Clear Content

Show me the Money!

You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, collecting and piecing together the perfect content to deliver your presentation. But, chances are, there is one critically important slide—the one that shows the final result, the secret sauce, the whole shebang.

Also known as the money slide, it’s the one that’s worth the price of admission. Is yours giving them a bang for their buck?

• How long does it take to get to your money slide? Create enough suspense to intrigue them without burying the lede too much.

• Have you given them enough time to absorb it? Let them savor the meaty bits before changing directions.

• Does everything else add to or distract from this lead message? It’s all about the Benjamins, baby. Or, in this case, the money slide. Make sure your content is purposely supporting the star of your show.

Contact me for presentation tips for everything from designing your deck to delivering your speech like a Rockstar.

Clear Content Design

As kids, we loved connecting the dots to reveal shapes and animals. As adults, we still love putting two and two together—even the six hours it takes to assemble IKEA furniture.

Is your presentation helping your audience understand the bigger picture or a jumbled mess. 

Tip: Identify the central theme of your presentation. Does your content connect to make your point?

• Put your presentation deck into Slide Sorter View.

• Add transitions that relate to the storyline of your presentation.

• When the dots connect, your message flows. Check this out:

For example:

Slide 1 – Intro: Welcome!

Slide 2 – Problem: I know you struggle with XYZ problem.

Slide 3 – Solution: Here is the answer to that challenge.

Slide 4 – Story: Let me tell you how I found that solution.

Slide 5 – How To: Here’s how you can, too.

Find your flow. Email me for some more presentation pointers.

Memorable Content

867-5309

You’ve heard of an earworm, right, that song that gets stuck in your head all day? (Sorry, by the way.)

Wouldn’t it be great if people hummed your presentation all day long? Here’s how you can make a sticky impression:

• Identify the critical takeaway from your presentation.

• Make it punchy. Describe it in one sentence using ten words or less.

• Repeat it...and again. Repetition helps us remember, so sprinkle your message generously throughout your presentation.

Want to top the charts for memorable presentations? Contact me, and let’s discuss your upcoming engagement.

Storytelling

It was a dark and stormy night…

Think back to the last excellent presentation you attended or watched–what do you remember?

Was it a graph, the presenter’s outfit... the free donuts?

Or, was it a story?

We tend to remember stories because they engage us emotionally. Every memorable story starts with this structure:

1. Introduction: Once upon a time, we meet a character, we get to know them, and we fall in love.

2. Conflict: Here comes trouble, an attack–things get hairy. We’re fearful of the outcome.

3. Resolution: Our hero overcomes the obstacle with better skills, perspective, and a happily ever after. Hooray!

Tip: The more nervous we get for the main character, the more we’ll remember your story. Take the personal anecdote or story you would like to add to your presentation and map it against the three stages. Can you build up some twists and turns?

If you need help drumming up some drama, shoot me an email.

Presenting New Ideas

Take a cue from Spotify

That 5,000-channel cable package or 40-page menu at that newest restaurant sounds great, but don’t we always go back to what we know and love?

 We say we want endless new options, but too much, too fast is a little jarring, and we end up just going back to our tried and trues, like The Office or a plain ol’ cheeseburger.

What does this mean for your presentation, that’s chock-full of new ideas, advice, and actions?

With Spotify, an algorithm mixes a percentage of new content with the warmth and familiarity of your favorites. It feels more comfortable to reassure you and ease you into that “Hmm, I don’t know this song” territory when your favorite Ed Sheeran song is quick to follow.

Tip: Give your audience structure, so they’re comfortable.

• Provide your agenda, so they know where you’re headed.

• Build up to your radical idea by sharing familiar stories that make them feel good.

• Don’t overwhelm them.

Want to make your presentation feel as good as your favorite playlist? Let’s connect and find the right mix.

Crutch Words - right?

Are you a needy presenter?

If you find yourself ending most of your sentences with “right?” you could be undermining your credibility and searching for validation in all the wrong places. The audience tuned in for your expertise and insights, not to reassure you.

The best way to ditch this habit is to determine when and why it's happening.

