Presenting to potential clients is never fun. You spend a lot of time getting all of the facts in order and making your PowerPoint and in the end you are not sure if you will even get the client/job. 

We all know making a good presentation is important, but what are some of the ways to make an impression and a sale. 

Having the information easy to understand with clear visuals is one way to make an impression.

If one presenter hands you a document full of number and graphs you are not very likely to read them or understand everything you are reading.

 On the other hand having someone hand you a iPad with touch screen so they can touch a graph and see where the information comes from is a completely different story. 

Visuals such as graphs and charts are meant to accumulate the data in an easy to read format. Don’t overdo it. 

 Who says you have to give a PowerPoint? Get creative. Think outside the presentation box. Use items in front of your audience so they can touch or change an item you are talking about. Use video, music, art just get the concept crossed without your audience falling asleep. 

One idea is to line a table with paper. Start your presentation with a drawing of what you are offering. Let everyone in the room write on the paper with questions or concerns after you give them the big picture idea. At the end of the presentation you will be able to see how each step of the presentation went and it keeps your audience engaged and part of the process. Not just a silent blob waiting for you to shut up so they can go to lunch. 

Ask yourself this one simple question when preparing for a presentation – So What?

When you stand up in front of your audience make sure they are not asking themselves, So What? You want to tell them why this information you are presenting pertains to them. Why is it important to them. Answer that question in every presentation and you will make sales. 

“Thank you for your time today. I want to begin by telling you about my company, my product, and myself. My company was founded in 1858, and we now have more than 5,000 employees worldwide. Also, we have recently won a customer satisfaction award, and we have been named one of the best places to work in America…”

Bla bla bla why does any of that matter? So What?

Or

“Do you know how many investment salespeople come in and simply want to pitch their latest product? Well, what I do is entirely different. What I want to talk to you about today is what matters most to you and your clients: safety, guarantees, and income.”

“To give you some background, my company was founded in 1858. The reason that’s important is because we have survived wars, recessions, earthquakes, and depressions, and have kept every promise we have made to our clients. This is an important thing to remember when making an investment that you want to last more than 30 years.”

“We have over 5,000 employees worldwide, which is big enough to make us a serious player, but small enough to know who you are.”

“Finally, we were recently named one of the best places to work in America. The reason this is important to you is because of the quality and experience of our service representatives, whose average tenure at our company is 12 years. What this means is that a real person will answer your phone call in less than 30 seconds, and they can usually answer your question the first time”

Now I know why each of those thing pertains to me! The audience member. Ask yourself So What?

Walk to the front of the room with some confidence. It can make a world of difference if you walk up to the front of the room with your head held high and a smile on your face than if you saunter up trying not to meet anyone’s eye as you start talking. 

So for your next presentation for a prospective client or just your office staff, try these 4 tips to keep everyone awake and engaged.