BWH Communication & Public Affairs presents… What’s Your Point? Effective Strategies For Getting Your Message Across

Presenter: Erin McDonough Senior Vice President Communication & Public Affairs

Fear Factor Fear of Heights? (Acrophobia)

Fear Factor Fear of spiders? (Arachnophobia)

Fear Factor Fear of death? (Necrophobia)

Fear Factor 1.Fear of public speaking (Glossophobia) 2.Fear of death (Necrophobia) 3.Fear of spiders (Arachnophobia) 4.Fear of darkness (Achluophobia, or Myctophobia) 5.Fear of Heights (Acrophobia)

Today’s agenda Honing your presentation skills

Effective Presentations Activity What’s your definition?

Effective Presentations Our definition – Authoritative – Energetic & Engaging – Clear & Concise

Establishing Your Authority Who are you? Why are you talking about this?

Be Yourself, if… You are – Confident – Enthusiastic – Engaging

Know your Audience Who are they? What is their level of understanding? What is their connection to your message?

Know your Audience Activity Tell it to your Grandma

Know your Audience Find out as much as you can Tailor your message to your audience Avoid jargon Anticipate questions

Anticipate Questions Consider what else they might want to know Pinpoint details they may challenge – what might be controversial? Develop your exit strategy

Develop an Outline OPEN What’s the Big Idea, Mission, or Theme of the Presentation? BODY Talking Point 1 BODY Talking Point 2 BODY Talking Point 3 CLOSE Summary or Call to Action Restate your main idea

The Open Capture their attention! – a question – a startling fact – a story – a scenario (imagine, what if…) – a humorous quote & story – caution! OPEN What’s the Big Idea, Mission, or Theme of the Presentation?

The Open Tell them what you are going to tell them Tell them what they will gain Make it interesting!

The Body 3 – 5 key points Details and proof Use of Data & Stats – limit & make them memorable! BODY Talking Point 1 BODY Talking Point 2 BODY Talking Point 3 “Facts bring us to knowledge, stories bring us to wisdom.”

The Close Tie it all together Tell them what you told them Conclusions or call to action Reiterate your big idea or theme CLOSE Summary or Call to Action

Slides: A picture is worth 1,000 words 3 – 5 points per slide Use bullets, key phrases, not sentences Always check for mizpelled words! Use at least 20-point font Use different size fonts for main points – And secondary points This will help make things clear to your audience

What Works & What Doesn’t If you use small fonts, your audience won’t be able to see it CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY – OR IT WILL SEEM LIKE YOU’RE YELLING! Don’t use complicated font Save bold and underline for special emphasis

What Works For critical points, reveal only one at a time – Helps the audience concentrate on what you are saying – Prevents the audience from reading ahead – Helps you keep your presentation focused

What Doesn’t This page contains too many words for a presentation slide. The slide is not presented in bullet point form and therefore is much more difficult for your audience to read and for you to present each point. In short, your audience will spend too much time trying to read this paragraph and not enough time listening to you.

What Works Use a color that contrasts with the background Use color to emphasize a point! – But only use this occasionally Don’t get too creative with your use of color!!!

What Doesn’t Do not use too much animation Do not use distracting animation Approaching the danger zone with the animation Enough already with the animation!

What Works - Images If they are clearIf they are memorable

What Doesn't Work - Images

Review You know your audience You’ve got your outline You’ve got your slides You’re ready to go – right?

Activity What’s your challenge?

Practice, practice, practice! Do several “dry runs” in advance Use a mirror, tape recorder, video – whatever works for you! Find a friend (have someone watch & critique)

Why Practice? You “hear” it, refine your message Become fluid and conversational Plan pauses, inflection, gestures Delete jargon

Why Practice? Internalize the message Convey confidence Practice your timing Establish a Plan B Reduce anxiety!

How Important is Style in Communication?

Activity You be the coach

Student #1 Click button to play video

Student #2 Click button to play video

Student #3 Click button to play video

Elements of Style – Body Positioning Always be aware of your posture Don’t stand in front of your slides Laser pointers never work out

Elements of Style – Movement Be animated as you present Move purposefully Don’t make erratic movements, like bouncing, rocking, pacing

Elements of Style – Hands Gesture naturally, not mechanically Do not use your hand excessively, unless you do naturally Be aware that some gestures could be culturally offensive – OK? =

Elements of Style – Facial Expression Be aware of your facial expressions – use them purposefully. Show me: – Thoughtful – Questioning – Annoyed – Empathetic – Touched – Proud – Exasperated

Elements of Style – Vocal Volume Pace/Pauses Tone Fillers Inflection

Inflection Changes Meaning I did not say I want a raise this year

Elements of Style – Eye Contact Make eye contact – include your audience, focus on multiple people Not too long – that’s creepy! If they’re not looking, they’re not listening

Elements of Style – Appearance Be aware of the image you are projecting Dress appropriately for the occasion/audience Avoid distracting colors & patterns Project calm and authority

Elements of Style - Nervousness Accept it- everyone gets nervous! Preparation is key. Have confidence in you – your audience does. Breathe deeply

What’s your challenge?

Review √ You know your audience √ You’ve got your outline √ You’ve got your slides √ You’ve practiced, and practiced, and practiced √ You look good √ You’re ready to go! (Really this time!)

Click button to play video

Questions?