Tag: presentation lessons

Psychological Biases: Loss Aversion in Sales Presentations

cognitive bias

presentation lessons

presentation tips

psychology

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Sep 12, 2016

A negative response from defeat isn’t limited to real-life choices. They can also be present in business situations, including sales presentations.

If you’re stuck between the pain of losing and the fear of risking, then you’ll miss out bigger and greater opportunities ahead of you, like a new business venture, or a better career offer.

Never miss the boat on that new deal and business partnership. Let the psychological bias of loss aversion help you out in accepting losses to continually grow as a professional and achieve greater sales.

Defining ‘Loss Aversion’

People are reluctant to lose or give up something, even if it means gaining something better. Some play safe and avoid changes to protect their business from market loss or any disaster.

This phenomenon of escaping a losing position is known as loss aversion. First coined by researchers Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, it suggests that the desire of having something suddenly increases when someone takes it away. This means we tend to feel the pain of loss more than the pleasure of a comparable gain.

Even if losses are unforeseen, you shouldn’t let your fear of taking risks stop you from tasting the sweetness of success.

Why Use This in Presentations?

Marketing campaigns and promos are two examples that explain this cognitive bias. For example, people are more likely to go shopping when they see ads like “For limited time only” or “Sale ends soon.”

In this case, the fear of losing promotions make people act on their impulse and can influence their buying decisions.

Using this technique builds up your product’s worth, helping you achieve company gain.

How to Make Loss Aversion Your Ally

Losses translated into gains attract more sales conversions. To persuade your audience to invest in your idea, focus more on highlighting the benefits.

Position your offer as if ignoring it means a great loss for investors. Explain what it does and how it differs from your competitors—from its uses, to cost, and new experience it might bring.

If you’re selling an advanced cooking equipment, try saying something like: “You won’t save up to 3 hours of cooking time if you skip this offer, and stick with normal ovens.”

No matter what you sell, it’s always important to put earns on top of the losses. Frame your product benefits well for them to make decisions quickly.

Conclusion

Often times, the fear of loss impedes the desire to gain. It misleads you from reaching the road of growth and success.

But losses turned into gains are a different thing. Present in a way that customers will feel like they can’t afford to lose you.

Practice the power of loss aversion to create a sense of urgency and make your sales pitch sound more persuasive!

References

Kay, Magda. “How to Use Cognitive Biases for Effective Marketing.” Psychology for Marketers. n.d. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://psychologyformarketers.com/use-cognitive-biases-effective-marketing

“Loss Aversion.” Behavioural Finance. n.d. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://loss-aversion.behaviouralfinance.net

Pammi, C. & Srinivasan N. (2013). Decision Making: Neural and Behavioural Approaches. Elsevier.

Popolskis, Alon. “How to Persuasively Leverage Loss Aversion for Your Company’s Gain.” Business to Community. December 30, 2015. Accessed November 26, 2015. www.business2community.com/strategy/persuasively-leverage-loss-aversion-companys-gain-0725284#uxhqSgb1Gx3YmeDf.97

Snider, Emma. “How to Use Psychological Biases to Sell Better and Faster.” Hubspot Blogs. January 31, 2015. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/psychological-biases-sales

Featured Image: “Losses” by GotCredit on flickr.com

[Chinese New Year] Presentation Lessons from the Chinese Zodiac: The Monkey

audience engagement

chinese zodiac

presentation

presentation lessons

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

year of the monkey

Feb 08, 2016

In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is represented by a Chinese zodiac animal sign. It’s believed that people born under each sign possess certain personal characteristics. This is a cycle that takes twelve years to repeat itself.

This 2016, we enter the Year of the Fire Monkey. According to San Francisco astrologist Susan Levitt, it’s the ninth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac. Characterized by traits such as curiosity, mischievousness, and cleverness, the monkey is a lively animal that’s known as a smart trickster.

At first, these may not sound like positive traits for an experienced and composed presenter. After all, monkeys may seem too hyperactive and troublesome for their own good. If we dig beneath the surface, however, there are quite a few things to learn from our roguish simian friends.

Let’s look at some Year of the Monkey tips that can help you dominate the presentation stage.

Communicate CuriosityCurious monkey hanging from a tree

People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be curious and ambitious. They’re seen to have a great thirst for knowledge and often feel the need to try everything at once. However, this doesn’t mean you should start asking your audience personal questions, crossing the line from being professional to poking your nose into other people’s private lives.

Simply expressing curiosity towards your listeners can improve audience connection for business people and casual listeners alike. This can come in the form of challenging possibilities, displaying interest, and offering opinions. Give your audience the impression that you’re eager to know what problems are currently affecting them. Words like “I’d be very interested to know,” “How do you feel about,” and “From my point of view” are a few of the magic phrases that can put you and your audience on the same page.

