Category: Presentation Science

How to Face Unexpected Presentation Scenarios

flexibility

improvisation

presentation anxiety

presentation skills

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

spontaneous presentations

Jan 22, 2015

While communication, nonverbal cues, and PowerPoint design are all very crucial, there’s one thing that will help you survive any scenario when in front of an audience. That’s to expect the unexpected, especially when you think you’ve got everything planned out.Even as you prepare for your presentation, there are certain scenarios you won’t be able to foresee. There are things that could happen beyond your control. When that happens, most people get stuck and feel like they failed.This doesn’t have to be the case if you can adapt to your predicament. When the worst happens, it’s better to face it head on. If you can’t be flexible in front of an audience, you run the risk of stumbling and falling.Improv actors have mastered this skill with their spontaneous skits and quick thinking. To keep your own performance sharp, here are important improvisation tips to keep in mind:

Focus on the meaning behind your script 

Obsessing too much on what you plan to say point per point can hurt you in the long run. In cases of unexpected blunders and interruptions, sticking to your script can make you feel even more lost than before.While it’s okay to plan what you want to say, you shouldn’t focus too much on exact delivery. Instead, you should shift your focus on what each point you prepared is trying to say.Your presentation will be a lot more flexible if you know your core message well. At the end of the day, this is what truly matters.It doesn’t matter if you miss a few steps along the way. Your main objective is to make sure that the audience understands the main point of your presentation.In the same light, it’s also important that you don’t focus on your slide deck as much. PowerPoint is only there to enhance the message you want to deliver, but you can’t rely on it to do all of the work.What if the equipment fails? What if the power goes out? You need to be able to stand on your own feet without using your slides as a crutch.

Observe your audience 

Take your cue from the people you’re communicating with. Presentations are a two-way street.You can try to create captivating design and content, but you won’t be able to tell how the audience will receive it until you’re in front of them. As such, it’s important to watch the room for their reactions to learn how you can adjust.Does the audience look bored? Try to mix it up by engaging them with a quick anecdote. Or maybe your discussion is dragging out too long. If that’s the case, skip some of the parts you planned and deliver all the basics. Do they seem disengaged and uninterested? Maybe you can try to reel them back in by encouraging interaction.Shoot a question their way or ask a few of them to share their thoughts on the discussion so far.

Let your obstacles empower you 

The best way to be flexible is to make the most of the situation that’s in front of you. Instead of trying to cover up the unexpected derailment, use it as a springboard to jump back on the discussion.All you have to do is make sure you don’t get stuck on your blunders.Turn around a sudden interruption from the audience by saying, “thank you for that observation. I’ll get back on that once I finish the whole presentation.” If you can make light of it and add humor, you can do that too. The important thing is that you don’t let the scenario take hold of the rest of your presentation.You can never tell how well-prepared you are until you get in front of the audience. Even then, you can end up facing something you weren’t exactly planned for.In that case, it’s better to not let your anxiety get to you and improvise instead. You’ll be surprised that this could even lead you to a better outcome. Improve your presentation skill with these three tips.

Reference

“5 Presentation Tools to Encourage Audience Interaction.” SlideGenius, Inc. January 12, 2015. Accessed January 22, 2015.”Fine-tuning Your Presentation’s Core Message.” SlideGenius, Inc. November 11, 2014. Accessed January 22, 2015.”What Is Improv?” Austin Improv Comedy Shows Classes The Hideout Theatre . Accessed January 22, 2015. Featured Image: Death to the Stock Photo

Buzz Worthy: Technology Presentation Tips from CES 2015

CES 2015

presentation tips

technology presentation tips

technology presentations

Jan 22, 2015

Leaders of the tech and electronics industry recently came together for this year’s International CES, or Consumer Electronics Show. As with previous years, top companies in the field made use of the event to announce and preview their upcoming products. CES 2015 became a huge stage for memorable technology presentations at the start of the year.

