marketing presentation hook

12 Pretty Good Hooks for Your Next Presentation

  “the next three minutes will determine whether you succeed or fail on your next presentation.”.

Every presentation has three main parts – the beginning, the middle, and the end.  And among these, the beginning is easily the most important. 

You have about 30 seconds to get the audience interested in what you have to say.  If that doesn’t happen, anything else you do afterwards will soon be forgotten.

To do that it helps to have a “hook” to grab their attention.  Here are 12 tried and true ways to hook your audience and get your presentation off on the right foot.

Why You Need to be Captain Hook

At the beginning of every presentation, there are two main things going on.

• You are trying to introduce your topic and convince people why they need to hear it.
• Your audience is trying to decide whether this will be worth their time.

A good hook is one that quickly gets everyone oriented and engaged, introduces your topic, and makes them willing to listen to more of what you have to say.

A good hook orients, engages, and makes the audience interested in hearing more. Click To Tweet

There are lots of effective ways to do this.  The main thing is to do something interesting.

Trying to hook an audience? The main thing is: Be Interesting! Click To Tweet

It’s hard to think of a quicker way to shut down the audience than to begin by mumbling,

“Hello, my name is Bob Smith, and for the next 45 minutes I’m going to be talking about the importance of socks.”

I don’t know why Bob’s talking about socks, and I don’t know why I should listen. I’m already lacing up my track shoes and getting ready to sprint for the door.

So if it falls to you to give the next presentation on the importance of socks (or any other topic), here are 12 ways you can use to engage the audience from the very beginning.  I’ll continue with the sock example to help out poor Bob.

Note:  If you would like a one-page condensed version of these 12 hooks, plus presentation tips to help them work for you, hit this button:

12 Pretty Good Hooks About Socks

1.  Make an Outrageous or Provocative Claim .   It’s the same way I started this post.  Hopefully it caught your attention and made you want to read more.  The same goes for presentations.  Be bold, original, challenge common beliefs, then back up your claim.

“Socks are more important than food.”   That’s what a man named Kiwi said recently.  Kiwi was a homeless man living on the streets of Toronto, Canada.  He said that he knew of many pantries and shelters where he could get food, but there was no way he could walk the streets of his city without socks.  Socks meant everything to this man and many like him.  And if you think about it, socks are very important to all of us…

(Got this quote from The Joy of Sox ,  a charitable organization that donates socks to the homeless.)

2.  Tell a Joke.   This is a classic technique that can work well as a way to relax and make the audience receptive.  It’s a good idea to try the joke out on some friends first, to make sure they think it’s funny too.  Keep it clean, and be ready to move on if you don’t get the laughter you thought you would.

On the first day of summer camp, the director informed all the little campers that he expected them to put on a fresh pair of socks every day. Two weeks later, Johnny failed to appear at the morning flag raising. The director found him still in his cot. 

“Why aren’t you lined up with the other boys?” He asked.

“I can’t get my shoes on over fourteen pairs of socks!”

  Clearly the boy knew that it was important to have his socks, but didn’t understand why or how the socks were important…

This site at ajokeaday  is clean and has a long list of joke categories and a pretty good search function to help you find just the right joke to get started.

3.  Tell a Story.   Stories remind your audience that you are human, make you relatable, and take down protective barriers people will erect when they think people will be talking at them.  Start immediately with the story.  You can back up and introduce yourself later.

  “ Change your socks ” the instructor ordered.  We had just forded a river in the middle of the night and our feet were soaking wet.  We were carrying three pairs of socks on this mission.  The first was already dirty, and now the second was soaked.  But we didn’t want to change our socks.  Because in two miles we were supposed to cross another river and we would get wet again.  But the instructor didn’t want to hear that.  He wanted to make sure we knew he was in charge.  Presenting him with the facts only appeared like a challenge to his authority, so he simply said slowly and more deliberately, “ Change.  Your.  Socks .” 

So we changed into our last dry socks by moonlight, he checked every one of us, then we marched on.  And we crossed that next river and got wet.  Our feet were soaked and sore for the next two days.  For a while, it was all I could think about – the foolish order to change our socks. It was the maddest I had ever been.  Because when it comes right down to it, the simplest things are the most important in life.  The trust of a loved one; food; and dry socks.  Most of us take socks for granted…

The best stories are personal ones from your own experience, but you can also find good ones on the internet.   This page at businessballs.com indexes their stories by title and topic.

