Here is what I want you to do: Think about the most recent presentation to which you have been subjected. Be it live, on the Internet, or via the television.

Without referencing the presentation, what were the top 10 points of the presentation? If you are like myself and can't remember, then you are not alone.

Yesterday I sat though an hour long presentation. Today, I cannot recall any of the main points. I can't remember anything because the speaker did not care enough about the material to connect with the audience and make a point. Epic Failure for a presenter.

Here is what you can do to not connect with the audience and make a point:

Take silence as a meaning the audience understands your points
Throw up a lot of information on a PowerPoint slide and then proceed to read it line by line
Present other people's information as your own
Be arrogant and assume that what you are presenting is the best way to solve the problem
If you are facilitating a brainstorming session and someone's idea doesn't match your idea, then reject it

That is what most corporate presenters are good at doing during their presentations. They don't connect and we don't remember their points.

Instead, you should try connecting with the audience:

If they are silent, then do an exercise to get them to interact with you. Make them physically demonstrate your point so that you know they understand what you are trying to present.
Get away from PowerPoint. Start with a flip chart if you need to diagram information or start with very simple concepts and work your way to more complex diagrams.
Have the person that gave you the information present their findings, or make sure to quote the person if they are not there. Get their permission to quote them if they are not present.
Be humble and present the material so that the audience can understand the material in more than one way.
Write down every idea the audience has during a brainstorming session...even if you don't agree with it. Who knows? You might be wrong.
Remember that your job as a presenter and facilitator is to present factual information in a way that the audience understands, build consensus, and give a solution to a problem facing an organization.

Are you up for it?

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For more tips on how you can become a better speaker or go from free to fee, check out his blog at http://mytoastmastersblog.com

Chris Elliott is a professional speaker and blogger. In his presentations and articles on personal success, employee morale, technology selection, and supply chain issues, Chris Elliott brings a unique perspective to help you solve the problems that affects your business. Contact Chris Elliott today so he can deliver the results that you need to be successful.