Nancy Duarte

Discusses how readers can make persuasive presentations that inspire action, engage the audience, and sell ideas.

HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations

matej yangwao

** spoiler alert **
           Obviously great summary even for experienced presenters it's good to summarize things at one place and go through it to recall, avoid some mistakes and improve at some parts where one doesn't see it or feel it.

Having presentation anxiety? This is for you.

Want to gain audience trust? Grab it.

>When audiences can see that you're prepared, care about their needs, and value their time, they'll want to connect with you and support you.

>You should think of them as a line of individuals waiting to have a conversation with you.

>After you've mentally stratified the audience, figure out which group and members will have the most significant impact on the adoption of your idea.

>When preparing to present to an audience you've never met, do some research and findings online. If you know the names of some of them, look up their bios.

>Your main idea should have two components:
• Your point of view: This is the big idea you need to express your perspective, not a generalization.
• What's at stake: You'll also want to convey why the audience should care about your view and listen to you.


>Many of your ideas may be mind-blowing and creative, but you can't fit them all in — and no one is patient enough to hear them all, anyway. Network, assess, arrange, and filter the ideas to streamline your effort to those with the best potential. Rework and readjust your message until it's clear enough for even your grandmother.

>Apply storytelling principles; they make a writer's themes more vivid and memorable.

Stories have the power to attract and win customers; they can also motivate employees. Stories are the most compelling platforms for managing imaginations, and those who master this art form can significantly influence many people.

>Using your audience will easily recall what they've learned from you and even spread the word if you use stories in your presentation.

>Make sure your presentation and any story you tell in it has all three parts, with clear transitions between them.

>Start your presentation by painting a scenario to which your audience can relate. It should leave people responding with affirmative body language in recognition and understanding because you've articulated what they already understand.

>The middle is the most exciting part of your presentation, the part where you can convince the people because that's where most of the “action” takes place. Here, you can emphasize the contrast between what is and what could be, moving back and forth between them, and the audience will start to find the former unappealing and the latter alluring.


>Your ending should leave people with a great sense of what could be and a willingness to believe or do something new. It would help if you also thought about how your ideas will benefit the world, help the masses, and improve public health and the environment.

>Great presentations are short because people highly value their time.

>Do not overload your time slot; utilize just 60%: if you're given an hour, don't spend more than 40 minutes speaking so that you will leave time for question and answer, a panel, or some other form of discussion.

>Streamline your slides: if your presentation is an hour, cut your slides by a third so you can deliver in a maximum of 40 minutes. Don't delete them totally because you might have to bring one or more back at the last minute when you're answering questions.

>Practice with the clock counting up: keep trimming, checking the time, and practicing until you're consistently within your desired time frame.

>Create slides people can understand in three seconds.

>Include one idea per slide: cramping several ideas into one slide is often counterproductive. There are no restrictions, so make the commensurate amount needed to give a short notice dose of your idea.

>Always rehearse your delivery and know your material inside and out so that you don't struggle to connect with your audience. That way, you can adapt more quickly if the environment, audience, or technology suddenly changes on you.

>Communicate using your body: your body language is critical, and people will read and study it to decide if they can trust you and your expertise. Constricted and secluded gestures will make you seem insecure.

>Larger movements convey confidence and openness.

>Use your physical expression positively and to its fullest: look away from your slides; when you turn your back to the audience to look at your slides, you put up a barrier. Keep your eyes on the people who have come to hear you as much as you can.

>Have an open stance: avoid folding your arms, standing with legs crossed, putting your hands in your pockets, or clasping your hands behind or in front of you; it signals discomfort.

>Exaggerate your movements: move around your space in a large room using the same gestures you would when having a personal conversation. Preceding your presentation, stretch your arms as wide and tall as you can (even stand on your toes).

>Check the room or hall before the day and ask organizers if it's digital-compliant. In fact, a physical visit to the venue will help you settle in and personally own the space; this helps eliminate fright and overcome anxiety.

HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations

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