4.  Show a Video .  Let someone else break the ice for you with a video.  It’s an unexpected way to begin, so people will be instantly interested, plus people just like to watch video.  Keep it brief and related to the topic in some way.  It can be a great way to show the audience what you are talking about, not just trying to describe it.  Absolutely double check and rehearse to make sure the video works wherever you will be presenting, and be prepared to react if it fails anyway.

  So, who knew you could make a smart phone holder out of an old sock?  Well in fact there are lots of good uses for socks, and some actually involve putting your feet into them.  Socks are one of the most underrated items of clothing…

5.  Ask a Couple Questions.   Some people will want to answer, but even if they don’t do it out loud, they will be considering the answer in their minds, so they will be engaged.  Asking several questions in a row will stretch the audience’s mind further while also serving as an introduction to your topic.  Be sure to pause after each question for best effect.

What do you think is the most important piece of clothing you own?  What makes it important?  Is it the protection it provides? How often you wear it?  The warmth it offers?  The way it makes you look?  How it makes you feel?  For me, there is nothing more important that having on a nice clean pair of dry socks…

6.  Show a Picture .  This can be a variation of the story method.  Share a picture of a person and talk about him, or of a place and why it is important, or of something else related to your subject.  People will look at the picture instead of you, so it takes a little pressure off.  And the picture itself serves to introduce your topic.  Half the job is done before you even open your mouth.

7.  Ask a Rhetorical Question .  It’s a question that can’t necessarily be answered, but it gets people thinking, and helps you point them in the direction you want to go.

Are socks what truly define us as human beings?  Are socks what differentiate us from all the other forms of life on the planet?  After all, nobody else on earth is wearing them except us.  Can they be that important?  These are clearly questions for the ages, and well worth our consideration…

8.  Set an Expectation .  Not only is it a good idea to let people know what you will be talking about, you will engage their attention much better if you give them something interesting to look forward to.

By the end of this presentation, not only will you know how important socks are in our lives, you will have ten fun facts about socks that you probably didn’t know, and four new sock jokes that you can use to amaze and amuse your friends.

9.  Show Them an Object.   Bring something with you that you can hold up and talk about.  This is a good way to quickly capture the attention of the audience and introduce your topic at the same time.

10.  Reference an Historical Event .  If the day, week, month, or year is unique in any way that you can relate to your topic, that can be another way to make the topic seem more real or relevant.

Did you know that it was only 135 years ago, on a day very like today, that John Nelson, a Swedish immigrant to the United States, patented the sock-knitting machine?  And that one invention was enough to not only change the history of footwear, but lead to the development of a child’s toy as well.  Socks have had a huge impact on us…

At this New York Times link , you can see what happened today in history, or pick any other date and see what was going on.

11.  Use a Quote .  Find a quote from someone recognizable, then think about how you can tie it into your presentation, or turn it on its head.

Over at Brainyquote.com you can find lots to choose from and can even search by topic.  Another good source is Wisdomquotes for lots of good quotes by topic or author.

A variation on this idea would be to make the quote your first slide – nothing but the quote in giant words; possibly with a picture of the person who said it.

12.  Ask, “What if…?” or “Imagine…”  Ask them about something that changes their perspective, like what if you could fly, read minds, be debt-free, go backward or forward in time.  You can adapt this to nearly any presentation and it will immediately cause your audience to engage their minds.  Ask the question, pause, ask it again for best effect.

Imagine a world without socks. (pause)  Imagine… a world without socks.  What would it be like?  What would change?  How would your life be different? (pause)   When you think about it, socks are critically important….

These are just 12 possible ways to hook your audience, and there are infinite variations on these ideas.  You can even combine them – tell a funny story while showing a picture or turning a quote on its head.  The keys are to keep it interesting, original, and fairly brief.  Remember, you only have about 30 seconds before they decide whether or not they want to keep listening.  Use that time well, and you will be on your way to making a memorable presentation.

If I was able to help Bob get you even the least bit interested in something as mundane as socks, think of what you can do with a far more interesting topic!