Presentations delivered during the event’s four-day run made a noticeable impact. From all of these, it’s obvious that there are plenty of technology presentation lessons that we can learn. Based on the observations made by presentation expert Carmine Gallo, we run down the tips that could help you in your next big pitch.

A group of five people are seated around a modern glass conference room table, with one person standing and presenting a slide template on a monitor. The room has large windows with city buildings visible outside.

Start with a short but meaningful story.

Storytelling is always a crucial part of any presentation, but it is especially important for a technology presentation. The best way to connect with the audience is through something they can easily relate to. Talking about technological concepts can become confusing for people who aren’t familiar with them. Skip the jargon and the long-winded explanations about your new product or service.

What you should try to do instead is to tell a story that will make the audience see why your pitch is important to them. Take an example from Mark Fields, president and CEO of Ford, who wove a story with his presentation.

Outline your presentation by listing 3-5 key takeaways

Another way you can help the audience digest the information is by outlining key takeaways before tackling them individually. Give the audience a chance to learn the scope of your presentation by listing the major points you will make. After you list down your key takeaways, you can tackle them one by one with a more in-depth discussion.

Gallo also suggests that to keep your presentation on the right track, you limit yourself to only 3-5 points. Tackling too much in a single pitch can derail your discussion. Remember to keep your presentation concise. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich does this successfully by listing down his major points at the start of his presentation. Watch his keynote here and make your own observations.

Incorporate demos and other memorable moments.

There’s more you can do to make sure your pitch becomes memorable. Just like Intel’s Krzanich did in his keynote, you can take your discussion to life by incorporating a demo to your presentation. As Gallo puts it,

“Many presentations—especially product launches—lend themselves to a ‘wow moment.’ A creative and well-rehearsed demo generates a lot of talk and, if people don’t talk about your product, why bother?”

Another way you can create memorable moments in your presentation is by making use of props. If you remember our discussion on Nancy Duarte’s STAR (Something They’ll Always Remember) Moments, acting out your core message with the help of props is an effective way to give the audience something to talk about.

Allow your data to stand out and shine.

Lastly, PowerPoint and visuals also play an important role in a technology presentation. Don’t forget to prepare a well-designed deck incorporating your branding through colors and images. Aside from the aesthetics, it should also perfectly illustrate the nuts and bolts of the product or service you’re pitching.

How? By making sure your data is well-presented. Make it stand out by focusing on the most crucial numbers and getting creative with your visualizations.

Take a page out of Samsung president and CEO, Boo-Keun Yoon’s book. Yoon made use of slides where all the relevant numbers stood out. Check out his keynote here to see how careful handling of data can improve your technology presentation.

Delivering a technology presentation has its challenges, but achieving success isn’t impossible. Take note of these lessons straight from the CES 2015 stage and incorporate it in your next pitch.

Reference

“Boo-Keun Yoon, Samsung – Keynote 2015.” International CES. Accessed January 22, 2015.
“Brian Krzanich, Intel – Keynote 2015.” International CES. Accessed January 22, 2015.
Gallo, Carmine. “5 Presentation Tips From CEO Keynotes At CES.” Forbes. January 9, 2015. Accessed January 22, 2015
“How to Create a STAR Moment for Your Presentations.” SlideGenius, Inc. September 25, 2014. Accessed January 22, 2015
“Mark Fields, Ford – Keynote 2015.” International CES. Accessed January 22, 2015.
“PowerPoint Design Tips for Presenting Data.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 1, 2014. Accessed January 22, 2015.
“Why Storytelling Is an Effective Presentation Technique.” SlideGenius, Inc. September 8, 2014. Accessed January 22, 2015.

