10 keys to a better presentation (just like Steve Jobs)

Carmine Gallo has written an excellent article over at BusinessWeek titled Deliver a presentation like Steve Jobs that’s an excellent read for anyone working for an ad agency or who regularly gives presentations to potential clients. In my past experience with giving presentations, I always felt that the keys to a successful presentation were in how it was delivered. NOBODY will be excited at viewing slide after slide of a text-filled PowerPoint – or even worse, listening to someone who is simply reading the text-filled slides to them as though they’re stupid and can’t read for themselves. A successful presentation is reliant on an exciting, enthusiastic presenter delivering the information in a clear manner, not spinning, fading, dancing charts and headlines on a screen. Use your PowerPoint slides as a highlight, or introduction to what you’re going to say. When presenting your creative to potential clients, never, ever, EVER present them on a PowerPoint slide. Always print them out large and mount them to presentation boards. Your work is probably what’s going to close the deal, so make sure it look the best it can. And finally, practice makes perfect. Make sure you’re completely comfortable with what you’re going to say and show. If you’re at ease, so will your client be.