With that, since we’re on a sock “thing” today, I’ll leave you with an ode to socks I came across by Chilean poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda .  Maybe if I had quoted this to my instructor so long ago, he’d have let me save my last pair of dry socks for after the final river crossing…

Ode to my Socks

Mara Mori brought me a pair of socks which she knitted herself with her sheepherder’s hands, two socks as soft as rabbits. I slipped my feet into them as if they were two cases knitted with threads of twilight and goatskin, Violent socks, my feet were two fish made of wool, two long sharks sea blue, shot through by one golden thread, two immense blackbirds, two cannons, my feet were honored in this way by these heavenly socks. They were so handsome for the first time my feet seemed to me unacceptable like two decrepit firemen, firemen unworthy of that woven fire, of those glowing socks.

Nevertheless, I resisted the sharp temptation to save them somewhere as schoolboys keep fireflies, as learned men collect sacred texts, I resisted the mad impulse to put them in a golden cage and each day give them birdseed and pieces of pink melon. Like explorers in the jungle who hand over the very rare green deer to the spit and eat it with remorse, I stretched out my feet and pulled on the magnificent socks and then my shoes.

The moral of my ode is this: beauty is twice beauty and what is good is doubly good when it is a matter of two socks made of wool in winter.

Wool socks in winter – amen to that!

Egyptian Socks photo; no changes made – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Early_socks.jpg

Sock joke – source:  http://www.jokebuddha.com/Socks/recent/4#ixzz3fJpmAwQ7

The Joy of Sox charitable organization donates socks to the homeless http://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/2014/06/04/when-socks-are-more-important-food%E2%80%99

Sock Monkey photo; no changes made –  https://www.flickr.com/photos/poplinre/2153204704/ –

Ken served for 26 years in the Infantry, retiring as a Colonel.  From leading patrols in the Korean DMZ, to parachuting into the jungles of Panama, to commanding a remote outpost on the Iran-Iraq border, he has learned a lot about leadership, and has a passion for sharing that knowledge with others.  Look for his weekly posts, check out his online courses , subscribe below, or simply connect , he loves to talk about this stuff.

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Your presentation hook: the best way to grab your audience

To grab your audience at the start of a presentation you need a presentation hook. It’s called a hook because it should be short and sharp! And to take the analogy a step further, it should also be the right hook for your audience.

5 presentation hooks to get you started

A short story.

I work in IT, and I talk a lot with customers about cloud computing. Here’s my presentation hook:

It’s great to be here with you today. I thought of this presentation last night, when I was playing with my 5-year-old daughter. She was making a little ‘stop motion’ video on her iPad, and with all the pics she was taking she got a ‘storage full’ message. (It’s a pretty old iPad!). I was so sorry for her, because she’d been so excited about making the video. I tried to explain: “sorry my treasure, we’ll have to stop there”, but she just looked at me and said “daddy, can’t we put the pics on the cloud?”. That’s how prevalent cloud is today, even my 5-year-old is cloud savvy. And that’s why now is the right time for us to be talking about your cloud strategy”.

It’s quick, memorable, and it makes a connection to the subject of the presentation. I use it when I’m presenting to key decision-makers that are older (I don’t use it for the young professionals, it wouldn’t quite resonate with them in the same way).

Here’s a video of another opening story:

Build up your own portfolio of stories for the presentation topics that are relevant to your work!

Shock your audience

Here’s an example:

35% of the people who start a purchase through our website fail to complete the purchase. That’s lost revenue of approximately $450,000. I’m here today to talk about how we secure that revenue.

Relevant news

I read today that WordPress now hosts over 30% of the web, that’s up 5% in the past couple of years. I’m here today to talk to you about how we can benefit from the growth of WordPress.

We’re trying to fight a war against our competitors, but we’re using shot guns and they’ve got sniper rifles. We need to get much more precise and targeted with our marketing efforts if we’re going to win.

A relevant quotation

Bill Gates said: ‘Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning’. Well, I’m here today to tell you we have a lot of learning to do!

How do you know you’ve got a great presentation hook?

As you’re rummaging around for ideas, here’s a quick checklist to evaluate your presentation hooks.

