We’re here because you don’t like dirt spots … Slide makeover magic

Feb 28, 2024 | Blog, Concepts, Slide Makeovers

We’re here because you don’t like dirt spots … Slide makeover magic

Read time: 6 minutes.

Wooden Art Posable People Cleaning Dirt Spots Off Laptop

As a presentation professional, I frequently had people send me some slides and say, “Work your magic.” I doubt people thought I really had magical powers, but I did add the word “magician” to my business card title.

In the realm of presentation design, the concept of slide makeovers often sparks intrigue and curiosity, generating ideas and providing concepts for the DIY (do-it-yourself) presentation creator. What exactly are slide makeovers, and why are they such a valuable tool in the arsenal of anyone needing to communicate through a presentation?

Why Slide Makeovers?

I started doing slide makeovers in response to several people in my company who didn’t like the new presentation template that was sent out. When I asked for specifics and some slides to illustrate, people sent in slides … but nothing about the template, just questions about how they could make their slides better. Well, they did have one valid complaint. The light background of connected dots on low-resolution monitors looked like dirt spots. I quickly removed that and sent a revised template. In response, I did a training session using slide makeovers with those slides they sent in. To start, I asked, “Do you know why we’re here?” After a few mumbled responses, I said, “We’re here because you don’t like dirt spots.” That got a laugh; then, we had a very successful slide makeover session.

They leverage real-world content.

Slide makeovers leverage real-world content, providing a tangible platform to illustrate communication concepts using presentations. Familiarity makes it relatable, whether it’s your own content or industry-specific material.

They offer guidance for transformation.

With a structured, step-by-step process, slide makeovers offer guidance for transforming ordinary slides into extraordinary narratives. Starting with existing content alleviates the daunting task of facing a blank canvas, facilitating a smoother transition toward crafting impactful presentations.

Getting the Most Value from Slide Makeovers

To maximize the benefits of slide makeovers, it’s essential to approach them with the right mindset. Here are a few things to know.

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I have to make assumptions.

As a presentation professional, I know little about everything and not much about anything, so I have to make some assumptions about the slide content. And yes, I know what they say about making assumptions. In most cases, I’m not the subject matter expert. I’ll guide you through my reasoning behind each step of the makeover process, offering insights into why I approach each adjustment in a particular manner.

There’s more than one right way.

There’s more than one right way to create effective slide media. There are some wrong ways, too, but many, many right ways to communicate well. If I gave a slide to everyone reading this, we would end up with as many ways to rework it as there are people here. I’ll show you some best practices in a step-by-step way so you can apply the concepts to your own slides.

No-judgment zone, woman nervous about her presentation

This is a no-judgment zone.

People have great ideas and content; it’s just not in a presentation format. Thank you to all of the people who have shared slides with me, and thank you in advance to those of you who will send some in the future. Seeing real-world content being reworked is critical to understanding how slide media can enhance your message, improve understanding, and inspire action.

From one to many slides.

A slide makeover for one slide, in most cases, means we’ll be creating more than one. It will likely be a series of slides in order to communicate the message well. We’ve all seen the 1,000 words on a slide versus maybe a picture that’s worth 1,000 words. Nobody knows or cares how many slides you have. They do care about their time and they want value from your presentation.

Abacus with 1=10+, one to many relationship

How Do Slide Makeovers Work?

The mechanics of slide makeovers are straightforward yet powerful:

We’ll transform slides step-by-step.

Each makeover unfolds in a structured manner, with every change documented on a new slide. This approach provides transparency into the makeover process, empowering individuals to replicate the methodology in their own presentations.

We’ll explore concepts for effective communication.

Beyond surface-level modifications, slide makeovers show the underlying principles of effective communication using presentation media. By dissecting the rationale behind each makeover step, you’ll gain valuable insights into the art and science of presentation design.

You get to keep the made-over slide(s).

The impact of slide makeovers extends far beyond the confines of a single training session. You get to keep the made-over slides and can integrate them into future presentations and rework them with new content.

Are you struggling with a particular slide in your presentation?

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you find yourself grappling with a challenging slide or simply seeking a fresh perspective. Your contributions serve as invaluable learning material, enriching the collective understanding of presentation communication concepts.

