As a public speaker, you are a natural risk taker. Expressing yourself in front of a group of people is no easy task. Every time you speak in public, you increase (at least slightly) the risk of public embarrassment.
Most presenters research, edit, and rehearse to minimize the inherent risks associated with speaking in public. These are all great exercises for presenters, however public speakers should not aim to strip their presentations of every risky element. On the contrary, presenters should actively look for opportunities to take some chances with their presentations.
Instead of taking the safe route with your presentation design, be bold and unexpected with your slides. The same goes for your content. Use your content to make a noteworthy statement. If you are just going to drag-and-drop a few charts and throw some bullet point updates on your slides, skip the presentation and send an email instead.
If you are going to get up in front of people, don’t waste their time, or your time. Give your audience an experience that will keep them awake and hanging on your every word. When you take the go big, or go home attitude with your presentation design and content, you might ruffle a few feathers, however if you are strategic with the risks you choose to take, you will most likely win over your skeptics with your courage and creativity.
For example, a few year ago, the Ethos3 team created a deck on the topic of The Importance of Taking Risks. Recently, the Ethos3 presentation design team redesigned The Importance of Taking Risks. The presentation content is not a safe reiteration of traditional advice on risk-taking. The redesign of the slides is risky, but also striking departure from the design of the earlier deck.
You can view the entire presentation below, but first check out a few before and after slides.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Which one do you like better – the predictable before design, or the slightly wild after design?
Either way, go find your own risks to take. Your risks might not resemble the risks shown in these slide – they will be your own versions of living on the wild side. The possibilities are endless.
Additional Resources:
3 Presentation Tips From “Hooked: How To Build Habit-Forming Products”
Breathe New Life Into Your Old Presentations
12 Books To Inspire Creative Leadership
