Power of the Podium:  7 Tips for Making a Strong Connection

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An executive director and client called me in frustration because a foundation she received funds from insisted that she create a power point show for progress reports, stating that corporations and foundations preferred this style of presentation. To do this well diverted a lot of time away from program activities in a one-person office. An impromptu survey of my eclectic network confirmed my suspicion: funders care more about substance than style. (As a side note, this has been the only funder to-date to require power point.)

What People Want
Substance is the order of the day. People are looking for ways to make their lives more meaningful.  We want to hear from people who are working to make the world better.

What could be better timing for nonprofit leaders to step out and express themselves?
What vantage point do you have that we might not?
What are the challenges of the population that you serve?
What do you know that gives hope?
What progress do you see when we only hear about the problems? How is life changing because of what your nonprofit does?

Consider the following:
· 44% of respondents to a recent question by Meetings News asking which type of keynote speaker is the most desirable to your meeting group these days said: someone famous for overcoming obstacles or achieving great things. Another 34 percent prefer an expert or researcher in their industry. This is good news for nonprofits.

· A high-level corporate executive commented to me that what she wanted was information that didn’t come across her desk during the normal work day. She wanted something else to think about and she wanted to share it with others.

· At a state conference I listened to a workshop presentation by a young woman whose soft voice was barely audible. Her feet wobbled as she shifted her weight back and forth. She might have been a little nervous but her message was sincere and her perspective was that of a nonprofit serving troubled youth – someone most of us don’t bump into everyday. She effectively related her perspective to messages of current best-seller books.

People want substance and that’s the natural starting point for nonprofits. So, with a receptive public already primed, now is the time to connect speaking opportunities with your good cause. If you’re not comfortable in front of people, be brave and risk it. Put your board members out there, too. You already ARE the number 1 quality in demand: substance.

Tips for making a strong connection:
1. Content, content, content. Connect the dots in new ways. Give your audience something to chew on.
2. Talk about the impact your organization is making, they want to know what you’re doing with your brilliance.
3. Tell real-life stories from your heart.
4. Let go and tell them what’s really going on in your world.
5. Don’t ask for money from the podium, people know that you want money.
6. Make yourself accessible; you don’t have to know all the answers.
7. Continue to benefit from exposure by inviting follow-up questions by email or offering discounts for tours, etc.

copyright© Jean Craig Long