What Are the 7 P's of Presenting? A Simple Checklist for Any Presentation
Whether you are speaking to a class, pitching a project at work or presenting to a large audience, how you present shapes how your message lands. Good presentations take preparation and practice. The 7 P's of presenting is a simple framework that covers both.
- Purpose: why you are speaking.
- People: who you are speaking to.
- Place: where and how you will present.
- Preparation: the content you need.
- Planning: how you will structure and deliver it.
- Practice: rehearsing out loud.
- Performance: delivering it in the moment.
01Purpose
Your purpose is the reason you are speaking. You might be informing, persuading, motivating people to act or entertaining them. Every choice about content, tone and visuals should connect back to it.
Tip: Write your purpose in one sentence and keep it in front of you while you plan.
02People
Think about who is in the room: their background, what they already know and what they care about. Classmates may respond to casual language and familiar examples. Executives may want a focus on results and decisions.
Tip: Find out ahead of time what your audience expects and how much they already know.
03Place
The setting affects how you speak and move. Will you be in a classroom, a boardroom, a community hall or online? Is there a projector, microphone or whiteboard? How far away will people sit, and how noisy or bright will it be?
Tip: Visit the space beforehand if you can. If you are presenting online, test your equipment and connection.
04Preparation
Preparation is about content. Build a clear outline, gather the data, stories or examples that support your message, prepare visuals and handouts, write a strong opening and closing and think through likely questions.
Tip: Focus on a few key points so people remember them.
05Planning
Planning is about delivery. Decide how long each section will take, what order makes sense, how you will move between ideas, which tools you will use and where you will invite questions or activities.
Tip: Give the opening and closing extra attention. They frame everything in between.
We train spokespeople and project teams to present clearly to councils, community meetings and the media.
Explore Media Training06Practice
Say it out loud. Use a timer, record yourself to check pacing, tone and body language, ask someone to listen and give feedback and rehearse in the actual room or with your online setup if you can.
Tip: Learn the flow and key phrases instead of memorizing every word.
07Performance
Performance is what the audience sees. Stand tall, make eye contact and use natural gestures. Speak clearly and vary your tone. Slow down and pause after important points. If you lose your place, stay calm and keep going.
Tip: Most audiences are on your side. A deep breath before you start helps steady nerves.
Presenting in Public Settings
The same framework applies when the audience is a city council, a community meeting or a group of reporters. Those settings add pressure: questions can be pointed, the stakes are public and what you say may be quoted later. Our posts on media training for new councils and community meetings look at presenting in those settings.
Preparing for a high-stakes presentation?
We help Alberta organizations prepare spokespeople and presentations for councils, the public and the media.
