How do you match your presentation to your brand and goals?

1 Know your audience

Before you design your presentation, you need to understand who your audience is, what they need, and what they expect from you. You can do some audience analysis by researching the conference theme, the attendees' profiles, the feedback from previous events, and the social media conversations. You can also create personas or segments to represent different types of audience members and their interests, challenges, and motivations. This will help you tailor your content, tone, and style to suit your audience and connect with them.

2 Define your message

Once you know your audience, you need to define your message. Your message is the main idea and the key takeaway that you want to communicate to your audience. It should be clear, concise, and compelling. It should also reflect your brand and goals. For example, if your brand is innovative and creative, your message should showcase your originality and value proposition. If your goal is to persuade or inspire, your message should include a call to action or a vision for the future. You can use a simple formula to craft your message, such as "I want to (verb) (audience) to (action or outcome) by (reason or benefit)".

3 Choose your format

After you define your message, you need to choose your format. Your format is the way you structure and deliver your presentation, such as slides, video, audio, or interactive elements. Your format should support your message and enhance your brand and goals. For example, if your message is data-driven and analytical, you might use graphs, charts, or infographics to visualize your information. If your message is emotional and personal, you might use stories, anecdotes, or testimonials to engage your audience. You should also consider the conference format, such as the length, the setting, and the equipment available, and adapt your format accordingly.

4 Design your visuals

Next, you need to design your visuals. Your visuals are the images, colors, fonts, and icons that you use in your presentation. Your visuals should complement your message and reinforce your brand and goals. For example, if your brand is professional and trustworthy, you might use a consistent and elegant color scheme and font. If your goal is to educate or inform, you might use icons or diagrams to illustrate your concepts. You should also follow some basic design principles, such as contrast, alignment, balance, and hierarchy, to make your visuals appealing and clear.

5 Practice your delivery

Finally, you need to practice your delivery. Your delivery is the way you speak, gesture, and interact with your audience during your presentation. Your delivery should express your message and demonstrate your brand and goals. For example, if your message is confident and authoritative, you should speak with a strong and clear voice and use eye contact and posture to convey your credibility. If your goal is to entertain or amuse, you should use humor, sarcasm, or irony to add some personality and fun. You should also practice your delivery in advance, preferably in front of a mirror, a camera, or a friend, and get some feedback and improvement tips.

By following these tips, you can match your presentation to your brand and goals and deliver a successful and memorable presentation at a conference.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?