As a presenter, your main goal is to make sure your audience remembers the main points of your presentation. This is easier said than done, however, if you have several important points to discuss. Too much information can actually leave your audience feeling confused and overwhelmed. That’s why it is so important to craft a presentation that focuses on one core message. You want to deliver the message in a way that is simple, clear, and concise so the audience can retain the information. The core message acts as the anchor that keeps your presentation on track. Therefore, everything you present- including data, charts, graphs, and slide decks- should support and drive home your message. As you fine-tune and prepare your presentation, consider the following tips for concentrating on your core message.Â
Know Your Purpose
If you were to ask a member of your audience at the conclusion of your presentation, “What was my core message?†they should be able to answer you in a sentence or two without hesitation. When you sit down to prepare your presentation, the first question you should ask yourself is “What do I want the audience to learn from my presentation?†If there was only one thing your audience would remember, what would you want it to be? Once you have identified the purpose of the presentation, center the entire presentation around this one core message. Everything you say and do should contribute to helping the audience remember this message.
Stick to Three Main Supporting Details
All too often presenters get lost in a litany of bullet points and text heavy slides. This information overload is the demise of any presentation. The “rule of three†is a popular presentation technique that is highly effective for staying on track and sticking to your message. The technique involves choosing no more than three points to support your core message. Each detail should directly support the core message.Â
Edit Anything That Doesn’t Belong
Once you have outlined your presentation, examine it closely to see if it is relevant to your core message. If any slide, chart, graph, or video doesn’t support your message, it should be removed. Editing is an important part of fine-tuning your presentation to ensure you stay on track and concentrate only on your core message.Â
Cut Out Excess Stories and Examples
It is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to use stories, analogies, and examples to support your message. However, some presenters get carried away and let one story lead to another. If you have more than one example to support your point, you might be tempted to use them both. Resist the temptation, as too many stories and examples just confuse your audience. Your audience will get the point from your first story so there is no need to include another.Â
Keep Your Explanations Concise
It’s easy to begin waffling and getting too wordy, especially if you are presenting on a complex topic. This is especially common when speakers get nervous. As they try to explain their message, they slowly drift off topic. Therefore, be sure and rehearse your explanations until you can explain them in a clear, concise manner as not to obscure your core message.