How to start a presentation and capture the audience's attention from the content

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Don't worry anymore! Although it requires attention and work, creating presentations is not complicated at all. Not if you keep in mind some basic keys such as: understanding your audience and making your presentation content.

If you work on these two concepts, you will see the colombia mobile number database communicative power you will have in front of the audience and you will be able to transform any generic presentation into a true spectacle of enchantment for the public.

Do you want to learn more about it? In this article we will guide you through three key points of presentations: how to prepare it, how to present it and what to do after the presentation.

Let's continue!

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What is a presentation and what should you consider when creating one?
A presentation is a form of communication that aims to present content on a specific topic to an audience. Unlike many other methods such as writing or audiovisuals, a presentation offers information to an audience in the form of speeches, although it is often accompanied by multimedia tools.

In general, a presentation is made up of 3 basic elements:

Relevant content;
a good design;
excellent oratory.
These three elements together aim to draw the audience's attention, generate recall, and invite the audience to take the action you want. However, presentations do not always achieve this goal, since we generally focus on design and oratory and forget about the power of relevant content .

It may seem strange to say this, since content is ultimately the main piece of any presentation; but in reality, we are more concerned with believing that the audience pays more attention to the speaker or the visual impact, when it is the content that carries the message that engages.

You may be wondering how to treat this content so that it takes center stage in presentations? Keep reading!

How to prepare a presentation with content?
There is no single formula for creating presentations with content; however, we will develop two key points that will give you insight into creating your own path:

Understanding what content is
The aspects of quality content
Let's get to them:

What is content and why make a presentation as such
Speaking of presentations, content should be understood as a gift that we give to people so that they can obtain practical information about a particular topic. This content is based on the development of a context that the audience understands or wants to know. Likewise, in the development of this context, the content should always try to both point out the needs and problems of the audience, as well as the expectations that they have for consuming your content.

We also call this process of specifying content personalization , and it is what ultimately allows us to transmit a message that captivates and is useful in resolving the audience's doubts. It is useless to create beautiful and detailed presentations if the content delivered there is not current or of interest to the audience that receives it.

On the other hand, although it serves to reinforce the previous point, a presentation should not be based on you, your business or brand, but on the problems that the public has and the solutions that you propose for that particular problem , although this does not exempt you from using your brand or your own name to exemplify; but do you understand the difference?

When you put aside your desire to show your projects or ideas and give visible importance to the public's need and create material that makes them feel identified, you have created a presentation with content .

content production

Technical aspects: how to create quality content
What is quality for you?

Your answer is certainly different from mine. This is where the problems begin. You can't assume that what you understand by quality is the same as what your audience understands about it. But then, how do you make quality content if it's different for everyone?

It's simple! Quality exists in a presentation when the audience feels that you have resolved their doubts and problems on a given topic.

Okay, but this was what we talked about in the previous point, there is nothing new. So the question should be different: how do I find out about the doubts and problems that the public has regarding the topic I want to present?

Let's look at the points below:

Know your audience
Your audience is the soul of your presentation. It is from them that you will decide what to talk about, and even more importantly, how you will do it.

This is the foundation of any content creation, no matter the format. If you don't know your persona, producing something truly captivating and valuable will be an impossible task, and the result can be disastrous.

So, first of all, do the exercise of answering these questions:

What problems and needs does my person have regarding this topic?
What is your worldview and expectations regarding this topic?
Why is my presentation useful for her?
What solution can I offer you through my presentation?
Plan the content before creating the slides
Once you have answered the questions honestly, we move on to the creation of the presentation itself. To do so, you can start from the premise: Every presentation is a story, and like any story, it must have a beginning, a middle and an end.

If you don't have this in mind, or better yet, on paper, organizing your presentation will become much more difficult than it should be.

So, spend your time planning a good story before you start. You will then see that building the slides is just a consequence when the content is already ready on paper and in your head.

Which brings us to the next topic…

Tell a good story with good content
Your story should make your audience want to know more and more about the topic, making them eager for you to move on to the next slide.

To do this, your story content needs to connect ideas so they make sense in a timeline. A good way to do this is to use each slide as a point on your timeline, which makes it easier to follow along with your presentation.

Find the core message
The central message is, in short, what you want to convey to the audience in a few words, starting from the problem they want to see solved. Think of an objective sentence that is the central point of your presentation and put it not only on your slides, but also in your speech.

