Dynamic Presentation Techniques

Think about the last presentation you sat through. Do you remember anything from it? Probably not. Most presentations fail because they are: ❌ Overloaded with bullet points ❌ Devoid of emotion ❌ Data dumps with no clear story The good news? You can make your presentation unforgettable with these 7 simple shifts: 1. Start with a Hook, Not an Intro Most presenters begin with "I'm excited to be here today..." and lose the audience immediately. Fix: Grab attention from the start. Example: “Your company is losing $10M a year—and you don’t even know why.” 2. Tell a Story, Not Just Data People remember stories, not statistics. Instead of listing facts, wrap them in a compelling narrative. Fix: Use the “Problem → Struggle → Solution” technique. Example: "Before using our system, Sarah’s team spent 3 hours a day on reports. She tried different tools, but nothing worked—until she found our solution. Now? Just 15 minutes a day." 3. Use Contrast & Surprise The brain is wired for novelty. If your presentation sounds predictable, people will tune out. Fix: Vary your tone, pace, and visuals. Drop in an unexpected question, statistic, or pause to keep them engaged. 4. Say Less, Mean More Too much information overloads the audience. They’ll remember nothing. Fix: Cut the fluff. Stick to one core message per slide, per section, per speech. 5. Make It Visual Bullet points don’t inspire. Images and metaphors do. Fix: Instead of saying “Our product is faster,” show a race car next to a bicycle. 6. End with a Bang, Not a Fizzle Most presentations end with “Thank you” and no real impact. Fix: Leave them with one key idea and a clear next step. Example: “If you only take away one thing today, let it be this…” 7. Master the Pause Most speakers talk too fast and leave no room for ideas to sink in. Fix: Silence is power. Pause after key points to let them land. 💡 A great presentation isn’t about information—it’s about transformation. Make your next one impossible to forget. What’s the most memorable presentation you’ve ever seen? Drop a comment below! ⬇

Most people think great insights make great presentations. Researchers proved otherwise: 60–65% of all communicative meaning is conveyed nonverbally. The 8 delivery micro-behaviors that create instant authority: 1. Purposeful Leans When you lean in, you're in a "ready position." This cues people to know something important is coming." Try this right now: Lean forward slightly. Feel how your energy changes? That's what your audience feels, too. Tony Robbins does this frequently. He leans in on his most critical points, making audiences feel like they're getting insider secrets. ____ 2. Facial Expressiveness Even brilliant ideas sound dull when delivered without expression. So, let your face underline what your words say. This doesn't mean constant smiling. It means matching your expression to your message: seriousness for serious topics, excitement for exciting news. ____ 3. Dynamic Hand Gestures Nervous speakers pin their arms to their sides or hide their hands. Captivating speakers use purposeful gestures that help listeners understand. Examples: • Big idea = expansive gestures • Small problem = pinched fingers • Three points = counting on fingers • From the heart = hand on chest Why it works: Gestures reduce cognitive load for listeners AND make you more fluent as a speaker. ____ 4. Broad Body Posture Defeated people make themselves small—chin down, shoulders rolled in. Confident speakers claim their space: broad shoulders, relaxed neck, and chest open. The magic measurement: Distance between your earlobes and shoulders. The greater the distance, the more confident you appear. ____ 5. Mutual Laughter If someone laughs or smiles, join them. Mirroring positive emotion builds instant connection (and makes you more likable). ____ 6. Strategic Eye Contact No need to stare people down (that’s creepy). But land your key point while making eye contact to drive the message home and build trust. Here’s how: Look around while thinking/storytelling → deliver the final point with direct eye contact → pause for impact. ____ 7. The Eyebrow Flash Universally, raised eyebrows signal interest and curiosity. Use it when sharing insight or when listening to show curiosity and warmth. ____ 8. Make a Grand Entrance Don’t stroll in lost. Walk with purpose. Know where you’re headed. And if you’re greeting someone? Try a double-clasp handshake. It increases the connection hormone (oxytocin). Small tweaks in your delivery like these can make the difference between being ignored… or remembered.

