try these magic words to lift your next presentation

There are some very powerful words we can use when we communicate that draw our audience in. These are only short words but because they are short, they are familiar, non-threatening, even comforting words to hear. They are the sort of words you may have heard read aloud or seen used in children’s books but that is what makes them so powerful.

Lets take a look at 5 phrases and how to use them –

How much do you know about?

When opening up a presentation, you use your strong opening statements and then maybe add an additional detail. Something like: You probably know that coca cola is the world’s best-selling drink but how much do you know about the accidental origins of the company? By using how much do you know about your audience will be thinking ‘hmm, not a lot actually I’d better pay attention’ and a percentage will be thinking ‘ah, I know a bit about this I bet he’s going to mention that it started as a medicine’ they will engage and wait for that dopamine hit of I knew it! How much do you know about? asks your audience to consider their position. It is non-threatening and creates intrigue and we all love an intriguing mystery.

This isn’t for everyone and I’m not sure it’s for you but…

This is very similar but creates that ‘inner circle feeling’ that you get when a group forms around a topic. Everyone is everyone else not here at this moment, hearing this insight. Adding in ‘I’m not sure it’s for you’ is a surefire way to get everyone leaning forward thinking ‘well it might not be for them but I’m in’. You can use this to position a key insight or slightly left field opinion, useful if you are going against the perceived wisdom on a topic or suggesting a new way of doing something.

What is going to be easier. This way or this way?

You can use this as you start to close out one of your key points in a presentation (assuming you are using a presentation planner and if you aren’t please get in touch). It’s a nice way of reaffirming a message already delivered. So we have established this and this so let me ask you, should we go back to the old way of doing/thinking? This way or this way? There is a power is letting people choose – decisions are more likely to stick, especially if they feel self-directed which is why this way or this way works. But to soften the message slightly and stop it from being so abrupt, a little like a sugar crust on the rim of a cocktail glass, you set up the question with What is going to be easier? We love easy, easy is convenient, sensible, why make life complicated? What is going to be easier? Well not doing the old thing that’s for sure.

If, then….

This works in many ways but is particularly useful if you are following on from a poor presentation or the dreaded pre-lunch slot. To set it up you tell the audience you understand where they are and make a proposition. I’m here to talk about this and I know that you think this presentation will go here, here and here but if I can promise it won’t and that at the end of this session you will (insert benefit here which might be know this, understand this) if I can promise that, then can you (offer the terms of the deal) give me 5 minutes more of your time, promise you will pay attention/ register for something or whatever the case might be. There was a terrific character in the TV series ‘the Wire’ called Proposition Joe ‘Prop Joe’ who no matter what the circumstances would always try and broker a deal with the line ‘I have a proposition for you’. This phrase turns you into Prop Joe. If I can promise you it works, then will you give it a try?

Just imagine….

This is a favorite of mine. I’m often having to persuade people to change behaviour and create new habits so find this very useful as a way of articulating that the other side of all this painful training/ new stuff there lies a new reality. Just imagine how that will feel. Just practicing the presentation 5 more times will elevate your performance to another level. Now I know that seems a lot but just imagine how great you will feel when you walk out on stage. This phrase is beloved in the travel industry ‘just imagine the feel of the sun on your skin, that first walk on the beach or sundowner cocktail…at Deptford Travel you don’t have to just imagine we can make your dream real’ etc. Just imagine the difference just imagine could make.

I hope you have found these phrases and this blog useful, and I encourage you to give these phrases a go. If you liked this, there is a second part to this blog with another 5 phrases on the website.

At Smooth Communication, we are passionate about coaching professionals to deliver effective presentations and communicate clearly. We offer customized workshops and one-on-one training to help you enhance your public speaking skills and get your message across.