The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo

In my never-ending quest to pick up every tip and trick to good public presentations, I ran across this book. It is, by far, not the best book I've read, though it has very high ratings and accolades. Well, to each his own, I guess. Below is a summary of the main points.

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Setting the Stage

Successful presentations closely resemble the structure of a three-act play.

Act 1: Creating the Story

You must have a gripping narrative that engages your listeners.

1. Scene 1: Plan in Analog
   • Think out exactly what you want to say.
   • Write a presentation plan and create a storyboard.
   • Carefully sketch your ideas and script your speech as completely as possible.
   • Spend 90 hours preparing a 1-hour presentation, mostly in research and planning.
2. Scene 2: Answer the One Question that Matters Most
   • Why should your listener care about your idea?
   • Deliver the answer early to engage quickly and make therm eager to hear more.
3. Scene 3: Develop a Messianic Sense of Purpose
   • "We're here to put a dent in the universe."
4. Scene 4: Create Twitter-like Headlines
   • People remember short, to-the-point headlines.
5. Scene 5: Draw a Roadmap
   • Create a verbal roadmap that shows exactly where you plan to take them.
6. Scene 6: Introduce the Antagonist
   • Include villains in your presentation.
   • Communicate how your product or service will eliminate them.
7. Scene 7: Reveal the Conquering Hero
   • Detail the problems of your industry.
   • Lay out your vision of how your new offering will vastly improve the landscape.

Act 2: Delivering the Experience

You must create visually appealing and "must-have" experiences.

1. Scene 1: Channel Their Inner Zen
   • Keep things simple and elegant.
2. Scene 2: Dress Up your Numbers
   • They have little meaning unless placed in context.
3. Scene 3: Use "Amazingly Zippy" Words
   • Don't bog down your presentation with jargon. Instead use words which convey the emotion of your offering.
4. Scene 4: Share the Stage
   • Don't be afraid to share the limelight.
5. Scene 5: Use Props
   • Involve as many of your audience as possible.
6. Scene 6: Share a Startling Moment
   • During your presentation, plan special and startling moments to wow.

Act 3: Redefining and Rehearsing

Even the greatest presentation will fall flat if you don't practice it to perfection.

1. Scene 1: Master Stage Presence
   • Maintain eye contact with the audience at all times.
   • Don't hide behind a lectern.
   • Keep open posture.
   • Constantly gesture and change the tone, inflection, volume, and tempo of your words.
2. Scene 2: Make it Look Effortless
   • Each presentation should be the result of weeks of prep.
3. Scene 3: Wear the Appropriate "Costume"
   • Always dress appropriately for the crowd.
4. Scene 4: Toss the Script
   • Reading from scripts distances you from your audience.
   • Practice so that eventually only one or two main words from your script will allow you to recall sentences.
5. Scene 5: Have Fun
   • Don't just educate: entertain.
   • If a problem occurs, acknowledge, smile, and continue.
   • Enjoy yourself!