The Art of Curating a Presentation: Insights from My Stitch Fix Adventure
I love to shop.
But my grown children don't.
My daughter has clear opinions on what she wears and the items I “hunt and gather” for her rarely make the cut.
And my oldest son, now out of college and gainfully employed (yes this means he’s off our payroll!) is in need of clothes that extend beyond a T-shirt and pants. The problem is he doesn’t like shopping.
Enter the curated clothing box.
Our journey with a “personalized styling service” began as my daughter’s senior photos approached. In a moment of frustration I turned to Google for help and left my internet session with a Stitch Fix box on the way.
My daughter’s curated boxes landed her a few pieces of clothing that she liked and were senior picture approved by me.
The ease of the service piqued my son’s interest (because having someone else do the shopping and shipping it directly to him seemed like the easy button) and led to him trying the service.
Which led to my realization that giving a presentation is a lot like curating a Stitch Fix box.
How so?
The Style Profile
Just like Stitch Fix works to understand your fashion preferences, it’s crucial to know your audience’s taste in presentations. Consider your audience:
- Are they more inclined towards visual aids?
- Do they prefer an interactive approach?
- Are they fans of humor or do they want hard facts?
Tailor your presentation to meet their expectations, just like Stitch Fix tailors clothes to fit your unique style.
The Opening: Unboxing Delight!
When you receive a Stitch Fix box, the unboxing experience is filled with anticipation and excitement. Apply the same principle to your presentation! Start with a captivating opening that grabs attention. Surprise and delight your audience from the get-go!
You can always jump out of a giant cardboard box or sprinkle confetti while dramatically revealing your first slide will grab attention!
The Personal Touch: Show Your Personality
One of the best things about a curated box is the personalized touch given to the selections. Inject your presentation with your own personality.
- Share anecdotes
- Tell relatable jokes
- Let your authentic self shine through.
Remember, your audience wants to connect with you, not a robotic presenter. Be the unicorn in the sea of mundane slide decks!
Mix and Match
Just as Stitch Fix curates a mix of clothing items, curate a collection of engaging visuals for your slides.
Use:
- Captivating infographics
- GIFs
- Vibrant images
(Avoid walls of text, lists of bullet points, and boring graphics)
Add a touch of playfulness, humor, and personality. But be cautious, just like in fashion, there’s a fine line between trendy and tacky. Keep it balanced, and you’ll have a winning ensemble of slides.
The Perfect Fit & Smooth Transitions
Stitch Fix doesn’t just send you random clothes; they ensure the items fit seamlessly together. Similarly, ensure your presentation flows smoothly from one idea to another. Use transitions to guide your audience seamlessly through your points, avoiding awkward pauses or abrupt changes. Your audience will appreciate the cohesive journey, just like they would appreciate a well-coordinated outfit.
Accessorize
Just like accessories can elevate an outfit, props can add a touch of pizzazz in a presentation. Consider using props that complement your content and create memorable moments. . Props can transform your presentation from ordinary to extraordinary!
(There’s always the rubber chicken prop)
Time to go forth and dazzle audiences with your newfound presentation skills, and remember: presenting like a Stitch Fix box is the new black!
And classy is always in style.
Your co-pilot (who continues to shop on her own but is very tempted to try a personalized styling service),
