Do you prepare your oral presentations from the inside out? In other words, do you start with the data and content you have, and THEN figure out what you want to say about it? When I was a reporter, we’d call that “burying the lead.” In written communication, your reader might at least re-read the material or skip on ahead to your summary to figure out where you’re going. In ORAL communication, you may have already lost your audience. Pay attention to the special requirements oral communication requires if you want your work to connect with your audience:

1.) Oral communication has to be understood the first time.
Since we’re not likely to keep interrupting and we can’t ‘re-hear’ what you said, strive to be understood the first time. That means keeping your communication direct, higher level, and only filling in with detail after you’ve made it clear what your bottom line is. This is called “messaging” and yes, it’s vital for any communicator to be clear about why they want to be paid attention to.

2.) Stick to the most important information only
There’s probably a LOT you could say on any given topic you’ve been asked to speak on but demonstrating your expertise isn’t your goal. Connecting with your audience is and that happens only when you select the most relevant information for that particular audience for a specific purpose. If your information is ‘nice to know’ but doesn’t relate to your key messages, leave it for handouts or the Q and A.

3.) Know your audience
Oral communication in particular requires you know your audience and why they’re listening. You don’t want to use a ‘shotgun’ approach to relay information, hoping something hits the target. Know what your audience needs, where you want to take them, and what will most likely work in moving your audience where you want them to go.

4.) It’s the MOVIE, not the BOOK.
Delivering any oral presentation, briefing or speech, means you have about :30 at most to persuade them to listen to the rest. Don’t waste that precious time in background, introductions, fillers, details or pleasantries. Grab their attention for the important work ahead or you won’t likely get another chance.

5.) It’s the MOVIE, not the BOOK (part 2)
No oral presentation, speech or briefing of any kind is a deep dive. This is about winning a chance for a second look and deeper conversation. Detailed dives are called “work sessions” and you never want to disappoint your audience by requiring them to work when they were expecting you to do that. Your goal is to capture their attention and win them over for more.

This is why we tell our clients the more you know about a subject, the harder oral presentations and speeches are. Like a master sculptor, the art is in what you choose to leave behind when the chisel has done its work.