10 Steps for Successful Live Presentations

1. Plan Ahead

Give yourself at least two to three months (longer if you are exhibiting overseas).

2. Set Clear Goals and Measurable Objectives

Go into the process knowing what you want your presentation to accomplish and how you will measure its success.

3. Know & Respect Your Target Audience

Make sure the presentation tone, style and content are right for the industry and for your target audience.

4. Remember the Message

Presentations offer a wonderful opportunity for building brand, differentiating your services and solutions, and expediting the sales cycle. The creative concepts used should always further these processes and never obscure them.

5. Involve the Decision-Makers

Content input and concept approval must also come from upper management. Make sure all decision-makers are a part of the up-front input session.

6. Use an Integrated Marketing Strategy

For maximum results, the presentation should be part of an integrated sales and marketing strategy. This strategy should include the entire exhibiting experience: pre-show, at-show and post-show.

7. Focus on High-Level Solutions & Messages

No more than four major points. The rest will be forgotten – or worse, dilute, and diminish the effectiveness of your story.

8. Keep it Short

Ideal time is seven to eight minutes. Some technical shows and demonstrations can go longer.

9. Amortize Presentation Costs – Reuse Presentation

Plan to repackage presentations or parts of presentations for other shows, press conferences, meetings, CD’s or sales/marketing videos.

10. Measure Results

Document everything so you can prove value, evaluate your investment and make any necessary adjustments for your next exhibiting opportunity.