Ideally, your hook is:

• Short and sharp : it’s shouldn’t take up too much time
• Distinctive : a fresh perspective so it’s easy to remember (and easy to remember you too!)
• Relevant to the audience : so that it resonates with their worldview and interests
• Connects to the subject matter : of course, this is a must!
• Builds your reputation : ideally the hook also builds your credibility too

More presentation hook ideas to explore

Here are more idea sources as you’re looking for hooks:

• Create a burning platform : “We have to act now, if we don’t, we’ll be out of business within the year”
• Ask, “what if…” : “What if we could double our profit margins. I’m here to tell you how we can”
• Make a promise : “I promise by then end of this presentation you’ll have a whole new perspective on…” (make sure you can deliver against the promise!)
• Use a movie clip : There are movie clips for every occasion, just use the guidance above to search for yours.
• Quote a proverb : Find a relevant proverb and use it as a ‘universal truth’ to introduce your presentation.
• “I believe…” : if you have a controversial perspective, sometimes its good to just put it out there, at will create interest in what you have to say.

Two presentation hooks to avoid: humor and questions

These two presentation hooks are often recommended, but in practice they’re dangerous territory.

Using humor at the start of a presentation has all kinds of risks. Your humor might fall flat, it might not resonate with specific individuals (potentially your ‘key decision makers’) and at worst you risk offending someone before you get started. Also, do you really want to build a reputation for being funny, at work? Your presentation is an opportunity to build your reputation. Humor is probably not the right way to go.

Questions are almost as bad. Ask a question that is too simple, and your audience will be thinking “Is this a trick? What’s going on?” and they won’t want to answer. Ask a question that is too challenging, and they won’t want to answer. And there’s often that awkward sense of “OK, so who’s going to answer this?”. Finally, if you have to answer your own question, it sets up entirely the wrong dynamic for discussion later. And if you’re thinking of asking a rhetorical question that doesn’t need an answer, then change it into a statement. It’s much more powerful to make a statement, then pause and hold the room.

Presentation hooks: in summary

Presentation hooks should be short, sharp and grab your audience.

Make sure they connect to your subject matter and build your reputation too.

Avoid opening your presentation with humor or questions, there are too many risks.

Develop a portfolio of hooks for the presentation topics that you cover most!

And once you’ve finished your presentation, here’s are some simple yet powerful techniques for confident Q&As !

15 Killer Hooks to Captivate and Engage Your Audience

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          TABLE OF CONTENTS

Do you want to make sure that your readers are completely hooked on your content and keep coming back for more? Are you looking for new ways to captivate and engage them so they’ll stick around till the very end of your post? 

If so, then you need killer hooks – those techniques that grab attention, capture interest and compel readers to take action. 

From personal anecdotes and storytelling to humor, surprise elements, questions and promises – this article will provide 15 clever hooks guaranteed to draw in even the most distracted reader. 

Read on if you’re ready to start crafting posts that have maximum impact!

What is a hook message to grab the reader's attention?

The hook message in an article or piece of content is the attention-grabbing statement or opening sentence that captures the reader’s interest and encourages them to read further. A compelling and effective hook message not only attracts attention but also keeps the reader engaged and interested in what follows.

According to studies, the average attention span of a person is only 8 seconds, which makes the hook message all the more important. And given the overwhelming amount of content available online, a well-crafted hook can make all the difference between a reader continuing to read or scrolling past.

There are several types of hooks that can be used, such as posing a question, using a startling statistic, or telling a story. However, the most effective hooks are typically those that tap into the reader’s emotions or curiosity.

One example of an emotional hook could be starting an article with a relatable personal story. This immediately sets the tone for the article and creates an emotional connection between the reader and the writer. Another type of hook that is effective is using a surprising or unexpected fact that challenges common assumptions.

Regardless of the type of hook used, the goal remains the same – to captivate the reader’s attention and encourage them to read on. So, whether you’re writing a blog post, article, or marketing copy, taking the time to craft an attention-grabbing hook can make all the difference in capturing your audience’s interest and keeping them engaged.

15 killer hooks to engage your audience

✅ shocking statistics.

Use a statistic that will get your audience thinking and wanting to know more.

✅ Interesting Quotes

Quotes can be powerful intros that give your audience a new perspective on your topic.

✅ Personal Anecdotes

Personal anecdotes are an effective way to humanize your message and connect with your audience.

✅ Surprising Facts

Surprising facts are great hooks that will leave your audience intrigued and wanting to know more.

