You've probably heard of storytelling in presentations or even used it yourself. But there's always a difference between a story and a good story.
In this article, we present the easy-to-follow three-act structure, as used in Hollywood's most successful films.
What storytelling is and why it's important for your presentations
Storytelling simply means telling stories . Stories have always been a way for people to convey information. Even today, you can use a story to make information more engaging and exciting .
Furthermore, stories generate emotions . Therefore, you should focus on skillful storytelling, especially in presentations.
Further information can be found in the article “ Storytelling in presentations ”.
You can determine whether you are already practicing good storytelling by using this guideline:
A typical story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. A good story captures the audience's attention and keeps them engaged.
How can you elevate your story to a good one? With the three-act structure .
Hollywood Storytelling: The “Three-Act Structure”
The three-act structure of Hollywood storytelling is easy to follow and draws your audience into your presentation. Who knows better how to get listeners excited about the stories they tell? Filmmakers.
In Hollywood, most films follow the classic three-act structure:
You can use a similar structure for presentations. Specifically, as follows:
Act 1: The Introduction
Score points with a well-thought-out introduction . This means you should clearly explain the current situation. What is the status quo ?
Describe as many of the difficulties as possible that your product/service/etc. is intended to solve. The more problems you describe, the more interest you will generate among your audience.
Avoid presenting the solution to the problems right at the beginning . Only after skillfully highlighting the pain points of your customers' current situation can you later impress them with the solution. This will also captivate your audience even more, as you demonstrate that you can identify with your statements.
Act 2: The Problem
After successfully presenting the pain points, it's time in act two to showcase your expertise . Skillfully illustrate the problem your audience faces. Focus intensely on imagining what could happen if your target audience doesn't address it.
Build trust and credibility while disclosing the problem to signal that you are the right business partner to overcome the hurdle.
Act 3: The Solution
In the concluding third act, present the solution to the problem : your idea, your product, your service, etc.
Feel free to use visual elements on your slides to illustrate and explain complex information in the simplest way possible.
Invest enough time to prepare this part, as you will be delving deep into the solution and should be able to present it convincingly.
A well-known methodology that follows a similar process and originates from sales is Neil Rackham's SPIN selling method . You can find more information and download the corresponding free e-book here .
Conclusion: Follow the three-act structure for success.
Most presenters get lost in the details because they start with the solution. This risks confusing your audience, and confused prospects are unlikely to become your customers.
If you start with act one and follow the structure of Hollywood storytelling, your presentation will be far more impactful and effective, and you will be better able to achieve your goals.
Do you have questions about this article or about PowerPoint presentations in general? Feel free to contact us by email at becker@presentationload.de. We're happy to help!
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