What is the ideal amount of time to give an effective presentation? If you’ve ever watched a Ted video, you’ll have seen that some of the presentations are very short. In fact, some of them are only about three minutes or less. However, those presentations are highly effective and often very memorable.
I’ve never given a presentation at Ted, but I have given a short presentation in the past. So this week, you’re going to see a sample presentation of me giving a real presentation that is only two minutes and 37 seconds long.
But to make this more helpful for you, I’m also going to include an analysis of what I said and the key expressions that I used.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2018: Do you want to finally overcome your fear and anxiety about giving presentations? If so, click the following link to learn more: https://skills.presentationexpressions.com/presentations
Here’s the presentation:
If YouTube is unavailable in your area, click the following link to view or download the video: How to start and end a presentation in 2 minutes & 37 seconds (Length 2:37!^^)
Here’s the analysis broken down into the beginning, the middle, and the end
(Dramatic voiceover) “In the beginning”
I start this presentation with a very direct overview of what the audience can expect. Nothing fancy, just to the point and fast.
“Today we’re going to be talking about how to analyze your presentation script.”
The next thing I tell the audience is the first purpose of my talk. Notice that I am telling them that I will help them to do something. This is something that you must always consider… How your information is going to do something for the audience. And here’s what I said:
“Now the purpose of this is to help you find the absolute core, the core message of your presentation.”
And in the middle
Starting at the 22 second mark, I tell them exactly what we are going to be doing to achieve the first purpose.
“So what we’re going to do… I’m going to teach you guys to analyze your presentation so that you can find the keywords or key phrases in your presentation.”
After that, I move right into the second purpose.
“And what we are going to do today, too is we’re going to help you to figure out, “Okay, how do I get into the mind of my audience and understand the audience.”
From there, I go into explaining they need to do three things to achieve the two purposes. I just simply say…
“The very first thing you’re going to need…”
“The second thing you need…”
“And the third thing you’re going to need…”
But it’s not the end
This presentation was about something I wanted people to do. I gave them an overview of what they had to do. To end my presentation, I tell them what they need to be careful of. I say to them…
“The important thing is that during this exercise you have to be very, very strict; otherwise, this entire thing does not work.”
Here’s how it all ends
Finally, I tell them what the big picture is, what the ultimate achievement for them will be.
“So what this is gonna do is help you to start thinking like the audience member…”
And last but not least, I give them the first thing they must do. In other words, I give them a call-to-action.
“So that’s basically it. We’re going to take the next few steps that I’ve outlined in the handouts there. Okay? And we are going to get going with that.”
In summary
To do something like this, you must first be well prepared, organized, and know your stuff. But you also have to keep in mind the basic structure of a presentation: Beginning, middle, and end. In the sample presentation, the structure I’ve followed is…
- The beginning to introduce
- The middle to explain the details
- The end to give a call-to-action
Question time
What do you think makes people the most nervous when giving a presentation?
Let me know what you think by writing your answer in the comments section below.
As always, let me know if you have any questions about presentations or this particular topic by leaving a comment below or using the contact page.
Thanks and see you again soon.
Carl
Respected Sir,
I am a senior student and I have presentation about bakery’s business in next 5 days,before my school re-opens. It was my first time having a presentation and I don’t know where to start and also how do I end my presentation? I need your help and hopefully,you could give me the details along with some advice from you. Please direct me on what to do.
Thank you very much,
Joanna.
Sir,
in two weeks time i am to give a 12 minute blind presentation for promotional purposes. i will not know what the topic of the presentation shall be, nor the roll playing audience until 45 minuets before, where i shall be given a written brief.
i will be judged on my planning and implementing, confidence and resilience and finally effective communication. i will be monitored by two persons, who will most likely know the answers, as such i will not be able to blag it.
any advice that you can give regarding how i remember to stick to a certain format would be greatly appreciated.
i am also not allowed to take in any notes what so ever and will be given the use of a flip chart if needed. i am Dyslexic, and as such both my handwriting and and spelling are less then desirable, as is my memory for certain facts such as percentages and key words.
Regards
lewis rice
hi , i need ur help, i need to give presentation on reduction in customer dissatisfaction, this is my first presntaion in my life and i need to know what to speak and how to represent my team , i am team leader and this a team work presentation,
Joanna,
Sorry for getting back to you so late. I hope your presentation went well. Everything you needed to prepare your presentation can be found here on the site. Hope you found the help you needed.
