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It's all about the message
At one time or another you have certainly seen a good presentation. Chances are it was that the presenter was dynamic. They had a message and it resonated with you. The graphic support might not have even been that good? While great visual can only enhance a good presentation and make it even better, the message is where your best chances are at audience connection.
John McKnight, a former CBS Emmy Award winning News Anchor's three favorite tips for delivering a great presentation are: 1. Rehearse. 2. Rehearse, and 3. Rehearse. Rehearsal of your message doesn't turn practice into perfect. It creates discovery about what flows and feels right and feels awkward. Pay attention to those awkward points because they need to be corrected.
If something does not feel right to you the presenter,then the audience will surely disconnect. Most presentations, unless you are an expert at developing presentations,have a point where the audience wants to disconnect emotionally and “leave.” Once the audience leaves, they rarely, if ever, come back. So, once you have identified an awkward point during your rehearsal, change the information. Letting go may be hard if you are the originator, but we must trust those simple instincts.
Chances are the disconnection point was where the message was getting too deep into the “micro” side of your offering. Try to adjust by keeping it more of a “macro” approach and then get right back to rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse!
