Marketing Class Presentation

How to Make an Effective Presentation

I. Structure

a. Introduction

· Make sure you welcome the audience

· State the aims and objective of the discourse/presentation

· Make sure you have a thesis statement to capture the imagination of the audience (Yalcin & Yalcin, 2010)

b. Body

· Make sure you have listed your main headings plus the key phrases

· Do not overload too much content to avoid disconnection with the audience

· Using variety enhances presentation. I.e. use graphics to draw a picture in the mind of the audience (Yalcin & Yalcin, 2010)

c. Conclusion

· In brief, summarize the main points of your presentation

· Make sure all the question are answered in the presentation

· Appreciate the audience for making time to avail themselves for the presentation. (Carlton & Jacob, 2001)

II. Mechanics of Presentation

a. Practice

· Try practicing before the actual presentation

· Make a presentation in front of a mirror or a small audience

· Make recording of the mock presentation and review yourself (Carlton & Jacob, 2001)

b. Speech and Body Language

· Make sure you are audible, clear and concise

· Interact with the audience by building a rapport

· Avoid being over nervousness (Carlton & Jacob, 2001)

c. Text for Presentation

· Make brief notes on cards and handouts

· Make a power point presentation

· Flip Chart or overhead projector can be used (Hardicre, Devitt & Coad, 2007)

III. Things to avoid

a. Do not waste time

· Make logical presentations in reasonable timelines

· Do not overshoot time nor complain of its shortness

· Try to make summaries of you materials (Tom, 1988)

b. Do not make bad slides for presentation

· Do not make slides in a portrait mode

· Font sizes should be not too big nor too small

· Avoid using a background that detracts the legibility of the text (Tom, 1988)

c. Do not get stuff from anonymous sources

· Do not copy paste stuff

· Make sure to give references

· Sources must be authoritative(Hardicre, Devitt & Coad, 2007)

References

Tom, B. (1988). How to make an effective presentation. Journal of Career Planning and Employment, 48(4), 63-68

Hardicre, J., Devitt, P., & Coad, J. (2007). Ten steps to successful poster presentation. British Journal of Nursing. 16(7). 390-400.

Carlton, A., & Jacob, D. (2001). How to give good presentations. Harvard journal, 34(9), 51-61

Hashemi, M., & Hokmabadi, M (2011). Effective English presentation and communication in an international conference. Procedia-Social and Behavioral, 30, 2104-2111.

Yalcin, A., & Yalcin, N. (2010). How to get best result from a presentation? How to increase effectiveness of a presentation. Procedia-Social and Behavioral, 9, 480-486