A more effective message is one that allows a presenter to “own” the content wholeheartedly, so that the delivery appears more natural. In a featured article published in the December 2010 PresentationXpert newsletter, Tom Mucciolo shares some ideas on ways to enhance content using stories, analogies, descriptive words and more. Read the whole story:   7 Tips for More Compelling Presentation Messages

If you want your message to have the most impact on the greatest number of people then you must match your message to what is most basic to your audience. One way to achieve this is through the use of CONFLICT, because people have some type of “conflict” in everyday life.

Part of the challenge of interaction is guiding your audience into asking the right question at the right time. While you may be able to anticipate possible questions, based on prior experience with the topic, you really can’t predict which people will ask what, when. But, you can increase your chances if you use a strategy of forced choice. 

Improvisation is mostly associated with theatre, where actors create a story (sometimes humorously) without a predetermined script. To develop consistency, improvisational performers use many techniques, one of which is an exercise called “triggers and handles“. This exercise can be quite useful, especially when developing consistency among “team” members.

One strategy to building an effective message is to focus on the overall “theme” or “approach”. Then, make a list of NOUNS, a list of VERBS, and a list of ADJECTIVES that relate to that overall theme. The nouns support the facts, the verbs drive the action and the adjectives create the emotional intensity.

Understanding “relationship” is critical to effective communication. We plan our actions in “relation” to others. In scripting, your relationship to a particular audience can be described in terms of the way you would normally relate to another person. In that regard, messages can be targeted effectively.

What is the best way to practice a presentation? Some resort to memorizing a well-written speech; some rehearse pre-written notes in an outline format; while others keep repeating an “off-the-cuff” delivery over and over until comfortable. All of these approaches focus on the content. But there is another method.

This category features comments about creating a consistent message, also known as the the script or storyboard for your presentation.