I think failing to give a good presentation is an incredibly missed opportunity. You have everything: a captive audience, borrowed credibility, and a place to deliver your message your way.

But there are a lot of places where your presentation can fall down. Most people will focus on not capturing the audience quickly enough, or pacing. Maybe not rehearsing.

But what about your slides? The actual visual part of your presentation. The visual storytelling is as important as the words you deliver. Not enough context? Your audience is lost. Too much text? Your audience is too busy reading to hear your message.

That’s why I decided to have Emily Schneider on the show. She’s a visual storyteller, and her canvas is PowerPoint presentations.

Intrigued? I was too.

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I take Emily’s advice and roast my own recent talk slides? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated.

Top Takeaways

• Start with the Audience: Understand who your audience is and what you want them to think, feel, and do by the end of your presentation. This is crucial for making a meaningful impact.
• Craft a Compelling Story: Begin with the end in mind and structure your presentation around a clear storytelling arc. Focus on the challenge, benefits, and reinforcing the main message.
• Balance Images and Words: Use simple words or short sentences, and stylize your slides to naturally guide your audience through your story. This approach is effective not just for live presentations but also for pitch decks and emailed presentations.

Show Notes

• Emily Schneider
• 4 Simple Tips for Impactful Presentations
• The Go Giver
• Want to be a Better Speaker? Do THESE Things with Mike Pacchione

• Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first year
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