✅ Contrasting Ideas

Contrasting two different ideas can be an effective way to draw your audience in and spark interest.

✅ Bold Statements

Bold statements can challenge your audience’s thinking and get them engaged in your message.

✅ Humorous Anecdotes

Humor is a great way to break the ice and ease the tension in your presentation.

✅ An Alluring Question

Asking an intriguing question can make your audience curious and keep them engaged.

✅ Powerful Images

Powerful images can captivate your audience and give your message an emotional impact.

✅ Unique Analogies

Analogies can be an excellent way to help your audience better understand complex concepts.

✅ Startling Comparisons

Comparing two different things can be a great way to highlight the importance of your message.

✅ Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories can be a fun way to engage your audience and get them thinking critically.

✅ Controversial Ideas

Controversial ideas can be used to stimulate discussion and engage in healthy debate.

✅ Shocking News Stories

Using shocking news stories can be an effective way to get your audience’s attention and keep them engaged in your message.

✅ Emotional Appeals

Emotional appeals can be used to connect with your audience on a personal level and inspire them to take action.

Most famous hooks in history

“Four score and seven years ago…”  – This is the opening line of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, instantly capturing the attention of the audience with its memorable and poetic beginning.

“I have a dream…”  – Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech begins with this powerful and aspirational statement, immediately drawing the audience in with its hopeful and inspiring tone.

“In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit…”  – J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit” starts with this intriguing line, sparking curiosity and inviting readers into a fantastical world.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”  – Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” begins with this contrasting statement, setting the stage for a story filled with drama and tension.

“Once upon a time…”  – This classic opening line is often used in fairy tales and folklore, instantly signaling to the audience that they are about to embark on a magical and enchanting journey.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”  – Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” starts with this witty and satirical sentence, immediately capturing the attention with its ironic tone and social commentary.

“Call me Ishmael.”  – The opening line of Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” is simple yet intriguing, drawing the reader into the narrative by introducing a mysterious character.

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”  – George Orwell’s “1984” begins with this unsettling and unusual line, immediately creating a sense of intrigue and setting the tone for a dystopian tale.

“In a galaxy far, far away…”  – The opening crawl of the “Star Wars” films grabs the audience’s attention by transporting them into a vast and epic science fiction universe.

“To be or not to be…”  – Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy from “Hamlet” starts with this existential question, instantly captivating the audience with its introspective and philosophical nature.

Most famous hooks in marketing to engage the audience

“Just do it.”  – Nike’s iconic slogan is a short and powerful hook that inspires action and motivation, appealing to the audience’s desire for achievement and self-improvement.

“Think different.”  – Apple’s memorable tagline challenges the status quo and appeals to individuals who want to stand out and embrace innovation.

“Got milk?”  – This simple yet catchy slogan from the California Milk Processor Board prompts the audience to consider the importance of milk consumption, making it memorable and thought-provoking.

“Finger-lickin’ good.”  – KFC’s slogan evokes sensory appeal and mouthwatering sensations, creating a strong connection between the audience and the product.

“Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.”   – M&M’s clever tagline emphasizes the product’s quality and convenience, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

“Because you’re worth it.”  – L’Oréal’s slogan speaks to the audience’s desire for self-care and self-worth, positioning their products as a way to indulge and pamper oneself.

“The breakfast of champions.”   – Wheaties’ tagline positions their cereal as fuel for success and accomplishment, appealing to athletes and those striving for greatness.

“I’m lovin’ it.”  – McDonald’s popular jingle encapsulates the joy and satisfaction associated with their fast-food experience, creating an emotional connection with the audience.

“The happiest place on Earth.”  – Disneyland’s slogan taps into the audience’s longing for happiness and magical experiences, creating a desire to visit the theme park.

“Red Bull gives you wings.”  – Red Bull’s tagline implies that their energy drink provides an instant boost and a feeling of empowerment, appealing to individuals seeking energy and vitality.

These hooks have become iconic in marketing because they effectively capture the attention and resonate with the desires, emotions, and aspirations of the target audience.

Crafting the perfect hook can elevate your content and create a lasting impression with readers. Many of these hooks allude to a story, so focusing on how the hook will capture the audience’s imagination is key. 

If you want to leverage your story-telling skills and captivate your reader from beginning to end, a great hook is essential. With guidance and practice, it can be easy to craft an eye-catching hook for any type of content that you produce. 

