The 2024 Exchange ETF Conference showed how much the ETF industry has matured over the years as a full partner in the delivery of holistic financial advice. The programming alone justified attendance, including the likes of Dr. David Kelly, J.P. Morgan’s chief global strategist, Jeffrey Gundlach, DoubleLine Capital’s founder, as well as a spot Bitcoin ETF meeting of the minds that drew standing-room-only attendance.
In the whirlwind of networking, happy hours, and Grayscale’s spectacular drone show, it might be easy to miss that the luminaries on the stage put on a public speaking clinic that anyone in the financial services industry would do well to study.
You don’t have to be a keynote speaker to benefit from polishing your presentation skills. The ability to distill complex information in a way that is digestible and engaging will serve you whether you’re breaking down a financial plan for a client, attracting prospects with educational workshops, or putting your best foot forward for media opportunities.
The folks on the stage at The 2024 Exchange showed the hallmarks of 5 key strategies that anyone can adopt to elevate their presentation game.
Start with a bang
David Kelly didn’t spare the attention-grabbing sound bytes. “News channels on the left and right make money by getting people very scared and very angry.” Steve Kurz, global head of asset management at Galaxy Digital, said his firm “rolled out the hand grenade” with the decision to zero out transaction fees for their spot Bitcoin ETF. Jeff Gundlach closed the three-day conference with a number of memorable takeaways from his keynote, “Rates can never rise (redux)” — stating we should “replace the FOMC with the 2-year Treasury yield” and warning that the stock market “is as overvalued as it was two years ago” at the start of the last bear market.
When you have an audience, give them something to remember.
Back it up with data
David used data throughout his presentation to reinforce his points. He predicted inflation will drop to 2% by the end of the year. Why? “66% of inflation is attributed to rent and owners’ equivalent rent in the last few quarters… and that’s coming down as we go forward in 2024.” Similarly, Jeff leveraged a series of charts to highlight the dangers of the growing government deficit, demonstrating what will happen to interest rate expense and debt as a percentage of GDP across different interest rate scenarios.
Data can add drama to a presentation, shifting the presentation from big-picture ideas to specific, concrete examples and insights.
Keep the energy high
Ask any broadcast producer: listeners will tune out fast if you don’t bring vigor and passion to your presentation. (Or interview.) You don’t have to be someone you’re not, but think of it this way: your audience took time out of their day to see you. Reward their interest with high energy.
Make it actionable
David adeptly translated his economic analysis into practical advice for investors. He cautioned against letting political sentiments dictate investment decisions. Jeff urged investors to challenge the consensus and explore opportunities in key international markets such as India. This clear, actionable guidance made his insights not just interesting but immediately applicable for his audience.
connect with empathy
Empathy takes many forms. If you’re making a public presentation, you can demonstrate empathy by showing you know what motivates your audience. Why did they come to talk to you? What challenges are they hoping to resolve in their businesses or personal financial lives? What is their day-to-day, observable environment, and how does that inform the decisions they make?
That isn’t to say that it’s easy to stand in the limelight and speak about what drives you. It takes practice and hard work. The good news: you’re not the first person to climb this hill. Gregory FCA offers a comprehensive media and presentation training regimen, both virtually and on-site with our fully-equipped studio. Whether you’re gearing up for a stage talk of your own or want to give polished, engaging media interviews, we’re here to help.