Are you chewing on cardboard?

Are your presentations like Wasa crackers?

Don’t get me wrong – these crackers serve a purpose – They provide a fine surface to get cheese from your plate to your mouth. 

But they’re a bit dry and utilitarian.

Their best quality is flat, much like a lot of presentations.

If the only thing your presentations are doing is moving words from your mouth to someone else’s ears, you’re leaving a lot of potential on the table (no pun intended).

These are 6 things that add flavor and context to your presentations:

S- Stories

H- Humor

A- Ask questions

P- Pictures & Props

E- Emotion

S- Suspense

These 6 components are what S.H.A.P.E.S. your communication.

They’re the difference between a cracker (or presentation) that resembles cardboard and a toasted slice of French bread with brie. 

One’s easy to grab but the other provides a more exciting experience. 

Here are 3 tips to create a more memorable experience for your audience:

 
1. Start with a story instead of thank you’s

The moment before you start talking is the moment you have the most audience attention. Don’t squander the suspense with logistics and thank yous. Tell a story to hook them right away.

2. Involve your audience in the experience

You may be the one at the front of the room but that doesn’t mean you have to do all the work. Create an interactive experience by asking questions and giving the audience a problem to solve. It’s a wonderful way to introduce your topic and take them along on your journey.

3. Don’t use your slides as a teleprompter 

Your visuals should work in conjunction with your verbal presentation. You don’t need to repeat all the same information. If your slides are crowded, edit, and speak to your main points instead.

Want help transforming your communication and meetings into a more colorful experience?

Reach out and let’s set up a time to talk!

Hi, I’m Madeline.

I help individuals and organizations reduce conflict, increase creative output and bring more energy to their teams.

I've been called a lifesaver and a secret weapon because I can take all the ideas in your head and put them together in a way that’s quicker, clearer, and more fun.