I have a speech scheduled next week. It’s a fairly causal presentation. I anticipate that there isn’t direct business on the line or even in the room. Regardless, I want to give it my best. To me, my best is a clean, clear, concise, confident, collaborative, informative and memorable presentation.
When I think about outstanding presenters in our modern era, I think instantly (and so do others) of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. When it comes to innovating and energizing an audience – be it customers, shareholders or employees – he’s the man!
So I did a quick Google search on Steve Jobs and his speaking skills. I quickly found the following “Present Like Steve Jobs” video on BNET. I’ll also review a BusinessWeek article titled “Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs” that I found by the same man, Carmine Gallo. He must be a really big fan of Jobs’ speaking capabilities.
Here’s the summary tips for your use in your next presentation and mine.
- Make your theme clear and consistent
- Create a headline that sets the direction for your meeting.
- Provide the outline.
- Open and close each section with a clear transition
- Make it easy for your listeners to follow your story.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm – wow them!
- use action, positive and powerful words like: exordinary, unbelievable, amazing, cool, fun, incredible - Sell an experience
- Make statistics meaningful and significant
- Analogies help connect the dots for your audience - Make your presentations visual
- Allow your words and word choice to paint an image (imagery)
- Paint a picture that doesn’t overwhelm - Give ‘em a show
- Idenitify your memmorable moment and build up to it
- Rehearse. Rehearse. Rehearse.
Committ and spend time rehearsing.
It only looks smooth, confident and natural because of rehearsing. - “One more thing…”
- give them a little more… a little more value or an encore.
Watch the video. It’s well worth it. Maybe I’ll have the courage to upload a video of my next presentation. Until then, I owe Communications Skills Coach and Author Carmine Gallo the credit for this Steve Jobs video and tips outline. More than 95% of it came from him.
- Jason Mudd, APR
AXIA CEO
