This document provides tips for preparing and delivering engaging presentations. It discusses how to avoid boring presentations by connecting with the audience, telling a story with facts rather than just opinions or data, focusing the presentation, simplifying slides, not reading slides, and being interested in the topic. The key aspects of preparation identified are understanding the audience, structuring the presentation with a clear beginning, middle, end and transformation point, and including relevant facts to back up the story. Proper preparation and showing enthusiasm are emphasized as critical to an effective presentation.

1. ©Jo McRell 2011
Tips for Setting Up a
Good Delivery

2. ©Jo McRell 2011
Has This Ever Happened to You?

3. ©Jo McRell 2011
Top 7 Reasons
Your Presentation Is Boring
1. No connection with the audience
2. It’s just data, no story
3. It’s just opinion, no facts
4. No focus
5. Your slides are too busy
6. You’re reading from your slides
7. You’re not interested in your presentation

4. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Fix It?
• Preparation…yes, damn it. You have to.
• Show some enthusiasm

5. ©Jo McRell 2011
Why Do You Need Preparation?
I run on the road, long before I dance
under the lights.
- Muhammad Ali

6. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Get Prepared?
• Who is your audience?
20-year veterans
subject experts
hungover conference goers
recent grads

7. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Get Prepared?
• What do they care about?
20-year veterans
subject experts
hungover conference goers
recent grads

8. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Get Prepared?
• How can you connect?
20-year veterans
subject experts
hungover conference goers
recent grads

9. ©Jo McRell 2011
Beginning
Middle
End
How Do You Get Prepared?
• What is the structure for your story? What is
the transformation point?
Transformation Point
sum of parts, or proven
successes, etc. that best
delivers the punchline
Building Credibility
Catching Interest
Always start with what
the audience cares about most.
It may not be you!

10. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Get Prepared?
• What are the facts that back up your story?
Data are the supporting points of the story, not the story.
Beginning
Middle
End
Example, Shocking data, Interesting facts
Data trends, Multiple examples
Example of bad
situation made good
with supporting
facts/data
It’s not just good; it’s vital!

11. ©Jo McRell 2011
How Do You Get Prepared?
• What is the call to action? Make it clear what you
want the audience to do at the end of your presentation.
Beginning
Middle
End
Show
me the
money!

12. ©Jo McRell 2011
No Enthusiasm = Snooze Fest
Bueller… Bueller…

13. ©Jo McRell 2011
Show Some Enthusiasm!
If you’re not interested in your presentation,
WHY would your audience be?

14. ©Jo McRell 2011
See.
You actually made it to the end.
Use responsibly. Well prepared presentations may elicit
interested questions and incite audience members to action.