Preparation Formula | 24 Steps to Creating the Perfect Presentation |

It is deep into baseball season as I write this, I am reminded of how superstitious baseball players can be.

People in general , I suppose.

But what about cruise ship lecturers? Are they? Are you superstitious?

When you find that you did something that “worked” are you inclined to try to do that over and over again… the same way?

Do you have a formula you use when preparing?

I am not superstitious, nor do I have a one size fits all routine to prepare.

I do, however, have some steps I almost always take at some time or another to prepare.

6 Big Steps in Your Preparation Formula

Get the assignment – talk to the event organizer and establish a rapport
Nail down the topic – All the titles sound the same, but they are not always the same when the audience changes.
Identify the expectations – make crystal clear what the desired takeaways are for my audience and know what the ship wants me to deliver. Instruction, infotainment, edutainment …
Do my research – It’s often piecing things together I always to. But when the audience changes I need to have some context to make what I know apply to what they need.
Prepare my deck – I use Prezi. Anybody can slop a presentation together. But I ain’t just anybody. I want something good.
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse – I can have upwards of 70+ clicks for one presentation and if I have done my preparation well I will know where I am at every click WITHOUT looking. Many presenters let their slides serve as their outline. Not me … usually. I want my slides to emphasize what I said, not tell me what I am going to say.