Last year, I delivered the keynote speech for Oracle NetSuite's US Sales Kickoff. Regardless of the occasion, here are 13 things that help me present for impact (in no particular order): 1. Rehearse the first and last 3 mins of your presentation to ensure you make a great first and last impression. 2. Cut your talk time by 10% and craft your presentation accordingly so you can focus on 'less is more' and account for edge case scenarios. 3. Just before you hit the stage, listen to a song which evokes the exact emotion (within you) that you want to give to your audience. 4. Create a cocoon and ONLY consume things that GIVE you energy in the run-up to your talk - this includes people, food, content and your overall environment. 5. Wear items of clothing that intentionally influence the way you feel about yourself so you can transmit magnetic energy. 6. Ensure the FIRST story you share sparks emotion, humanises you and connects to your audience's BIG problem. 7. Create peace with the idea that you aren't for everybody and that a percentage of people will NEVER resonate with you. 8. You wouldn't teach a new runner how to run 3 marathons in 30 days, right? Similarly, your content should meet your audience with where they're at today. 9. Early on, teach people why and how they will receive an ROI on their time if they give you their undivided attention. 10. Everybody processes information differently. Ensure you present your core message using different vehicles to appeal to the visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners in your audience. 11. Shift your mindset from trying to give yourself significance, to making your audience feel significant. 12. Some people don't even know they have a problem to solve. Ensure you uncover the villain in your audience's story and have them acknowledge its existence before you try and "fix" anybody. 13. Practice and review your delivery like a world-class performer. Winging it is for unintentional amateurs. The list goes on... But hey, I want to hear from you! What would you add?👇

Most presentations don't fail because of bad slides. They fail because no one feels a connection. They look like lectures. While the best presentations feel like stories. And stories aren’t just entertaining. They’re how humans connect, trust, and remember. Here’s how to make your next presentation unforgettable: 1️⃣ Introduce the Villain ↠ Start with the problem you’re solving ↠ Be specific—what pain points does your audience face?  ↠ When they feel the problem, they’ll lean in 2️⃣ Position Your Solution as the Hero ↠ Show how your solution saves the day ↠ Make it aspirational, not just functional ↠ Think: “This could change everything for you.” 3️⃣ Add Personal Touches ↠ Share your “aha” moment: how did you solve this? ↠ Vulnerability creates trust ↠ Your story becomes theirs 4️⃣ Use the Power of Three ↠ People love patterns ↠ Give them three parts: ↠ The challenge, the breakthrough, the transformation 5️⃣ Create a Visual Journey ↠ Your slides should feel like a movie, not a spreadsheet ↠ Bold visuals + concise words = memorable ↠ The simpler, the better 6️⃣ End With a Mic Drop ↠ Leave them with ONE unforgettable message ↠ Tie it back to their pain—and what they can do next ↠ A powerful ending moves people to act 7️⃣ Rehearse Until It Feels Natural ↠ Practice your story—not your slides ↠ Your authenticity is your superpower ↠ The more natural you feel, the more they’ll believe you Great presentations don’t just share information. They spark emotion. Build trust. Inspire action. What strategy resonates most with you? ♻️ Share this to inspire someone to tell their best story and follow Andrea Petrone for more.

🎤 "From stage fright to spotlight: How I went from bombing my first speech to coaching clients for their keynotes. My 3-week formula for presentation success..." As someone who has delivered countless presentations, I've developed a 3-week formula for conference success. Let me walk you through my process and share some insights I've gained along the way. 3️⃣ Weeks Out: • Outline key points - I identify 3-5 core messages I want the audience to remember • Create an inspiring mood board 🖼️ - This helps me visualize the presentation's tone and style. This also provides me with inspiration. 2️⃣ Weeks Out: • Craft presentation draft - I focus on creating a coherent narrative flow • I aim for 1 slide per 3 minutes of allocated time - This ensures I don't overwhelm the audience with information and also allows me to read the room if certain topics create more engagement • Weave in a compelling narrative arc - I use storytelling techniques to engage listeners. Villains, Heroes, Fairy Tale Endings! 1️⃣ Week Out: • Polish transitions - Smooth segues between topics to maintain audience attention and keep the presentation from feeling choppy • Perfect timing ⏱️ - I practice with a timer to ensure I respect the allotted time slot 2️⃣ Days Before: • Full run-through with notes 📝 - This helps identify any weak spots in the presentation and ensures I have notes for a fallback 1️⃣ Day Before: • Practice without notes - This builds confidence and improves natural delivery • Familiarize myself with the venue - Understanding the space helps me plan my stage presence ⏰ Day Of: • Don't overprepare the day of - you got this and last-minute changes can trip you up • Nail the first 30 seconds - A strong opening sets the tone for the entire talk • Smile and get comfortable on stage 😊 - Positive body language helps connect with the audience ✅ Pro Tips: 1. Use bullet points, not complete scripts. This keeps delivery natural and engaging. I've found memorizing word-for-word can lead to stilted delivery if I lose my place. 2. Be authentically you. Your unique perspective is your superpower on stage. Audiences respond to genuine speakers who share personal insights. 3. Incorporate audience interaction. I like to include a brief Q&A session or a quick poll by hand to keep listeners actively engaged. 4. Leverage the power of pause. Strategic silences can emphasize key points and give the audience time to absorb information. 5. Prepare for tech issues. I always assume the presentation won't work and I will just have to speak to it as a worst-case scenario. 6. Connect with other speakers. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable collaborations and future opportunities. Remember, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your technique and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #ConferenceTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpeakerPrep #StagePresence