• If it’s during the beginning of your presentation, it’s likely due to nerves or not feeling your content is worthy. Nip this in the bud before you hit the stage by analyzing your audience and understanding what's really important to them. Then review your content. If you are taking to their needs and giving them two to three new insights then you've got a crowd-pleaser on your hands. Remind yourself of the value you’re sharing with a pre-show mantra: “This is powerful stuff, this is powerful stuff, this IS powerful stuff"

• If it happens mid-way through, you might be feeling you’re losing their attention. “Right?” won’t earn it back. Instead, throw in an audience-centered, rhetorical question that highlights the ‘What’s In It For Me?’ factor, like:  “You’re probably wondering how you can apply this…” or “You might be saying, but this is too expensive or time-consuming…”. Packing your presentation with WIIFMs will keep their attention.

• If it happens at the end of your presentation, you likely forgot to create a strong close. Prepare for and practice your wrap up. Be sure to remind them of the take-aways, and WIIFMs and circle back to your opening story or metaphor with a memorable tag line or phase. A mic drop moment doesn't end in a question, it's a powerful statement, right?

Reach out to learn more about our virtual coaching sessions.

Experts Not Models

Chances are you are going to have to record a message for your team, company or conference in the coming weeks or months.  And like any mortal human you’re worried about what your face is doing. 

What is it doing? 

When I record myself, I notice my gummy smile, my crazy eyebrows, my crooked jaw...need I continue But here’s the reality.  I’m not a model, I’m an expert. 

We’ve all spent more time looking at ourselves than ever before and it can be exhausting and distracting.    But people are tuning in for my thoughts, tips, and stories, so I choose to focus on that.

 Here’s a strategy to connect rather than perfect.

 Step 1:  Record yourself talking to the camera about something you are passionate about.  Skiing, food, family, pickle ball – whatever.  Then play it back. Do your facial expressions match the message?  If so skip to step 3.

 Step 2:  If you noticed a disconnect then let’s work on that. 

Print out your talk track and draw some emojis next to the phrases that would benefit from a facial expression. 

• Add a smile to the words -  “Welcome, this is good news, I’m excited…”

• Add a frowny face to the words -  “I know you’re wondering, this was our challenge…”

• Add a sad face to empathetic phrases -  “This is tough to hear, we are sad to say…”

Record yourself again using facial expressions that match your message.

 Step 3: Do a camera check.  Turn on the camera and check your lighting, your background, and your posture, then turn off self-view.

Now you’re ready to present with passion, focusing on the audience not yourself.

You might not look perfect but the content, your passion and your expertise will shine through.

That’s what they came for.

Engage your Audience with the Rule of 3

The Rule of 3's

From the genie’s granted wishes to the bronze, silver, and gold—to the stooges—good things come in 3s.

We’re naturally drawn to 3s because they look good, sound catchy, and easily stick to our brains.

So, why do you have eight things on your agenda?

Simplify your presentation to the top three lessons we’ll learn. Let us love and absorb them. In this case, three’s not a crowd; it’s a perfect trifecta. 

Looking for more presentation insights? Connect with me.

Ready, set, go.

Make it About the Audience not You

Are you monologuing or dialoguing?

Just like in a regular conversation, being one-sided or overusing “me, myself, and I” can make anyone feel neglected or bored. Sure, this “conversation” may involve a stage and large audience, but it’s always a good idea to find ways to relate, share, and engage with your audience. 

Consider this example:

“I was skiing at a world-class resort in Whistler, BC.” 

v.s.

“Imagine skiing at a world-class resort.”

The second option invites the audience along for the journey. Still not convinced? 

Tip: Record yourself presenting on camera, and whenever you use an “I” statement, sit back. That’s the disconnect your audience feels. 

Our goal during a presentation is to connect. If you want to learn how to talk with your audience, and not just at them, send me an email.

How to Shorten a Talk

I’m not short, I’m fun-sized

Not many phrases strike fear in the heart of a presenter quite like, “We’re running behind, can you shorten your talk?”

Well, that was before.

Imagine being able to say, “Absolutely!” confidently.

Tip: Build a content map.

Design your presentation in bite-sized chunks, by making a list of your three to five key points. For every key point, link one story and one lesson.

If you get a last-minute request to shrink your speech, you can cut one section at a time. The show goes on, and no one’s the wiser...like a Rockstar!

Need to fun-size your presentation? Book a call, and we’ll review your content map.