Tips for Making Knockout Motivating Presentations

Making presentations can be nerve-wracking but making motivating presentations? If you don't have the experience, it's almost like asking a baker to build a rocket. Motivating someone isn't easy. In fact, you have to be very careful about the words you use, the way you show the presentation and the topics you include. It requires skill, balance, humor and in some cases, a bit of sixth sense. So how do you make motivating presentations? Here are some ideas you can try:

Know your audience.
This will help you understand the different things that keep your audience enthusiastic and motivated. And it can be tricky. Imagine making a motivating presentation to 20 people. That's 20 different views, 20 different opinions and 20 different levels of motivation.

Don't make the mistake of trying to fit your audience into a single mold – it just won't work. Remember that each one of them is driven by different goals and interests. Find out what these are. Get to know them first. It would help if you could get them to answer a short survey or questionnaire prior to the presentation so you'll know what they like, believe in and are willing to go through to get to their goals.

Come prepared.
Always create your motivating presentation ahead of time. Allow at least two weeks if you have the materials ready and around four to six weeks (or longer) if you have to do some research. Remember that motivating people through a presentation does not come by accident – you really have to be prepared about the right words to say at the right moment.

Show enthusiasm.
Nothing kills a supposedly motivating presentation faster than the lack of energy from the presenter. When you make a presentation, make sure you reflect the idea that comes with it. Are you trying to get people excited regarding a new project? Show it. Are you trying to focus their attention on an innovative marketing strategy? Let your intentions be known.

No matter how well-prepared your motivating presentation materials are, you can't hope to get a lot of positive feedback and reactions if you yourself can't show any.

Know your material.
Don't make a motivating presentation only to stall right in the middle. You'll lose momentum and might have a difficulty in getting it started again. Be prepared – plan and write your presentation ahead of time so you can take care of any editing problems.

You might also want to rehearse. While you should not read long sentences to avoid sounding unconvincing, you should prepare note cards you can refer to from time to time during the presentation. If you will be using audio-visual aids, test them prior to the presentation day itself. Make sure that you are familiar with the topics so you can move smoothly from one subject to the next.

Allow a healthy interaction.
If you want to make a motivating presentation, let your audience react and join in the discussion. A presentation is part lecture and part conversation. You cannot and should not hound the attention. Let your audience speak and let them know that their opinions are valued. Show enthusiasm for their ideas and opinions and welcome any opposing positions.

A motivating presentation is one where people are stimulated enough to actually share their ideas with others because something stimulated them to think, feel and react. Should this happen, allow it to enrich your presentation. Be in control but welcome the influx of thoughts and impressions.

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