Persuade them by showing them how curious and welcoming you are about taking their sides into consideration. By sharing your client’s concerns related to things like costs and implementation dates, you show that you’re willing to work with them as partners.

Expressing interest in your audience’s wants and needs makes them feel more valued. This makes it easier to connect with them for a more persuasive and engaging pitch.

Practice PlayfulnessMonkey playing while holding a banana

Our simian friends are also known for being mischievous. They love to play around and enjoy practical jokes, traits that are reflected in people born during the Year of the Monkey. However, said traits can be both good and bad, depending on how you approach them.

A little mischief can add a dose of fun to your presentation as long as you don’t overdo it. With people born under this sign, high energy can be a key to success but can likewise distract from main ideas during a presentation. It can be easy to enjoy yourself so much and accidentally go overboard with your delivery, causing your audience to forget about your main points.

Like with our previous tip, however, a restrained approach to playfulness can make for a more powerful delivery.

Sprinkling some humor onto your speech effectively engages and entertains people. It can also bring people back from the clutches of boredom, especially during highly technical discussions. With so much information consumed every day, an icebreaker can definitely make everyone chuckle or at least smile, giving them a quick breather from an otherwise straightforward and serious discussion.

One way to create a more cheerful atmosphere is to tell them a simple joke that can connect to your topic. Another way to break the ice is to quote a comical but appropriate line from a movie that fits your subject to lighten up the discussion and break the monotony. Just be wary of potentially offensive material that could undermine your credibility and tune out your listeners.

Play around with your use of language to vary up your speech and sound more interesting, such as by using metaphors, exaggerations, puns, and other figures of speech. A controlled approach to humor can help counterbalance the dull moments while still properly communicating your message, making your pitch even more memorable.

Convey ClevernessMonkey cleverly picked a banana from a tree

Aside from being charismatic and energetic, people born during the Year of the Monkey are also seen as inherently intellectual and creative. This isn’t all that surprising given that apes are our closest genetic relative in the animal kingdom, according to scientists.

To astrologers, people born under this zodiac are the most likely to be eccentric geniuses among the 12 animal signs. Their sparkling wit and sharp minds are the key qualities that make them a good leader. They know how to listen closely and work out solutions at the same time.

These attributes are hallmarks of successful people but also make for an effective speaker.

Be strong-willed, quick-witted, and opportunistic. Never make a move without an established plan. Instead, always come in prepared with a strategy to conquer. Prepare for your speech with the right amount of practice in front of close friends and confidants.

Don’t forget to double check your presentation deck for possible errors that may undermine your credibility. Also, be ready to spot and take advantage of opportunities that may come your way. Don’t rely too much on a preplanned structure and stay on your feet to improvise when needed.

Monkey Marketing MagicMonkey swinging in the tree with a banana on his hand

People born during the Year of the Monkey are believed to be curious, playful, and intelligent, but these positive traits aren’t exclusively theirs for acing that next speech. Here’s a quick wrap-up of the tips and tricks we’ve enumerated in this post:

1. Make your discussion open for everyone so you can gauge their expectations by expressing interest in their wants or needs. Share what you have in store for them and predict what they have in mind.

2. Sprinkle a little bit of fun in your speech. Using a lighthearted approach can equally increase engagement while complementing your message. Recite a funny line or a short joke to help with entertaining your audience.

3. A clever approach to all aspects of your presentation can increase your credibility, making you sound more knowledgeable and convincing in your field. Remain focused and prepared to be able to pounce on any opportunity that can arise from your speech.

Monkeys get a bad reputation, mostly seen by the public as badly behaved creatures, but some of their qualities can be harnessed into positive and productive skills that can bring success in the boardroom. It’s time to take some astrological cues and take this year by the reins with our matching presentation tips.

This 2016, use these monkey-inspired cues to imbue some extra marketing magic for your next pitch.

References:

Clark, Eugene. “Lessons for business in the Year of the Monkey.” China.org.cn. December 31, 2015. www.china.org.cn/opinion/2015-12/31/content_37424803.htm
Febrilian, Dio. “Asking about Possibilities, Expressing Curiosity and Desire, Expressing Views.” Dio Febrilian. n.d. www.diofebrilian.info/2012/12/asking-about-possibilities-expressing.html
Levitt, Susan. “2016 Fire Monkey Year.” Susan Levitt. October 1, 2013. www.susanlevitt.com/astrology/monkey-year-2016/
“Chinese Horoscope: The Monkey Sign (猴).” Scientific Psychic. n.d. www.scientificpsychic.com/fun/monkey-astrology.html

All the World’s a Stage: Presentation Lessons From Theater [Infographic]

performing onstage

presentation lessons

Presentations

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

speeches

theater

Dec 08, 2015

Are you more interested in taking in information through visuals rather than through plain text? No worries. We’ve created an infographic about this topic for your viewing pleasure. Scroll down to the end of this post to see it in action!

