Base content on your audience

When you create the content of your presentation, first consider the needs and desires of your audience. Ask and answer this question:

What does the audience want to get out of the presentation?

You can refine this question as follows:

• What knowledge does the audience want to get?
• Why is the audience attending?

You may have to do some research to get the answers. For example, if you’re speaking at a conference, you may be able to get some demographics from the conference organizers. Look on the conference’s Web site to see what the conference is promising the attendees.

Write down your answers to the question (or questions). Then write your content with this in mind. When you’re finished creating the entire presentation, go back to the answers you wrote down.

Does your presentation meet the needs and desires of the audience? If not, it’s time to rewrite!