Most Speakers Start in the Wrong Place
One of the biggest mistakes I see speakers make is they start by asking: "What should I say?" The better question is: "Who am I saying it to?" That's why before I ever worry about slides, stories, data, jokes, or even my opening, I walk through the 5 questions in this graphic. Because great talks aren't built from content. They're built from connection. A 60-minute keynote isn't just a longer version of a 30-minute keynote. A room full of CEOs isn't the same audience as a room full of teachers. And information by itself is rarely enough. Information teaches. Stories stick. Humor amplifies. One of the things I've learned after thousands of presentations, keynote speeches, stand-up shows, workshops, and coaching sessions is this: The audience doesn't remember everything you said. They remember how you made them feel. They remember the stories. They remember the laughs. That's why the last question on the checklist might be the most important: Where are the laughs? Not because you're trying to be a comedian. Because humor creates attention. Humor creates trust. Humor creates retention. And when people are laughing, they're listening. If you're a speaker, coach, trainer, entrepreneur, auctioneer, educator, salesperson, or anyone who communicates for a living, spend less time asking: "What else should I add?" And more time asking: "How will this land?" That's where impact lives. What's the first thing you think about when building a presentation?