Great Presenters Establish Trust with Their Audience

 from Harvard Business Review

Great Presenters Establish Trust with Their Audience

When giving a presentation, your most important responsibility is to establish trust with your audience. How can you do this? Focus on four key areas. Competency. Demonstrate expert knowledge of your topic by sharing current trends in your industry and by using specific anecdotes. Clarity. Clear communication lets expertise shine through. Identify the goal of your presentation in advance and use a clear structure with logical transitions to achieve that goal. Then, read your presentation out loud and refine as needed. Compassion. Speak directly to your audience’s needs, highlight what’s relevant to them, and make them feel heard and understood. Connection. Weave personal examples into your presentation — particularly examples that demonstrate vulnerability and transparency — to connect emotionally with your audience.