I’ve analyzed 100s of presentations over the years. The difference between good presentations and great ones often comes down to this… Contrast. Contrast creates the tension between the audience’s present reality and desired future. And, when done right, that tension leads to action. Here are the three most persuasive forms of contrast: #1: Problem-Solution Start by establishing a specific problem your audience faces, then reveal how your solution directly addresses it. This builds urgency before positioning yourself as the cure. In my TED Talk, I used this framework to demonstrate how presentations often fail to move audiences. I first established the problem: many presentations lack emotional impact and fail to inspire action. Then I revealed the solution: a specific structure behind history’s great talks that creates contrast between the audience's present reality and their desired future. The key is spending enough time on the problem before rushing to your solution. Make the pain real. Use specific examples, emotional language, and quantify the impact. #2: Compare-Contrast Structure your content by showing how two approaches differ…the current state vs. the future state. This creates natural tension between where the audience is and where they could be. Here's how this could look with a marketing strategy presentation: The opening half focuses on your current marketing approach. You’d tell stories of what you’ve done and where that got you, showing campaign examples and results to create urgency for change. Then you shift to the new marketing strategy. You’d talk about what's possible if your team pursues this new direction, give compelling data, and connect it back to your company’s mission. This creates a natural contrast between the present state, which no one is satisfied with, and a future state with limitless potential. #3 Cause-Effect Organize your information to demonstrate clear causal relationships and inevitable outcomes. This makes your case feel like natural law rather than opinion. Here's how this could look with a customer service improvement presentation: You establish clear causal chains in your current situation… Long hold times cause customer frustration, which causes negative reviews, which damages your brand, which leads to lost sales. Then show how your solution creates a new chain… Your omnichannel platform causes faster response times, which causes improved satisfaction, which leads to positive reviews and higher retention. Each link builds logically to the next, helping your audience follow the inevitable consequences of both action and inaction. But there’s a secret ingredient you need if you want any of these forms of contrast to truly convince your audience. Story. That’s why I made a FREE multi-media version of my award-winning book, Resonate, that gives you skills in using story in your presentations. You can grab your copy by clicking the link in the comments. #presentationskills

Presentations that pack a punch: You're taking an hour of your audience's time. They could've been at the beach. So, make it worth their while. Here's how: 1. Start with an impactful opening - A shocking statistic - A personal anecdote - A powerful quote 2. Use visuals to enhance the message - Images, graphs, videos, gifs. - But be cautious: don't overload with too many 3. Keep it simple & clear - Limit the number of points you're making - Don't type everything out, use bullet points - Avoid jargon and big words 4. Engage the audience - Ask questions - Show hands for polls - Use humor - Make eye contact 5. End with a clear call to action - What do you want them to do? - Why should they do it? Remember, the ultimate goal is to have your audience walk away with something valuable that they can apply to their lives or work. Put the needs of your audience first and design a presentation that they'll thank you for.

Beyond Bullet Points: Crafting Captivating Presentation Slides In today's fast-paced business world, attention spans are shorter than ever. Compelling presentations are no longer a luxury, they're a necessity. But how do you move beyond the dreaded bullet points and create slides that resonate with your audience? Here are some key strategies: 1. Tell a Story, Not Just Data: Facts are important, but weaving them into a narrative creates impact. Use concise yet evocative language, powerful visuals, and even humor to connect with your listeners emotionally. 2. Design Matters: Ditch the monotonous templates! Opt for clean, visually appealing layouts with high-quality visuals. Consistent color palettes and fonts enhance professionalism and brand recognition. Remember, white space is your friend. 3. Less is More: Information overload is the enemy. Limit text per slide, opting for impactful headlines and key takeaways. Trust your audience to engage and ask questions for details. 4. Data Visualization Done Right: Charts and graphs should be clear, concise, and tell a story. Avoid complex visuals that distract from the message. Consider interactive elements to spark audience participation. 5. Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your delivery, ensuring smooth transitions and confident body language. Anticipate questions and tailor your responses accordingly. Bonus Tip: Embrace technology! Explore interactive elements, live data feeds, and multimedia integration to keep your audience engaged. By following these tips, you can craft presentations that inform, inspire, and most importantly, leave a lasting impression. Remember, it's not just about the slides, it's about the story you tell. Now go out there and captivate your audience! #PresentationTips #WSJBusiness #EngageYourAudience

