Non-Profit Presentation Skills

A Review of Three Blog Articles

“I am not tolerant of bad presentations with my technology clients, but for

some reason, I am even less tolerant here. Perhaps because I feel that

there is more at stake. The problem of poverty is enormous and stubborn. I

don’t know much about how to improve health in a rural village, but I do know how to craft a message that

people will respond to.”

--posted by Bridget Gleason on 03/02/2010

“Presentations are a great way to share information consistently with a

lot of people in a short amount of time. But, if no one hears or

remembers the information you want to convey, then the information is lost

and not used.”

--posted by Tanya Landry on 08/21/2010

“The shocking statistics for me were than people think that only 40% of

presentations are interest at conferences. How disappointing!! Also, most people rate conference

presentations as C-.”

--posted by Heather Carpenter on 06/06/2008

Bridget’s Five Rules for a Non-Profit Presentation

Rule #1. Don’t read your slides!

• It’s boring, insulting, and a waste of time!!

• Slides meant to be a guidepost

Bridget’s Five Rules for a Non-Profit Presentation

Rule #2. Choose 3 main points• What do you want your

audience to remember?• TOO MUCH vs. TOO LITTLE

Bridget’s Five Rules for a Non-Profit Presentation

Rule #3. Keep your slides uncluttered.• Font size should be 20 pts or greater

• No more than 4 bullets per slideNo more than 2 bullets under those bullets

• Use graphics

Bridget’s Five Rules for a Non-Profit Presentation

Rule #4. Remove unnecessary slides.• Does it relate to 3 main points?• Is it absolutely essential to the understanding of the main point?

Bridget’s Five Rules for a Non-Profit Presentation

Rule #5. Present with passion.• If you are excited about the topic, then why should others be?

• Moods are contagious.

Non-Profit Toolbox

Tip #1. Interact with your audience• “Warm up” your audience• Ask Yes/No type questions where most will answer “yes”

• Be sure people can hear you• Don’t talk too fast

Non-Profit Toolbox

Tip #2. Provide Pertinent Information in Multiple Ways• Does this presentation relative to the people sitting in front of me?

• Recognize that people learn differently: auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc.

• Invite participation

Non-Profit Toolbox

Tip #3. Check for Understanding• Encourage questions: “What questions do you have?” instead of “Are there any questions?”

• Be comfortable waiting for questions

Non-Profit Toolbox

“Focus on how you can serve people instead of worrying about how you

look, sound, or feel…You have people’s attention; it is a gift and an

opportunity.”--posted by Tanya Landry, 08/21/2010

Non-Profit Leadership 601 Bad presentations

• Reading the slides• Providing too much information on the slides

• Lack of audience engagement• Lack of energy• Room and tech problems

Non-profit Leadership 601 Why do we tend to do bad presentations?• We fail to prepare and practice• We are in denial• We have low expectations

Non-Profit Leadership 601 Good Presentations

• Have interaction• Audience participation• Enthusiasm• Clarity• Relevant visuals