{"id":262,"date":"2024-08-22T15:59:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T15:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/josephinekaluba.com\/?p=262"},"modified":"2024-10-16T23:01:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T23:01:14","slug":"being-presentastic-with-mel-sherwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/josephinekaluba.com\/?p=262","title":{"rendered":"Being Presentastic with Mel Sherwood."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cFor every presentation you give, there are three variations: the one you prepared, the one you gave, and the one you wish you delivered\u201d –Mel Sherwood<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mel is a pitch and presentation specialist who offers services that support entrepreneurs and business professionals in public speaking. Drawing from 25 years of experience in business and being on stage, she developed programmes to help people deliver successful pitches and presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mel delivered the presentation workshop during a Mastercard Foundation Scholars summer school. I found the lessons I learned invaluable, and I still use some of them today. In this post, I\u2019ll share some key lessons from the workshop that will elevate your presentation skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I originally posted this on my old site, which is now down, so I decided to repost it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Crafting Your Message.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you want to think about is your audience. Consider whether they are similar to you, whether they want to be there, what their beliefs are, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, ask yourself: What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do? What message do you want them to take away? These questions will help you focus your presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4Mat Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several ways to structure your presentation. Examples include the Hero’s Journey, Point & Story, Problem-Solution, and the 4Mat structure. During the workshop, we focused on the 4Mat structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Hook<\/strong>. Start with something that grabs your audience’s attention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Why<\/strong>. Explain why people should listen or why what you are presenting is important. Make it personal to your audience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. What<\/strong>. Elaborate on the facts and statistics, explain the concept, or share what experts think.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. How<\/strong>. Show how your audience can put your idea to work or use the information provided. You can employ case studies, stories, and examples here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. What if<\/strong>. Encourage reflection and reiterate your points. This is also the best time for Q&As if you plan to include one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Conclusion<\/strong>. Link your hook to your conclusion if possible to make it memorable. Whenever possible, avoid ending with a Q&A, as it can make it harder to tie your presentation together. A lot of us (myself included) often end our presentations with a slide like this.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If you must end with a Q&A, be sure to wrap up with concluding statements. People tend to remember the first and last things said, so make sure the last thing they hear is intentional and reinforces your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Make Your Presentation Stick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n