The educational presentation as a marketing method has been in practice within the Indianapolis business networking scene for about ten years. Fairly common sense math that presenting your information to a group of 12 or more new associations increases your chances significantly. When you decide to do this or when you are requested to take your presentation turn at a local networking group, the number one thing YOU MUST UNDERSTAND is this 5-15 minute presentation IS NOT a sales pitch. Nor is it a doctoral dissertation. Your job is to fulfill the specific reason you were asked to speak.
Mini presentation goals remain STRATEGICALLY SIMPLE:
1) Become better known & learn from your audience
2) Be seen as an expert in your field
3) Share data driven insider insights
4) Give take away tips
4) Enable follow-up discussion & fellowship
Participating in a group is far different that leading a group or speaking to a group. This is your chance, possibly your one chance, to show yourself as an others focused service provider. Getting this right is best managed by following all the manners your mama (hopefully) taught you.
Begin by thanking the host for the opportunity to speak. Like when you were a kid and leaving before a trip, make sure your pottied and prepared for the journey. (I’m serious about going to the bathroom before you speak, it can help relax your body’s natural nerves.) Have a one page handout for every participant with either the major points of your presentation or some kind of related white paper that gives information, but quietly highlights your business.
To be seen as knowledgeable, you must be prepared and practiced. A common rule of thumb is 2 minutes per, slide, keeping in mind that slides are supposed to be 3-4 bullets of few word summaries of your oral presentation, written in 36 pt font or larger. Thus, when you’re giving a 5 minute presentation, you should have 2 1/2 slides worth of points to make. For 10 minutes, 5 slides. For 15 minutes 6 slides, cause they can print into one page nicely and so on . . . And don’t let your slip show, which means don’t talk about anything you did to prepare for the presentation. Novice speakers think this humanizes them, but its actually under minds you as an authority on your topic in people’s minds.
Ensure you present what the organization that has asked you to present about. Provide industry data and statistics that only a professional like you would know and have access. The data should come from current, large reputable research organizations and your own customer service measurements. Gift some implementable techniques to wet the appetite of the audience. Provide how to tips or suggestions that can apply to any business. Generally, a quality presentation gives just enough information for the person to be able to feel like they understand the topic, but still have questions, which they will ask YOU in the follow up discussion or call you by phone.
