How to reallyat presenting

SUCK(and how to avoid it)

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.1

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.)

2

So log off, seek out new places and

inspiration.

Sketch out the main thoughts and

imagery of your presentation.“ ”

The difficulty is not tocreate new ideas, but to escape from old ones.

- John Maynard Keynes

Get rid of standard templates and bullet

lists.

They are easy to use and make us feel

safe.

But in reality they limit our creativity.3

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?)4

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.

5

Search for symbolism tobring 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.

6

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.)

7

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)8

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*)9

Tell a story.

It’s how we pass on information since the dawn of time.

We are not made to absorb an endless

list 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. 10

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?

Dedicated to my students. My main

source of inspiration.

You guys are great. Don’t let anybody

ever tell you otherwise.

- Steven

And Garr Reynolds,

my role model.

Check out his great books to become a better presenter at www.garrreynolds.c

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