“Could you help me with this presentation?”
It’s a question I get a lot. I like helping, too, so that’s fun.
As I started reviewing the presentation, though, I noticed something was missing.
Logical progression? Check.
Audience-focused? Check.
Slides well-designed? Check.
Images supporting content? Check.
Clear value proposition? Not so much.
I appreciate your logic. I appreciate your aesthetic sensibility. But what I really want to know is, “What are you going to do for me?” Help me to picture it.
“I am going to help you…
- Achieve
- Plan
- Produce
- Survey
- Analyze
- Decrease
- Expand
Here’s my tip: use resume action words to help you figure out how to say it. You may not be applying for a job, but you do want your customer to hire your solution, right?
Great resources are everywhere: here, here and here, for example. When you use action words, you help me to see what exactly you’re going to do for me When I can picture what you’re going to do for me, I’m more likely to get out my checkbook.
Try it!
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