Today, is not your day. That’s because today is the day your boss decided to request a presentation for an upcoming investor pitch. You know the components you need to include, but what is the most effective way to convey your message? On top of your mountain of other job responsibilities, now you’ve got this? Stop right there. Recently, a friend reminded me of the Tale of Two Wolves.
“A grandfather is talking with his grandson and he says there are two wolves inside of us which are always at war with each other.
One of them is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery and love. The other is a bad wolf, which represents things like greed, hatred and fear.
The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second then he looks up at his grandfather and says, ‘Grandfather, which one wins?’
The grandfather quietly replies, the one you feed.”
Don’t feed the fear of your presentation assignment. Instead, download this simple presentation outline template, which will be explained below:
Opening Story
Maybe you provide details about a specific client’s experience using your product or service. Or perhaps you begin your presentation with a compelling narrative of your company’s origins. Whatever storytelling route you decide to take, ensure that every presentation you deliver begins with a story.
Related Post: Write the Best Presentation Opening Line
Introduction
Following the opening story, your presentation should transition into an introduction of your 3 main points. Always try to stick to 3 main points no matter how much content you plan to cover. Create 3 categories or buckets and place all of your most important information into them. In your presentation outline, list out the 3 main points.
Details
In this next section of your presentation outline, you will provide notes on the information that must be covered for each of your 3 main points. Refrain from writing your entire script in your presentation outline. Instead, focus on the high level details.
Review
This is a crucial component of any presentation. You should always review the main points you discussed. Why? Because you want your audience to leave with those core messages in their minds. Anything you can do to increase the retention of those 3 main points, you should do.
Closing Story
Land the plane of your presentation messages by circling back to narrative focus you established in the beginning of your talk. Tie whatever lesson or information you want your audience to learn or remember together through this story.
Call-to-Action
Finally, conclude your presentation outline with a description of the particular call-to-action you plan to present to your audience. Do you want them to check out a website? Consult further with you or a company representative? Make sure the information they need is included on that call-to-action slide.
Related Post: The End: Building Your Presentation Content to a Conclusion
Now that you’ve got an idea of what producing a presentation outline takes, get started on your own.
Download your presentation outline template!
How Storytelling Impacts Your Influence
A Quick Guide to Using Metaphors in Your Presentations
Back to the Drawing Board: Rethink the Investor Presentation
