10d • General discussion
Presenting Like. A. bOSS
NotApt’s comment on the course poll inspired me to write up a quick post on my slide deck strategy that I’ve been using forever. I haven’t made as many slide decks as I used to but the Fuzzy Place got its lease because I made a slide deck for the landlords that outline our vision. Let me know in the comments if you want me to hunt for it.
**How to turn your artistic idea into an actual pitch deck**
**Presentation tradecraft**
A good slide deck actually matters to people who take it seriously. If you're pitching your art project, installation, or creative business, your slides are how you communicate your vision.
**Start with the outcome you want**
Start with the end in mind. What is the one thing you want them to think at the end of the presentation? Work backwards from there. Every slide should build toward that moment when they say yes because they understand your concept.
**Keep your slides clean**
Slides don't need lots of words. They hate that. Single statement on each slide with a compelling picture. Your visuals do the heavy lifting while you do the talking.
**Structure your talking points**
Make notes for each slide what is the first thing you will say on each slide and what is the last thing you will say. This gives you bookends to work within.
While presenting, say the first line. Freestyle your thoughts about it and then end with the last line. This keeps the presentation natural while maintaining flow through all the slides.
The next slide’s first statement should have context and flow from the previous slide’s last statement. Each transition should feel connected, not jarring. You should be able to speak smoothly while changing the slide rather than needing to buffer, pause, or use filler words to transition. This is the single most impactful technique that I’ve helped countless people rework their presentations around and it’s worked every single time.
**Don't show your bullet points**
You can have bullet points if you want in your notes, but don't show them on slides. People can read faster than you can talk so what happens if you show your bullet points is that they read them, then once finished they tune out. And they get bored of you because you're saying something they already know.
**Use tools but master the craft**
Use AI if you need to flush out content or generate custom images, but AI won't make you a good presenter so you still need to run through the flow of your presentation. Practice the transitions between slides until they feel smooth. Record yourself presenting it and watch it back, it won’t be comfortable but I guarantee it will make your presentation much better.
**Remember what you're doing**
Presentation is persuasion. Keep your goal in mind the entire time. Are you asking for funding? Approval for a residency? Commission for a piece? Every slide should move them closer to saying yes.
**Show, don't just tell**
Make mockups and renderings to explain concepts. If your idea is visual or experiential, help them see it. A good rendering is worth more than paragraphs of description.
The best pitch decks feel like conversations, not lectures. Your audience should leave excited about your idea, not overwhelmed by information.
I hope this was helpful for anyone trying to change the world!
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Presenting Like. A. bOSS
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A Fuzzy Place Digital Learning Community.....
A PATH TO FIND THE ART IN DOING WHAT COMPLETES YOU.
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