Lewis,
Thanks for the message. I think a key thing for you will be to follow a simple structure. Like this…
1. Talk about a problem/challenge.
2. Talk about consequences if the problem/challenge is not resolved.
3. Talk about how to solve the problem/challenge using the topic or product they provide you.
Stick to one key message and use it throughout. This will hopefully make it easier to stay organized and speak clearly.
Good luck!
Carl
Thanks for your message. I know your first presentation can be a challenge. However, I don’t know your topic, your audience or why you’re giving the presentation. So I have no idea what to tell you to say. I recommend searching this website for help. There are many videos that will help you. You can also visit my YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/user/CarlKwan1 to find videos that will help you.
Good luck.
Hi Carl,
Sir I have a presentation about MOTHER SHOULD STAY AT HOME TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN (agree) what can be the Introduction…i cant make it….Can you help me pls.
Honestly, I don’t know. It could be anything… it depends on your audience and the purpose of your presentation. There are several videos here and on my YouTube Channel about introductions. Please watch those.
Good luck.
Sir I m going to give presentation about Computer Viruses and my audience will be students and teacher….plz help me with it i n confused what should i say in the beginning.
Thanks for your message. I suggest you have a look at the other videos here or on my YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/user/CarlKwan1 to learn how to start your presentation. I’ve made several videos that will help you. Please search for “starting a presentation” or “how to start a presentation.”
One thing you need to be clear about is the purpose of the presentation. Use that as a basis for starting your presentation.
Hi Carl,
i was asked to make a 2 minute presentation about any subject and i had never do this before i dont know what to do and i dont know what subject i can talk about
can u help me plz
Hi,
Thanks for your message. However, there’s really nothing I can do. My suggestion is to watch my videos on presentation content either on my YouTube Channel or on my website. There you’ll find lots of ideas for what you should do.
If you really do need help, I work as a presentations consultant. I’d be happy to give you a consultation. My fee is US$200/hour and you can contact me at http://www.carlkwan.com/contact-us/
hi good day!! just want to ask help I am going to present the topic about WORK/LIFE BALANCE, what should be my introduction?,Objective?
thanks I hope you can help me on this.
Hi carl,
I have a question regarding how to do practice at home to give presentation in front of audience or in a classroom as a lecturer?also what could we do to make our board work better..?
hi, carl. i m feeling difficulty in giving my speech.my topic is how to write a report.this topic have not so much matter.?what should i do so that i can make it a 8 minute speech?
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sir, i am b.tech final year student ,, 3th oct 2013 ,, is my presentation date ,, plz tell me how can i start my presentation easily
Hi carl, please give me some topics on jam session. I have attended many interviews but i didnt sucess my interview so please provide imformation on some topics on corruption. Unemployment, poverty,
Hi,please I have a presentation to make,titled what is engineering all about,please help me I need some key points to use.tnx
hello Mr. carl
i need your help! i have a presentation next week and i have stage phobia what should i do to manage it?like i have felt panic during presentations 🙁 ang i get nervous easily please help me. one more thing i can’t speak up in front of audience because i dont speak good english and my mouth becomes dry while giving presentations. please help
Hi Aliza,
Thanks for your question. It’s very common for people to get nervous when giving presentations. Even experienced presenters get nervous. The most important thing is to very well prepared and know your material perfectly. Then practice with people around, practice with a camera filming you, practice as much as possible. You will still likely be nervous but just remember that a presentation is an opportunity to show who you can be. I’m not sure where your stage phobia comes from so really can’t say what else you should do but just realize that we all have to give so-so presentations before we can start to give good ones. Good luck.
you are Mr Hill Managing director of lLoyds bank. Write an introduction of a presentation to the following subject.
Hi, I have to do a presentation on myself. It has to start with, Hello my name is… but i dont know how to end it? can you help? Also I’m extremely nervous.
Hi,please I have a presentation to make,titled what is accountant all about,please help me I need some key points to use. tnx
hello sir,
i am a student and i have to give a presentation on the topic which is mixture of maths and biology. this is my first time and i don’t know how to start the topic , keep myself there and end the presentation. so please guide me.
thanks.
Very nice article. Its very useful. Thanks. bloggerbari.blogspot.com
hi,,,,
carl
i m b.tch final yr student,, & i hv a project in nxt week so pls assist me,,,tht hw i can strt mi speech in starting with my intro.
pls CARL write some lines in ur reply for me,,which i can speak in my presentation…………
pls,,, carl rply……hurry!!!!