Does the crowd seem not to pay too much attention while you’re presenting?

It might  be time to make a few adjustments to build connections and promote better engagement.

For one thing, using space matters a lot especially when giving any presentation.

The audience’s ability to understand your message depends not only on carrying out detailed information and visuals, but also on how you maximize your body movements.

Imagine yourself onstage, standing stiffly with your arms at your sides, without making any gestures at all. This inaction might be enough to convince the crowd that you’re not interested with what you’re doing.

Does the lectern hinder you from moving closer to your audience? Take that stand away and start engaging the audience!

Make Way for the Speaker

Words aren’t enough to encourage your audience to take action.

You might have prepared your PowerPoint deck to convey your idea, yet failing to back it up with the right body language can only undermine your entire performance.

Whether you’re in a large hall or in a boardroom, don’t stop yourself from moving around the podium to establish connections with your listeners.

Theater actors maximize their space when exchanging dialogue and interacting with the crowd because it can be effective in capturing audience’s attention and generating their interest.

No matter what the situation, content and delivery work hand in hand in getting your message across.

By actively matching your words with proper body movements and staying closer to your audience, you can make them feel comfortable, enough to give you their undivided attention.

Drop your fears and take the chance to use the stage to your advantage. Give up hiding behind a lectern and start wowing the crowd with convincing moves and assertive stances.

Here’s an infographic to help you learn the importance of space. It’s time to discover your greatest potential: to be the best performer onstage!

Share this infographic!

https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/presentation-lessons-from-theater

Notes from TED: Presentation Tips from Memorable TED Talks

presentation analysis

presentation lessons

presentation tips

TED talks

Feb 17, 2015

We’re big fans of TED Talks around here. Aside from getting to hear “ideas worth sharing,” the best TED Talks can also act as a crash course on presentation. If you’re looking to improve your presentation skills, TED.com is just a click away. You’re sure to find valuable lessons you can learn from.

With that, we decided to take a closer look at some of the most popular TED Talks to date. We picked out three from the venerable list and broke down their benefits and methods for you. In this process, we hope to point out the different takeaways that could help improve the next presentation you deliver.

Take a closer look at some of the most memorable TED Talks for valuable presentation lessons:

Ken Robinson on how to engage an audience in ‘How schools kill creativity’

Ken Robinson’s critique on today’s educational system is the most popular TED Talk, having over 30 million views. It’s no surprise that it’s a great study on how presenters can engage with their audience. Watch his delivery closely and see how the following points contribute to audience engagement:

1.) While the premise is presented straight away, Robinson was able to underline its importance with two stories that show the amazing creativity of children. The second story was even about his own son, which allowed the audience to see a part of him that they could easily relate to. He continued to share stories between discussions of his main arguments, allowing the audience to understand them better.

2.) He also encouraged audience engagement by posing rhetorical questions throughout his speech. By pausing every now and then to ask a question, he challenged his audience to think about the assertions he was making. They might not have had the chance to share their thoughts, but they were still actively participating by forming their own opinions.

3.) He made it easy for the audience to follow his presentation. His takeaways were always highlighted by transition phrases that prompt the audience to sit up and listen. By using phrases like “I think you’d have to conclude”, he made it clear that he was about to say something important.

Al Gore is clear and consistent in ‘Averting the global warming crisis’

The best thing about Al Gore’s TED Talk is his no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point delivery. While he made sure to engage the audience with humor and anecdotes, what really stands out is his ability to talk about a complex and often controversial topic.

1.) Gore didn’t spend much time with preludes and introductions. After gaining the audience’s attention, he plunged straight into the  discussion. This is something that’s important for business presentations. While it’s important to keep people engaged, you also need to make sure that your goals and purpose are clear to everyone.

2.) The structure he followed makes this easy. He introduced one point, gave an explanation, and offered an example. Through it all, he offered call-to-action statements that gave the audience a specific idea on how to contribute to his cause.

3.) Most importantly, he made use of visuals to elevate his message. His slides contained plenty of data that were simplified into charts to help the audience digest all the new information.

Elizabeth Gilbert is a powerful storyteller in ‘Your elusive creative genius’ 

In her TED Talk, best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert goes into the intricacies of living a creative life. To teach artists and writers like her to overcome the anxiety and apprehension they feel about their work, she starts by sharing stories. Observe how she carefully integrates storytelling to a cohesive presentation:

1.) She raised the emotional stakes by starting with personal anecdotes. To give the audience a chance to connect with her message, she made use of examples from her personal experience. She shared her own anxieties and positioned herself as someone who is relatable and personable.

