The Platform: Presentation Styles
I believe that communication skills is the most essential skill anyone should have. There is a limit you can get to if you don’t hone that skill or develop it. No matter your profession or vocation, that’s one skill you will need.
I believe that communication skills is the most essential skill anyone should have. There is a limit you can get to if you don’t hone that skill or develop it. No matter your profession or vocation, that’s one skill you will need.
Whether you need to speak to an audience of a thousand or have a one-on-one with your supervisor, that’s one skill that will help you to stand out. Without it, your technical skills and expertise will be limited.
It is your communication skills that amplify your other skills. That is how important it is.
A critical aspect of communication skills is the presentation style. The presentation style is the mode through which your points or arguments are made. There are many presentation styles as there are presenters.
I watched The Platform live yesterday and I’ve watched all the videos again on YouTube this morning. Apart from the topic being discussed, I usually watch the videos to learn more about the art of presentation and improve my communication skills.
So what do you need to infuse into your presentation to make it better?
1. You can never go wrong with storytelling
Storytelling is an art but it can be learnt. That’s actually my presentation style. People identify with stories especially relatable ones. Bishop Kukah used stories freely.
Storytelling is an art but it can be learnt. That’s actually my presentation style. People identify with stories especially relatable ones. Bishop Kukah used stories freely.
Ditto Olusegun Adeniyi who gave the audience stories about cows and Osita Chidoka. Osita actually started his speech with a very solemn story. If you want your presentation to be memorable, look for creative ways to infuse stories.
People may forget some things you said but they will a,ways remember your stories.
2. Work on the emotion of the audience
People are emotional. During presentations, people respond with their emotions. If you can find a way to touch their emotions, you will have an outstanding presentation. It may be the manner of telling your story.
People are emotional. During presentations, people respond with their emotions. If you can find a way to touch their emotions, you will have an outstanding presentation. It may be the manner of telling your story.
It may be the passionate delivery. Just ensure you fire up your audience the way Osita Chidoka did. His story at the beginning of his speech set the audience in a very sober mood and laid a good background for the rest of his speech.
3. Use humour freely
One good attribute of a good presenter is the ability to laugh at oneself or make light of situations.
One good attribute of a good presenter is the ability to laugh at oneself or make light of situations.
When Bishop Kukah started his presentation and struggled with the virtual presentation at the onset of his speech, he made light of it by saying that Olisa Agbakoba was responsible by not devolving more powers to Sokoto. Olusegun Adeniyi also used humour to drive in his points.
Use humour to loosen up the audience. A very good presenter should know how to do that.
4. Use quotes to drive home your points
A well researched presentation will use the works of others to drive home his/her points. Almost all the speakers at The Platform- most especially Bishop Kukah- quoted extensively from the works of others.
A well researched presentation will use the works of others to drive home his/her points. Almost all the speakers at The Platform- most especially Bishop Kukah- quoted extensively from the works of others.
Always ensure you give the right credit when you do that. By the way, you must be an avid reader to do that well.
5. Engage your audience
5. Engage your audience
Don’t be boring. It is a crime to be boring during your presentation. Your intro must be perfect. Your stories must be on point. Your gesticulations must be right. Be able to engage in free banter if necessary. Your use of the stage must be proper. Be audible enough.
Own your presentation. You have the stage- use it.
6. Know your topic
Understand the topic of your presentation. Read wide and far. You must discuss from the vantage point of knowledge. You should know the subject more than the audience. If the audience knows more than you, your presentation will not be relevant.
Understand the topic of your presentation. Read wide and far. You must discuss from the vantage point of knowledge. You should know the subject more than the audience. If the audience knows more than you, your presentation will not be relevant.
Be the subject matter expert. Being a subject matter expert helps you to think on your feet.
7. Your style is unique to you
Olisa spoke extemporaneously for more than an hour. No notes. And he engaged the audience well. That man is a legend. Dr Charles Omole’s presentation was a mix- he referred to his notes and spoke off the cuffs many times.
Olisa spoke extemporaneously for more than an hour. No notes. And he engaged the audience well. That man is a legend. Dr Charles Omole’s presentation was a mix- he referred to his notes and spoke off the cuffs many times.
That was Bishop Kukah’s style too. Olusegun Adeniyi read his speech from his notes and paused once in a while to throw in snippets of information. Osita explored his oratory skills to arouse the audience. No style is better than the other even if you have personal preferences.
Whatever style you choose to adopt, master it well.
If you want to get better, please watch The Platform on YouTube. It will help.
Bayo Adeyinka
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If you want to get better, please watch The Platform on YouTube. It will help.
Bayo Adeyinka
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