Presentation paradigm: Creating memorable presentations that truly connect
A presentation is not a cheat sheet; it is meant for your audience.
If I were to write a book on presentations, the title would be something like, “Out of the Presentation Box”, “Presentation Shift” or “The Next Level of Presentations”. Above all, let me know which title resonates most for you after reading it.
Content
- Breaking patterns
- For your audience
- Creating memories
- What you should definitely consider
- To the next level
- The presentation experience like a three-star restaurant
1. Breaking patterns in presentation design
People like what they know. Whether you are a client, teacher, student or intern: almost everyone falls back on the same familiar PowerPoint routine. A standard template, fixed structure and predictable slides: title, date, logo, then an intro, agenda and then bullets.
Not surprisingly, because that's how we learned it from childhood. “This is how you build a presentation.” But that is precisely where the problem lies.
My mission is to break the existing paradigm around presentations. Anyone can make effective and beautiful presentations, even presentations that really feel like next level, if we dare to break free from those ingrained patterns.
Why is that important? Because the world is flooded with information. To survive, we are constantly making selections in what we allow in. As a speaker, you not only want to be interesting in terms of content, you want to offer maximum value for your audience. And in this, form is becoming increasingly important: surprising, clear, tangible.
“You make things better by making better things.”
2. For your audience: the real purpose of presentations
In my research on successful keynote speakers, I discovered something striking: many presentations are used as cheat sheets. It seems as if the slides exist for the speaker, rather than for the audience.
But really, you want your audience to remember your message. And that rarely happens with a deck full of bullet points.
3. Creating memories with impactful presentations
When you make a presentation, you invest time, attention and energy. In essence, you are doing something much bigger than just conveying information: you are trying to create a shared memory with your audience.
And such a memory is the beginning of impact.
Because only when people feel, recognise or really remember something will they make different or better decisions later on. Your impact lives on in how they remember you and your message.
Think back to presentations, seminars, workshops, trainings or meetings you have attended. How much do you really remember? Usually: very little.
4. What should you definitely consider?
If you want your presentation to stick, build it deliberately with:
1. Something new
Introduce new information to activate the brain. In Talk Like TED, Carmine Gallo calls this novelty.
2. Something surprising
Use an element that the audience does not expect. This could be in form, timing or interaction, as long as it breaks the automatic pilot.
3. Something special
Create emotional impact: humour, emotion, wonder, a wow moment. Also consider senses such as smell, taste and sound.
4. Priming
Our brain appreciates knowing what to expect. Offer structure and prepare your audience for what is to come. This increases focus and makes the content more memorable.
5. Variation
Vary in form: audio, visuals, movement, silence, rhythm. Make your content come alive. We don't need to bring theatre into the boardroom, but we can learn from strong shows and conferences where rhythm and timing are carefully constructed.
5. To the next level
You may be thinking now: nicely said, but I'm working with my PowerPoint skills from 2003. So how am I supposed to innovate, surprise and amaze?
Good news: it is less complicated than it seems.
The biggest step is not a new tool or trick, but a new starting point. Stop thinking in standard templates and learned patterns. Stop using slides as the structure of your story.
Instead, start with one question:
What emotional or sensory impact should my presentation have?
You create impact by shaping valuable content smartly. Not randomly, but based on what needs extra support. Complex information often requires visualisation: processes, concepts, models.
And visualisation does not have to take place only on a screen. You can also use physical elements to complete the experience. Think of an object, an experiment or an unexpected element that reinforces your message. These kinds of choices will make your presentation memorable, provided you find the right balance.
6. The presentation experience as a three-star restaurant
At Present Savvy, we say, “The art and science of a successful presentation” consists of striking the right balance between:
- Content (the message)
- Design (the form)
- Delivery (the speaker)
Compare it to a three-star restaurant.
Content is the dish
Sophisticated, thoughtful and with flavour combinations that surprise and delight.
Design is the presentation and setting
The plate, the colours, the glassware, the cutlery, the linen, everything is right. There is attention to the experience in every detail.
Delivery is the host or hostess
The one who senses the mood, responds to the type of guest and brings the dish to life. The best content in the most beautiful setting will not work if the delivery is not right. Delivery is crucial.
The presentation experience must be complete to create real impact. And just like a top experience, the last moment is decisive: the parting gift is often what sticks most.
To create that complete experience, you need to:
- Stimulating the senses
- Evoking emotions
- Maintaining balance and rhythm
- And deliver the whole thing at three-star level