2.) To highlight her points, she shared stories from other cultures and fellow writers. This allowed her audience to envision real people behind the concepts being discussed. To tie her entire presentation together, she then returned to her own experience and shared how she finally overcame the problem she initially presented.

3.) Even when she told a wide array of stories, none of these digressed from the core message of her presentation. In fact, it helped her message resonate throughout the presentation because these stories were perfectly in line with her original premise.

TED Talks can teach you insights from a wide-array of topics that can help improve your own work or career. They can also provide you a handful of important presentation tips and lessons. Whether you’re preparing for a sales pitch or a big conference, take note of these TED Talk lessons to successfully get your message across.

 

References

“Hook, Line, and Sinker: What Makes a Great Presentation Story.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 11, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2015.
“The Art of Graphs and Charts.” SlideGenius, Inc. April 21, 2014. Accessed February 17, 2015.
The most popular talks of all time. TED. Accessed February 17, 2015.
“Presentation Tips: 5 Quick Steps to Audience Engagement.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 16, 2014. Accessed February 17, 2015.

 

Featured Image: Stefan Schäfer, Lich via Wikimedia Commons

Presentation Books: 5 Titles to Read During the Holidays

presentation books

presentation lessons

presentation reading list

presentation tips

Dec 23, 2014

If you’re looking to improve your presentation skills over the holidays, there’s no shortage of excellent books that offer insights on everything from crafting compelling stories to designing impactful slides. These books can inspire you to elevate your presentations, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned presenter.

Here are five must-read presentation books to add to your holiday reading list:

1. “Presentation Zen” by Garr Reynolds

Garr Reynolds’ “Presentation Zen” is a classic guide that emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and visual storytelling. Reynolds draws from Zen principles to advocate for a minimalist approach to presentation design, focusing on reducing clutter and enhancing audience engagement.

Why It’s Worth Reading:

  • Simplifies Presentation Design: This book offers actionable tips on how to declutter slides and focus on the most important elements.
  • Encourages Visual Storytelling: It helps presenters understand how to use visuals effectively to complement their narrative.

2. “The Back of the Napkin” by Dan Roam

In “The Back of the Napkin,” Dan Roam demonstrates how simple sketches and drawings can communicate complex ideas more effectively than traditional text-heavy presentations. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their visual communication skills.

Why It’s Worth Reading:

  • Visual Thinking: Roam’s emphasis on visual thinking can help you present ideas more clearly and persuasively.
  • Accessible to Non-Designers: You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from this book—Roam’s simple drawing techniques can be applied by anyone.

3. “Talk Like TED” by Carmine Gallo

Carmine Gallo’s “Talk Like TED” breaks down the techniques used by some of the most successful TED speakers. From storytelling to mastering body language, this book provides valuable insights into what makes a presentation engaging, persuasive, and memorable.

Why It’s Worth Reading:

  • Focus on Storytelling: Gallo emphasizes the importance of storytelling in captivating an audience.
  • Proven Techniques: Learn from some of the best TED speakers and apply their strategies to your own presentations.

4. “The Art of Explanation” by Lee LeFever

“The Art of Explanation” focuses on how to explain ideas clearly, whether you’re presenting to a small group or a large audience. LeFever offers practical strategies for making complex information more accessible and engaging.

Why It’s Worth Reading:

  • Simplifies Complex Concepts: This book teaches you how to make difficult ideas easy to understand, a skill that is crucial for effective presentations.
  • Actionable Tips: LeFever provides a step-by-step approach to creating explanations that resonate with audiences.

5. “Resonate” by Nancy Duarte

Nancy Duarte’s “Resonate” explores the power of storytelling in presentations and provides a framework for creating presentations that move audiences. Duarte emphasizes the importance of connecting with your audience on an emotional level.

Why It’s Worth Reading:

  • Focus on Audience Connection: Duarte shows how to structure presentations in a way that engages both the mind and emotions of your audience.
  • Proven Techniques: Learn how to craft presentations that inspire action and change through powerful storytelling.

Final Thoughts

These five books offer a wealth of knowledge that can help you improve your presentation skills. Whether you’re focused on storytelling, visual communication, or simplifying complex ideas, these titles will provide valuable insights and practical tips to elevate your presentations during the holiday season.

How to Organize Your Ideas with a Presentation Storyboard

presentation lessons

presentation storyboard

Sep 02, 2014

A presentation storyboard is an excellent tool for organizing your ideas and structuring your presentation before you start designing slides. Much like filmmakers use storyboards to plan scenes, a presentation storyboard helps you visualize the flow of your presentation and ensure that your content is cohesive and well-organized.

Here’s how to create a storyboard to organize your presentation ideas:

1. Define Your Core Message

Before you begin storyboarding, it’s essential to define your core message—the central idea you want your audience to take away from your presentation. This core message will serve as the foundation for your storyboard.