Featured Image: International CES Photo Gallery

It’s Time to Change Up Your Elevator Pitch

elevator pitch

presentation tips

storytelling

Jan 14, 2015

When was the last time you delivered an elevator pitch? Did it help you achieve the outcome you were hoping for?The elevator pitch is a concept that you’re probably already familiar with. In fact, you’ve likely crafted dozens of different versions in the years you’ve spent as a business professional.The idea of an elevator pitch is to make the most of unexpected opportunities. You never know when the chance to reach out to prospects and pitch your new idea arises. If your elevator pitch is redundant and unremarkable, you can easily lose the opportunity to take your idea to the next level.So, has your elevator pitch been working lately? If you’re feeling a little rusty, maybe it’s time to brush off the dust.Here are our quick thoughts on how you can improve your elevator pitch:

It’s all about focusing on the main idea 

An elevator pitch has two characteristics:First, it must be short enough to be delivered in a few minutes. Second, it must also be persuasive. Basically, your goal is to spark the interest of your listener in as little time as possible.You’re not talking to get an immediate “yes”. Your elevator pitch is a quick introduction to your ideas for an opportunity to go further into details. What truly matters at this point is to get straight to the point and highlight the main idea.To do that, focus on selling your story. That story should zero in on the main idea or the core message. Don’t spend too much time trying to explain details that may derail your conversation. Remember, because you only have a few minutes, focus on big moments.By that, we mean getting to answer three crucial questions:

  • What do you do?
  • Why is it important?
  • How are you different from others?

Think of your elevator pitch as a movie trailer

In order to achieve the two characteristics of an elevator pitch, take some pointers from movie trailers. In an interview with Co.Create, Buddha Jones production house partner, John Long, imparts nine of the essential storytelling tips used in movie trailers.A trailer is basically a synopsis of a movie. To urge viewers to watch a new release, editors condense a film to a sequence of clips that reveal basic facts about the movie’s narrative. Potential viewers are told what the story is about, who the characters are, and what potential problems they’ll face.However, they also leave room for curiosity. By keeping the preview within certain boundaries, trailers urge the audience to seek out the answers to “what happens next?” and “how will this end?”Similar to that, an elevator pitch is the synopsis of a longer and more complete presentation. While a traditional pitch might require you to give details about your business and activities, an elevator pitch is supposed to leave room for further questions.As we mentioned earlier, you’re not trying to seal the deal here. What you’re trying to achieve is a better chance to converse and convince your prospect. Leave out the heavier details in your elevator pitch and focus on the premise instead.

Conclusion

All in all, the way to a better elevator pitch is to get a handle on the bare bones of your presentation. Go back to the most fundamental details of your pitch and make sure they stand out.This isn’t about bombarding the audience with well-researched facts and data. An elevator pitch is about getting to the heart of the matter.

Get started on changing up your elevator pitch. Who knows? You might take the elevator with someone that could be your biggest client or investor yet. Don’t miss out on a perfectly great opportunity.

References

Hart, Hugh. “9 (Short) Storytelling Tips From A Master Of Movie Trailers.” Co.Create. May 29, 2014. Accessed January 14, 2015.”Steps to Mastering a Killer Elevator Pitch | SlideGenius.” SlideGenius, Inc.. June 10, 2014. Accessed January 14, 2015. Featured Image: Thomas R. Stegelmann via Flickr

Why Simplicity Wins When it Comes to PowerPoint Slides

Powerpoint

powerpoint slides

presentation science

presentation tips

Jan 08, 2015

Simplicity wins when it comes to PowerPoint slides because it enhances clarity, engagement, and retention. Overloading slides with too much information, complex visuals, or lengthy text can overwhelm and disengage your audience. Here’s why a simpler approach works best:

1. Clarity of Message

  • Why it works: Simplicity ensures your audience understands your core message without distractions. Slides filled with text, graphs, or unrelated visuals make it hard for the audience to focus on the key points.
  • Supporting research: Studies show that people retain more information when the message is clear and concise. Garr Reynolds, a presentation expert, argues that simplicity in design helps remove “noise,” allowing the message to stand out .

2. Better Audience Engagement

  • Why it works: Simplified slides create space for the presenter’s voice to shine. When slides are minimalist, the focus shifts to what you’re saying, encouraging the audience to engage with you, rather than reading paragraphs of text.
  • Example: Steve Jobs’ keynote presentations are often cited for their simple yet impactful slides. His use of bold imagery and minimal text allowed him to engage the audience effectively .

