2. Know the company you are presenting to.  What is the mission of the company?  What is the scope of the company (small family owned or large like Walmart)?  What type of products do they represent?  What is the market that they cater too?  Know the names of the people and as much as you can about the people you are presenting to.  How will your product fit with the products that are distributed by the company?

3. Know your product  What is the purpose of your product? When, where and why would it be used?  Who does your product serve? Who will buy the product? Kids, parents with children, young professionals, rich New York housewives, artistic types, etc.?  How is your product produced (small in house or in a factory in China)?  What is the environmental impact of the product? Manufacturing process, is it recyclable etc...  What is the wholesale cost of your product? Know the detailed breakdown but don’t cite it unless asked.  How long will it to manufacture? How many can you have by what lead time?

4. Come dressed for success  Know the company you are presenting to and dress at least as nice as the president of the company. Your style should reflect theirs.  Generally this means good shoes, pants/skirt, nice shirt, tie/jewelry and probably jacket.  Sneakers, t-shirts and clothes with holes are out of the question!  You should have a fresh haircut and make sure you are clean and smell nice but not too nice (don’t knock everyone out)

5. When you first walk in  Step in with confidence, hold your head high and meet their gaze.  Shake their hands – firm grasp (not crushing) and one or two shakes. Use only one hand and don’t pump their hands up and down.  Introduce yourself and tell name of your company and your position (Hello I am ___, I am the ____ from ____ company).  You may want to tell them about your company.  Give them time to introduce themselves before you start your presentation.

6. Content of presentation  Describe your product using visual elements and the principles of design.  Describe how, where and when the product would be used.  Describe who would use the product and why they would use it.  What is special about your product? Why would someone want it over any other?  Give them time to ask questions.

7. During presentation  Stand up straight.  Look your audience in the eye (if this is uncomfortable, look at their foreheads)  PROJECT YOUR VOICE!  Leave out the “ah’s and um’s” Silence/pauses are better – just smile and give yourself a break to collect your thoughts  Try not to repeat the same words over and over. We all have catch words.

8. During presentation cont.  Don’t be jittery or pace. Stand tall and stable.  If you move/change your position, do it to emphasize a point.  Make sure you emphasize your product. Like “Vanna White” guide your audiences eyes to the product.  If you talk with your hands, limit your motions and only use them to focus the viewer on the product.  Make sure you demonstrate its use as well.

9. Concluding your presentation  Quickly summarize the high points of your presentation.  Ask them if they have any questions.  Thank them for their time (by name if possible). Shake their hands again.  Let them know you are going to contact them in a week to follow up (make sure you do so and repeat the follow up).