.

“Who is this person?”

They want media coverage, but decline all media opportunities because they are too busy right now.

“Maybe later!”

They want to embrace social media and new opportunities but they can’t use email.

They are looking for new markets, more customers, new ranges but reject all new ideas.

“Yeah but no.”

I am not sure what is holding them back but one thing I do know, is that it is incredibly frustrating.

And I am not sure whether I need to approach things differently, or they do. Is my role to educate and convince them – or is it their role to look outside of their own box?

I have been trying to not only sell  media opportunities to clients, but also to sell clients to the benefits of PR. I am selling clients to new media, clients to social media, clients to advertising, clients to websites, clients to networking, clients to podcasting, clients to ebooks, clients to social networking, clients to socializing, clients to enagement and clients to every other possible idea, company or oportunity that I can think of to promote their company online and offline.

It’s exhausting.