100 Things Every Presenter Needs to Know About People
2012 Susan M. Weinschenk Ph.D.
book notes
Summary: it isn't about what you have to say, it is about how people absorb information. Know your audience, control your venue, be adaptable, prepare thoroughly (1 hour per presentation minute??), and practice. Memorize your first and last minutes, and your transitions. Body language matters. Dress matters (dammit).
- Chunk information
- Provide context
- Uncertain people are defensive
- Story form is best
- Provide examples
- Using information makes it stick
- twenty minute chunks
- sustained attention lasts 10 minutes
- people can't multitask
- minds wander 30% of the time
- variable rewards
- intrinsic rewards motivate
- vision most important
- stand to left side of screen (from audience perspectve)
- Peripheral vision provides gist (for most people?)
- Fill room by 2/3
- Use bright projector and light room
- don't mention food!
- use anecdotes
- be an authority figure
- body position
- hand gestures
- tone of voice
- look at each audience member a few seconds at a time
- clothes (dammit)
- control the room
- fear trumps gain
- time more than money
- be the dominant personality
- people value actual physical product
- audience writing increases commitment
- no followed by yes, obligation leads to action