Whether you’re making a proposal to a client or pitching your business plan to an investor, if you’re presenting a big idea, you want people to listen. But unfortunately, creating a memorable talk rather than just another yawn-inducing presentation can be difficult.
Communications expert Nancy Duarte was determined to find out why—why people tend to listen intently to stories, but quickly lose interest when they’re being presented to. Through her research of the most compelling speeches of our time (think Martin Luther King and Steve Jobs), she’s discovered that there’s a very specific pattern—a “shape”—for great presentations.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just plugging your idea into a formula—it still takes the right material and the right delivery to grab your audience. But, if you’re getting ready for a big presentation, this is a great place to start.