You’ve got a great idea, you’re confident about it, and you’ve spent days developing the concept. But all this means nothing unless you present it in a clear and efficient way.

Do

• Always start out by Introducing yourself, your idea or concept, what the most important thing about it is and move on from there. Unless you’ve been working with everyone for very long time its always good idea to introduce yourself.
• Talk at a moderate speed, try not to talk to fast. Everyone gets nervous but just know you did your best and present it  with confidence.
  
• Even if you aren’t satisfied with your campaign or ad, present it like you are.
• Know your audience. Are you presenting for a conservative client or a liberal one? You should never limit your creativity, but its unfortunately unavoidable that you will have to have some day present to different types of clients.
• Listen to everything people have to say before butting in. It can be a very counter productive environment if you cut someone off in mid sentence just because you think your idea is amazing and needs no input.
  
• Read ALL the copy on your presentation material (obviously unless its a citation, web address, etc). If its in your presentation YOU SHOULD READ IT. If its there and you feel like its not necessary to read, take it out. Less is more clutter can distract the viewer, so say it effectively.
• If you have time for questions and suggestions always try to initiate them.
• Make the parts of the presentation clear. If you have a tag-line and a headline, make sure you say: “The tag-line reads…” and “and here the headline says…”
• Relax. Everyone gets nervous in front of people, I mean it, everyone. Most people wont admit it but there is always a little bit if jitter that comes with presenting your hard work in front of people. If you’re not getting nervous you should reevaluate how much passion you put into your work. I believe that firmly, especially after talking to a lot of big shots in the industry who still get a little jittery in front of their peers. Its a good thing, its called eustress.
  

Don’t

• Don’t use verbose language.  Explain it in the most understandable and effective way.
• Don’t draw out the presentation, keep it timely but say everything you need to say.
• Don’t Us “Um,” “Like,” or “uhh” at all.  Check out our article on avoiding Crutch words and phrases.
• Don’t be stubborn in accepting suggestions, this is why creative teams are so effective. But also don’t give into suggestions just because someone is confident or presents their opinion as fact. Give yourself a second, analyze it and respond appropriately.
• Don’t talk fast. Take a breath and say it like you mean it.
• Don’t ever say “I don’t know” after you present an idea. you hear this the most in response to questions: “I think I presentation it in this way because it conveys the message to our target audience, I don’t know.” It seems silly when you read it, but it happens often. This is not to say you should make things up on the spot if you honestly don’t know, this is a sign of great humbleness and wisdom if you have no answer to a solid question. Instead of rambling try  giving yourself a second to think, if you have no answer try saying something like “Honestly I don’t currently have an answer to that one, let me research it more and get back to you on it.  Thank you for your question.”  Most presentations are end all be all of your idea. If you get stumped come back harder, faster and stronger next round.

• Next Entry: “do’s” & “don’t do’s” of design