Presenters could learn a lot if they would pay attention to country music and its artists. Stick with old "Tex" Boyd for a minute while I explain.
Lesson 1: Tell Stories. Simply.
Think about it: country music is simplicity itself, from the stories it relates to the words used to tell the stories. You always get it the first time with country music because the story lines are universal, straight-forward and told in common terms.
With other types of music sometimes you feel like you need a decoder and a dictionary to figure them out. And many times the artist has such poor diction that you have no idea what is being said. For your presentations, tell simple stories with simple, clearly understood language and you'll have a hit.
Lesson 2: Have Fun.
You know the old joke about what you get when you play a country record backwards? You get your truck back. You get your girl back. You get your dog back. Now, there is a lot of losing going on in country music but the songs almost always have an upbeat optimistic tone to them. Your presentations will move up the charts if they are positive and upbeat.
The songs are witty and funny, too. Think about some of the titles: You're Going To Ruin My Bad Reputation, Did I Shave My Legs For This? I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim's Gettin' Better, and She Feels Like A New Man Tonight. A lot of business is boring. Give your presentation a title like one of those above and see if your audience doesn't arrive with a smile.
Lesson 3: The Audience Is King.
Go to a country music concert sometime and watch what happens. Whether it is Shania Twain or Toby Keith, you are going to get your money's worth. Country artists know what their audience wants and they pull out all the stops every night to make sure the fans leave with a sense of fulfillment. They know that it is not about the performer, it's about the audience. Know your audience. Know what they want and deliver it in an entertaining fashion and you'll go platinum.
So, the next time you are planning a presentation, turn on some country music for inspiration. And when you get up on stage, don't forget the big hat.
