Many types of presentations contain content that is complex in nature.  For example, software sales pitches may include sophisticated architecture diagrams, while slides used in mechanical training sessions may depict engineering drawings or assembly instructions.  And, financial presentations will likely use number-intensive charts to demonstrate fiscal performance.

Keeping your language simple will help your audience absorb your material.

If these thoughts and ideas are not presented properly, however, they may be lost on audience members, creating confusion and bewilderment, and minimizing learning and retention.

Here are a few highly effective ways to ensure that your complex content is thoroughly understood by each and every member of your audience.

1. Simplicity is Key
You have extensive knowledge about the material you are presenting.  But, don’t assume your audience has any at all.  Act as though the concepts you are discussing are completely foreign to them, and provide as much background as possible.  This will help them absorb your material in the right context.  And, speak in the simplest terms possible, avoiding acronyms or industry jargon that only experts would understand.

2. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Since repetition is the key to retention, be sure to repeat the most important thoughts over and over again.  For example, point out what the key elements on a diagram represent, or the variances in numbers between fields on a financial chart, several times throughout the course of your session.  Then, go back to those diagrams and charts and the end of your presentation, and reiterate those important points one last time during your summary.

3. Cover One Thought at a Time
This is particularly important when you are speaking about diagrams or images that have multiple elements.  Break it down one piece at a time, describing each component in as much detail as possible, before you explain how they all work together as a whole.  The build capabilities within most presentation software packages are quite helpful in these scenarios, allowing you to visually highlight one specific area of a chart, to draw attention to it as you are speaking about it.

4. Use an Open Forum
Few presenters allow questions to be asked ad-hoc during their presentation, since it tends to interrupt them mid-thought and throw them off their game.  However, when the subject matter is highly complicated, it is critical that the audience fully understand what you are saying at all times.  If they need further explanation at any point, they need to feel comfortable stopping you immediately to get it.  Otherwise, subsequent ideas will be difficult to comprehend.

5.  Compare It to Something Familiar
Many people understand things more easily when they are similar to other things they know.  So, whenever possible, compare your concept to something they can relate to.  For example, the repair of mechanical device can be compared to fixing a car, or describing how a large piece of equipment operates can be compared to the way a simple household appliance works.

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