Memorable Content

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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.

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.

Virtual Presentations = Less Content

1/2 as much is twice as good

You’ve got a lot to say, but how much can your audience hear?

Hint: It’s not as much as you think.

As an expert preparing your presentation you do your research, write your talk track, practice, practice, practice, shower, and hit the stage or screen.

 Hold on…

If you present what you’ve got, you might be wasting your brilliance and your breath.

Audiences today are busy and their brains are busy trying to process our current health and society challenges.  Audiences need you to make your presentation easier to absorb.

 Cut your content in half.  

 How?  Review your presentation and uncover your one big idea.  Write that in 10 words.

Now look at the rest of the deck and ask yourself 2 questions.

Do those slides amplify your idea or dilute it? 

Are you sharing that information for you or for them?

 Get into your audiences’ shoes (or slippers), say half as much and it will be twice as good.

 If you’d like help reviewing your content so that you can present what matters, email me and we’ll chat.

Nuff said, Ann

Start with A Hook

What if the audience is distracted?

A cheesy joke, short story, scary statistic, or eye-catching image. All of these act as attention getting devices, or Hooks for your presentation. Audiences today are busy and distracted. If we want them to focus on us, we need to grab their attention with an interesting Hook.

What can you add to your presentation to get our attention?

How do I get the audience to listen?

Here’s a radio station we’re all tuned into- WIIFM: What’s In It For Me?

Give your audience the value statement early and often in your presentation. Make it clear, specific, and all about the audience. What can they take away from what you have to say?