For the past 12 years, I have been a featured guest presenter on QVC, The Television Shopping Channel, structuring and developing “selling” presentations that engage and motivate viewers to pick up the phone and place an order. As QVC’s Lead Guest Trainer, I train other guest presenters to do the same. In 2006 – 2007, QVC’s turnover in the UK was in the order of £350m and $5.8bn worldwide. In this article I discuss the key elements of creating an instant impression in today’s business environment.
Whether you’re in the boardroom, addressing your staff at a conference, at a business presentation, or, like me, on camera in front of a live television audience, it’s essential that you have the right impact from the start. because
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Who said this for the first time? Was it Will Rogers, a 1930s movie star cowboy, or Oscar Wilde? Regardless of who it was, it’s an indisputable truth that first impressions count, and horror of horrors only takes 30 seconds to make.
Being on television regularly, I know that there are certain specific elements that create a compelling and influential presentation. So in today’s society, we need to present more than just the facts. We need to engage, enroll, impress and retain the interest of our audience.
A good speaker entertains the audience. A great speaker moves them to action.
With this in mind, I am pleased to present to you my,
7 keys to PERFECT communication
personal impact
Nonverbal communication, such as restlessness, uncertainty, or nervousness, can send negative signals to your audience. These subconsciously perceived weaknesses can capture the attention of the audience so that they miss what you are saying.
Know exactly how you are going to start your presentation. Make sure it’s powerful and attractive, and be aware of your body language.
emotional connection
If you’re not passionate about what your topic is, how can you expect anyone else to be?
Involve people on an emotional level. Tell personal stories, use metaphors, and let people participate in your life experiences. You will find that your audience will more easily bond with your images.
right to speak
What right do you have to talk about the topic you’re talking about? Tell us your story and by doing so create authority?
When we were children, we were told not to brag about our accomplishments. Then he enters the world of work and what happens is that he is judged on his achievements.
When you identify your experience and draw on the ‘how to’ elements of the issue being discussed, you build personal credibility and elicit an emotional response from your listeners.
acts
Once you’ve developed an emotional rapport and a reason for them to trust and believe in you, your presentation should have clear facts and details.
Don’t talk in terms of hypothetical situations. Make it relevant to your ‘audience’, your business, your hopes and concerns. Understand what they want to know, not what you want to tell them.
encapsulate
We live in a society of sound bites.
“Just do it”, “is it the real thing”, “am I bovvered?” We are programmed to expect information to be packaged into instantly memorable sentences. Encapsulate your message, the key elements of your presentation and translate them into succinct and influential language.
Credibility
Don’t make claims you can’t substantiate. Recently at a seminar, a speaker used the following information.
“A first impression is based on 7% spoken words, 38% tone of voice and 55% body language.”
The speaker was asked about the source of the quote, but did not know the author. His credibility instantly vanished.
If you are going to use quotation marks, make sure you know who said it and in what context.
The company
In addition to your individual right to speak on a specific topic, it is also important to establish the credentials of the company or companies with which you are associated.
Use testimonials from delighted customers and the value you bring to the company. It is a universal truth that those with whom we associate can give us even greater status and authority.
The PERFECT items are part of a sophisticated influence skills workshop used in QVC and in the business arena.
Attendees develop, witness, winning business presentations and gain a set of tools that allow them to be effective where they need to positively influence and motivate others to achieve the desired result.
The key to your personal and financial success lies in your ability to positively impact others.