The 5-minute Presentation Guide
How to make five-minute presentations work
In this article we'll look at the tricks and techniques you'll need to master 5-minute presentations and make them work for you.
If you follow the tips on this page you'll find it much easier to get people to agree with you and take the action you want.
In the last few years psychologists have discovered exactly what you need to do to get results. We've simplified their research so that it's easy to remember and apply. Now you can use it in the real world - Here are 10 important points for 5-minute presentations:
(1) Get the Fundamentals Right
Your five-minute presentation must do two things:
(A) It must give your audience the right information
(B) it must persuade them to make the right decision.
The "Information" includes the facts and figures that you present. Obviously - you have to get those right. But the second part is also important. You have to persuade the key members of the audience that it's in their interest to do what you ask.
Every 5-minute presentation must include at least 2 minutes when you are not giving new information - you are persuading.
(2) Limit the Information
If you try to put too much information into the presentation you'll distract people and make it difficult to get your message across - so keep it simple.
To help people make the right decision you must help them understand that it's in their own best interest to follow your advice.
In other words, look at it from their perspective and ask: "what's in it for them?" Build your presentation around the answer to that question. Use the structure outlined in the next section to develop an argument that will appeal to them - one they'll find difficult to ignore or resist.
(3) Grab their Attention at the start
Professional presenters know they have only a few seconds to grab the listeners' attention so they structure their information. The first few words must spell out the main benefits or problems - followed by critical key-points.
The summary should always include a call to action. This will get people thinking about the steps they need to take when the presentation is over.
In another article on this site you'll see that people forget over 60% of what you've told them in the first hour. The solution is to "painting a picture" and include concrete details. You must give them more than just the facts.
(5) Target Key Points to Personality traits
For best results each key point must appeal to your listeners. It must "resonate" with them. You can make that happen by developing a profile of the key members of the audience. Identify their key traits.
If you have a copy of our book "The Art & Science of Presentations" have a look at principles 62 to 68. These sections shows how to analyze the audience and use that knowledge in your presentation.
(6) Add Graphics
If the people you want to persuade are visually orientated then you should use graphics to make your point. At it's simplest this could be a printed page containing a photograph, diagram or graph.
However, if you really want to make your point you should consider using slides. NOTE: it is very important that the slides do not contain lines of text or bullet points.
If you are going to use PowerPoint or a similar presentation package you should have the computer, projector and software all set up before you start. There should be no delay getting started.
(7) Don't use too many slides
As mentioned already - don't try to include too much information in your presentation. You should have less than ten slides - and they should be simple - don't use complex diagrams.
(8) Be prepared for Questions
If people are interested in what you're saying they'll ask questions. Draw up a list of the most likely questions and work out how you're going to answer. Keep you answers short and snappy.
(9) Use PPT Backgrounds
If you're using PowerPoint for your presentation than you should consider what backgrounds you're going to use. Don't use a default background and don't use common background that others have overused.
(10) Practice
Don't ever walk into the 5-minute presentation without practicing. You need to be very familiar with the materials. If you know exactly what you're going to say you'll be more confident - and it will show.
I hope you find these 5-minute presentation tips useful. However, we've only scratched the surface of what you could achieve. Our new book explains 125 principles that will revolutionize your presentations.
Need Help?
There's so much to remember. And if you forget anything crucial you'll have wasted everyone's time - and the golden opportunity to further your career.
It's really worth while finding out how to do it properly. Good presentations take effort - but it's a lot easier if you know exactly what to do. And that's why we created our new e-handbook.
It's called "The Art & Science of Presentations" and it's a completely new concept for any book - there's no fillers and no waste.
This handbook uses the minimum number of words (probably less than in this article) and yet pack more useful information than a small library. It does that by it's use of graphics and color and it's careful choice of concepts.
I promise you - you have never seen anything
like it before.
You can find out more here:
The Art & Science of Presentations.
Topics from
The Art & Science of Presentations
Here's a list of topics from the book:
Section 1: How to manage your appearance
Section 2: How to move around the stage
Section 3: How to speak
Section 4: How to choose visuals
Section 5: How to use technology properly
Section 6: How to set up the venue
Section 7: How to analyze the audience
Section 8: How to use 9 presentation secrets
Section 9: How to develop the content
Section 10: How to construct the presentation
Section 11: How to prepare for the presentation
Section 12: How to give the presentation
Section 13: How to complete the presentation
If you have a question about this new approach to presentations - just click on the red button!
