PRESENTING AN EFFECTIVE SEMINAR

By Nancy Van Pelt

Leadership Certification CourseLevel 2

Women’s MinistriesGeneral Conference

A well-designed seminar can profoundly affect

the personal, professional, or

spiritual life of the participant.

Three Prerequisites for Success:

1. Knowledge

2. Attitude

3. Skills

Strategies for Putting Your Seminar Together:

1. Meet your audience where they are2. Discover what your audience needs to learn3. Focus on specific useful skills

The Modular Design Approach

1. Participants can digest large bodies of information

2. You can rearrange the flow of your seminar easily3. Preparation of visuals and handouts is

easier

Choose a Winning Topic

1.One you are passionate about

2.One with hard-to-find information

3.One with a specific focus

4.One that provides specific rewards

A Quick Look at Content

Statistics

Research

Facts

Definitions

Anecdotes/ Examples

Case Studies

Expert Quotes

Visual AidsFlip Charts

Marker boards

Overhead projectors

PowerPoint presentations

Video tapes

Participation

1.Quizzes

2.Questions

3.Brainstorming

4.Pairs or triads

5. Small groups

6.Skill practice

7.Games

8.Props

9.Question and answer period

10. Music

Types of Handouts

1. Outline2. Fill-in-the-blank3. Tests, quizzes, and self-evaluations4. List of resources5. Reprints of articles6. Bibliography7. Extra paper

Successful Advertising

Sex

Age

Place of residence

Occupation

Education

Income level

Selecting a Date1. Avoid holidays2. Avoid major national events3. Avoid local events4. Consider weather conditions5 Choose days of the week wisely6. Choose the best time of day7. Personal development

seminars are best taught during evening hours

Brochures and Fliers

Type of paper

Color of paper

Color of ink

Paper size

Typeface

Graphics

Guidelines for Text:

1. Make wording short and snappy2. State the benefits 3. Use powerful, action-oriented words4. Choose a title that is clear and direct5. Provide date, time, and location6. Restate the benefits7. Delineate who should attend8. State what participants will learn

Getting Your Seminar Off to a Good Start

1. Begin on time2. Show energy3. Thoroughly prepare your opening

4. Make your introduction brief5. Name tags6. Take breaks

1. Avoid idioms.2. Speak in short phrases or

sentences rather than paragraphs.

3. Use common language rather than technical terminology.

4. Encourage your translator to go over your notes in advance.

5. Be careful with humor.6. Send PowerPoints, overheads, and

handouts to the organization in advance

When Translation is Necessary

When Translation is Necessary Cont.

7. Get your timing right.8. Stay focused.9. Cut your presentation in half.10. Ask your translator to stay with you

following a presentation.11. Check in advance to see if there are

any cultural differences.12. At the close of the seminar, thank

your translator publicly.

To End a Seminar

1. Summarize major points2. Deliver a challenge3. Make sure everyone leaves feeling good4. End on time