How to Prepare Talking Points for Presentations

• Always review the AI-generated talking points to make sure they align with your message.
• Combine AI outputs with your personal touch to maintain a natural delivery.

Let’s say you want to use the Immersion Program PowerPoint template, and want to generate talking points for this presentation. You may customize this presentation as per your needs, and once you have it ready, you can use the AI tool ChatGPT to generate the talking points.

How would you do that?

Simply go to ChatGPT and add a prompt like:

As we can see, the result provided by ChatGPT will be generated here:

How to Write Talking Points?

Writing effective talking points involves organizing and summarizing your content in a way that guides your delivery while maintaining audience engagement. Talking points can be kept separately from your PowerPoint presentation or integrated into your presentation using tools like Speaker Notes. Here’s how to approach writing and organizing your talking points:

1. Decide Where to Keep Your Talking Points

Talking points can be stored in different ways based on your presentation needs and style:

• Separate Document: You can write your talking points in a Word document or note-taking app. This allows for more flexibility, as you can make notes more detailed or use the document for practice without modifying your presentation slides.
• Speaker Notes in PowerPoint: PowerPoint’s Speaker Notes section is a convenient place to store your talking points directly under each slide. When you present using Presenter View in PowerPoint, only you can see these notes on your screen, while the audience sees only the slides. This method helps keep your talking points close and easily accessible during your presentation.

2. Writing Tips for Effective Talking Points

• Be Concise: Keep your talking points short and to the point to avoid overwhelming yourself with too much text. Use bullet points or short phrases rather than full sentences.
• Prioritize Key Information: Focus on the most important messages and takeaways. Highlight any data points, quotes, or statistics that need emphasis.
• Include Cues: Add cues for pauses, emphasis, or questions to remind you where to engage the audience or emphasize specific points.
• Use Visual Cues: Note when you’ll refer to charts, graphs, or images and summarize their main message.
• Organize Logically: Structure your talking points in the order you’ll present your slides to ensure a smooth flow.

3. Decide How to Use Your Talking Points During the Presentation

Talking points can be used in different ways, depending on the context and audience:

• Private Speaker Notes: If your goal is to maintain an authoritative and polished delivery, use the Presenter View in PowerPoint to keep your talking points visible only to you. This method helps you stay on track without the audience seeing your prompts.
• Audience Summary: In some cases, you may wish to show a summary of your talking points on a slide at the end of a section or in your conclusion. This can reinforce key takeaways for the audience and provide a clear recap.
• Guiding Your Delivery: Use talking points or discussion highlights as subtle hints to guide your presentation without reading them verbatim. This keeps your delivery natural and allows you to adapt based on audience reactions.

Tips for Effective Use of Talking Points During Presentations

• Don’t Memorize: Use talking points as a guide, not a script, to sound more authentic.
• Engage with Your Audience: Maintain eye contact and adapt your talking points based on audience reactions.
• Be Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your talking points if needed, based on the flow of the presentation.

Who Can Benefit from Using Talking Points in Presentations?

Talking points can be applied across various sectors and industries. They help professionals communicate effectively, ensuring their message is clear, focused, and impactful. Here are 10 sectors, industries, and professional roles where talking points are especially useful:

1. Public Speaking and Event Hosting
   • Professionals: Motivational speakers, event hosts, moderators.
   • Use: Keeping track of the main themes and ensuring smooth transitions between segments.
2. Corporate Leaders and Managers
   • Professionals: CEOs, department heads, project managers.
   • Use: Presenting updates, strategic plans, or key performance data in meetings.
3. Sales and Marketing Teams
   • Professionals: Sales representatives, marketing managers, brand ambassadors.
   • Use: Delivering consistent and persuasive pitches to potential clients and stakeholders.
4. Educators and Trainers
   • Professionals: Teachers, professors, corporate trainers.
   • Use: Organizing lesson plans and training sessions for clearer delivery and engagement.
5. Media and Public Relations Specialists
   • Professionals: PR officers, spokespeople, journalists.
   • Use: Communicating key messages during press conferences, interviews, or public announcements.
6. Legal Professionals
   • Professionals: Lawyers, paralegals, legal advisors.
   • Use: Presenting arguments, case summaries, and legal updates in courtrooms or client meetings.
7. Healthcare Professionals
   • Professionals: Medical practitioners, healthcare administrators.
   • Use: Providing clear information during medical presentations, patient briefings, or policy discussions.
8. Government and Political Figures
   • Professionals: Politicians, government officials, policy analysts.
   • Use: Delivering speeches, policy proposals, and public statements to ensure consistent messaging.
9. Human Resources Teams
   • Professionals: HR managers, talent acquisition specialists, employee trainers.
   • Use: Leading workshops, onboarding presentations, and addressing employee concerns.
10. Consultants and Advisors
    • Professionals: Business consultants, financial advisors, strategy planners.
    • Use: Communicating key findings, solutions, and strategies to clients in a clear and structured manner.

Conclusion

Talking points are an essential tool for presenters, helping them stay organized, confident, and engaging. Whether you prepare them manually or use AI tools to assist in the process, effective talking points can make the difference between a good presentation and a great one. Practice creating and using talking points to ensure your next presentation is memorable and impactful.

Try generating talking points for your next presentation using the steps outlined above or leverage AI tools to streamline the process. Experiment, practice, and refine your approach for the best results!