Grow Your Business By Giving Presentations

Inc.com said it best: “There is no better way to promote yourself than to get in front of a room full of people (both existing and potential clients) and speak on a topic you are an expert in.”

Giving presentations is something that may seem a bit intimidating, but trust me, it’s worth it.

This is something I know A LOT about. I’ve been doing presentations to prospective clients since 2003. In fact, I built my first marketing company entirely by doing presentations.

Then, in 2010 I was recruited to give presentations as a corporate employee for Constant Contact. In 2017 I was recruited by Grow with Google to fly all around North America to do presentations for them.

So, let’s just say I have many, many years of experience doing presentations.

Here are some reasons why doing presentations can benefit your business:

Builds Your Credibility

When you give a presentation, you have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge and expertise in your field. This helps to establish you and your business as a credible source of information, which can make potential clients more likely to trust you and choose your services over your competitors.

Increases Brand Awareness

Giving presentations is also a great way to increase brand awareness. By speaking at industry events or conferences, you can get your name and your business out there in front of a wider audience. This can lead to new clients and partnerships, and help to position your business as a leader in your industry.

Generates Leads

Presentations can also be a great lead generation tool. By providing valuable insights and information to your audience, you can pique their interest in your business and services. This can lead to follow-up conversations and potential new clients.

Strengthens Relationships

Giving presentations can also help to strengthen relationships with existing clients and partners. By keeping them up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices, you can show that you’re invested in their success and that you’re a valuable resource. This can lead to repeat business and referrals.

Improves Communication Skills

Finally, giving presentations can help to improve your communication skills. This can benefit you in all areas of your business, from pitching to clients to communicating with your team. The more comfortable you are speaking in front of others, the more confident and effective you’ll be in your business interactions.

So, how can you get started with giving presentations? Here are some tips:

Identify Your Target Audience

The first step is to identify your target audience. Who do you want to reach with your presentation? Is it potential clients, industry peers, or current customers? This will help you tailor your message and approach accordingly.

Choose Your Topic

Next, choose a topic that is relevant and valuable to your audience, but also helps you achieve  your business goals. Think about the challenges and pain points that they may be facing, and consider how your expertise can help address those issues.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is key when it comes to giving presentations. Make sure you rehearse your content and delivery, and consider doing a trial run in front of a trusted friend or colleague to get feedback.

There have been times when I have practiced presentations standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom (really!)

Use Visual Aids

Visual aids like slides or infographics can help to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged. They can also help you stay on track. Just make sure that they enhance your presentation rather than distract from it.

Engage Your Audience

Finally, engage your audience by asking questions, encouraging participation, and incorporating interactive elements like polls or quizzes. This can help to make your presentation more memorable and impactful.

What one more secret tip? Say people’s names out loud.  When someone in your audience asks a question, ask “what is your name?” Then repeat the question back so everyone in the audience can hear it.  “Alex just asked…..and here’s the answer.” That makes Alex feel important, and makes everyone else see you care.

Doing presentations may seem daunting, but it can be an incredibly valuable tool for growing your business. By building credibility, increasing brand awareness, generating leads, strengthening relationships, and improving communication skills, presentations can help take your business to the next level.  

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid product or service. These are items I’ve personally used and stand behind. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only.