prezi for dummies

Starting with the planning basics gives you a firm foundation for the presen- tation. The planning basics are the decisions and details that go into creat- ing most presentations. It’s a good idea to start your planning by answering questions rather than starting with a blank sheet. Staring at a large white space can cause the proverbial brain freeze in otherwise healthy planners. It’s okay to type the answers to the following questions into a word proces- sor document if you want, but after this, it’s analog. Here are the questions you need to consider at the outset:

• Who is the audience? The key to a great presentation revolves around how well you understand and deliver on your audience’s expectations. So that you can deliver on those expectations more effectively, list what you know about your audience. Is it a business gathering? What are the demographics? If you know someone who’s knowledgeable about the group members, interview that person and learn about the members’ needs. Figure out what sort of knowledge level the audience members are likely to have. Is your topic new to them? If it is, you’ll want to supply any information that must be known before you move into a more complex discussion.
• What is the appropriate tone? You need to decide what the tone of your presentation will be. Is this a serious presentation with far-reaching implications? Ask yourself how humor can be used effectively. A busi- ness presentation will have a much different tone from that of a school club or convention. Don’t overdo the humor if you’re unsure about
• your audience. People can easily be offended when they don’t under- stand the joke.
• How long will it be? The length of the presentation dictates how much content you need and the extent to which you can entertain questions. Build in some question time at the end so you can be flexible.
• What is the venue? What is the environment in which you will give your presentation? Is it a large room? Will you be standing at a podium or dais? The whole tenor of the presentation is affected by the size of the room and the seating arrangement. If you’re in a small gathering, people will feel more comfortable asking questions.
• What contact information do I need? It’s a good idea to get cell num- bers or e-mail/Twitter addresses from people you’ll need to stay in con- tact with. You want to know the contact info for the host of the event, the conference or hotel manager, and the tech support person in charge. Find out what their preferred method of contact is ahead of time. It will save time later.
• What equipment is needed? This is critical. Plan to bring your own laptop and other accessories and discuss what you need ahead of time with the designated technical person. Don’t rely on what managers say if they haven’t used the equipment themselves. I’ve been very thankful when I’ve arrived with all the cables and equipment I need and found that none of them was available onsite. Don’t find yourself frantically hopping in a cab on the way to a computer store at 8 in the morning!
• Do I need any additional logistics information related to the presentation? This is for any related items or information that doesn’t fit into the other categories.