How to be a Presentation God: Build, Design, and Deliver Presentations that Dominate!

8.2. SHOPTALK: PRESENTATION DESIGN STYLES AND APPROACHES

Jazz musicians have their scales; artists have figure drawing; and writers have grammar. Every creative outlet has parameters that guide expression. It's how we keep our heads from popping off. The difference between a toddler whacking a pot with a spoon and a jazz drummer riffing through syncopated rhythms is an understanding of fundamental rules. Such is the difference between a beatnik art house monologue and a stellar presentation.

Garr Reynolds first introduced me (and many others) to the world's leading presentation styles in his landmark blog and book, Presentation Zen. I have been studying and following the preeminent presentation design methods in the world ever since. Even more, I've been employing them in my own presentations and hearing feedback from others. Undoubtedly, everyone will respond to one method more than another; however, we need to consider these methods like gambling in baseball. You may be a diehard Red Sox fan, but are you really going to put your money on them against the Yankees? I mean, you've got to put food on the table.

Okay, so now that I've lost the respect of all Bostonians, let's take a look at the prevailing approaches of our time.

8.2.1. The Godin Method

The Godin Method, named after the illustrious Seth Godin, is based on a hilariously simple concept: The art of presenting is actually composed of two different elements, the speaker and the slide. Mind-blowing, huh?

Actually, it is. ...