knowing your audience is one of the key principles of a successful presentation That's especially true in one-on-one situations, when personal interaction is even more important. But if you don't know the person to whom you are presenting, how should you go about tailoring your message? In such situations, it helps to have an understanding of the four basic personality types(based on Pfeiffer Co Social Styles inventory). Once you familiarize yourself with these personality types, it doesn't take long to accurately assess each person's style and tailor your accordingly.