A well-prepared presentation will help reduce your stress as you present it.
For many people, the thought of making a presentation or speaking in front of an audience can be a nerve-wracking experience. Add to this situation the pressure of your work and the importance of the presentation, and you may wonder how you will get through it all. With some planning and preparation, you can reduce a great deal of that stress by knowing that you have created a sales presentation that will impress your potential clients.
Design the Presentation for Your Prospect
Tailor your presentation to each specific client. Everybody is different, and this holds true for your potential clients. While they may be in a business similar to another client, they are unique; showing them that you understand their uniqueness and have spent the time researching and tailoring your presentation to address their individuality will certainly impress them. This simple step is also a great way to get their attention. Your prospects will know right away that they are not going to be seeing the same out-of-the-box presentation, but rather a custom presentation just for them.
Tell a Story and Provide Evidence
If your product has a great story behind it, then tell your prospects about it. Sharing the purpose of a product, as well as success stories related to the product, offers a way for prospects to see how it will fit into their plans. For each point you make during your presentation, you should have some evidence to support the claims you are making. Testimonials from other clients will enhance your credibility and give your product more appeal. If you are bringing a new product to market, use the research that was used to create the product. Tell your prospects what benefit of the product will offer, and why it was developed in the first place.
Keep it Simple
You want your prospect to focus on your product and you. Avoid using fancy screen designs or different transitions from screen to screen. While nice, these features may distract from your message and from you. At the end of the presentation, always remember to ask your prospect if all of their questions were answered. If so, ask for their business; if not, answer their questions, and move your prospect along to the point where they are ready to make a decision about your product.
Dress to Feel Confident
Anytime you feel confident, it naturally transfers into the work you are doing. One the easiest ways to add some punch to your presentation is to wear your favorite suit or outfit. The increase to your self-confidence will not only come through in your voice, but also in the way you carry yourself and your presence at the front of the room. Just remember you are still there to do a job and to represent your company, so while you may feel comfortable and confident in beach wear, it would not be appropriate in such a setting.
