A presentation is a powerful way to sell an idea, whether that relates to a business proposal or sharing knowledge about new products and services. This is a tool that is used in many different industries, whether you’re an entrepreneur or working within a business and looking to gain more recognition. Being able to give persuasive presentations is an effective way to communicate your ideas, convince people to back you and gain attention for the right reasons. That’s why it’s so important to have a robust skill set where presentations are concerned.
Our tips for persuasive presentations
Being an effective presenter means understanding how to sell your idea to your audience. There are a number of rhetorical devices that are available to help with this that have been used for years. They were first identified by the Ancient Greeks but continue to be useful today if creating, and delivering, persuasive presentations is your goal.
● Ethos. This means creating the opportunity to establish a connection with your audience by demonstrating your own credibility and character. When we trust someone and take them seriously we are much more likely to listen to what they have to say. One way to gain the trust of the audience is to establish that you are committed to the welfare of others and have this as the underlying ethos of your presentation.
● Logos. The rhetorical device established by the Ancient Greeks doesn’t literally mean use your logo. Instead, it refers to everything that you can use to support a persuasive presentation. This could be anything, from data to evidence and facts. Opt for quality over quantity and make sure you don’t overwhelm your audience or it will have the opposite effect.
● Pathos. Another very powerful rhetorical device, pathos is all about the emotional connection that you establish with your audience. If you’re able to make people feel something and generate an emotional reaction then you are much more likely to be able to move them to respond and act.
● Metaphor. The use of metaphor is a very simple way to make something feel more familiar or to explain a point or idea. To do this effectively you’ll need to compare your topic to something that will feel familiar to your audience. The way this works is that it clarifies what you’re trying to say and puts it into a context that the audience can better understand. You are effectively making what was an abstract idea into a concrete one and giving it real relevance.
● Brevity. There is no doubt that the most persuasive presentations are not usually the longest ones. Being able to deliver your message concisely is a great attribute for a presenter. You’ll make much more of an impression if you can keep the details powerful but brief.
The art of persuasion is vital to understand if you’re keen to be a persuasive presenter. It also hasn’t changed that much in thousands of years and these tips provide an effective basis of doing more with the opportunities you have to convince people. Find out more by booking on to our Persuasive Presentations training course...