How Can I Make My Presentations, Workshops, Webinars And Speeches Count?

Published Date: January 22, 2024.

Author: Susan Paczkowski.

Importance Of Your Presentations, Workshops, Webinars And Speeches.

Moving yourself and your listeners from point A to point B is the main goal for the majority of public speaking moments. It may help:

• Break down communication barriers,
• Encourage better engagement for your cause,
• Overcome resistance to change,
• Add clarity to vision and goals,
• Align people, ensuring everyone is on the same page or understanding,
• Create space for decision making,
• Deliver training,
• Improve moral and motivation,
• Secure resources or sales,
• Generate buy-in to an idea, proposal or process.

On a personal note, it may help you increase your visibility within an organisation or industry, grow your business, develop valuable relationships and contacts, get the job or project you want or celebrate an accomplishment you have achieved.

Even routine meetings or presentations you need to lead or actively be part of, deserve respect to be prepared for well as they may open up doors of opportunities when you least suspect it to. Therefore, 'showing up' and presenting or speaking your best, even in the routine situations becomes important for the goals you want to achieve. Many times I was given a job opportunity by showing up and doing the best in my speaking opportunities during routine moments, and when I didn't hit the mark I wanted, I invested time to learn why and how I can do it differently the next time.

The importance of all your speaking moments is they help you get closer toward your goals, can open up opportunities for you that you did not expect and it brings you closer to your audience, helping you develop valuable relationships.

How To Make Your Planned Speaking Moments Count?

Part A: Know Your Environment, Audience and Message.

This is an area most people stop at. Yes it may get the job done and move the needle to your goal a little closer but if you desire to make an impact or have a presence that counts, and if you want to have a clear message that is understood and acted on by your audience, you need to take a step back so can then leap forward in the direction of your goal. You will need to invest time doing the work in the below parts B and C.

Part B: How To Say Your Message, What's The Journey and Why Is it Important?

This area is what delivers depth, connection, provides clarity on your value to your audience and is what really draws your audience to you and your work. This is also the part that you need to invest extra time in which is why many people leave this in the "I'm too busy to do this," basket and hence leave many possible opportunities for themselves on the table. The work you invest in during this section, is what in my experience, helps you realise your goals faster and easier. Though I understand that it does not feel that way because you need to invest your time to do the work here, but that amount of time will help you save time and get better traction further down the line as you give your presentation, workshop, webinar or speech.

Part C: Look After Yourself.

Burning out in the process or when you are about to deliver your talk adds unnecessary strain to you and your performance. This does not need to be the case. If you are someone who commonly feels exhausted in the lead up to an important presentation, talk, webinar or workshop you are leading, or you feel exhausted at the end of it all, I would like to let you know, this does not have to be the case and there are ways to help you look after yourself and your energy as you prepare for your important speaking moment. And yes, this can be accomplished during an existing busy schedule but you need to decide to do the work and then do the work. 

Benefits Of Completing The Process.

Feeling great, energised and dare I say, enjoying the process of preparing and delivering a presentation, workshop, webinar or speech, are some helpful benefits for you that will translate to you speaking with confidence, presence and impact. Here are some more benefits I have realised when I and my clients have completed the process:

• Better engagement and connection between you and your audience during your talk, and also in the lead up and after your talk,
• Increased trust and credibility between you and your audience, especially with existing and prospective customers,
• Quality information received and more information received during the feedback loop process,
• Development of trust as a good speaker and hence more opportunities in the future to continue to speak on existing and new platforms.

Start getting the full benefits of your many speaking moments. Get the proven, practical, process.