3. Improved Information Retention

  • Why it works: Cognitive load theory suggests that the human brain can only process a limited amount of information at once. Simplified slides help reduce cognitive overload, making it easier for the audience to digest and remember key information.
  • Supporting research: John Medina, in his book Brain Rules, explains that people retain 65% of visual information three days later, compared to only 10% of written information . Minimalist slides with clear visuals reinforce the message and aid memory retention.

4. Professional and Polished Aesthetic

  • Why it works: Simplicity leads to a more polished and professional look. Clean designs, well-spaced text, and consistent visuals reflect professionalism and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
  • Example: The most effective business presentations, including sales pitches and investor decks, often use clean layouts with limited text and high-quality visuals, giving them a sleek, polished look that resonates with stakeholders .

5. Reduces Distractions

  • Why it works: Cluttered slides with excessive text, animations, or mixed fonts can distract from the core message. Simplicity helps remove unnecessary elements, allowing the audience to focus solely on the key points.
  • Supporting research: Nielsen Norman Group emphasizes that too many distractions, such as complex backgrounds or irrelevant visuals, can confuse the audience and reduce the effectiveness of the presentation .

Conclusion

By embracing simplicity in PowerPoint design, you ensure that your presentation is focused, engaging, and memorable. A clear, minimalist approach allows your audience to grasp and retain the message while enhancing your professional credibility.

Sources:

  1. Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen
  2. Steve Jobs keynote presentations
  3. John Medina, Brain Rules
  4. Investor and sales deck best practices
  5. Nielsen Norman Group, user experience studies

Listen Here: 5 Podcasts for the Busy Professional

Marketing

marketing resources

podcasts

presentation resources

Presentations

Jan 06, 2015

As a busy professional, staying on top of industry trends, productivity hacks, and career development can be a challenge. Podcasts offer an easy way to absorb valuable information while on the go. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or taking a break, these five podcasts will provide you with insights, strategies, and inspiration to excel in your professional life.

1. “The Tim Ferriss Show”

Tim Ferriss, author of “The 4-Hour Workweek,” hosts interviews with top performers from a variety of fields, including business, sports, and entertainment. Each episode is packed with actionable strategies for improving productivity, mindset, and career growth.Why You Should Listen:

  • Actionable Advice: Tim Ferriss dives deep into the routines, strategies, and habits of world-class performers.
  • Diverse Guest List: Learn from a wide range of professionals, from entrepreneurs to athletes.

Recommended Episode: “How to Build an Empire with Sara Blakely” – Learn from the founder of Spanx about resilience, creativity, and business strategy.

2. “The Tony Robbins Podcast”

Tony Robbins, one of the world’s leading business strategists and motivational speakers, shares insights on leadership, personal development, and financial freedom. The podcast features interviews with industry leaders and covers topics like mastering emotions, scaling a business, and achieving life balance.Why You Should Listen:

  • Motivational Insights: Robbins delivers powerful advice on how to lead effectively and live a fulfilled life.
  • Business Strategies: Get practical tips on scaling businesses and achieving professional success.

Recommended Episode: “Master the Mindset of Achievement” – Tony Robbins discusses strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals.

3. “HBR IdeaCast”

Produced by Harvard Business Review, HBR IdeaCast offers insights from experts on leadership, strategy, management, and innovation. The podcast covers a wide range of topics relevant to professionals looking to advance their careers or grow their businesses.Why You Should Listen:

  • Expert Perspectives: Interviews with business leaders and researchers provide cutting-edge insights on management and innovation.
  • Diverse Topics: Covers everything from leading remote teams to the future of work.

Recommended Episode: “Why Empathy is Key to Better Leadership” – Learn how empathy can transform workplace relationships and improve leadership effectiveness.

4. “The School of Greatness” with Lewis Howes

Hosted by former pro athlete turned entrepreneur Lewis Howes, this podcast offers inspiring interviews with some of the world’s most successful individuals, including entrepreneurs, athletes, and thought leaders. The podcast focuses on achieving greatness in all areas of life, from career to personal development.Why You Should Listen:

  • Inspiration for Personal Growth: Howes shares stories of overcoming adversity and achieving success.
  • Wide Range of Guests: From athletes to entrepreneurs, guests offer unique perspectives on what it takes to succeed.

