Rick Rubin, the legendary music producer, shares fascinating insights on creativity in his book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." Rubin believes that when you create art true to your vision, about 50% of your audience might love it. That’s great for personal expression but not always the best strategy for a presentation meant to educate and inspire a broader audience.
And on a side note, if you haven't listened to or read this book yet, please do! It is absolutely incredible and filled with nuggets of wisdom about the creative process that everyone can learn from, regardless of whether you are an artist or not.
Here are my takeaways from some inspired thoughts in the book...
First off, creating a presentation true to your vision is only the first step, and here is why:
Knowing your audience matters: Unlike creating personal art, presentations are about the audience. You need to know their background, interests, and what they need to get out of your talk. This helps make your content relevant and engaging.
Your objectives are clear: What do you want your audience to learn or feel by the end of your presentation? Without clear objectives, your talk can become a wandering narrative that loses the audience's interest.
Engagement techniques: Use storytelling, visuals, and interactive elements. These techniques make your content relatable and memorable. If you’re just rattling off features and data, you’ll quickly lose your audience’s attention.
Adaptability: Be responsive to your audience. Connect first and speak from the heart. Pay attention to their reactions and be ready to adjust your approach. This helps ensure that your message is getting through.
Here’s an example from my experience...
As a presentation skills coach, I see many professionals dive deep into the nitty-gritty details of their work. While their passion is admirable, the audience can get lost if the content isn’t simplified and made relatable. By focusing on core messages and using storytelling, you can transform a dense, data-heavy presentation into an engaging narrative that resonates with your audience.
So, next time you’re crafting a presentation, remember: it's about the audience. Tailor your content to their needs, keep your objectives clear, use engaging techniques, and be adaptable. Creating a presentation true to your vision is only the first step. To truly succeed, your audience must be able to connect with and benefit from what you’re sharing.
And will everyone resonate with it? Nope. But that’s okay too. At least they understood it.
Stay connected and keep shining! ✨