How to Prepare for and Deliver an Impactful IAP

Delivering an impactful Investor Awareness Program (IAP) requires careful preparation and effective delivery. The majority of your time during the presentation will be spent delivering relevant content, so let’s discuss some tips to help you deliver your speech effectively.

Research Your Audience

Before creating your PowerPoint slides and content, it is essential to research your audience. If you don’t understand your audience, you may end up preparing content that is irrelevant to them.

For example, early in my career, I was asked to deliver an IAP to an audience of 50 people. I prepared a presentation on how the power of compounding can help build wealth over the long term, with most slides emphasizing the importance of starting to invest at an early age. I was confident in my preparation, but when I arrived at the venue, I realized the average age of the audience was 50+. It was a disaster!

To avoid such surprises, research your audience in advance. Understand basic details such as their age group (young or old), profession (salaried or business class), gender, and financial background (middle class or high-net-worth individuals). This knowledge will help you tailor your content to their needs and interests.

Use Audio-Visuals

Incorporating audio-visuals into your presentation can significantly enhance audience engagement. Avoid slides with too much text or bullet points. Instead, use pictures, images, graphs, or short videos that are relevant to your topic.

Interesting and colorful visuals not only engage the audience’s auditory senses but also their visual senses, making it easier for them to understand and retain the information. Many Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and AMFI have created excellent short videos that can be used during IAPs to make your presentation more engaging.

Keep It Simple

Avoid using financial jargon and speak in simple, local language. Even when explaining complex concepts, start with simple points and gradually move to more advanced ideas as the audience becomes more comfortable. Simplifying your language ensures that your message is accessible to everyone in the room.

Use Stories, Examples, and Questions

I prefer using fewer data points and more stories and examples to convey my message. Bombarding the audience with complex data and calculations can be overwhelming. Instead, use relatable stories and real-life examples to make your points more impactful.

To keep the audience engaged, ask questions during the presentation that require them to respond by raising their hands or saying “YES” or “NO.” This interaction ensures that your audience remains attentive and involved throughout the session.

Focus on 4 to 5 Key Points

Always structure your presentation around 4 to 5 major points. Including too many points can dilute the impact of your message. To identify these key points, ask yourself: “What are the 4 to 5 main takeaways or action points I want the audience to remember?” This approach helps you stay focused and ensures your presentation is clear and impactful.

Provide Actionable Takeaways

While it’s important to deliver an engaging presentation, your ultimate goal should be to provide actionable takeaways. Many speakers are excellent at captivating their audience but fail to deliver concrete action points. Your presentation should not only make the audience feel good but also motivate them to act on the insights you’ve shared.