Presentation templates are blank canvases, and sometimes blank canvases tend to scare people. There is just something about all of that open space that makes creators unable to decide where to start. In the words of choreographer and author Twyla Tharp says: “Whom the gods wish to destroy, they give unlimited resources.”
Don’t fear an assortment of slide layouts, empty bullet point shells, and headers slides. These are all tools in your toolbox to create an amazing storytelling narrative, with the freedom to stretch further than you thought possible.
What do we mean by storytelling?
A story in a presentation is a two part experience: the first part is the speaker describing the tale out loud to their audience, and the second part is the on-slide visuals or words that help enhance the story itself.
Let’s say you want to pitch an idea about an app that tracks sleeping patterns and gives you tips on how to improve your sleep. You probably have a laundry list of data behind this story, and your first instinct would be to share these proof points on your slides. But what if you took a different approach? What if you began the presentation with a story about how a few years back, you were only getting 3-4 hours a sleep a night? Your hair was a mess, you kept putting your wallet in the fridge, and your mother would mail you eye creams out of pity for those deep dark circles. Wouldn’t a personal origin story be a much more compelling place to start?
If you feel in your stomach a big “yes,” it’s because stories activate 7 areas of the brain that engage us, while facts and stats only activate 2. Simply put, it’s the most compelling tactic that a presenter can use to make their audience’s brains happy.
Why are templates such a great fit?
The most beautiful thing about templates is that they prevent you from overthinking design as you focus specifically on the content itself. Think of it as a bowling lane with the bumpers put up; the only direction you can move is forward towards your goal.
Open up a document, create a million copies of the same header slide, and use the limitation of space and font size to give your story freedom. Humans love limitations, especially when too much creative freedom overwhelms us. There is even a psychological study about how constraints make us more creative. That said, a template might be the constraint you need to allow for creative storytelling.
Where do I get started?
Now that you know why you need to include storytelling into your message and why a template works so well for this, all that’s left is to start writing.
If you’re searching for the right template to start your creative process, we will soon be launching the Ethos3 Template Shop which makes this decision fast and painless. What about some more resources for storytelling itself? Here are a few blog posts from our archive that can help you craft the perfect story:
3 Storytelling Tips from Acclaimed Writer Burt Helm
The Science of Storytelling for Presentations
Storytelling Ideas for Presentations
So, what are you waiting for?
