Iâ??ve recently had a couple of big presentations. So far, so good â?? theyâ??ve both been successful. In one case, the work helped land a new client, in the second, we solidified a relationship that has nowhere to go but up.
Preparing for these presentations made me think about how to get the best creative material to present. My philosophy is simple: MORE FOR BETTER.
MORE FOR BETTER means:
â?¢ Collecting more information: The more information you gather, share and read regarding the project, the more prepared youâ??ll be to think about what you really have to do/accomplish. Search for information about to the project, search for information related to the project, search for environments where the work will live. Donâ??t stop collecting information.
â?¢ Asking more questions: Ask every question you can think of. To the people who make the product. To the people who use the product. To the people who have a stake in the product. Leave no stone unturned. And fire away. Again. And again. And again.
â?¢ Brainstorming for more ideas: Itâ??s easy to fall in love with your first idea. The truth is, though, that the best idea is usually found somewhere way down the list. It may be the 20th concept you find. Maybe the 120th. Or it may be the first. Thing is, youâ??ll never know if your first idea is the best unless you have more to compare it to.
â?¢ Scrutinizing your work more: Once youâ??ve got things narrowed down to your shortlist, pick it all apart. Tweak, adjust, undo â?? the ideas arenâ??t right just because theyâ??re there. They can always be better.
â?¢ Paying more attention to detail: Everything you present leaves a lasting impression. Watch for typos. Check for inconsistencies. Show the concepts to others before you present, get their feedback and make adjustments where necessary.
â?¢ Preparing to present more: Practice. And repeat. Bring outsiders in to listen. Then listen to them. How they react to your presentation is likely to provide a lot of insight. Use it to make the adjustments. And then repeat.
MORE FOR BETTER boils down to one thing: presenting the best of the best every time.
When you prepare for a presentation, should you be doing more?
