PRESENTING AN EFFECTIVE SEMINAR By Nancy Van Pelt Leadership Certification Course Level 2 Women’s Ministries General Conference

A well-designed seminar can profoundly affect the personal, professional, or spiritual life of the participant.

Three Prerequisites for Success : 1. Knowledge 2. Attitude 3. Skills

Strategies for Putting Your Seminar Together: 1. Meet your audience where they are 2. Discover what your audience needs to learn 3. Focus on specific useful skills

The Modular Design Approach 1. Participants can digest large bodies of information 2. You can rearrange the flow of your seminar easily 3. Preparation of visuals and handouts is easier

Choose a Winning Topic 1.One you are passionate about 2.One with hard-to-find information 3.One with a specific focus 4.One that provides specific rewards

A Quick Look at Content  Statistics  Research  Facts  Definitions  Anecdotes/ Examples  Case Studies  Expert Quotes

Visual Aids Flip Charts Marker boards Overhead projectors PowerPoint presentations Video tapes

Participation 1.Quizzes 2.Questions 3.Brainstorming 4.Pairs or triads 5. Small groups 6.Skill practice 7.Games 8.Props 9.Question and answer period 10. Music

Types of Handouts 1. Outline 2. Fill-in-the-blank 3. Tests, quizzes, and self-evaluations 4. List of resources 5. Reprints of articles 6. Bibliography 7. Extra paper

Successful Advertising Sex Age Place of residence Occupation Education Income level

Selecting a Date 1. Avoid holidays 2. Avoid major national events 3. Avoid local events 4. Consider weather conditions 5 Choose days of the week wisely 6. Choose the best time of day 7. Personal development seminars are best taught during evening hours

Brochures and Fliers Type of paper Color of paper Color of ink Paper size Typeface Graphics

Guidelines for Text : 1. Make wording short and snappy 2. State the benefits 3. Use powerful, action-oriented words 4. Choose a title that is clear and direct 5. Provide date, time, and location 6. Restate the benefits 7. Delineate who should attend 8. State what participants will learn

Getting Your Seminar Off to a Good Start 1. Begin on time 2. Show energy 3. Thoroughly prepare your opening 4. Make your introduction brief 5. Name tags 6. Take breaks

1. Avoid idioms. 2. Speak in short phrases or sentences rather than paragraphs. 3. Use common language rather than technical terminology. 4. Encourage your translator to go over your notes in advance. 5. Be careful with humor. 6. Send PowerPoints, overheads, and handouts to the organization in advance When Translation is Necessary

When Translation is Necessary Cont. 7. Get your timing right. 8. Stay focused. 9. Cut your presentation in half. 10. Ask your translator to stay with you following a presentation. 11. Check in advance to see if there are any cultural differences. 12. At the close of the seminar, thank your translator publicly.

To End a Seminar 1. Summarize major points 2. Deliver a challenge 3. Make sure everyone leaves feeling good 4. End on time