Hi arun,
Thanks for your message. There are several videos about starting a presentation here on the site. Please watch them and prepare your work from those videos. I’m sorry but I won’t write some lines for you. If you write them and ask me for feedback, I could do that. But I won’t write it for you.
hello sir,,
i really need an advice,, i’ll have to present abt my topic “doodling and colour significations , and some body language (gestures)” im in my freshman year, and its going to be presented to different students from different faculties! and i have 5 minutes! any advice.. tip.. how to grab their attention and not to tremble while talking!?
thnx
Sara,
It’s always great to learn presentation skills when you’re in school. Perfect time to make mistakes, learn and get better before heading out into the workforce. So it’s natural to be nervous and tremble when talking. Everyone goes through it. Consider this a learning experience. It is not the last presentation or opportunity you will have.
I don’t exactly know what you’re presentation is about but 5 minutes will fly by. I suggest using an example to demonstrate your points. If you can tell a story using a real life example or personal experience, that would be great. Then you need to practice and just go for it.
Good luck.
Carl
Hi Carl,
I’m going to prepare a presentation about my company but dont know how i should make the outline. In general what should i tell and how should be the order(i mean introduction, history, staff etc)? Most difficult part for me is to make outline. If you could help me, it will be great.
thanks in advance.
Dear Sir,
Hope this find you well,
I’m going to have a short presentation in a conference next month and my audience are my colleagues from other countries, we’will have first meet together and they all have no ideas about me. So please advise what the important things should I focus on starting and ending the presentation…
Many thanks for your advise in advance,
hi.. sir tomorrow is my presentation. my topic is juvenile delinquency. would u tell me some introduction how can i start my presentation like self introduction , about juvenile delinquency etc? please help me
hi..sir tomorrow is my presentation. my topic is juvenile delinquency. would u tell me some introduction how can i start my presentation like self introduction and about juvenile delinquency etc? please help me
hi..sir tomorrow is my presentation. my topic is juvenile delinquency. would u tell me some introduction how can i start my presentation like self introduction and about juvenile delinquency etc? please help me.
thanks in advance
Hi Sir,
I had a work interview next week for a Quality Assurance Specialist position where they requested to prepare a presentation for a topic that they will choose on the same day of the interview, they will give me one hour to prepare it and 15 minutes to present it.
For such kind of interview what to focus on? They will allow me to use internet or not? Shall i start with a brief introduction on myself and then what?
Please provide me with your advice and tips to get the job, and not being nervous.
Thanks a lot
hello sir..!
i want to give presentation on topic string ?
will you please tell me the good way how to start ??
Hi sir! I’m on grade 9 and i’m going to present my baby thesis about a price list in visual basic. How can i start? I mean how can i get their attention? Can you pls give me an example? Thanks sir
Can you also help me sir on how can i give an introduction about technologies and visual basic? 🙂 Pls sir. This is my requirements. I am going to have my presentation the day after tomorrow. Thank you sir
What do i say sir? 🙂 I hope you can answer me sir. My groupmates don’t help me. That’s why i’m focusing on this because it is an individual score. Thanks again sir
Hi. It’s great you’re taking responsibility for your part of the project. However, I cannot help you do your homework. If you look at my YouTube Channel you will find several videos on starting a presentation and getting the audience’s attention. Thanks again and good luck.
thank you so much
Hi Sir can you kindly help me.i have an assignment requiring me to prepare a presentation on what attributes one needs to have as a potential entrepreneur of a new venture.Please assist me on the layout as its not gonna be audience based.its due this wednesday.
Hi Sir
I have an interview with an airline an I have a 5 mins make a presentation of my choice which I really don’t know what to talk.
Please help me
hello sir i am having my presentation about the giving the major reasons Human Resource Planning my audience will be students of my class and lecturer.How should i start and end my presentation.
hello sir,
i am giving a presentation on vespa scooter. so please can u give me some tips how to start the presentation
sir
I am going to give a presentation can you tell me the best topic??? please
Hi sir
tomorrow am having my presentation is about a job interview made for a post of being a systems analyst. i need your help with the introduction
Hi sir .
I saw your directions about preparation of presentation . It was really unique to prepare a presentation , Every one is thankful and grateful from you.
Dear sir , after one week , I have a presentation a bout “parents do not understand how tough it is to be a ‘ child ‘ these days.”
the headline of this presentation is very confusing to me , I’ve tried a lot , but unfortunately I couldn’t prepare it as effective and interesting , so , sir , could you help me about this please? , and give me a little information about my presentation headline , what is it’s objective and purpose , what is important point to mention about this presentation , …. I will wait for your information.