It’s the start of another year and you’re probably looking at new opportunities. That might be more speaking, upgrading your visual pitches or making more impact when you’re presenting in your networking groups.
Preparation is key
– but what can you do to ensure your presentation really hits the spot?
You've nailed your
opening, your slides look professional, and you're confident about your
delivery. But have you thought about the
narrative arc of your pitch or presentation? The structure of your content can be the
difference between a forgettable presentation and one that really resonates.
Why structure matters
Even the most
compelling ideas can fall flat if they're poorly organised. Your audience needs a journey to follow, not a
random collection of facts and figures thrown at them. This is where borrowing from the world of
storytelling can transform your pitch.
The three-act framework
Think of your
presentation like a film or play. Every
great story follows a three-act structure, and your presentation should too.
Act One: set the scene
This is where you
establish the problem or opportunity. Don't
rush past this. Your audience needs to
understand why they should care before you dive into your solution. Paint a picture of the current situation,
highlight the pain points, and create that ‘aha’ moment where they recognise
the issue you're addressing. This isn't
about doom and gloom; it's about context and relevance.
Act Two: build the case
Now you've got
their attention, this is where you introduce your solution, idea, or proposal. But the key is to build your argument
progressively. Each point should flow
naturally to the next, creating momentum. Use evidence, examples, and data to support
your case, but don't overwhelm. Think of
this section as climbing a mountain together with your audience, each step
taking them higher towards understanding why your solution works.
Act Three: deliver the resolution
This is your
moment. You've identified the problem, you've shown how to solve it, now you
need to make your point stick. What's
the call to action? What happens next? Be specific about the outcomes – what life
will be like with this problem solved. This
isn't just a summary; it's the payoff for the journey you've taken them on.
The thread that binds it all
Throughout all
three acts, you need a central theme or message that ties everything together. This is your ‘golden thread’ – the one thing
you want your audience to remember. Every
section should reinforce this thread, whether directly or indirectly.
Less is more
One common mistake
is trying to cram too much into Act Two. Remember, you're not writing a dissertation;
you're making a case. Three strong
points are far more powerful than seven mediocre ones. Each point should earn its place by directly
supporting your central message.
The power of signposting
Help your audience
to follow your structure by signposting clearly. Simple phrases like "The first challenge
we need to address is..." or "This brings us to the solution..."
act as handrails, guiding your audience through your narrative.
When you structure
your presentation or pitch with this three-act framework, you're not just
sharing information; you're taking your audience on a journey with purpose. And
that's what transforms a standard presentation into a persuasive, memorable
pitch that actually achieves what you set out to do.
The content matters
enormously, but how you structure that content matters just as much. Get the structure right, and you're halfway to
winning them over.
