A friend of mine was preparing a short PowerPoint presentation to introduce her small education nonprofit at the annual conference of a huge, national civic organization. Many other nonprofits were also presenting, each hoping to be adopted by the larger group with its deep pockets and far-reaching networks.
My friend asked how to make her presentation stand out above the others. Here’s my two cents:
Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, your first objective is to establish a consensus of context. Your audience must acknowledge why you’re there, what you want them to believe to be true, how you’re going to support your claim and then want them to do with this truth. Then structure your presentation accordingly.
Think of it more as a thesis summarized in PowerPoint form, if that helps.
Too many presentations like these are just regurgitations of process. They leave it to the audience to figure out why all this detail is even relevant. Start with this idea: It is not necessary for anyone to understand the intricate details of how your program works or the creative labels you’ve given its many components. It is very necessary, however, for everyone to believe that your program is a proven approach toward helping meet the goals of the organization they represent – be it improved health, increased literacy, financial security, actualized human potential, a sustainable planet or whatever.
Tell the audience specifically how your program will help them accomplish their agenda – faster, better, more lasting, with less expense, with better results. This is all that matters. Talk about things they already know are important to them. You will become an asset, not just another nonprofit trying to get a bone thrown to you.
Stay out of the weeds. Don’t throw out terms and names of people and organizations that are important to your own circle but mean nothing to them. Don’t tell stories of individuals, but of thousands. Bring it to their big picture. Talk in big strokes.
Don’t come across like you’re asking for permission or endorsement. Don’t let them believe that you are desperate for their funding, distribution channels and connections. Let them know that your program is already a success story, prove it by showing results, and make it relevant to them by showing how it can help them.
Tell them that you look forward to working with them, and give them your phone number and email address if they have other questions. You obviously earned your way to getting this opportunity to speak. Let them believe that they already have a relationship with your program. Create a sense of urgency that they should be leveraging it, rather than deciding if they want it or not.
As for the presentation. Use slides for thematic emphasis while you talk, not for people to read along with you. You should never have to turn your head to the screen to remind yourself what you're saying or where you are in your presentation. No more than three bullet points per page. Even better, no more than one sentence – and a short one. Even a single word has a big impact.
Now go out there and make a difference.
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