How do you streamline and enhance your event communication and presentation?

I always approach a presentation by first trying to get in the head of the audience. What did they come to hear, not “what do I need to convey.” I think about what will leave them more informed, or inspired, or give them the tools they need to walk out feeling empowered. Then I tailor the message to that, with a particular emphasis on What will make them enjoy this presentation?

The best thing someone can do here is to hire a experienced event production team with a strategic presentation expert who can pull the messaging of the event throughout. Otherwise, events end up feeling like they have a theme that is only for show. The theme and purpose should feel clear and should be embedded throughout. Repetition and consistency is key but it’s also important to use proper narrative framing to make sense of it for your attendees.

Begin by delving into a deep understanding of the brand behind the event. This entails comprehending the core essence of the brand, positioning in the market, brand communication and familiarising yourself with any brand-specific guidelines. Understand the primary objectives of the event, not only identifying the overarching goals but also honing in on the specific aims intended to be achieved. Furthermore, study the target audience, and gain insights into their demographics, preferences, and expectations, curate the event experience to resonate effectively with them. With a clear picture of both the brand's identity and the event's purpose and audience, engage in a thorough analysis and aim to identify how to craft a meaningful experience.

Knowing your audience is key to reaching your communication goals for your event. If you have access to some of your returning attendees, pick their brains during your event planning phase and ask them to be blunt and honest with their feedback. I have also found keeping content bite-sized, direct, and visually-stimulating is the most effective when it comes to on stage remarks and presentations. We are now living in a time when the average attention span is 47 seconds for a particular topic, so content needs to be intentional.

To streamline and enhance event communication for diverse and inclusive social impact initiatives: Understand your audience's diverse needs. Use inclusive language and avoid exclusivity. Prioritize accessibility in all event materials and venues. Promote diverse representation in content and speakers. Encourage interactive engagement to amplify diverse voices. Utilize visual storytelling to convey messages effectively. Leverage technology and social media for broader reach. Provide sensitivity training for staff and volunteers. Establish a feedback mechanism for continuous improvement. Stay updated on diversity and inclusion best practices.

When it comes to fundraising events, you can never start too early in identifying what online platforms and tools are going to work best for your event. And keep in mind that the "perfect" online platform does not exist. Each comes with its own set of quirks and work-arounds that will impact your planning timeline. If you can, allocate some of your budget for consultant support from those who are experts in the online platform that you are utilizing. It will be worth it.

Coming from the non-profit, faith-based world, I'm at a clear deficit, both financially and with people power. I ask our small team: what can we do most efficiently, creatively and intentionally? Our formats depend on our program, event, and goal.

Choosing the right tool and format for presenting means understanding what you're good at. It almost doesn't matter what that format is, because your audience will be compelled by all kinds of formats. So shine! I had a colleague that had to get large groups interested in attending optional events. Emails and photos and memes and everything else were going unheeded. So she made a 30 second video, where her energy shined. People wanted to be in that room with her. Know yourself! That comes from listening to what others say about you, and believing them.

Generation matters. Learning styles have changed after the internet entered our pockets. For Millenials and Gen Z, Learning looks less like a seminar and more like a search. Learners are used to sourcing information on their own rather than having to rely on a single source to enlighten them, so tools that are collaborative and invite the attendees to be a participants can add tremendous benefit to any presentation.

Bring your true, authentic self to your presentation and your passion will shine through. Frame the message in a story that you have lived. This is the engagement hook that is the most powerful, because when your audience know you are speaking from the heart - they go along with you; even if your message is a hard one to hear.

Tone of voice is so important. I hear so many bright people talking about their area of expertise- when it's just a few folks, they're using simple terms, their passion shines through, they bring you along. Then they present to a broader audience and they get stuffy and stiff and formal. Keep your tone! It's why people are listening to you and not somebody else!

Applying brand guidelines to your event is crucial for consistency and recognition. Key steps include: Ensure all team members have access to the guidelines. Create templates for event materials with approved colors, fonts, and logos. Maintain a consistent tone of voice in all written communications. Utilize visual storytelling techniques in event materials. Regularly review materials to ensure adherence to guidelines and make corrections promptly.

Keep it simple, strong and effective. Things seem to be over complicated in todays world. Messaging and branding should be straight to the point. In this statement “less is more”.

The majority of your in-person event attendees want to be seen and heard at your event. And post-Covid, all attendees deserve to be thanked for making the effort to attend your event. Create a multi-layered plan for the day of our event on how to recognize and thank your attendees. Possibilities include door greeters, board member table captains, personalized thank you gifts. Even add a second or third roaming photographer to interact with your guests. The more touchpoints with your guests, the better.

Engaging with the audience is my single favorite thing about communicating, whether its from the stage or online. I don't know what writer said it, but a favorite quote is "Nobody skims over dialogue." I think the same when listening to a long talk or reading a long post. You drift. But Q&A and interaction, everyone perks up.

It is not about just engaging and interacting with your audience, it is about feeling this sense of being a part of your journey. It will make you unique

Know your audience. If this is the first time you are engaging with them, find a way to learn as much as you can. It's so meaningful to engage with where the audience truly is. The engagement tools are important educational and pedagogical devices. Authentic connection is, in the end, what will be remembered.

Yes! Interacting and measures of interactivity go a long way. Finding ways to propel your messaging forward in fun interactive ways creates memorable experiences.

Feedback is painful. So we avoid it. I get that. But there is simply no other way to improve your presentation. So give it to different folks and ask what you should cut. Because it's almost always cutting stuff. We find ourselves more interesting than anyone else finds us. So let's find out what actually resonates.

Seeking for a feedback from the experts is what will keep you going. You have to understand that not because you like something means your audience will. Learn your audience and create what will be suitable for them matching their needs aligning with your strategy

If you want to give a great presentation, there is exactly one secret: Practice. Practice over and over, until you would rather dig ditches than practice again. Then practice again. Nobody's a natural born communicator. It's learned.

Presentation skills is a part of influencing others. There are websites that you can practice presenting with AI such as Virtual Speed & Microsoft.

Communication is key to success. Producing events is hard and it’s okay to make mistakes. When you get knocked out, get up again. Use peers to help bounce ideas off of and learn from those around you. It’s also okay to ask for help!