Slide makeovers represent a paradigm shift in the way we approach presentation design. By harnessing the power of real-world content, collaborative effort, and presentation refinement, slide makeovers will empower you to elevate your communication skills and captivate your audiences with spotless slides. Embrace the makeover journey, and let your slides tell stories that resonate and inspire.

SUBMIT A SLIDE

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Do you really own a pink motel?

Feb 23, 2024 | Blog, Concepts, Stories

Do you really own a pink motel?

Read time: 4 minutes.

Me and The Pink Motel Book by Carole Ryrie Brink

As a kid, my imagination ran wild. I was a storyteller—constantly telling tales, most of which got me into trouble. But tucked in the corner of my mind was a world painted in pink, inspired by Carol Ryrie Brink’s The Pink Motel. That book wasn’t just a story; it was a portal. A quirky, adventurous escape where being different was the whole point.

I didn’t realize then how much that book would shape me. Now, I tell stories for a living. And the best part? I get paid to do it. So, do I own a pink motel? Yes, but not in the traditional sense.

There’s no bigger adventure than starting your own business.

Of the many decisions I’ve made, creating The Pink Motel LLC seemed to be the perfect name for my presentation business. I was told, “Name your LLC anything you want, as you’ll have a DBA for your different businesses.” The Pink Motel LLC captured the essence of embracing uniqueness and living adventurous lives. After all, what bigger adventure exists than starting your own business? Developing effective presentations is the art of creating a portal to the audience’s imagination, and The Pink Motel is where it all started for me.

You can’t do that.

Just as the plot twists in a novel, my accountant delivered a shocking revelation: “You can’t use that.” The LLC named after my childhood favorite was deemed off-limits, a plot twist I had not foreseen.

Of course, I responded with, “Why not?” She proceeded to explain using a fictitious story. Suppose someone buys your book at a conference, and a few days later, the charge appears on their credit card statement. Their partner or significant other sees it and thinks they stayed at a motel and could be cheating on them. You could cause a lot of trouble for people! Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that—time to set up my DBA of On The Flip Slide.

Do you really own a pink motel?

When people see the name, they always ask, “Do you really own a pink motel?” I laugh and respond, “No. It was my favorite childhood book.” Maybe I should paint my shipping container house pink so I can say I do own a pink motel and list it on Airbnb.

The Pink Motel Little Free Library #150824

I may not own a literal pink motel, but I do have a Little Free Library (Frisco, Texas #150824) in a mini pink shipping container.

In the world of presentations, what can we learn from this?

Be sure you’re sending the right message.

The Pink Motel is meaningful to me; however, being published in the late 1950s, it’s not well known or a reference most people would get. The audience should easily understand references in a presentation, even with them processing it through their own knowledge and life experiences. Cultural references should be current or well-known.

Look at it with fresh eyes, woman with grapefruit slices over eyes.

Get some fresh eyes on your presentation.

Have several people look at your presentation, especially if the stakes are high for your call to action. When working on a presentation for a long time, I can’t be objective. I walk away from it for a day and come back with fresh eyes. Then, by showing it to others and getting feedback, you can experiment with new concepts and adapt your slides as needed.

Use stories to illustrate your message.

People remember stories. I attended an all-day entrepreneur conference yesterday. What did I remember from it today? The stories and the points they made with them. Data and info are a good foundation, but telling a story helps people see how the message works in their life and situation.

You may need to paint your motel.

In the book, the parents suggest to the kids that they must paint the motel because the pink color attracts unusual people. As a child, I was unusual. You must ask yourself, “Is the pink color working for my intended audience? Is it sending the right message?” For my LLC, it works. Using it as my primary business name? It does not.

Presentations serve as an excellent platform to articulate your vision for ideas or showcase your product. Be prepared to adapt or revise your approach as necessary to inspire (the right) action.

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Stoned Fruit Roll-Up Interview

Feb 21, 2024 | Blog, Concepts

Stoned Fruit Roll-Up Interview

Watch time: 59 minutes.

YouTube interview "the ROI of DIY" presentation creatology with Stoned Fruit

There’s nothing more fun than hanging out with Rebecca.