Why It Works:

  • Clarifies the Focus: Defining your core message helps you stay focused on what’s most important, preventing you from getting sidetracked.
  • Guides the Flow: The core message acts as a compass, guiding the structure and content of your storyboard.

How to Apply It:

  • Write down your core message in a single sentence and keep it visible as you create your storyboard.

Example: If you’re presenting on business growth, your core message might be: “Adopting a customer-centric approach will drive sustainable business growth.”

2. Break Your Presentation into Key Sections

Once you’ve defined your core message, break your presentation into sections based on the main points you want to cover. This is similar to how a movie is broken into scenes, each serving a specific purpose in telling the story.

Why It Works:

  • Organizes Your Ideas: Dividing your presentation into sections helps you organize your ideas logically and ensures that you cover all the necessary points.
  • Creates a Clear Flow: Sections help you map out the flow of your presentation, ensuring that the content progresses smoothly from one idea to the next.

How to Apply It:

  • Break your presentation into three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Within each section, identify the key points or topics you’ll cover.

Example: For a presentation on a marketing strategy, your sections might include “Overview of Current Challenges,” “Proposed Solutions,” and “Expected Results.”

3. Visualize Each Section with a Simple Sketch

For each section of your presentation, create a simple sketch or diagram that represents the key idea or concept. You don’t need to be an artist—stick figures, arrows, and basic shapes work just fine. The goal is to visually map out how the content will be presented on each slide.

Why It Works:

  • Simplifies Complex Ideas: Visualizing your content helps you simplify complex ideas and organize them into a cohesive narrative.
  • Provides a Blueprint for Slide Design: Storyboarding allows you to plan how your slides will look and flow, making the design process easier later on.

How to Apply It:

  • For each slide, draw a rough sketch of the key visual or diagram you’ll use to represent the content.
  • Add a headline or brief description of what the slide will communicate.

Example: If you’re presenting a timeline, sketch a simple horizontal line with milestones marked along it, noting what each milestone represents.

4. Refine Your Narrative Arc

With your sections sketched out, take a step back and look at the overall narrative arc of your presentation. Make sure that each section flows logically into the next and that the narrative builds toward a clear conclusion.

Why It Works:

  • Ensures Cohesion: Refining your narrative arc helps you create a presentation that feels cohesive and unified, rather than disjointed.
  • Builds Engagement: A well-crafted narrative keeps your audience engaged from start to finish, guiding them toward your final message or call to action.

How to Apply It:

  • Review your storyboard to ensure that each section logically follows from the previous one and builds toward your conclusion.
  • Make adjustments to the structure or flow as needed to strengthen the narrative.

Example: Ensure that your presentation starts by outlining the problem, moves into presenting the solution, and ends with actionable next steps.

5. Plan Transitions and Visual Cues

A good storyboard doesn’t just outline the content of each slide—it also considers transitions and visual cues. Planning transitions between sections and slides helps maintain a smooth flow and prevents awkward pauses or disruptions.

Why It Works:

  • Enhances Flow: Planning transitions ensures that your presentation flows smoothly, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
  • Keeps the Audience Oriented: Visual cues and transitions help the audience follow the progression of your presentation, ensuring they don’t get lost or confused.

How to Apply It:

  • Use arrows or lines between sections to represent transitions, noting how you’ll introduce the next topic.
  • Add notes about visual cues or animations you’ll use to guide the audience’s attention.

Example: If you’re transitioning from discussing challenges to presenting solutions, use a visual cue such as a shift in slide design or a bold headline to signal the change.

Final Thoughts

Storyboarding is an effective way to organize your ideas and structure your presentation before you start designing slides. By defining your core message, breaking your presentation into key sections, visualizing each section, refining your narrative arc, and planning transitions, you can create a clear and cohesive presentation that flows smoothly and engages your audience. A well-planned storyboard ensures that your content is organized, your message is clear, and your presentation is easy to follow.

Three Presentation Lessons from the Big Screen

movies

presentation lessons

Aug 15, 2014

Movies often captivate audiences with engaging storytelling, impactful visuals, and memorable moments. While presentations and films may seem worlds apart, there are many valuable lessons that presenters can learn from the big screen.

Here are three key presentation lessons from the world of movies:

1. Use a Strong Opening Scene

In films, the first few minutes are crucial for grabbing the audience’s attention. Similarly, in a presentation, you need a strong opening that immediately hooks your audience and sets the tone.

Why It’s Important:

  • Captures Attention: A compelling opening draws the audience in and piques their curiosity.
  • Establishes Expectations: Just like the opening scene of a movie, your introduction should give the audience a sense of what’s to come.

How to Apply It:

  • Start with a powerful statement, a thought-provoking question, or an intriguing story that ties into your main message.

Example: In a presentation about overcoming challenges, open with a real-life story of someone who faced and conquered a major obstacle.

