CHAPTER 1

Your Audience

When getting up to deliver a presentation, most people never stop to consider what is going on in the minds of the audience. Who are you speaking to and what do they want?

The fundamental question you need to answer is:

“What is in it for me?”

If you are reading this book, your presentations will most likely be delivered in your workplace and your audience will probably be your colleagues. They may, however, also be other stakeholders, such as clients, potential clients, or even prospective employers, if you have to give a presentation at an interview.

Background Research

It might seem obvious, but it is important to know who is going to be in the room.

If it’s an external audience, you won’t know that much about them. ...

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