Listening to a speaker can be very tiring because our minds are distracted quickly due to a low concentration span, attending a presentation is a format we know and this familiarity keeps us less alert and taking in new information can drain our energy. Therefore to know how to grasp and hold the audiences attention is vital to get your message across. How can you as a speaker make it easier for your audience and yourself?

One tool is by creating a dynamic set-up and a clear structure. This will: help you to stay focused on the message, give your audience a framework to follow your story with ease, support your personal and your audiences objectives.

Using the MY IDEAS model offers an easy to apply tool to develop clear, dynamic and focused presentations. This model covers the following steps:
1. M- Mind the audience;
2. Y- Your goal;
3. I- Inform;
4. D- Demonstrate;
5. E- Exchange;
6. A- Attention;
7. S- Summarise

1. M = Mind the audience. Start with the audience in mind: what are their expectations? Ask yourself: What will the audience have learned/observed/experienced after my presentation? e.g. the use of 5 new tools to find new clients; Who will benefit from my information? e.g. international sales people; Why is the session important? e.g. to identify more clients in less time; Will this be new to them? e.g. the tools not but the applications are.

Write your speech with the answers to these questions in mind.

2. Y = Your goal. Decide where you want to go, the goal of your presentation, start to ask yourself what you would like to achieve with your presentation: What is it that I would like my audience to take away from my session? e.g. knowing that I am an expert in international sales & marketing; What is my number one central idea or outcome? e.g My tools save time and money; What will they have experienced, learned, heard? e.g. How to use existing tools with my unique application methods; When do I know that my goal has been achieved? e.g. on my feedback form the satisfaction can be measured and when I will be referred to other clients or when they will buy my book after the presentation.

3. I = Inform. Throughout the presentation you will inform the audience and you will share details on yourself, your company, products, strategy, research cases etc. Instead of giving a long informative introductions on the sections in your presentation, try to alternate with the following elements.

4. D = Demonstrate. Demonstrating what you described in your informational parts is powerful. It will turn the abstract into something tangible. Show the audience what you speak about by demonstrating the product in the session, by showing the internet sources live on the screen, by hands-on computer study cases if possible, by showing pictures etc.

Demonstration is powerful, engaging the audience is a much stronger tool.

5. E = Exchange. When you speak to an audience, the room is full of knowledgeable people, acknowledge that expertise. Ask the audience questions: how many of you use tool X?, how many of you have been working in sales more than 5 years?, Who found an alternative solution to this problem?. Sometimes you can get this information beforehand, if not, use it to connect with the audience. Ask them to share with one neighbor e.g. what tools they use themselves and to share one problem with that tool. These little exchange moments will give you a break as well to drink some water, check your notes, write down some thoughts.

Then you need to draw the audiences attention back to your presentation.

6. A = Attention. Invite the audience to focus on the next part in your presentation and to share what they learned e.g. I would like to ask two persons to share your experience what happened during the conversation, what did you learn from each other?. Giving attention is important to give the audience the feeling they contribute. Thank the persons for sharing, say that these conversations can be continued during the break (networking) and continue by getting the audience to focus on you again by e.g. Now that I covered my list of tools, lets talk about my new application method. You will have them waiting in anticipation with renewed energy.

7. S = Summarise tips. Implement short summaries of your tips and findings throughout your presentation. This will re-enforce your suggestions and ideas and reminds the audience where you are in your presentation. Also include the ideas you received from your audience. At the end mention your number one idea again e.g. It was my wish to give you sales tools and new application methods. I hope these 5 alternative ideas will save you time finding new clients in the future.

Alternating between these parts will create a lively presentation. There is no need to strictly follow the MY IDEAS order. Be creative: you can start your presentation by asking a question Discuss with your neighbor the main bottleneck in your field (Exchange). And then you continue with Lets talk about my tips to resolve these problems (Inform).

Using the above described MY IDEAS model will give you structure and a dynamic set-up for your next presentation. Let me know how you are getting on and if you need any help.

Marianne Korten runs a personal and professional development company Soul at Work in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Corporate clients and individuals improve their conscious communication and creation skills through her expertise. Through coaching and training services clients gain greater self-confidence, balance, trust and skills to create the (business) life they want. Popular topics by demand are: public speaking skills, networking skills, career changes, mind-body-soul balance and finding your personal mission and vision. International companies and expatriates benefit from her background in the international meetings industry, of working with a variety of cultures and her personal skills as a certified coach, trainer, speaker and columnist. Sign up for her free E-Newsletter on: http://www.soul-at-work.com

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