2. Focus on Visual Storytelling

Movies rely heavily on visuals to tell the story. Whether it’s stunning cinematography or powerful imagery, visual elements are key to conveying the mood and message.

Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps the Audience Engaged: Effective visuals can break up text-heavy slides and make the presentation more dynamic.
  • Enhances Understanding: Visual storytelling helps illustrate complex ideas and ensures that the audience remembers key points.

How to Apply It:

  • Use high-quality images, diagrams, or videos to reinforce your points. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text.

Example: If you’re presenting data, use a simple, clear chart to visually represent the numbers rather than listing them in bullet points.

3. Build to a Climactic Conclusion

Just like a great movie builds to an exciting climax, your presentation should culminate in a strong, memorable conclusion. This is your opportunity to reinforce your main message and leave a lasting impression.

Why It’s Important:

  • Leaves a Lasting Impact: A strong conclusion ensures that your key message sticks with the audience.
  • Encourages Action: Like a movie’s resolution, your conclusion should prompt the audience to reflect or take action based on what they’ve heard.

How to Apply It:

  • Summarize the key takeaways and end with a powerful statement, quote, or call to action that reinforces your message.

Example: If you’re presenting on the benefits of a new business strategy, end by summarizing the results your company can expect if they implement the strategy.

Final Thoughts

By applying lessons from the big screen—such as using a strong opening, incorporating visual storytelling, and building to a climactic conclusion—you can create presentations that captivate and inspire your audience just like a great film captivates its viewers.

Occam’s Razor and Simplifying Presentation Content

presentation content

presentation lessons

presentation tips

resources

Jul 31, 2014

Occam’s Razor is a philosophical principle that states that the simplest solution is often the best one. This concept can be applied effectively to presentation content, where simplicity helps communicate ideas clearly and avoid unnecessary complexity. By stripping away the extraneous and focusing on the essentials, you can ensure that your presentation delivers a focused, concise message that resonates with your audience.

Here’s how you can apply Occam’s Razor to simplify your presentation content:

1. Focus on Core Messages

The first step in simplifying your presentation is identifying the core message you want to communicate. What is the main point or takeaway that you want your audience to remember? By honing in on this core message, you can remove any content that doesn’t directly support it.

Why It’s Important:

  • Avoids Overwhelm: Focusing on the essentials prevents information overload and ensures the audience can absorb the most important points.
  • Strengthens Clarity: A clear, concise message is more impactful and easier to understand.

How to Apply It:

  • Start by writing down your key message in one sentence. Then, build your presentation around supporting that single idea.
  • Eliminate any slides, data, or explanations that do not directly contribute to your core message.

Example: If your presentation is about improving workplace productivity, every slide should focus on specific strategies that enhance productivity, rather than delving into unrelated aspects of workplace culture.

2. Cut Unnecessary Details

It’s tempting to include every piece of data, every chart, and every example that supports your argument, but this can dilute your message. Occam’s Razor encourages you to simplify by cutting out unnecessary details and focusing only on the most compelling and relevant information.

Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps the Audience Engaged: Simplifying content by removing extraneous information keeps the presentation concise and ensures that the audience stays focused.
  • Increases Retention: Fewer, more impactful details are easier to remember than a barrage of information.

How to Apply It:

  • Review each slide and ask, “Is this essential to my core message?” If the answer is no, consider removing or simplifying it.
  • Focus on providing one or two powerful examples instead of a long list of supporting points.

Example: Instead of presenting five case studies to support a point, choose the one most relevant and impactful example that clearly illustrates your message.

3. Use Simple, Clear Language

Occam’s Razor applies to your language as well. Avoid using complex or technical terms when simpler alternatives will do. The goal is to communicate your message as clearly and concisely as possible.

Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Accessibility: Simple, straightforward language ensures that your message is accessible to all audience members, regardless of their background or expertise.
  • Reduces Confusion: Clear, concise language prevents misunderstandings and ensures that the audience grasps your points.

How to Apply It:

  • Use plain language and avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless absolutely necessary.
  • Break down complex ideas into simple explanations or analogies that everyone can understand.

Example: Instead of saying, “Our synergistic approach leverages cross-functional collaboration,” say, “We work together across teams to achieve better results.”

4. Use Minimalistic Visuals

Visuals are an important part of any presentation, but overcomplicated graphs, charts, and images can overwhelm the audience. Apply Occam’s Razor to your visuals by keeping them simple and focused on supporting your key points.

Why It’s Important:

  • Prevents Distraction: Overly complex visuals can distract the audience from the core message.
  • Enhances Focus: Simple, clean visuals reinforce the message and keep the audience focused on the key takeaways.

