How to plan a wow presentation

How to plan a

WOW

presentation

Me:

You:

?

In business, it’s a fact of life:You have to occasionally give presentations.

But how do you start planning your presentation?

The Challenge:Your instinct may be to include everything.

The Goal:You want to be memorable and engaging.

With just a little planning, you can move from …

Create a memorable, engaging presentation in Three Acts

1. Set the stage.

2. Build the evidence.

3. Tie it all together.

1.What is my point?2.Why does it

matter?

BUT FIRST – The two most important questions:

Act 1: Set the stage.

Act 1: Set the stage.

1.Define the big picture.

2.Define the audience’s role.

3.Define the challenge.

4.Picture the solution.

5.Make a claim.

Define the big picture.

Slide 1

In business, it’s a fact of life:You have to occasionally give presentations.

Slide 1

Define the audience’s role.

Slide 2

But how do you start planning your presentation?

Slide 2

Define the challenge.

Slide 3

Your instinct may be to include everything.

Slide 3

Picture the solution.

Slide 4

You want to be memorable and engaging.

Slide 4

Make a claim.

Slide 5

Slides 5+

With just a little planning, you can move from …

Create a memorable, engaging presentation in Three Acts …

Act 1: Set the stage.

1.Define the big picture.

2.Define the audience’s role.

3.Define the challenge.

4.Picture the solution.

5.Make a claim.

Act 2: Build the evidence.

Act 2: Build the evidence.

1.Brainstorm ideas.

2.Pick three key points.

3.Develop these points.

Brainstorm ideas.

Image selection

Identify the audience

Possible formats

Identify the topic

Outline first

Pick three.

1. Set the stage.

2. Build the evidence.

3. Tie it all together.

Develop these 3 points.

Call to action

Key Point 1

Key Point 2

Key Point 3

Develop these 3 points.

Call to action

Key Point 1

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Key Point 2

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Key Point 3

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Develop these 3 points.

Call to action

Key Point 1

ExplanationDetail

Detail

ExplanationDetail

Detail

Key Point 2Explanation

Explanation

Key Point 3Explanation

Explanation

Act 2: Build the evidence.

1.Brainstorm ideas.

2.Pick three key points.

3.Develop these points.

Step 3: Tie it all together.

Step 3: Tie it all together.

1.Storyboard with Post-Its or Power Point notes pages.

2.Choose a format.

3.Edit for simplicity.

Storyboard with Post-Its or Power Point notes pages.

Choose a format

1. I was there. Now I’m here. Here’s how I did it.

2. Most frequently asked questions.

3. Inverted Pyramid: Recommendations, Reasons, Rationale.

Edit for simplicity.

• Eliminate anything not absolutely critical.

• Be ruthless!• Let the handouts

do the heavy lifting.

Step 3: Tie it all together.

1.Storyboard with Post-Its or Power Point notes pages.

2.Choose a format.

3.Edit for simplicity.

The Challenge:Your instinct may be to include everything.

The Goal:You want to be memorable and engaging.

1.What is my point?2.Why does it

matter?

The two most important questions:

Choose your key points carefully by following these 3 steps:

1. Set the stage.

2. Brainstorm ideas.

3. Storyboard for flow.

www.BeyondBulletPoints.comhttp://beyondbulletpoints.com/book-resources/

BOOK: Beyond Bullet Points by Cliff Atkinson

BOOK: presentation zenby Garr Reynolds

Additional resources:

Beth Carter630.637.0013Beth@FreelanceWritingSolutions.com