In business presentations,
timing is everything — and it's often wrong.
Every presenter faces two challenges: 1) to convey information,
and 2) to do so in a compelling and convincing way. The fastest
way to undermine both goals is just that — going too fast.
Rushing through your presentation not only prevents your audience
from absorbing the content, it makes you look unprofessional.
You have an important story to tell, and you need your audience
to remember key points such as product features, strategic goals,
and brand messages. Confident, evenly paced delivery dramatically
increases the impact and credibility of your message, and winning
your audience's confidence is the surest path to success — whatever
your goal might be.
To keep time on your side, just remember the three P's:
Planning, Practice, and Pace.
1. Planning
First, know your time budget. Fixed or flexible? Even if you have an open-ended timeframe, budget time for all the information you want to cover. Of course timing depends on content, but one to three minutes per slide is a good rule of thumb. Make hard choices about what to leave in and what to take out — before you start talking.
Studies confirm common sense: people's attention decreases as presentations go on, and twenty minutes is the optimum timeframe for delivery of one-way information. For longer presentations, break up the content into sections of 20 minutes or less — and always leave time at the end for Q&A. |
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2. Practice
The most important time spent on a presentation is in preparation. Practice at least one complete run-through with a clock or stopwatch, and ask a colleague, friend or spouse to be your test audience. They can also help determine time needed for reading text, charts, or graphics.
The slide that only takes 30 seconds to read through yourself might take 2 or 3 minutes to deliver aloud at a professional, even pace. |
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3. Pace
We all have a tendency to rush when delivering presentations, especially when we're nervous. Regardless of how much planning or practice you've put in, remembering two simple words is guaranteed to improve your presentation: slow down.
Great storytellers and performers all share a common strength: a sense of pace, or phrasing. Remember that silence can work in your favor, as it lets your audience absorb what you've just said – or, better yet, write it down.
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In the end, you will be more effective selling, raising funding, informing, or whatever your objective is if you deliver your presentation to your audience professionally.