Recommended Episode: “How to Master Public Speaking with Grant Baldwin” – Learn how to improve your public speaking skills and boost your confidence.

5. “The Daily Stoic”

If you’re looking for daily inspiration and practical advice, The Daily Stoic is the perfect podcast for professionals. Hosted by Ryan Holiday, author of “The Obstacle is the Way,” the podcast explores the teachings of Stoicism and how they can be applied to modern life, especially in business and leadership.Why You Should Listen:

  • Short, Digestible Episodes: Perfect for busy professionals, each episode is brief but packed with wisdom.
  • Timeless Philosophy: Learn how ancient Stoic principles can help you navigate the challenges of modern life.

Recommended Episode: “Why Discipline is More Important Than Motivation” – A short but powerful reminder of the importance of self-discipline in achieving success.

Final Thoughts

Podcasts are a convenient way to stay informed and inspired while juggling a busy schedule. Whether you’re looking for leadership advice, productivity hacks, or personal development tips, these five podcasts will provide valuable insights to help you succeed in your professional life.

New Year’s Resolutions: The Presentation Edition

new year's resolution

PowerPoint Design

Powerpoint tips

presentation tips

Jan 02, 2015

The new year will always usher in plenty of opportunities. Be ready for a productive and fulfilling year by learning to improve your communication skills. Professional success relies on our ability to present and share new ideas. If you want your projects to keep moving forward, you need to focus on improving your skills as a presenter.Keep your ideas afloat and the audience engaged with our own version of New Year’s resolutions:

1.) Start integrating storytelling into your presentations

You can’t separate storytelling from the presentations you deliver. It’s not enough to recite facts in front of your audience. Whether you’re pitching to investors or convincing clients to get on board, a story is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. That’s because stories are built right into our DNA. As social beings, we connect with each other through storytelling. What better way to get the audience to sit up and listen than by sharing a great story?So what makes a great story? How can you spin your presentation into a compelling narrative? There are three things you need. First, you need to start with a message that resonates with your audience. Next, you need to have a character they can relate to. Lastly, you need to structure your presentation in a way that really pulls the audience in.

2.) Deliver a better presentation by fixing structure

Structure isn’t just important to presentation storytelling. Creating a well-structured presentation is also helpful for the audience. If you create a clear and discernable structure, they’ll be able to follow what you’re saying much easier. They won’t feel like you’re dumping a huge amount of information because you’ve carefully arranged them in a way that makes sense.Aside from making sure that your presentation has a discernible beginning, middle, and end, keep all your points and arguments grouped according to specific themes. According to Barbara Minto’s Pyramid Principle, you can tackle one theme at a time, and the audience can easily categorize your ideas into groups.

3.) Improve the quality of your presentations through practice

Of course, you can’t expect to improve your skills without putting in some work. Aside from making sure your presentation is perfected, you also have to improve the quality of your delivery. You won’t be able to do that without taking the time to practice.A lot of people think they can ‘wing’ their presentations. However, presentations are more than just being familiar with your materials. You also need to know the proper way to address the audience. The only way you can prepare for that is by rehearsing the way you’ll speak and move in front of people.

4.) Create a memorable experience by appealing to emotions

A presentation doesn’t have to be a dull affair just because you’re delivering an informative report. You can still create a memorable presentation that’s accurate and straight to the point. Strive to create a significant connection with the audience by appealing to their emotions.What emotions are significant to your presentation? Do you want to make this a light-hearted affair? Or do you want to deliver a sense of urgency? Think of your emotional anchor and plan your presentation around it. Make sure your story and visuals contribute to conveying it. You should also focus on how you deliver your presentation. Emotions are also conveyed through speech and movement, so be mindful of your body language.

