Lights flicker on as the room quiets down. You take a deep breath and step up to the podium, feeling the eyes of the audience on you. This is your moment to shine, to convey your message in a way that will captivate and inspire. But where do you start? How do you create a winning narrative that will leave a lasting impact?
As Jeff Weiner said,
“The best presentations are conversations” — Jeff Weiner
In this article, we’ll learn how to create a presentation script that will capture hearts and minds alike. We’ll show you how to structure your ideas, use storytelling techniques to make your message come alive, and deliver a memorable closing that will leave your audience wanting more.
But first, let’s cover the basics…
What’s a presentation script?
A presentation script is basically a plan for what you’re going to say during your presentation. It’s like a roadmap that helps you stay on track, hit all the important points, and keep your audience engaged.
Now, you might be thinking, “But I’m good at winging it! I don’t need a script!” And hey, some people can pull that off. But for most of us mere mortals, having a script is crucial if we want to deliver a presentation that’s clear, concise, and effective.
With a presentation script, you can practice your delivery and fine-tune your message before you even step on stage. You can also make sure you’re not forgetting any important points or getting sidetracked. Plus, if you tend to get nervous during presentations (which is totally normal!), having a script can help you feel more prepared and confident.
Why do you need a presentation script?
Here are some pretty good reasons why having a script is a smart move.
Keeps you on track: With a presentation script, you know exactly what you need to cover and in what order. This can help you stay focused and ensure that you don’t forget any important points.
Helps you practice: By having a script, you can practice your delivery and fine-tune your message before you even step on stage. This can help you feel more confident and prepared when it’s showtime.
Improves your message: With a script, you can make sure your message is clear, concise, and impactful. You can also edit out any fluff or tangents that might detract from your main point.
Saves time: If you’re giving a presentation to multiple groups or on multiple occasions, having a script can save you time in the long run. You can reuse the same script and just make minor tweaks as needed.
Reduces nerves: Let’s face it, presenting in front of a group can be nerve-wracking. But having a script can help you feel more prepared and confident. When you know exactly what you’re going to say, you’re less likely to get flustered or forget your lines.
How to create a winning presentation script?
1. Start with the end goal
When you’re working on your presentation script, don’t forget to keep your end goal in mind! Are you trying to inspire your audience to take action, educate them on a topic, or show off your mad skills in a certain area? Knowing your objective will make the rest of the process way easier.
Think about it: if you don’t know why you’re giving this presentation, you’re going to be all over the place, trying to cover too much ground, and your audience will be left scratching their heads. So, take a sec to think about what you want to achieve with your presentation before you start writing your script.
Once you’ve got your objective locked in, it’s time to brainstorm the key points you want to cover. Don’t hold back, let your creativity fly! Then, flesh out each point with examples, data, and other juicy details. Lastly, craft a killer opening and closing that will leave your audience feeling wowed.
2. Create a structure for your narrative
Alrighty, now it’s time to give your presentation some structure! First up, think about how you want to break down your narrative into three main parts: the beginning, the middle, and the end. This will help you keep your audience engaged and make sure you cover all the important stuff.
Next, you’ll want to think about where you want to focus the most attention. Do you want to grab your audience’s attention right off the bat with a killer opening, or leave them with a lasting impression by closing strong? This will vary depending on the type of presentation you’re giving.
For example, in a pitch deck, building a solid case for the problem statement might be the most crucial part, while in others, the call-to-action (CTA) at the end might be the most important.
So, take a minute to think about the key points you want to cover and where you want to place the most emphasis. This will help you structure your presentation in a way that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish. You got this!
3. Write what you want to say
It’s time to get those ideas out of your head and onto paper! You’re gonna want to use a text file to document your script. Start by writing down your narrative from beginning to end, just like you want to present it.
Remember that structure we talked about earlier? Now’s the time to use it to guide your writing and keep yourself on track. And hey, don’t stress if it’s not perfect on the first go-around. You can always go back and make tweaks later.
4. Use stories & anecdotes for engagement.
While you write your presentation script, don’t forget to spice up your script with a few anecdotes, attention-grabbing facts, and good old-fashioned business storytelling! These elements can help engage your audience and keep them hooked throughout your presentation.
Now, remember! Just because you’re incorporating storytelling into your presentation doesn’t mean you should lose sight of the business context. You might have heard of the term “storytelling” being thrown around by branding agencies, but there’s a difference between “storytelling” and “business storytelling.”
The latter focuses on conveying key business messages and ideas in a compelling and memorable way. So, make sure your anecdotes and storytelling tie back to your overall message and objectives. This way, you’ll not only entertain your audience but also leave them with a clear understanding of your business goals.
5. Co-ordinate with your slide design
Don’t forget to coordinate your speech with your slide design! Remember, less is more when it comes to visuals. The graphics in your presentation should complement your words, not the other way around. After all, you’re the star of the show here!
That being said, visuals can still play an important role in guiding your presentation script. You can use them as cues to remind you of key points or to help you transition between topics. Just make sure they’re not distracting or overwhelming, and that they serve a clear purpose in enhancing your message.
So, when designing your presentation, keep your script in mind and aim for a cohesive and effective combination of visuals and speech. That way, you’ll be sure to capture your audience’s attention and leave them with a clear and memorable message.
6. Create & design your cue cards
When you start putting together your presentation script, you might be surprised at just how much content you come up with for a 10-minute talk. It can be a lot to keep track of! That’s where cue cards come in handy.
Once you’ve written your full script, you can start working on your cue cards. They should be around 3x5 inches and have brief notes or bullet points to prompt you during your presentation. You’ll want to create your cue cards after you’ve rehearsed from the full script a few times, so you know which parts of your presentation you need reminders for.
And hey, while you’re at it, why not make your cue cards look sharp and in line with your brand? Even though it might not seem like a big deal, branding is all about the details. So, put some effort into designing your cue cards and make them an extension of your presentation. Trust us, it’ll be worth it!
Work with us.
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out about an upcoming presentation? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Our team is here to help you create a solid narrative structure and design eye-catching slides that’ll make your presentation shine.
So why not save yourself some time and stress by reaching out to us? Let’s work together to make your presentation a success!
Are you ready to wow your audience with a killer presentation design?
Check out our Business Presentation Design Services.