Keys to a Successful Sales Presentation
Everyone has to make a sales presentation at one point in their
life. Whether it's for a class presentation, a job interview, or trying to sell
a product or service almost everyone will have to present to a live audience.
Obviously, it is very important to be a good public speaker. Whether you are
trying to get a good grade in a class, get a new job, or make a sale; you only
get one shot to impress your audience. In this article we are going to discuss
some of the key characteristics of a successful sales presentation.
One of the first things we will discuss is to make sure you know
your audience. It is very important to know who you are presenting in front of.
You can tailor your message accordingly depending on your audience. Are you
presenting in front of a class of students or a panel of directors to try and
get a job? The content of your presentation should be altered accordingly.
Once you know who you are presenting in front of you should
decide if you need to create a PowerPoint presentation to go along with your
presentation. In most situations a PowerPoint can help you gain the attention
of your audience and keep them focused on your slides. They are very
professional tools and used in most sales presentations. Of course, you
probably would not create a PowerPoint when applying for a new job.
Now, let's talk about the actual presentation itself. First,
make sure you are dressed professionally and come prepared. Make sure you have
your index cards in hand and your PowerPoint presentation ready. You want to
speak slowly and clearly so everyone can hear you. If you have anything to pass
out to your audience do it at the end so they aren't focused on it while you
are presenting. Your content should be well structured including a beginning,
middle, and end. If you are selling a product or service make sure to ask for
the sale. Always allow time at the end of the presentation for the audience to
ask questions.
As you can see there are many factors to consider when giving a
sales presentation. Be professional, know your audience, and use a PowerPoint
in most circumstances. Make sure your content is relevant to your topic and
your audience. Keep in mind how long your presentation is and try to stay
within a 15 minute timeframe. Most importantly, ask for the sale and make sure
to leave enough time at the end for a question and answer session.