I was SO incredibly excited when Rebecca Gunter asked me to join her on the Stoned Fruit Roll-Up to talk about presentations. Anyone who knows me knows I love to talk about presentations … well … I just like to talk. LOL!

I was preparing a session for a speaking engagement called The ROI (return on investment) of DIY (do-it-yourself) Presentations. Here’s my outline (of course, written by the most amazing copywriter ever, Rebecca):

The ROI of DIY

Getting the best return when creating your own presentations

Presentations are part of who you are, not a file on your computer. When you are tasked with creating a presentation to communicate your ideas and concepts, how do you effectively do it yourself, and how do you know when to bring in a presentation professional? This session explores the value of your ideas and vision and how slides can communicate them by exploring the real role they play and how to interact with them for maximum impact.

We’ll dig into the power of presentation strategy and setting systems for slide success that you can draw upon at a moment’s notice. We’ll discuss the return on investment of utilizing presentations as your communication vehicle.

After all, without ideas, there would be no innovation, and without presentations, there would be no progress.

Highlights to include:

- Pro tips for successful DIY presentations through simplifying, organizing, and visualizing
- Understanding the value of your ideas and expressing them through slides
- Building presentation strategies and systems for workflow efficiency

This session is for professionals who seek a deeper relationship with their ideas and want to inspire action through presentations.

Wanna have some fun?

Check out Stoned Fruit and the ROI of DIY Presentation Creatology interview on YouTube.

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$Paper towel math. It just doesn’t add up.$

Paper towel math. It just doesn’t add up.

Feb 21, 2024 | Blog, Visualize

Paper towel math. It just doesn’t add up.

Read time: 3 minutes.

$Paper towel math: There's more than one right way. Signs and paper towel rolls.$

A former financial analyst turned presenter.

As a former financial analyst, I’ve navigated through countless sessions, crunching numbers, and constructing presentations to convey complex information. But there was one particular instance that left me both puzzled and enlightened about the nuances of communication, especially when it comes to visual aids.

I was working on a speaking engagement session on presentation visuals, aiming for clarity and coherence in my presentation. On this particular slide, I was telling people there’s more than one right way to create visuals and that it’s about creativity in communications. Confident in my choice of visuals, I showed it to a friend for some feedback.

There's more than one right way to create good visuals.

You want me to use what?

He got excited, jumped up, and exclaimed, “I have a better image for you!” He ran off into the kitchen and promptly returned with 2 rolls of paper towels. “Take a photo of these and use it instead of the signs. It’s hysterical!” I blinked, initially taken aback by the seemingly random suggestion. As he elaborated, it became clear to me: everyone processes information through their own life experiences and knowledge. I had no idea where he was going with this. Finally, he said, “Paper towel math!” I got it, but it took a lot of explaination.

Information must be conveyed quickly and efficiently.

My session was on clear communication using visuals and images, having the ability to convey information quickly and efficiently. They should serve as beacons of clarity, guiding the audience’s understanding with ease. The paper towel image is funny but requires a somewhat lengthy explanation. In a presentation, the image may only be used for a couple of seconds to support what the speaker is saying and must make sense immediately.

As presenters, we have a responsibility to ensure that every aspect of our presentation, from visuals to verbal delivery, contributes to a seamless exchange of information. Remember to embrace humor, but never at the expense of clarity. I had to politely explain why I couldn’t use the image of paper towels. So, maybe their marketing team might want to borrow a calculator next time they’re crunching numbers. Last time I checked, 2 plus 2 still equals 4, not 5. If they’re giving away free paper towels with that equation, count me in – I’ve got some spills to clean up!

$Paper towel math? This makes no sense.$

Think of each slide as a billboard.

The bottom line? Visuals should communicate quickly and efficiently. Think of each slide as a billboard. If you can’t quickly decipher what it is, what it means, and what to do with it, you may want to consider bidding it farewell and find something more straightforward.

More paper towel humor.

If you enjoyed the paper towel humor, check out this hysterical book I found on Audible, but don’t judge my warped sense of humor. In-Depth Market Research Interviews with Dead People: Bounty: A Short Story.