Sometimes no matter how great of an idea you have, a poor pitch or delivery will most likely bring you down. Customers, bankers and investors have to buy your story and what you’re selling. This goes the same for employees and suppliers; if you haven’t bought them in with your lead, how are they going to trust you? Here are 5 tips on how to effectively deliver your proposal presentation.

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More than delivering information

What you’re selling to your audience is something you should believe and know about inside and out. You should be able to talk about what you’re selling in a few words and you should be able to map out your idea on a single napkin. If you are unable to do this, you’re in a bit of trouble.

Remember, if you’re an entrepreneur trying to convince investors, you’ve got to do so much more than read out some data on a PowerPoint slide.

One of the most important questions you should first ask yourself is, “Why should they care?”. If you have a clear answer to this, then your audience will more likely understand what you’re selling and why it affects them.

“The medium is the message” – Marshall McLuhan

As the famous philosopher of communication theory Marshall McLuhan once stated, “the medium is the message”. The medium or tool which is used to convey a message will inevitably become part of the message itself. So don’t let your medium or tool determine the message, rather, make sure the message determines the medium.

What is the best way to communicate your message? Take into consideration unique analogies and metaphors that you can relate your message to. Think about potential props you could use, bring in other people to have a few words (business partners, customers etc.)

Simplicity

Research shows that visual cues help people better retrieve and remember information. Audience members are more likely to retain more of your proposal presentation if you had images, bars and charts to support your words. Keep in mind that your words should never fill a single slide. Bullet points on PowerPoint are useful.

Structure

Seems like an obvious tip, but many tend to go off topic when there isn’t a proper structure to follow. Here are some guidelines for you to consider.

Narrative

Lead your proposal with stories, not data. Pitch with a story that your audience can relate to. They are also more interested in customer opinions and what potential competitors are up to. Introduce stories first, then provide data to support your story.

Bonus tip: Contact your audience members personally and thank them for their time after your presentation. This is also your chance to ask them about areas for improvement. Be positive and open for criticism; it will help you in future proposal presentations!

*Text by Nazlin Amirudin