The five-minute presentation can be a powerful tool to market your
business. But what can you get across in just five minutes? A lot!
Follow these five steps to make the most of your five minutes in the
spotlight:
1. Pay Attention to Your First Impression
Your
audience will make a decision about you within the first 10 seconds of
your presentation. So first pay attention to looking the part. Dress
like a business owner, not to do the job you do when you are at work.
My husband is a personal trainer with his own business; he wears a
sweat suit to work. But when he delivers a presentation about fitness,
he dresses in a business casual look wearing twill pants and a sport
coat over a button down or polo-type shirt with his logo embroidered on
it. He dresses the part of a business owner, not a jock from the gym.
2. Have a Point
Make
sure you know what you want to accomplish with your five minutes other
than simply "getting through it." Do you want your audience members to
sign up for your newsletter? Buy your book or e-book? Call you for a
free consultation? Be clear on what you want from your audience.
3. Don't Wing It
Just
because it's "only five minutes" doesn't mean this speech is less
important than a longer presentation. In order to be sure you get in
the information you want to share, be prepared so you will be less
likely to forget an important point.
4. Don't Take Advantage
Five minutes means just that -- five minutes.
Not 10 or 15 minutes. Many event planners will stop you if you go
overtime, so don't. Even those who don't stop you will resent you
taking more time from the meeting schedule than you were allotted. This
is yet another reason to practice: to see how long it takes you to get
through your speech.
5. Provide Value in Your Speech
Do
not sell during your entire five minute presentation. Save that for
the last 45 seconds or so. The rest of your speech should be used to
build your credibility by showing the value you can offer. Provide some
helpful bit of information; answer a frequently asked question with
specific how-to advice; or show a step-by-step process of how your
audience members can solve a problem they may have related to your
business.
By following these steps you'll be sure to have success with your next five minute presentation.