| A good presentation of any kind; speech, seminar | | | | your talk (instead of the usual finale) games, |
| or workshop; is part content and part style | | | | contests, problem solving exercises, involve the |
| involvement tactics. Some people refer to these | | | | audience to build the agenda, or use of learning |
| elements as the steak and the sizzle. | | | | journals? |
| Sue Gaulke, the author of 101 Ways To | | | | 7. Do you incorporate humor? Do you use funny |
| Captivate A Business Audience suggests | | | | props, tell embarrassing stories about yourself, |
| (strongly) that even the most technical of | | | | read funny (but applicable) quotes, fun activities, |
| presentations should contain at least one "sizzle" | | | | keep a humor file from news clippings or joke |
| element every six minutes. Sizzle elements | | | | books? |
| include, humor, an anecdote, a demonstration, | | | | 8. Do you move around with energy? Do you |
| audience participation, or using a prop. Oh sure, | | | | modulate your voice with more energy? Do you |
| your audience does not want you to waste their | | | | walk around the podium or even out into the |
| time, they want the facts, data and bottom line | | | | audience? |
| information. They want you to inform them, but | | | | How did you do? If you answered "Yes" to all |
| they also want you to do it with style. | | | | eight questions, give yourself a rousing round of |
| Here is a test to see how high your "Involvement | | | | applause and yell, "encore." |
| Quotient" is when you attempt to communicate | | | | If you answered "Yes" to six or more, give |
| with an audience: | | | | yourself three stars and a candy bar. |
| | | | If you answered "Yes" to four or more of these |
| 1. Do you do your homework about your | | | | questions, pat yourself on the back, but look for |
| audience before you speak? Do you try to find | | | | ways to improve your presentations. |
| out what "current events" have been an issue | | | | If you answered "Yes" to three or less, you need |
| with this group? | | | | work, but don't get discouraged. All of these sizzle |
| 2. Do you start your presentation by plunging right | | | | elements are easily learned and adapted to any |
| in with an anecdote, a startling fact or by asking | | | | kind of presentation. It is also possible that you |
| the audience questions, instead of beginning with a | | | | are under the mistaken belief that your topic is |
| lot of "verbal throat clearing" like "thank you for | | | | too serious to incorporate such sizzle elements. |
| having me here," or it's an honor to speak to you | | | | But even speaking at someone's funeral can |
| today?" | | | | involve humorous stories of the departed to help |
| 3. Do you remember to tune your message to | | | | the mourners remember the good times they |
| your audience's WIIFM radio station (What's In It | | | | had with that person. |
| For Me)? Do you apply or slant your content to | | | | We've all endured speakers who were experts in |
| their own self interest? Do you show them how | | | | their fields. Speakers who gave dense, |
| your information can solve problems for them, | | | | information-filled presentations (or at least the |
| make their jobs easier, save them time and | | | | parts we paid attention to were full of |
| effort, increase their bottom line? | | | | information), but who did not convey that |
| 4. Do you come prepared with more anecdotes, | | | | information effectively. These speakers were |
| stories or case histories than you expect to use? | | | | ineffective because they had no idea how to |
| Are you prepared to introduce one of these | | | | include the sizzle necessary for good |
| illustrations (even if you hadn't originally planned to | | | | communication. |
| use it) when you sense your audience getting | | | | Sizzle elements not only keep the people you |
| restless of inattentive? | | | | speak to involved, they are far more likely to |
| 5. Do you single out individuals to ask questions or | | | | remember your information and take action |
| drop their names to use as examples? Do you | | | | afterwards. Learn to add sizzle to your steak and |
| ask for volunteers to demonstrate something? | | | | you will be in great demand as a speaker. |
| 6. Do you plan for audience activities like | | | | COPYRIGHT(C)2006, Charles Brown. All rights |
| brainstorming, small group discussions, inviting | | | | reserved. |
| audience questions at the beginning or middle of | | | | |