Do you remember the song “Old Macdonald had a Farm”? Well it struck me that Old Macdonald was onto something more than just the various sounds of farm animals. So at The Presentation Pros we came up with, and like to teach, the Old Macdonald rule of presenting “EIEIO”. The EIEIO rule applies whether you’re delivering an idea one on one or presenting a formal presentation to many. Follow EIEIO and you can’t go wrong.
We all know that when we’re delivering a story to a child the most important element is entertainment. Guess what? Children are not the only ones who want to be entertained when listening to a story or presentation. When we took a poll of our clients, 95% said they wanted to be entertained as well. There is nothing more boring than listening to a litany of stats and data with no entertainment factor at all. So the first thing you want to strive for in relaying your message or delivering your presentation is to ENTERTAIN.
Next you need to INFORM. The stats and data are very important. You need to bring in the facts so that your audience is apprised of all the necessary information needed to make a decision. Just be aware that information alone will not give you the buy in. Also make sure you only deliver information that really pertains to the issue or issues at hand. Information is important but can easily become overkill if you try to make it about the knowledge you possess instead of the information your audience needs to be properly informed.
Next you want to EMPOWER people with the information, examples, stories etc. to make the difficult decisions. Share the facts with them then give stories and examples that create the emotional element that enables them to step inside the problem and really feel it as well as see it. When you do this you have empowered them to be able to address the issues head on.
Empowering your audience is great but it’s also important to INSPIRE them. Let them know why it’s so important for them to take action and take it now rather than later. When you inspire your audience, you not only let them know the why but you also help them to know that they are up to the task at hand. You help them see that they are the ones who can make the difference. You inspire them to take action now.
And lastly, make sure you always OVER DELIVER. Give your audience more than they had hoped for. This does not mean load them down with so much data and statistics that their eyes glaze over. It means make sure you provide them with a nice balance of logical and emotional and lift them up as individuals so they know they have all the facts, tools and skill sets needed to make the necessary decisions and get the job done.
If you follow the Old Macdonald rule when putting together your presentations, you will find your audiences far more interested, attentive and receptive to the topic at hand. You will also find that your audience retains the information far longer and acts on the information more quickly. Sing along with me to the tune of Old Macdonald:
If I present to you like this—EIEIO
I’ll have a hit that just won’t miss—EIEIO
With some data here and some stories there
There a stat, story here
Logic and emotion clear
If I present to you like that—EIEIO
A+, it’s a go!
Entertain, Inform, Empower, Inspire, Over-deliver (EIEIO) = A Home Run!
Debbie Darling, ©2014 The Presentation Pros
Read more of The Presentation Pros blog HERE.
We all know that when we’re delivering a story to a child the most important element is entertainment. Guess what? Children are not the only ones who want to be entertained when listening to a story or presentation. When we took a poll of our clients, 95% said they wanted to be entertained as well. There is nothing more boring than listening to a litany of stats and data with no entertainment factor at all. So the first thing you want to strive for in relaying your message or delivering your presentation is to ENTERTAIN.
Next you need to INFORM. The stats and data are very important. You need to bring in the facts so that your audience is apprised of all the necessary information needed to make a decision. Just be aware that information alone will not give you the buy in. Also make sure you only deliver information that really pertains to the issue or issues at hand. Information is important but can easily become overkill if you try to make it about the knowledge you possess instead of the information your audience needs to be properly informed.
Next you want to EMPOWER people with the information, examples, stories etc. to make the difficult decisions. Share the facts with them then give stories and examples that create the emotional element that enables them to step inside the problem and really feel it as well as see it. When you do this you have empowered them to be able to address the issues head on.
Empowering your audience is great but it’s also important to INSPIRE them. Let them know why it’s so important for them to take action and take it now rather than later. When you inspire your audience, you not only let them know the why but you also help them to know that they are up to the task at hand. You help them see that they are the ones who can make the difference. You inspire them to take action now.
And lastly, make sure you always OVER DELIVER. Give your audience more than they had hoped for. This does not mean load them down with so much data and statistics that their eyes glaze over. It means make sure you provide them with a nice balance of logical and emotional and lift them up as individuals so they know they have all the facts, tools and skill sets needed to make the necessary decisions and get the job done.
If you follow the Old Macdonald rule when putting together your presentations, you will find your audiences far more interested, attentive and receptive to the topic at hand. You will also find that your audience retains the information far longer and acts on the information more quickly. Sing along with me to the tune of Old Macdonald:
If I present to you like this—EIEIO
I’ll have a hit that just won’t miss—EIEIO
With some data here and some stories there
There a stat, story here
Logic and emotion clear
If I present to you like that—EIEIO
A+, it’s a go!
Entertain, Inform, Empower, Inspire, Over-deliver (EIEIO) = A Home Run!
Debbie Darling, ©2014 The Presentation Pros
Read more of The Presentation Pros blog HERE.
Deborah Darling is the owner and president of The Presentation Pros, a soft skills training company empowering people with the skill sets to deliver their message with power and persuasion. She is a professional development coach, international best-selling author, speaker and trainer. To book a training or keynote go to HERE.