2015 brings an abundance of new opportunities. Don’t let them go to waste. Make sure all your points are well-presented. Deliver better presentations and achieve greater outcomes with these helpful but oft-neglected tips.

 

References

“The Minto Pyramid Principle: A Powerful and Compelling Process for Producing Everyday Business Documents.” Barbara Minto. Accessed January 11, 2016.Zak, Paul. “Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling.” Harvard Business Review. October 28, 2014. Accessed January 11, 2016.

Featured Image: picjumbo.com

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.

The Pyramid Principle: Tips for Presentation Structure

presentation structure

presentation tips

pyramid principle

Dec 22, 2014

The Pyramid Principle, developed by Barbara Minto, is a framework that helps presenters organize their ideas in a logical, structured way. By using a hierarchical approach, you can present your argument or message starting with the main idea and then break it down into supporting points, ensuring clarity and persuasiveness.Here are tips for using the Pyramid Principle to structure your presentations:

1. Start with the Main Idea

At the top of the pyramid is your core message or the main idea you want your audience to take away. This should be the most important point of your presentation, stated clearly and upfront.Why It’s Effective:

  • Grabs Attention: By starting with the main idea, you immediately engage your audience and make it clear what the presentation is about.
  • Provides Focus: The main idea serves as the central theme of the presentation, guiding the audience through the rest of your content.

How to Do It:

  • Start your presentation by stating your main argument, conclusion, or recommendation.
  • Be concise and direct, summarizing your message in one or two sentences.

Example: “Our new product strategy will increase market share by 15% in the next year.”

2. Break It Down into Key Supporting Points

Below the main idea, the pyramid branches into 3-4 key supporting points that reinforce your message. Each of these points should directly support your core argument and provide further evidence or context.Why It’s Effective:

  • Adds Structure: Breaking down your main idea into supporting points helps organize your content logically, making it easier for the audience to follow.
  • Reinforces Your Argument: These points provide evidence, data, or reasons that back up your main idea, making your argument more convincing.

How to Do It:

  • Identify the key points that support your main argument, such as specific strategies, benefits, or data points.
  • Present each point clearly and concisely, using slides to provide visual support where needed.

Example: If your main idea is that a new marketing strategy will increase sales, your key points might include market research, competitive analysis, and projected revenue growth.

3. Use Subpoints to Provide Evidence

Each supporting point can be further broken down into subpoints that provide more detailed evidence or examples. This deeper level of information strengthens your argument and helps clarify any complex ideas.Why It’s Effective:

  • Builds a Strong Case: Subpoints provide the necessary details to fully explain and support your key points, giving your argument more credibility.
  • Clarifies Complex Ideas: Breaking down information into smaller, more manageable chunks helps the audience understand complex concepts.

How to Do It:

  • For each supporting point, provide specific details, examples, or data to back it up.
  • Use charts, graphs, or case studies to illustrate your subpoints and make them more tangible for your audience.

Example: If one of your key points is projected revenue growth, use subpoints to explain how each product line will contribute to the overall increase in sales.

4. Maintain Logical Flow

One of the key aspects of the Pyramid Principle is ensuring that your content follows a logical progression. Each point should build on the previous one, leading the audience step by step from the main idea to the conclusion.Why It’s Effective:

  • Improves Clarity: A logical flow makes it easier for the audience to follow your argument and understand how each point connects to the main idea.
  • Keeps the Audience Engaged: By maintaining a clear structure, you guide the audience through your presentation without losing their attention.

How to Do It:

  • Arrange your key points in a logical sequence that leads from your main idea to your conclusion.
  • Use transitions between points to show how they relate to one another and contribute to your overall message.

Example: Start with an overview of market research, followed by an analysis of customer needs, and then present how your product meets those needs, leading to projected growth.

5. End with a Strong Conclusion

The base of the pyramid is the conclusion, where you summarize your key points and restate the main idea. This reinforces your argument and leaves the audience with a clear takeaway.Why It’s Effective:

  • Reinforces Key Points: Ending with a summary helps ensure that the audience remembers the most important aspects of your presentation.
  • Encourages Action: A strong conclusion can motivate the audience to take action or agree with your recommendations.

