Should a Marketing Coach Use a PowerPoint Presentation?
It’s important to remember, no matter what you’re selling, that your customers will buy from you before they even think about what you’re selling – especially if you’re a sales consultant. The best way to get people to like you, the best way to get them to buy you, is in most cases not to use PowerPoint.
That’s why…
When you’re selling face-to-face, you’ll want to look the person in the eye, talk to them, get to know them, and show your value as a person.
Can you have PowerPoint with you? Sure. If they want to see something in PowerPoint, can you turn on the computer and show them?
You bet.
But giving a presentation every time I think is a big mistake because it takes away the power of your presentation. Getting to know you as a person is the bond that will form in the long run.
PowerPoint is not an easy thing to do well, and it takes a toll on almost anyone who uses it.
It takes away from the personality and presence you have and makes you like everyone else; indistinguishable from all the other people competing for similar business.
Be you.
Sit in front of the person; have weaknesses; show your strengths; show your confidence; show your insecurities; show who you are; show your character and let the person choose you, not your PowerPoint presentation. Always be ready for other things, but stay away from them. There is rarely a reason why PowerPoint is needed.
If you’re going to use PowerPoint, here are a few things to help you succeed.
If you use words at all with your slides, limit yourself to one or two. Use lots of pictures of people who are prominent or well known for something. People who have been successful at what they have done are people we all identify with; such as Abraham Lincoln and Roosevelt.
Remember to stay away from current political figures and such. Use photos that have a purpose.
Never look at your PowerPoint while presenting. Be engaged with your audience, whether it’s one person or a room full.
Know your PowerPoint so that when you hit the next frame button, you know the frame that is on the PowerPoint, but keep looking at the audience.
The good thing about using PowerPoint is that you can’t go off on a tangent.
If you have to peek over your shoulder and look up at PowerPoint, that means you’re subservient to what’s on the wall or screen. And it takes away from you.
When you know exactly what’s coming next, you’re in control of your presentation.
If you want to do it right, if you want to take a risk with PowerPoint, make it so that you don’t have to watch it, but give it to you as a backup tape.
You know, it’s the guitar and the drummer; it’s there for backup. But Elvis is at the front of the stage; Elton John is at the front of the stage; the orchestra is not visible or barely visible. This is what you want to do.
Let your character shine during your presentation and you may find that PowerPoint is rarely needed.
#Marketing #Coach #PowerPoint #Presentation