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Change how you lead and inspire. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 showed us the way. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟬 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲: 𝟭) 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 ↳ Jobs stripped away clutter. ↳ He used simple words and clear slides. ↳ Every message was easy to grasp, no matter how complex the topic. 𝟮) 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 ↳ He turned product launches into stories. ↳ Each presentation had a beginning, middle, and end. ↳ Stories made the message stick and moved people to action. 𝟯) 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 ↳ Jobs used bold images and few words on slides. ↳ Visuals reinforced his message and kept the audience focused. ↳ No bullet points, just strong images and key phrases. 𝟰) 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 ↳ Every move was intentional. ↳ Jobs used pauses, eye contact, and movement to hold attention. ↳ He treated the stage like a theater, making every moment count. 𝟱) 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↳ He broke down big ideas into simple parts. ↳ No jargon, no confusion. ↳ The audience always knew what mattered most. 𝟲) 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 ↳ The famous “One More Thing” moment kept people guessing. ↳ Jobs used surprise to create excitement and buzz. ↳ This made his presentations unforgettable. 𝟳) 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 ↳ Jobs rehearsed every word and gesture. ↳ He made it look effortless, but it was all planned. ↳ Preparation turned nerves into confidence. 𝟴) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 ↳ He spoke with passion and belief. ↳ Jobs made people feel the vision, not just hear it. ↳ Emotion turned listeners into believers. 𝟵) 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 ↳ Every presentation finished with a strong, clear message. ↳ Jobs left the audience inspired and ready to act. ↳ The ending echoed long after the event. 𝟭𝟬) 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 ↳ Jobs never copied others. ↳ He found new ways to present, always raising the bar. ↳ Innovation kept his audience engaged and eager for more. These 10 lessons can change how you present. Use them to lead, persuade, and inspire. Make every presentation a moment people remember. 🤝 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗡𝗮𝗼𝗺𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝗱𝘂𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 💬 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🔁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 #BusinessPresentations #Leadership #SteveJobs #PresentationSkills #Inspiration #Storytelling #VisualCommunication #StagePresence #EmotionalConnection #InnovationInPresenting

For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. Chris Anderson, TED's curator, shares 3 keys to great presentations. #1 Find the Perfect Mix of Data and Narrative Most presentations lie somewhere on the continuum between a report and a story. A report is data-rich, exhaustive, and informative—but not very engaging. Stories help a speaker connect with an audience, but listeners often want facts and information, too. Great presenters layer story and information like a cake and understand that different types of talks require differing ingredients. If your goal is to communicate information from a written report, send the full document to the audience in advance, and limit the presentation to key takeaways. Don't do a long slide show that repeats all your findings. Financial audiences love data, and they'll want the details. Satisfy their analytical appetite with facts, but add a thread of narrative to appeal to their emotional side. Then present the key takeaways visually, to help them find meaning in the numbers. #2 Develop Stage Presence For inexperienced speakers, the physical act of being onstage can be the most difficult part of giving a presentation—but people tend to overestimate its importance. Getting the words, story, and substance right is a much bigger determinant of success or failure than how you stand or whether you're visibly nervous. And when it comes to stage presence, a little coaching can go a long way. The biggest mistake he sees in early rehearsals is that people move their bodies too much. They sway from side to side, or shift their weight from one leg to the other. People do this naturally when they're nervous, but it's distracting and makes the speaker seem weak. Simply getting a person to keep his or her lower body motionless can dramatically improve stage presence. There are some people who are able to walk around a stage during a presentation, and that's fine if it comes naturally. But the vast majority are better off standing still and relying on hand gestures for emphasis. #3 Plan Your Delivery There are 2 main ways: either to use your notes and read or memorize it and speak without looking at your script. Anderson's advice: Don't read it, learn it until you are able to internalize your content. It's usually just too distancing—people will know you're reading. And as soon as they sense it, the way they receive your talk will shift. Suddenly your intimate connection evaporates, and everything feels a lot more formal. #UsefulSkills