How to Apply It:

  • Use charts and graphs that are easy to read and interpret at a glance.
  • Avoid cluttered visuals with too many data points or unnecessary elements.
  • Opt for a minimalistic design with plenty of white space to keep the focus on the content.

Example: Instead of a busy graph with too many data points, simplify it to show only the most important trends, making the chart easier to read and understand.

5. Stick to a Simple Structure

A well-organized structure helps the audience follow along and stay engaged. Occam’s Razor suggests that you should remove unnecessary sections or slides and keep your presentation structure as simple and logical as possible.

Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Flow: A simple structure with clear transitions keeps the audience engaged and ensures your message is delivered logically.
  • Reduces Confusion: A straightforward structure prevents the audience from getting lost or overwhelmed by too many points.

How to Apply It:

  • Organize your presentation into a simple structure: introduction, main points, and conclusion.
  • Limit each section to a few slides and make sure each one clearly leads into the next.

Example: A presentation on launching a new product could follow a simple structure: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Introduce the product as the solution, 3) Show benefits and results, 4) Call to action.

Final Thoughts

Applying Occam’s Razor to your presentation content helps you focus on the essentials, cut out unnecessary complexity, and deliver a clear, impactful message. By simplifying both the content and the visuals, you make it easier for the audience to follow along, retain information, and engage with your presentation.

What You Can Learn from TV Shows about Presentation Structure

presentation lessons

presentation structure

presentation tips

tv shows

Jul 30, 2014

Television shows often follow a specific structure designed to keep viewers engaged and invested in the story. From character development to suspenseful cliffhangers, TV shows offer valuable lessons that can be applied to presentation structure. Just like TV writers and producers, presenters need to keep their audience engaged, tell a compelling story, and leave a lasting impact.

Here’s what you can learn from TV shows about structuring your presentation:

1. Build Suspense and Curiosity

Many successful TV shows build suspense by slowly revealing information, keeping viewers hooked until the very end. In the same way, your presentation should create curiosity and gradually reveal key points, keeping your audience engaged throughout.

Why It Works:

  • Maintains Interest: Building suspense keeps the audience focused on your presentation, eager to learn what comes next.
  • Enhances Engagement: By creating curiosity, you encourage the audience to actively follow your presentation instead of passively absorbing information.

How to Apply It:

  • Start your presentation with a thought-provoking question or an interesting fact that piques curiosity.
  • Gradually reveal information throughout your presentation, saving the most important or surprising details for later.

Example: If you’re presenting on a new product, tease the most exciting feature early on but reveal the full details only near the conclusion to build anticipation.

2. Use a Character-Centric Narrative

TV shows often focus on character development, allowing viewers to connect emotionally with the story. Similarly, your presentation can benefit from a character-centric narrative—whether it’s a personal story, a case study, or a real-life example—to make your content more relatable and engaging.

Why It Works:

  • Creates Emotional Connection: Focusing on a “character” helps the audience relate to your content on a personal level.
  • Makes Abstract Ideas Tangible: Using real-world examples or stories makes complex concepts easier to understand and more meaningful.

How to Apply It:

  • Use a customer case study or personal experience as the central narrative of your presentation.
  • Introduce the “character” early in the presentation and use their journey to illustrate key points.

Example: If you’re presenting a solution to a business challenge, tell the story of how a real client used your solution to overcome a specific problem, guiding the audience through their journey.

3. End with a Cliffhanger or Call to Action

TV shows often end episodes with cliffhangers, leaving viewers eager to tune in for the next installment. In a presentation, while you don’t want to leave your audience hanging, you can end with a powerful call to action or intriguing takeaway that inspires your audience to think further or take immediate action.

Why It Works:

  • Encourages Engagement: A compelling ending keeps your presentation fresh in the audience’s mind and encourages them to take action.
  • Leaves a Lasting Impact: Ending with a strong call to action or a thought-provoking idea ensures your message sticks with the audience.

How to Apply It:

  • Conclude your presentation by summarizing the key points and delivering a clear call to action, such as “Let’s schedule a follow-up meeting” or “Start implementing these strategies today.”
  • Alternatively, end with a memorable quote or a thought-provoking question that leaves the audience with something to ponder.

Example: After presenting a new marketing strategy, end with a question like, “What will happen if we don’t take action today?” or provide a call to action such as, “Let’s take the first step toward achieving these results.”

4. Create a Logical Flow, Like a TV Episode

TV episodes follow a well-defined structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Similarly, your presentation should have a logical flow that guides the audience through the content, making it easy to follow.

Why It Works:

  • Organizes Information: A clear structure helps the audience understand the progression of your presentation and retain key points.
  • Keeps the Audience Focused: When the presentation flows logically, the audience can follow along without getting lost or distracted.

How to Apply It:

  • Divide your presentation into three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Use transitions between sections to signal shifts in the narrative and ensure a smooth flow of information.

