Ten Ways to Get Your Point Across More Effectively During Presentations

Being a good communicator is an essential skill for presenters. After all, effective communication only happens if the message you are trying to convey is understood by the receiver. Though it may sound simple, getting your point across during a presentation isn’t always that easy. Unfortunately, many presenters find themselves lost in translation. The good news is there are plenty of ways to express your ideas clearly so that your audience can understand. Here we will take a look at ten ways to speak effectively and with clarity so you can get your message across more effectively during your presentation. 

1. Identify Your Main Points

In order to get your message across with clarity, you must first be able to identify the main points in your presentation. What is the main goal of your presentation and what do you want the audience to take away from it? There should be no more than three main points, as any more than that become difficult for audiences to remember. Once you have identified your three main points, your presentation should be structured just around those points.

2. Only Tell the Audience What They Need to Know

There is no sense in overwhelming your audience with more information than they need. Rather, stick to your main points and only give the information that is needed to get those points across. Anything extra is simply overkill. Ask yourself- What does my audience need to know? What do they already know? How can I make them understand better? Only give them the information they need and care about. 

3. Avoid Jargon

There is no place in a presentation for specialized terminology. This kind of jargon only confuses the audience and makes it more difficult to follow your presentation. If your words are too complicated or your audience doesn’t understand your jargon or acronyms, you are surely going to lose them. Look for light and simple ways to explain your message and engage your audience. 

4.Repetition

If there is something you really want your audience to understand, it’s worth repeating throughout your presentation. Say the same thing in different ways using synonyms or changing the structure of the sentence. When you paraphrase your points in more than one way, you increase your chances of the audience understanding. 

5. Speak to the Heart

Great speakers are those who understand the power of emotionally connecting with their audience. For example, if you tell a personal story about someone who has been through a difficult time, you are more likely to persuade an audience to donate to your cause. That’s because these presentations make people feel. Look for ways to engage your audience and tug at their heart strings. This is perhaps the most effective way to get your message across. 

6. Follow a Logical Sequence

If you were giving someone directions to your home, you would try to give them the most direct route possible to avoid getting lost. The same is true for presentations. In order to get your point across more effectively, be sure to guide your audience through a logical sequence rather than jumping all over the place. 

7. Use Real Life Examples

People remember things that they can relate to so use examples and analogies that your audience already knows. When you tie your message to real life examples, it becomes easier for the audience to understand your message. 

8. Tell a Story

One of the best ways to connect with your audience is by telling them a story. You can choose an interesting story or a personal experience, as both are great ways to express your ideas, make an impact, and illustrate your point in a way that the audience can understand. 

9. Use Images

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not use images to support your message? If your audience can see what you are trying to explain, they will be more likely to understand it and remember it. You can use photographs, videos, charts, or graphs. All are great visuals that can illustrate your points. 

10. Keep It Short and Sweet

Less is more when it comes to presenting information. If you want your audience to understand your message, get to the point quickly and keep your presentation short, concise, and to the point. Too many words or too much information can bury the important information.