Presentation Zen

Incorporate the SUCCESs approach into your presentation

Instructions

Identify the core message of your presentation.
Ensure your presentation is simple and clear, focusing only on its essential meaning. Reflect on the key points and ask yourself: What's the main message I want my audience to remember? Why should they care about it?
Incorporate elements of surprise and curiosity.
Think of ways to capture your audience's attention by breaking their expectations. Consider what questions you can pose to highlight gaps in their knowledge. How can you guide them to the answers and take them on a journey of discovery?
Use concrete examples and relatable analogies..
Shift away from vague terminologies and move towards tangible examples. For instance, instead of discussing abstract productivity strategies, use expressions like "kill two birds with one stone" to make your point more relatable and memorable. Ask yourself: How can I make this concept easier to visualize?
Build credibility with context and meaning.
To establish trust, avoid leaning solely on statistics. Instead, provide context. Ask yourself, "How can I make these numbers meaningful and relatable to my audience?"
Evoke emotion through visuals and human-centric examples.
Remember that humans connect with feelings. Use powerful images to complement your message. Ask yourself questions like "What visuals can I use to make my audience feel something?" Instead of just presenting facts, like "100 grams of fat," show an impactful image of unhealthy food. This evokes a more emotional, visceral response.
Integrate compelling stories into your presentation.
Stories have been our primary mode of communication for millennia. They captivate attention and are memorable. When delivering a presentation, ask yourself "What stories can I share to make my message more relatable and memorable?" Whether it's a personal anecdote, a historical event, or a cautionary tale, use storytelling to drive your point home.
Reflect on your content and make adjustments.
After drafting your presentation, revisit each element of the SUCCESs approach. Ensure that your content aligns with these principles. Ask yourself: Have I truly embodied simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions, and stories in my presentation? If not, make the necessary tweaks.