How to Do It:

  • Briefly recap your main points, restating how they support your central message.
  • End with a call to action or a final thought that leaves a lasting impression.

Example: “In conclusion, by implementing this new strategy, we will see a 15% growth in market share, solidifying our position as a market leader. Let’s move forward with the next steps to execute this plan.”

Final Thoughts

The Pyramid Principle is an effective way to structure your presentation by starting with the main idea and supporting it with logical, evidence-based points. This method ensures clarity, helps guide the audience through your content, and makes your argument more persuasive. By organizing your presentation in a pyramid structure, you create a well-balanced and impactful message that resonates with your audience.

5 Presentation Tips to Ace Your Proposals

business proposals

presentation tips

Dec 09, 2014

To see an idea come to life, you need to get other people on board. Whether you’re looking to start a new business venture, working on a new project for your company, or recommending a new policy you believe in, you can’t expect to do everything on your own. Eventually, you’ll need support from others to get the ball rolling. That could be in the form of funding or approval from your senior executives. Whatever the case, a great idea doesn’t come to life after you’ve figured out the details. That’s just the first step. To get the support you need, you have to present and ace your proposal.This task may sound easy enough, especially after the amount of time you’ve spent perfecting your proposal. A great idea should attract the support it needs, right? Not if you can’t communicate your vision properly.Present your idea with amazing clarity through these presentation tips:

Get straight to the point

The people you look to for support will often have busy schedules. When you get the opportunity to present your proposal, you’ll have limited time to do it. If you want to make the most of the time you have, you can’t waste a single second discussing things that aren’t particularly important to the big picture.Your goal is to introduce your new idea and talk about its value and merits. Don’t waste time going into inconsequential stories about the whole process. As with any presentation, it’s important to get straight to the point and focus on the most important parts of your discussion.

Follow a specific agenda

To avoid going off on a tangent, you should present your proposal by following a clear-cut structure. As John Hall of HubSpot’s Agency Post writes, the best way to do that is by following a specific agenda. He suggests covering several major points in your presentation, especially if you’re conversing with clients.Start your presentation by giving a brief introduction. What is the context behind your proposal? What are the challenges you’re hoping to address? Once you’ve set up the scene, talk about the benefits that your proposal will bring.How can your idea solve the challenges you just detailed? Make sure you provide a clear picture by sharing data and specific examples. After that, you can begin delving into the details of your proposal.What is your specific plan? If you’re pitching to prospects, you can also share some quick details about your company. For other situations, you can skip to closing your presentation by reviewing the main points of your proposal.

Focus on sharing a story

Through all these steps, it’s easy to get lost in discussing particular things like budget constraints and market predictions. While these details are important to show the validity of your proposal, don’t forget the vision that’s behind everything else.What is your idea really about? Don’t let the audience lose sight of the underlying principle. Behind every piece of information you have to share is a story. Don’t forget to focus on that story and use your information as supporting details.Here are a few more tips to help you focus on the story behind your proposal.

Use data wisely

Creating a proposal that’s supported with hard facts and data will definitely add to your credibility. However, you need to use the numbers you have wisely. You can’t just dump all of your data into your PowerPoint presentation.To use data properly, you need to carefully curate which information is most crucial to your main points. Review the numbers you’ve gathered and try to simplify them as best you can.Remember, your proposal is mainly about an idea that tells a story. Like everything else in your presentation, the data you share should contribute to moving that narrative forward. You can take a look at our previous blog post to learn more about  presenting data correctly.

