The Art of Storytelling in your PowerPoint Presentation
As a salesperson, you're no stranger to giving PowerPoint presentations. However, giving a good presentation is not just about having great slides or impressive statistics. It's more so about delivering your audience a compelling story that resonates with them. In this blog post, we'll discuss the art of storytelling and how to use narrative to engage your audience during your PowerPoint presentation.
Or, if we are going to follow our own advice: Here are 5 dos and 5 don'ts to help transform your presentation from a snooze-fest to a show-stopper.
DOs:
Start with a hook: Capture your audience's attention from the start by beginning with a hook. This can be a provocative statement, an interesting anecdote, or a surprising fact. Use this hook to draw your audience in and set the tone for the rest of your presentation. Here’s an example of a hook: "Have you ever sat through a presentation so dull that you thought you were watching paint dry?”
Know your audience: Understanding your audience's needs and interests is crucial for creating a compelling story. Before you start your presentation, research your audience and tailor your narrative accordingly. This will help you connect with your audience on a personal level and make your story more engaging. We at SalesFirst Recruiting almost exclusively cater to sales professionals and business leaders.
Use simple language: Your story should be easy to understand, so avoid using jargon or complex language that may confuse your audience. Instead, use simple and clear language that everyone can understand. Steve Jobs was an absolute master at using simple language to convey his message in his presentations. He famously said, "Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."
Keep it concise: A good story should be concise and to the point. Don't ramble on or get bogged down in unnecessary details. Instead, focus on the key points of your narrative and deliver them in a clear and concise manner. One person who is famous for keeping their presentations concise is Guy Kawasaki, a former chief evangelist for Apple and a well-known entrepreneur and speaker. He advocates for the "10-20-30 rule," which states that a presentation should have no more than 10 slides, last no more than 20 minutes, and use a minimum font size of 30 points.
Use visuals: Visual aids such as images, graphs, and videos can enhance your story and make it more engaging. Use visuals strategically to support your narrative and add depth to your presentation. Seth Godin once said, "No matter what you're presenting, there is an image that can help make a point. There is a chart that will help explain your idea. There is a story that will help your audience connect with you."
DON'Ts:
Don't read your slide aloud: As Nancy Duarte, an American communication expert and author, once said, "The slides are just a visual aid. You are the presenter, and you should be the focus." Reading your slides aloud can give the impression that you are unprepared or unsure of your material, and it can also be distracting and take away from the message you are trying to convey. Your audience is there to hear from you and engage with you, not to read the same text that is on your slides. Instead, use your slides as a visual cue to prompt your narrative and keep your audience engaged with your story.
Don't use too many slides: Too many slides can be overwhelming and confusing for your audience. Keep your presentation simple and use only as many slides as you need to tell your story effectively. Keeping your presentation concise not only helps you hold your audience's attention but also makes it easier for them to understand and remember your key points.
Don't forget to practice: Zig Ziglar once said, "Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment." Practicing your presentation allows you to refine your message, identify areas where you may stumble, and become comfortable with your material. This, in turn, can help you deliver your presentation more confidently and naturally, and ultimately make a stronger connection with your audience.
Don't use too much text: Too much text on your slides can be distracting and overwhelming. When a presentation has too much text, it can take away from the presenter's ability to connect with their audience. As a result, the presenter's message can become lost, and their ability to engage with the audience can be diminished.
Don't neglect your conclusion: Your conclusion is just as important as your introduction. Use it to summarize your narrative, reinforce your key points, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Tony Robbins once said, "The power of a great conclusion is that it stays with people long after they've left the room." Your conclusion is your last chance to make an impact on your audience, so it's important to make it count. Use your conclusion to reiterate your main points and leave your audience with a clear understanding of your message.
Ask SalesFirst Recruiting for Help
SalesFirst offers a unique solution to both candidates and clients looking to incorporate presentations into the hiring process in a way that is integrous, authentic, and helpful. By leveraging their expertise in sales and presentation skills, SalesFirst can help candidates showcase their strengths and potential, while giving clients a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate's abilities. With SalesFirst, the hiring process can become more efficient, effective, and enjoyable for all parties involved. So if you're looking to take your hiring process to the next level, consider partnering with SalesFirst for a solution that truly delivers results.
