Presentation Formats

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Presentation Formats

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Presentation Formats Many people think of presentations as synonymous with slides, but that’s not always the case.

Presentations are any type of communication that is trying to persuade the audience to shift their behavior or thinking. With that broader definition, presentations are not limited to a

single format, place, or distribution channel. They can be pre-sented live, streamed to remote locations, viewed on-demand, be static or interactive, or be deployed across multiple digital platforms.

As the presenter, it is your job to determine best way to con-nect with your audience and what format to use based on the following considerations: audience size and the presentation setting; how your audience prefers to receive information; and a delivery method that supports your communication objec-tives. Below is a sampling of the variety of presentation types you might choose based on your goals.

Live Presenter-driven content for live audiences:

Keynotes Breakouts Roadshows All hands Live webinars Remote meetings Visual conversation tools

On-Demand User-driven content for on-demand viewing:

Narrated presentations Mini documentaries Infographics Intro videos Visual essays Video slides Recorded webinars Dynamic documents

Immersive User-driven content for immersive experiences:

Interactive narratives Modular presentations Microsites and communities Mobile experiences E-books Curated content Social objects

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DeliveryStyles

Casual Planned but informally delivered

Deliver short presentation, then discuss Lead conversation with whiteboard sketches Lead conference call with slidedocs posted

SMALL AUDIENCE

Interactive Facilitated by presenter or audience

Distribute document, then meet to discuss Host conversational webinar Use fipchart or whiteboard spontaneously

STAGE

Formal Programmed, staged, and rehearsed

CASUAL

INTERACTIVE

FORMAL

CANNED

Deliver formal presentation with visuals Host panel discussion Host formal webinar (audience is muted)

Canned Distributed for audience to access Package or stream on-demand presentation Post slides with voice-over/recorded webinar Post curated content

LARGE AUDIENCE

SPONTANEOUS

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Most presentations fall somewhere on the spectrum of an interactive meeting with a small group, to a formal presentation to a large audience. Identifying your setting on the previous page can help you select the most appropriate delivery style.

Audience Size and Seting

If you are delivering a presentation with slides to a large crowd in conference hall, you will want to be more structured and formal, with a defined flow, polished visuals, and well-rehearsed delivery.

If you are speaking to a small group in a conference room, there is more opportunity for interaction and discussion. To make the meeting feel more like a conversation, you might consider having your presentation deployed on a device to facilitate a more adaptive discussion. Or you may decide to use no slides at all and instead draw a diagram on the whiteboard to help make your point.

It’s not uncommon for large companies to have a single slide presentation, such as a product overview, that is delivered by many different presenters in a variety of settings. In these cases, it’s important to balance the need for consistent mes-saging with the flexibility of the presenter to

customize the message for their particular audience.

A company with a geographically dispersed sales team worked with Duarte to refresh their corporate pitch. They chose to create a custom application for tablets, which gave their sales people easy access to profes-sional collateral, including video case stud-ies, supplemental links, and documents. The app included a hidden menu with a script, instructions, and customizable sec-tions where the presenter could insert their own case studies and other information. The solution combined the best of both worlds: the most up-to-date content from marketing, with the option to personalize.

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Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish through your presentation and choose a delivery method that aligns with your goals.

Key Insights

Consider the space Select a format suitable for the presentation setting.

Communication Preferences Audience size and setting are important factors, but they should always be considered in conjunction with how your audience prefers to receive information. For example, a

group of seasoned business analysts may find a thorough

document distributed before a presentation more effective, while a group of young professionals may prefer a video they can access on-demand. When presenting to an exec-utive, a brief slide presentation followed by ample time for discussion may be most appropriate.

Design for the audience Tailor visual aids to align with audience preferences.

Communication Objectives Finally, ask yourself what you hope to accomplish through your presentation, and choose a delivery method that aligns with your goals. If you want to gather feedback from your peers on a proposed product idea, consider distrib-uting hand-drawn sketches instead of a formal slide deck to encourage participation. If you are delivering a product demonstration to a group of customers, you might choose an interactive format, such as a microsite or a custom app that allows them to explore the material at their own pace, focusing on the details that matter most to them and their business needs.

Deliver the objective Choose a delivery method that supports your communication goals.

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