Example: Start with an introduction that outlines the problem, move into the body where you present your solution, and conclude with a summary and call to action.

Final Thoughts

TV shows excel at keeping viewers engaged, telling compelling stories, and building anticipation—all elements that can improve your presentation structure. By building suspense, focusing on a character-centric narrative, ending with a strong call to action, and maintaining a logical flow, you can create presentations that captivate and inspire your audience, just like a great TV show keeps viewers coming back for more.

Get to the Point: What You Need to Cut from Your Presentation Delivery

presentation delivery

presentation lessons

presentation tips

Jul 18, 2014

An effective presentation has a clear and definite message. Whether you’re aiming to inform, pitch, or promote, the message should ring true in both your design and content. More than that, it should also be emphasized through great presentation delivery.

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In delivering your pitch, the main goal is to communicate your key message in the best possible way. Length doesn’t always mean quality. In fact, compact content—that is, a short but informative delivery—is more likely to stick to the audience than a rambling speech.

Because our minds are attuned to process information in bits and not in chunks, clarity usually comes from being brief and straight to the point. Review your presentation notes and omit things that are clouding your message. And then work on cutting out the following things from your presentation delivery:

1. Long-winded introductions

Here’s a familiar scenario: “Hi everyone! It’s John Doe from the Marketing team. Thanks for sharing your time with me. I promise it will only take 30 minutes. I’m here to give you a brief report about Project A. It’s something that we’ve worked hard on, and we’re all excited to share this with you. So I’ll give you a quick overview and outline our progress and if we still have time left, you can ask me questions or give your feedback. There’s a bit of information to cover, but I tried to condense it as much as possible into a few slides. Oh, and if you want a copy of the slides, just approach me after the presentation and I’ll email it to you. So anyway, to start it off…”

Never start with an introduction that is so long and inconsequential.  You’re sure to lose your audience’s interest at the get go. Don’t waste the crucial first few minutes of your presentation explaining things that are completely unrelated to your discussion.

There are only three things your audience needs to know the minute you start your presentation. Our hypothetical but scarily accurate example can be trimmed to a few short sentences by answering these questions:

  • Who is presenting?
  • What is the presentation about?
  • Why is it relevant to the audience?

2.  Awkward icebreakers

There’s nothing wrong with using an icebreaker to engage and build rapport with your audience.

The beginning of your presentation is a crucial time. Anything that can help you connect with your audience is helpful. That said, some techniques are still better than others.

Don’t attempt an ice breaker that you can’t tie back to the message of your presentation. Don’t waste time picking the audience’s brain with games if it doesn’t help introduce your topic. And while we’re on the subject, don’t make them play along something too complicated and will take up too much time explaining.

An example of an effective presentation icebreaker is still a good story. Presentations work when they make an emotional connection. While jokes and games are entertaining, sharing an anecdote that’s related to your topic will give your core message a relatable human dimension.

3. “Um…” and other fillers

Most of us say filler words out of habit. There’s nothing wrong with saying “um,” “like,” and “you know” in a casual setting. It’s something most people do unconsciously when formulating their thoughts. But presentations are a different case. When you’re presenting to an audience, you’re the one in charge. Saying “um” every time you pause makes you look like you’re not sure of what you’re saying. It’ll make your audience lose confidence in you.

Avoid filler words by rehearsing your presentation delivery. Teach yourself to pause when you catch yourself blurting out a filler word. After some time, you’ll find yourself more used to pausing than resorting to the usual verbal blunders.

If you’re nervous about presenting in front of an audience, click here for tips on fighting public speaking anxiety.

4. Self-affirming questions

While you should definitely make it a point to acknowledge your audience throughout your delivery, it’s unnecessary to ask them questions that only affirm you. Think back to your experience as an audience member, has a presenter actually ever stopped to hear your answer when they ask, “Are you with me?”

The only questions you should be asking your audience ones where their answer is relevant to your presentation. If, for example, you want to gauge how they feel about the topic at hand, ask them by a show of hands. If you’re presenting to a smaller group, you can set a brief portion of your presentation and have select audience members share their answers.

5. “Next slide, please”

Don’t break the immersion of your audience by uttering the words “next slide, please.” If you can’t have your laptop near you to advance slides yourself, use a remote control instead. There are plenty of devices that allow you to control your PowerPoint deck from a distance, and they’re a great investment.

Presentation expert Garr Reynolds suggests the brands Keyspan and Interlink. According to TechRepulic‘s Deb Shinder, if that’s too much of a splurge, you can download apps that allow you to use your smartphone as a remote control.

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Remember that the success of  your presentation lies on three things: content, design, and delivery. If one of these aspects fall flat, the rest of your presentation will suffer. Create an engaging experience for your audience by cutting out unnecessary details from your presentation delivery.

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