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Fred Miller
Apr 18, 20123 min read

A Great Presentation is like a Delicious Cake!

Updated: Aug 4


Presentation

There is a Specific Recipe

that when followed, produces the super results you desire!


A sumptuous cake, or for that matter, meal, doesn’t come about by accident!

There are specific amounts of specific ingredients, added at specific times, in a specific manner that lead to mouth watering desserts and foods!


A Presentation is similar to a recipe.  

There are specific components, with very specific parts, that must be developed in a specific manner to result in a presentation that leads to an audience GETTING the message the speaker wants them receiving. (GETTING IT! is the goal of all communication; verbal, written, visual.)


Professional Presentations follow a “Recipe.”

  1. The Title should draw people in to see and hear you.

    1. Think of it as the:

      1. Headline of a newspaper article.

      2. Subject Line of an email.

      3. Spine of a book.

    2. If the above don’t grab attention and interest, people won’t want to know more.

  2. Write your own Introduction.

    1. It is not your biography.

    2. It should answer the questions:

      1. Why this subject?

      2. Why this speaker?

      3. Why now?

    3. Think of the Introduction as the King’s Trumpeters announcing his arrival!  It should build the audience’s anticipation for you, the speaker!

  3. The Opening has two parts,

    1. Grab the Attention of the people you’re speaking to.

    2. Next, Tell them What you’ll be Telling Them, and how you’ll be handling questions.

  4. The formula for the Body of the presentation is:

    1. Make a Point – Tell a Story to support that point.

      1. Three to five points per presentation.

      2. Personal stories are best!

  5. The Conclusion has two parts.

  6. Tell the audience what you told them.

  7. Have a Strong Closing.

    1. The last thing the audience sees and hears will be the first thing they will remember.


BONUS Tips for the “Recipe” for a Great Presentation

  1. If you’re going to have a Q&A Session, do it before your Conclusion.

    1. The last thing the audience sees and hears will be the first thing they will recall.  That’s why the Closing should always be powerful!

  2. Practice – Practice – Practice!

    1. A good rule of thumb is one hour of practice for each minute of presentation.  (I’ve proofed the last sentence. It is correct!)

  3. If slides will be used in your presentation:

    1. Don’t use Bullet Points and lots of Text.

      1. Bullet Point Confuse, Compete and Conflict with the message the presenter is delivering.

    2. Use high quality, universally understood Images.

      1. Learn, Practice, and incorporate into your Presentation:

  4. Verbal Delivery

    1. Clear Enunciation and Pronunciation of all the words you speak.

    2. Projection

      1. Speak to the back of the room.  If necessary, use an amplification system.

    3. Inflection

      1. Where you place the emphasis in a sentence can completely change the meaning.

    4. Cadence

      1. Vary the speed of your delivery.

    5. Pause

      1. Give the audience an opportunity to enjoy your humor or absorb information you just presented.

  5. NonVerbal Delivery

    1. Eye Contact

      1. “The eyes are the gateway to the soul.”

      2. They project, or not, honesty and integrity.

  6. Facial Expressions

    1. The most important one is a Smile!

    2. I call a smile a non-physical hug because when you give one, you get one right back!

      1. They’re contagious.

  7. Gestures

    1. They should be natural and add to the delivery of your message.

    2. Be aware: All gestures are not universal.

  8. Posture

    1. Straight, with shoulders back shows “confidence in your competence.”

    2. Starts when you are seated!

  9. Body Language

    1. Have one or two “anchor spots” on the stage that you return to if moving about the speaking area.


Follow this “Recipe” for Developing your presentations, and the next one will be  – NO SWEAT!

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Pausing is a key component of presenting.

About the AuthorF Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”


Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.


They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."


They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!


Services:

  1. Keynote Speaker

  2. Workshop Facilitator

  3. Breakout Sessions

  4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

  1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

  2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

  3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

  4. We are All Self-Employed!


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If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this post or other posts please contact me: Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com.


Thank  you for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated!


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