Every presentation

starts with knowing

what is your point and

why it matters.

The one thing you want

your audience to

remember once they

leave the room.

Don’t worry about

being interesting.

If you are interested,

you automatically are.

Start with a topic, job,

product you love.

So let’s start creating.

It’s hard to know where

our ideas come from.

But they surely don’t

come from our slideware.

(Nor do they come from the same 4 office walls.)

So log off, seek out new

places and inspiration.

Sketch out the main

thoughts and imagery of

your presentation.

The difficulty is not to

create new ideas, but to

escape from old ones.

- John Maynard Keynes

Get rid of standardized

templates and bullet lists.

They are easy to use

and make us feel safe.

But in reality they limit our

creativity.

Start with a blank side.

Choose a color to reflect

your personal brand.

Do the same for your

font and imagery.

Apply them relentlessly.

Avoid text-loaded slides

and confusing graphs.

Your slides are not

supposed to be a

full-text report.

(if it was, why are you presenting it

instead of simply sending it out?)

Rather create empty space

for your text through

asymmetry.

Let your slides breathe.

Simplicity is the

ultimate sophistication.

- Leonardo da Vinci

We live in a time when

communicating

graphically is natural.

So use pictures but

avoid clip-art or cliché

business stock photos.

Your pictures should

support your words,

not repeat them.

Search for symbolism to

bring out your message.

It’s not too late yet.

(get it?)

So there you are. On stage.

And we fear presenting.

This fear is learned: as babies

our job is to walk and talk.

But once we do:

to shut up and sit down.

Every child is an artist,

the problem is staying so

when you grow up.

- Pablo Picasso

So be fearless like a child.

Don’t question your ideas.

Believe your audience is

not out there to kill you.

Rehearse several times

upfront and out loud.

And on the day itself:

be rested and early.

Check the room at least

30 minutes up front.

(and ps. Rehearse. Seriously.)

Take your presentation

serious, but not yourself.

Admitting a mistake is the

most natural act.

Nobody is perfect.

Nor do we expect it.

Don’t start with a formal or

standard introduction.

You get only one shot at

earning attention.

(ps. Know your audience. Depending on this,

a small thank you might be in place)

Surprise your audience.

Start with a question,

anecdote or novelty to

challenge the mind.

(ps. *don’t* hand out your slides upfront,

it’s like spoiling the plot of Game of Thrones)

Don’t read your slides.

Say it how you would.

Jargon is your enemy.

Let out your natural voice,

pace it and sometimes ...

... be silent. Leave a gap.

(It makes people truly *listen*)

Tell a story.

It’s how we pass on

information since the

dawn of time.

We are not made to

absorb endless lists

of facts and figures.

But most of all:

understand your

presentation isn’t a job.

You don’t have to do it.

You get to do it.

It’s a privilege to be

there, to spark people’s

minds and inspire.

Make it worthwhile.

So ... what’s your next

presentation going

to feel like?

Inspired by Garr Reynolds, my role model.

Check out his great books to become a better

presenter at www.garrreynolds.com

Thanks to the contributors of amazing

(and free) stock photos at:

stocksnap.io

pixabay.com

gratisography.com

freeimages.com