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.

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.

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.

Engage your Audience with Relevant Information

Abstracts are for paintings, not presentations

When it comes to art, we willingly search for meaning in the abstract. When we attend a presentation, we want to learn something concrete that will make our lives better. Is your message a little fuzzy? As Bob Ross would say, let’s add some “happy little trees.” 

Tip: Tell your audience about the value you’re giving upfront. What are their key takeaways? 

• The ability to make better decisions? 

• More peaceful sleep, knowing their data is more secure?

• More money through strengthened customer relationships? 

Does it pass the ‘so that’ test?

Instead of, “You’ll learn insights about client behaviors today.”

Try, “You’ll learn insights about client behaviors so that you can drive traffic to your website and increase revenue.” 

Need help making your presentation a crystal-clear masterpiece? Email me for an honest critique.

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

You Lost Me at Hello

Like you, I’ve been spending a lot of time online watching, listening and learning. Attending webinars to learn new skills and listening to expert podcasts to feel more connected.

On average, most presenters don’t provide value until 5-7 minutes into their content. Why do we waste those first few critical minutes talking about ourselves, reminding each other of housekeeping expectations or starting off with a polling question that we will never reference later on? 

You lost me at Hello.

Your audiences are busy and they’re deciding whether to give you their full attention or multitask during your presentation. Here’s 3 quick tips to earn their attention early on:

1.     Skip the self-intro. In the words of Anthony Parinello, “They don’t give a hoot about you until they know what you can do for them” (Selling to VITO – Very Important Top Officer [LINK]). When we’re training, we send our bio in advance. When we’re speaking, someone else has introduced us. On Zoom, our name is in the participant list, and there’s a chance the attendees have already Googled our name to see what we’re about.

Rock your presentation and they’ll want to learn more about you.

2.     Add value right away. Let the audience know how your topic will help them have a better day. What changes can they make right now to make their lives easier, be more productive, or make more money?

Say it clearly and early on.

3.     Engage. But, really engage. If you use a poll or ask a question, acknowledge their responses and have a conversation about what they share. The audience has done their part, they’ve participated. It’s respectful and impactful to answer their questions and speak about what they care most about.

Make them feel heard and build your rapport at the same time.

If you’d like more virtual presentation tips, email me & I’ll add you to our mailing list.

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?