Summarize your presentation in one sentence. It is not an easy task, so you should invest some time in it. Establishing your sentence will be useful when closing your presentation and leaving the message clear, strong and evident to the audience.

Use high quality images
Images are also part of the content, they help to further reinforce the message you want to convey, provoking sensations, awakening emotions and creating a connection with the public.

So, add high-quality images that will really impress your audience. On the Internet you can find dozens of image banks with photos, vectors, gifs and other amazing formats to create unforgettable presentations.

Just keep this in mind: Don't use images just for the sake of using them. If images fit the topic and help bring you closer to solving your audience's problem, then use them!

Choose the font well
Forget traditional fonts . When writing your content, use fonts that spark emotion in your audience. You may not believe it, but choosing the wrong font seriously affects your presentation, causing your audience to become distracted and even lose interest in what you have to say.

Try using different ones that give your content a unique look. You can also, for example, alternate font sizes to emphasize a keyword .

But be careful not to turn your presentation into a carnival. Be sensible, use a maximum of two fonts for your presentation, otherwise your message will look like a real alphabet soup.

Add a call to action
Using a CTA, or call-to-action , is essential, especially if people have or will have access to your presentation on the Internet, for example.

The CTA can help you keep the conversation going even after the presentation is over. In it, you can ask your audience to visit a specific website, blog, or publication on the topic, or to share the presentation on social media.

The most important thing is to keep your audience connected with you.

Don't forget to check the entire text
Review, review, review – that’s the secret. A presentation (like any other content) should have no errors.

Errors in your writing can make you lose credibility and authority on the subject or even confuse your audience about the meaning of what you have written.

Make sure to review as much as possible to keep your presentation impeccable.

How to present your content to an audience?
Once you have prepared your presentation taking into account all the points above, it is time to face another situation: Presenting your content in front of an audience. The fear of the vast majority. But don't worry! Let's look at some tips that will help you when presenting.

How to start talking
Are you a person who is afraid of standing in front of an audience? Or, despite your ability to interact with people, do you still feel a little scared before presenting?

The first piece of advice for both is: don't be afraid. If you have carefully prepared your presentation and made sure to understand your audience before creating your content, you are already more than halfway there. The rest is based on practice:

Stand in front of a mirror and practice your speech.
Ask someone to listen to your speech before you go on stage.
Try to arrive early. This will help you feel comfortable with the space.
Once you are in front of the audience and you are still nervous, be honest, the audience will understand you and empathize with you. You will see how, after a few minutes, you will gain confidence.
During your speech, don't be afraid to take a few seconds to think before presenting the next point.
Let's now look at some other tips when you're already in the ring:

6 tips for giving successful presentations
1. Maintain eye contact
Looking into the eyes conveys confidence, as well as being an excellent way to persuade.

2. Reveal your personality
Don't let nerves make you hide your true personality. Are you outgoing, funny, easy-going or do you have some talent to show off? Go ahead, be yourself!

3. Avoid reading
If you read too much, you lose contact with your audience and also appear unsure of what you are saying. That is why we recommend using images and highlighted keywords in your presentation design.

Presentations are companion tools, but you control the topic!

4. Use your hands
If you accompany your presentation with the appropriate gestures, you will make your speech more natural.

5. Focus on what's important
Sometimes we get into a conversation and end up completely losing track of the story, right? That can't happen in a presentation. If you want the audience to remember your message, stick to the core of the topic.

6. Practice and more practice
Repeat your speech out loud as many times as necessary. This way, you will internalize the speech and avoid mistakes. It will also make you more confident and your audience will notice it.

The presentation is over. What to do with it next?
Your presentation met expectations and was a success. The audience will surely want your contacts and your presentation!

There is something that many of us forget, and that is that the presentation as a tool can continue to work even without us being present. So, after presenting, your work is not finished, but it is time to optimize your presentation so that, thanks to it, you will continue to be sought and cited for your knowledge!

But wait, let's slow down a little and revisit certain concepts.

When we talk about presentation as content, it is impossible not to think of the Internet. This is because how many users search Google every day for information? It is right here that content becomes an opportunity to cross borders, reach new interested audiences and become an authority on the subject.

To optimize your presentation you can follow the following advice: