The BIGG Successs Show
Add Fireworks to Your Next Presentation
How to apply the structure of a fireworks show to engage your audience. Read more at BIGGSUCCESS.COM.
>> Welcome to The Big Success Show. Today, we'll discuss adding fireworks to your next presentation. >> The Big Success Show with George and Mary Lynn. >> Man, Mary Lynn, you're talking about adding fireworks to your presentation. Last time I tried doing that, it blew up on me. >> We don't want backfire, that's for sure. >> I just couldn't resist. Well, we're celebrating the 4th of July here in the United States, and I have to say, it's my favorite holiday. Just, I love the fun, getting to hang out with friends. >> And the fireworks. >> Oh, yeah. >> That's my favorite part. I love watching fireworks, it makes me feel like a kid again. >> Well, I have to tell you, one of the funniest things I've ever heard is about a fireworks show gone wrong. I used to be in this local service club called the J.C.'s, and this one particular J.C.'s chapter put on the fireworks show every year in their small town, and it was one of those shows where, you know, they light it and it goes boom, and they light the next one and it goes boom. And one year at the beginning of their show wasn't more than a few fireworks in the one that they were lighting misfired, and it shot over and hit the pile where all the remaining fireworks were sitting. >> Oh, no. >> Yeah, I like that. It sounded just like that. >> Wow. >> So, you know, the thing is, it was just an amazing display, but their whole show was over in less than a minute. >> Nothing like having your grand finale at the beginning, huh? >> That's right. >> Well, there is an art to putting on a good fireworks show, and as we were thinking about this, we thought it was interesting how this related to telling a good story. >> Yeah, and I was on the local committee for our fireworks show for a number of years, and we worked with a company that did major shows all over the country, and boy, there is a lot that goes into a good show. >> Well, and generally, it kicks off with a little burst. >> Like that. >> Yeah, and if it grabs your attention right away, and then you get into the flow, there's a certain rhythm to the fireworks, often synchronized to music, but the rhythm changes throughout the show. At times, they're firing off quickly. At other times, a little more slowly. >> Yeah, and think about when you're telling a story. Start with a good attention grabber, and then get going. Vary your pace with the action of the story. You may talk faster to imply that things are developing faster, or you may slow it down a bit when it's called for make your timing fit your story. >> Now, back to the fireworks show. Usually, when you're at about the halfway point, you'll see a pseudo-fennelly. >> Hey, it must be about over. >> Well, that's what happens. It gives you a taste of what the grand finale is going to be like. But then sometimes it's so good that you think it is a finale, and then you get all bummed out because it's almost over. >> Yeah, and to go to your story, you grabbed their attention at the beginning, and then you start filling in the details depending on the length of your story. But think about how you can get them to anticipate the climax of your story as you near the middle. This will keep them wanting more, and it keeps them engaged mentally. >> Then, of course, with the fireworks show, there's the grand finale. >> Oh, exciting part, ooh, it's awesome. >> This is what we've been waiting for. It's almost sensory overload because so much is going on at once. The sound, the sights, all those colors exploding in the sky, one right after the other, one on top of the other, and you fill your heart pounding faster in that rush of adrenaline. Just in awe, or at least maybe it's just me. >> No, usually I am too, Marilyn. >> You just don't want it to end. >> Yeah, that's right, and when you tell a story, you don't want it to go like the Chase's fireworks show I mentioned earlier, right? You want it to build and build and build to your final line, the point of your story. You want your audience on the proverbial edge of their seats, leaving them awestruck, wanting to know more, realizing why it's important for them to listen to you. >> We've talked about telling stories, but coming up, we're going to discuss some other ways to get the most bang out of your next presentation. >> Today, we've related how to tell a story by using the structure of a good fireworks show. Now, let's look at some other ways to add some fireworks to your next presentation. >> Starter end with a good joke. People love to laugh and it gets them fired up. >> That's right, Marilyn, usually I just walk in and people start laughing, I don't get it. >> Oh, jeez. >> And think more graphics, less text if you're using PowerPoint. It gives your message more pop. >> One up that, George, use video. >> Ah, good idea, Marilyn. >> Throwing in some video gives you a break, but a well-produced video can get your audience to react. >> And have a running theme, a tagline, a keyword or phrase that you keep coming back to. This provides a little spark throughout your presentation. >> And finally, what you've heard us use for theater of the mind, add in some sound effects. >> Yeah, it's likely you wouldn't use all of these in a presentation, but just like a good fireworks show, mix it up to get the biggest bang. >> You can find a written summary of today's show at BigSuccess.com. >> Next time, we look at how to make a great impression in less than 30 seconds. >> Until then, here's to your big success. >> The Big Success Show at B-I-G-G Success.com. [BLANK_AUDIO]