Effective presentations don't end with nodding heads and polite applause. They end with action. The most important question to ask before any presentation is, "What do I want my audience to do and how do I convince them to do it?"

Even informational presentations are more powerful if there's a persuasive end in mind. The best presntations answer basic questions that few presenters ever bother asking:

What's my core message?

How does that message benefit my audience?

What barriers are there to people accepting the message?

What common ground do I share with the audience?

When I finish what do I want the audience to do?

Presentations are about objectives, benefits, and actions. Plan to persuade, not just inform.