If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know how much I love an apposite quote. I find quotes are great ways create an emotional connection with your audience when you’re delivering a presentation.
Some years ago I was fortunate to attend RADA’s 2-day course ‘The Voice of Influence.’ Here are some of the tips I picked up. I use the RADA structure when creating my presentations which I often enhance with a quote.
Know your audience
Who are you presenting to? What are your audiences needs and potential motivators? Ask yourself which concerns your presentation addresses. This will help you nail your topic.
Structure
- Create 3 headings which represent the three key themes of your topic. Limiting yourself to 3 themes will keep your focus clear and the audience will find it easier to follow.
- From your themes, create 3 bullet points for each heading.
- Make the link between each theme as you move through your presentation.
- Conclude with a call to action. What do you want your audience to do?
Use visual images and metaphors
Bring your presentation to life using your words to paint a picture and images to illustrate a point. Stories and metaphors create an emotional connection with your audience and engage the imagination, making it more memorable.
Language and body language
Aim to get three positive action verbs early on into your presentation, to reinforce your aims. For example:
‘I want to motivate and inspire you to believe in yourself.’
Ensure your body language supports your overall message. In this example, your delivery would need to be energetic and positive.
Make use of pauses
Where you’re making key points, let the audience digest what you’re saying before moving on. Look for the audience’s reaction before moving on.
My example
Recently, I gave a 5 minute introductory presentation to a group of students who were attending a pre-programme informal welcome meeting for a women’s development programme. Most had signed up as they lacked confidence and were hoping the programme would support them to develop in this.
My 3 aims:
- To outline the programme and why we’d created it. (Why).
- Explain how we’d designed it. (How).
- Share some information about the topics to enthuse the students by illustrating its relevance. (What).
1. The programme
I wanted to create a welcoming environment for the participants so I began by stating that they were all fabulous women, talented and capable of greatness. I went on to say that female students may lack confidence- but that this is not the same as capability. However confidence can open doors, create opportunities- and lead to higher salaries. Our aim was to create a programme which addressed the confidence barrier that can prevent women achieving their potential.
2. The programme design
I explained that we’d designed the programme by seeking input from female students, road testing content to check the topics resonated. We’d then reworked the content as a result of the students’ input.
3. The content
I outlined the content and what we hoped participants would gain by taking part. I also shared some of the feedback we’d received from participants to date.
The quote- a call to action
I ended my presentation with this quote by Marianne Williamson to reinforce my key message and the one I’d opened my presentation with.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
It is at this point that the emotional pull engages your audience and helps to connect them to you. Two students came up afterwards; one to ask for a copy of the quote; the other to say it made her spine tingle.
Call to action
That was the impact of just one short presentation. Consider how you might use this approach to design the next presentation you’re asked to give. It could be part of an interview process, to colleagues in your team, to senior leaders, an external audience or to secure a sale. Why not experiment with a quote to see whether this amplifies your impact?
