3 Presentation Tips to Prevent Snoozing

by | Apr 28, 2014

mute iconPresentations are tough.

  • You have a diverse audience
  • They have a lot on their minds
  • And chances are − it’s not your presentation

I am taking a step back this week from our social media posts to share a new SlideShare.

Of course, what is a presentation if not social media?

I did a lot of presentations in my corporate days. The ham inside me loved them.

But no one likes looking out at an audience and seeing people snoozing. And now with our new mobile phone appendage, you have more distractions than ever to contend with.

The SlideShare presentation shares three tips that may add a snooze-control button to your next talk. These tips work great with webinars, too.

Let me know what you think in Comments. Add your best presentation tips.

Presentation Tips

====================

Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours – contact me for help with your business writing needs.

=====================

BigStock Photo Credit

The next several posts turn our attention to various social media platforms. I would love to hear your point of view. What are your favorite platforms and why?

10 Comments

  1. Anne Wayman

    Nice… and the 41 went quickly… much more than I thought because I got to control the speed. 😉

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      Thanks, Anne. It also helps that the 41 are not stuffed with text. 😉

      Reply
  2. Dave

    I love reading your posts, Cathy. Your (wonderfully presented) tips on presentation snooze-control basically boil down to the very premise of this website: State your points simply — and eloquently.

    As a freelance copy editor in New York City, I read so much business writing, and I can’t believe how much “stuff” writers desperately want to shovel into it. The mindset is that “more” makes you sound smarter. Zzzzzzzzz…

    To answer your question about social media — you know, I’m actually seeing a lot of success lately (with my pets website) on Google Plus, believe it or not. Most people think of G+ as a virtual ghost town, but I beg to differ. It’s visually appealing and relatively uncluttered. Interaction with followers (people “in your circles”) is excellent.

    Meanwhile, Facebook pages are tanking in a huge, huge way. It has been a nose-dive since late last year. Now, only a very limited number of followers, perhaps 4% or less, actually sees updates in their news feed. I know of several brands that are simply folding up and leaving Facebook altogether. It’s just not worth it anymore.

    There’s a social media sweet spot for just about any niche. You just have to find what works for you. Trial and error. Live and learn.

    I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts.

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      Dave, aren’t you the best? You can drop by any time with those nice comments. 🙂

      Part of the reason I am doing the social media posts is because of Google+. I just keep dragging my feet about it. I started using it again but have so much to learn so I hope you drop by again when we are chatting about Google+ and share your insight.

      I’ve talked a lot about LinkedIn here. It was a natural for my corporate career background. Facebook is strictly personal posts for me. I really do want to get more into Google+ and Hangouts and whatever it has to offer.

      Thanks for stopping by, Dave, & hope to see you on Google+ and other platforms.

      Reply
  3. Harleena Singh

    Hi Cathy – been a while 🙂

    I agree with Anne, the slides went so quick because they were SO SO well made and really effective! You must put up a post on how you make these slideshares with such catchy images for us, still need to start with these.

    Yes, presentations can be boring at times and though I haven’t given one for years now but I surely have attended a few. Handouts work well and so does customization and being focused on the topic by keeping it all to the point and simple, just as you mentioned. Great tips indeed 🙂

    Thanks for sharing these with us. Have a nice week ahead 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      Hi Leena: Welcome back! So good to see you here. You are too kind. 🙂

      I actually did a guest post for Sharon Hurley Hall on my “technique” for creating SlideShares. Here’s a link to the SlideShare post.

      Thanks for stopping by, Leena, and for the kind words. You are always so gracious. You have a great week as well.

      Reply
      • Harleena Singh

        Hi Cathy,

        I just visited Sharon’s blog too and read your wonderful post – the 3C’s. The comments weren’t enabled there or would have left a comment. Been a while since I visited my writer friends 🙂

        Have a nice week as well dear friend 🙂

        Reply
  4. Cathy Miller

    Thank you, Leena. You are welcomed back any time. We’ll leave the light on for you. 😉

    Reply
  5. Carlo Borja

    That was probably one of the best presentations I’ve seen in a while.

    Thank you for sharing that, Cathy. Your presentation itself is an application of the points you mentioned.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest