Your Presentation is Good. So Why Isn't It Landing?
How to make your message matter to the people hearing it
OK, this one's a given.
You’ve done the work
You know your subject
Your slides are in order
...and you’ve practiced enough times that the dog leaves the room when you begin. (Tough audience.)
Then the big day comes and you give the presentation. Right away, you can tell that something is off. And the result is rather predictable: polite smiles and maybe one or two people telling you it was "very informative." Lovely to hear, unless you were hoping they’d actually do something with the information.
When a presentation doesn’t land, it’s tempting to blame the material. So you go back and fix the words. Maybe you add a stronger opening, cut a few slides, or fire up your chatbot to find a more impressive statistic. If you're like me, you'll also hunt down some chocolate to help you feel a bit better.
All those things can help, but honestly... I’ve watched people make their material better and better while delivering it in exactly the same way. And it still doesn't land. Yes, the audience gets the information and maybe it's a bit clearer, but what they don't get is the full force of the person behind it.
Your presentation lands when people hear why it matters, not just what you know.
Knowing WHAT to say is only the beginning
As an actor, I can tell you that knowing your lines is only the beginning. I can say the same sentence ten different ways and make you hear ten different meanings.
Take "We need to make this change." I could say it as a warning, a plea, or an invitation. Same words. Very different message. While the words themselves haven’t changed, what I'm thinking, feeling, and trying to get from the other person has.
Before you present, ask yourself what you want your audience to understand or do. This is your intention. How do you want them to react?
Do you want them to feel inspired?
Aware of other possibilities?
Emotionally invested in the outcome?
Or maybe ready to take a specific action?
Stop chasing the "perfect" words
When you're busy trying to remember - in the middle of your presentation, no less - the exact right words you'd written down earlier... you're sunk.
If you're concerned that you must be polished, professional, and seemingly perfect throughout the entire presentation or speech... you're sunk.
If you're doubting yourself or your qualifications, feeling like a bit of an imposter... you know the words by now.
My point is this: how you deliver your presentation or speech matters as much as your subject matter. Sometimes more, especially if your intention is to inspire your audience to take action!
If you're explaining a recommendation you believe could save a client a lot of trouble, consider these points:
If you’re focused on remembering what comes next, you may rush past the very point they need to hear.
If you’re busy trying to sound polished, your voice may become so even (or monotone) that your client can’t tell which part matters most.
If you're trying to be perfect in your speech, you may be so focused inward that your client thinks you're unprepared, uncertain about what you're saying, or not completely trustworthy... and you may lose their buy-in.
I’ve seen terrific speakers do this, too. They’ve rehearsed every transition and know exactly when to advance the slides. Meanwhile, I’m in the audience thinking, You clearly care about this. Can you let us in on why?
Communication is a real connection between the speaker and the audience. We have to feel your energy, as well as your thoughts. We need to be moved by what you're saying before we take action.
It's time to land the presentation plane
Before your next presentation, try this:
Pick one moment you most want your audience to remember.
It might be a recommendation, a story, or a number that changes how they see the problem. Say that part out loud and record yourself. Then listen back without looking at your slides.
Could someone tell, from your voice alone, that this matters to you?
If not, resist the urge to make the sentence fancier. Just give yourself a second before you say it. Let the thought affect you before you move on.
Talk to one person, even if you have to imagine them in front of you.
Making it personal changes the tone of your voice and how you explain things. You become less formal, your vocal quality naturally changes, and you become more interesting to listen to. Most importantly, your audience will lean in, because they feel like you're talking directly to them and their concerns.
Test out your storytelling with an honest friend.
You can also ask someone you trust a better question than “How was I?” Ask:
“Where did you lean in, and where did you start thinking about lunch?”
A kind friend may hesitate to answer the second part. Buy them lunch if necessary, but find out! A good honest reaction will help you improve your presentation skills tremendously, assuming you're willing to accept constructive criticism and make the adjustments.
Get up to speed in a hurry
Got something important coming up soon?
Good delivery doesn’t mean being louder, pacing around the room, or sprinkling dramatic pauses over every sentence. (Please don’t. We have enough drama.) It means your audience can hear what you mean, recognize why it matters, and stay with you long enough to act on it.
We both know that you already know your stuff. You're the expert. Your presentation should sound like it.
If you have a speech, webinar, or presentation coming up, I can help you make sure it does. Make It LAND is private coaching focused on how you deliver your message, so the work you've put into it comes through when it counts.
I'm offering it at a special rate for a short time. If you have a big opportunity before the end of the year, let's get you ready to land it.
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Then make it yours.
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I’m Laura Doman, a film and TV actor, voice actor, and communication strategist. As a performer, I bring characters and stories to life, from the CEO you’d trust to the best friend who tells you what you need to hear. As a coach, I help professionals make their expertise come through on camera, on stage, and in the room, so people pay attention, trust them, and take action.
