When you’re developing a presentation, you should start with the end goal in mind. What do you want the audience to take away from listening to you speak?
- Do you want them to buy something?
- Do you want them to schedule a meeting with you?
- Do you want them to join a cause?
- Do you want them to invest in something?
- Do you want them to learn something specific?
Now that you know the outcome of your speech, you can more easily select the content that will best bring about that outcome.
Know what you want to accomplish will help you choose the right stories, the most compelling facts and even the correct organization that will move your audience to do what you want it to do.
As you create your presentation, always ask yourself does this piece … visual aid, story, anecdote, fact, etc. … move the audience closer to or further from the goal I have for them? If your answer is “no” … weed it out — no matter how much you like it!