Encourage questions and discussions

Communication is a two-way street, so don’t be afraid to ask the audience for questions or comments. Most people think that receiving questions is a sign of a negative outcome, but that’s hardly the case. When the audience opens up to you with their insight, it simply means they’re willing to engage with your ideas. Acknowledge their comments and thank them for their suggestions. Answer their questions as best as you can and avoid feeling like you have to be defensive. If you encounter something you can’t really answer, tell them you’ll follow-up with through an email. Don’t be afraid to turn your presentation into a fruitful discussion. Open communication will only benefit your upcoming project in the long run.–You can’t see your proposal turn into reality without the support of other individuals. Before you get to that point, you need to communicate your vision in a manner that’s clear and concise. Get the ball rolling and see your idea to the end by following these presentation tips. READ MORE: 

Featured Image: Basheer Tome via Flickr

Introductions: 5 Creative Ways to Start Your Presentation

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Dec 01, 2014

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”—Plato

When it comes to presentations, there’s nothing more important than a strong introduction. How will you capture the attention of your audience otherwise? It’s not enough to recite a quick spiel about you and what you’ll be covering for the next hour. The first thing you say should make an instant connection. Introductions need to be both powerful and memorable. You need something that will hook the audience and reel them in.The best way to do that is to think outside the box. To make sure your introductions are effective, you’ll need to do something that really stands out. Whatever you start with should urge the audience to start asking questions about the topic you’re covering. If you remember our previous discussion on Nancy Duarte’s book Resonate, you’ll know that every presentation needs a STAR Moment—something they’ll always remember. If you want your introductions to fall under that category, you’ll need to find more creative ways to start your presentations.Echoing the thoughts of Plato, creative introductions will help jump start your presentation. Here are a few things you can do to get the audience interested:

Tell a story

Sharing stories is practically part of our DNA. As social beings, storytelling is one of the easiest ways to connect and cultivate relationships with the people around us. Unlike reciting facts, storytelling is focused on emotional response. If you remember, we discussed how effective storytelling can evoke strong feelings of empathy. According to a study conducted by Dr. Paul Zak, hearing stories can trigger the release of neurochemicals that are responsible for human bonding. Considering these facts, it’s easy to see why a quick story is a great way to start a presentation.To work as an introduction, make sure your story echoes the core message of your presentation. Your story should make a point that you can easily connect with the rest of your presentation. You see this a lot in  TED Talks. TED speakers usually start with anecdotes from personal experience that they later connect with the main point of their discussion.

Describe a scenario

Another way to engage the audience is by igniting their imaginations. Describe a specific situation or scenario and enable the audience to play a bit of a role in your presentation. You can give them a chance to consider something they might have never thought of before. Ask them to use their imaginations to set your presentation as something that’s more relatable and closer to home.According to an eBook by We Are Visual, there are 3 ways to use this technique for introductions. First, you can ask the audience to imagine what it would be like to be someone else. You can also describe a certain action that will lead to a particularly positive outcome. Lastly, you can also ask them to visualize a certain metaphor or concept. Whatever you decide, make sure the scene you describe perfectly connects with your core message.

Share crucial information

What could be more interesting than learning something new? If you really to reel the audience in, you can entice them by providing relevant information.  Present a quick fact or statistic that will give a bit of background about your discussion. Make sure it’s something noteworthy that will lead the audience to feel curious about what might come next. A fact that’s common knowledge in your industry won’t get you too far.

Ask a thought-provoking question

You can also ask the audience a few rhetorical questions to further stimulate their curiosity. Give them something they can ponder on by posing a few thought-provoking questions that correspond to your main point. To keep your presentation cohesive, you can address the questions later on in your discussion. If you’re aiming for a bit of interactivity, you can also ask a few people to briefly share their thoughts.

Quote someone else

Like we did in this blog post, you can also start your presentation by borrowing the words of another person. If you start with a quote, you can provide reinforcement to the ideas you’ll be presenting.Remember to choose words that come from a verified source. If you’re quoting an expert or a political figure, make sure you double-check the exact words they said. You can also use proverbs and other cultural expressions. Proverbs are filled with imagery, which might be helpful if you’re planning to translate concepts into visual metaphors. While you don’t have to choose something that’s directly related to your topic, you should be able to easily connect the two ideas together.

A strong introduction is crucial to the success of your presentation. Make sure your introductions are both powerful and memorable by taking note of these 5 creative techniques.

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 Featured Image: Jon Marshall via Flickr