Remember to focus on who you are writing for and weaving in interesting tidbits along the way. Hooks don’t have to be complex or long; they just need to evoke curiosity so readers continue exploring your content, making it enjoyable and easy to read! 

So go ahead — get creative with your 15 killer hooks! Who knows — maybe one will be the spark that captures countless readers’ attention.

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Curated For You

Related content, 12 ways to hook an audience in 30 seconds.

Published: October 26, 2021

Updated: October 26, 2021

Do you want to grab your audience's attention from the first sentence? Here's a compilation of great ideas with examples and tips on how to write a good hook.

"When you advertise fire-extinguishers, open with the fire," says advertising executive  David Ogilvy . You have only 30 seconds in a TV commercial to grab viewers' attention. The same applies to a presentation. Knowing how to hook your audience in the first 30 seconds of your talk is crucial. This is the time your listeners form an impression of you and of what's to follow. The success of your talk depends upon grabbing your listeners’ attention and keeping them engaged. 

What is a speech hook and how does it work?

A hook is a presentation-opening tactic that immediately captures your audience’s imagination. As the word implies, it’s like a worm on a fishing hook that attracts a fish. A hook instantly engages your audience so that they want to listen to what you have to say.

Your hook must come at the start of your talk. First impressions count. Like a fine thoroughbred, you need to start strong out of the gate. Instead, many presenters are more like old, tired workhorses—they start weak by wasting those first precious seconds with platitudes and pleasantries.  Brain research  shows that we don't pay attention to boring things. Surprise your listeners with some creative speech attention grabbers.

How do you make a good hook?

Coming up with hook ideas is not difficult if you follow some basic guidelines on how to make a good hook.

A good hook is brief, catchy, well-rehearsed and pertinent to your topic. In brainstorming examples of hooks, avoid the dry and conventional.

For example, let's say you are  delivering a presentation  on investments. Instead of an obvious and trite question such as "How many of you would be unhappy to hear that your house is worth less than you paid for it?" consider using a catchy or thought-provoking question such as "How many of you thought that your home would be your safest investment?"

12 Killer Hooks to Grab Your Audience's Attention

If you're stuck for ideas on how to start with a hook, check out these 12 examples of hooks that will help you grab your audience's attention—and keep it.

1. Use a contrarian approach.

One of the best attention grabber examples is to make a statement of a universally accepted concept, then go against conventional wisdom by contradicting the statement. For example, a market trader starts by contradicting the commonly held advice of buying low and selling high. He says: "It's wrong. Why? Because buying low typically entails a stock that's going in the opposite direction—down—from the most desired direction—up." This tactic is a provocative attention grabber for speeches and it can help engage the audience right away.

2. Ask a series of rhetorical questions.

One of the most common hook ideas is to start with a rhetorical question. Better still, start with a series of rhetorical questions. An excellent example of this tactic is Simon Sinek's TED  presentation  on how great leaders can inspire action. He begins with: "How do you explain when things don't go as we assumed? Or better, how do you explain when others are able to achieve things that seem to defy all of the assumptions? For example, why is Apple so innovative? . . . Why is it that they seem to have something different? Why is it that Martin Luther King led the civil rights movement?" A series of rhetorical questions stimulate the audience's mind as they ponder the answers.

3. Deliver a compelling sound bite.

Top hook ideas include using a catchy phrase or sound bite that perks up the audience.  To create your sound bite, consider your message and package it in a brief and compelling statement. Then explain how it fits into your overall topic or message.

Take inspiration from speakers such as innovation expert  Jeremy Gutsche  who once used this sound bite in a keynote: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast. This is a sign that is on Ford's strategy War Room. And the lesson from it is not how good your PowerPoint slide deck is; what it really boils down to at the end of the day is how ready and willing your organization is to embrace change, try new things and focus on when you find an opportunity."

4. Make a startling assertion.

When you're stumped for ideas on how to make a hook, use a surprising or amazing fact. That's an easy and sure-fire way to gain people's attention. Take the time to research startling statistics that illustrate the seriousness of what you're going to talk about. For example, a presentation about conservancy can start with: "Every second, a slice of rainforest the size of a football field is mowed down. That's over 31 million football fields of rainforest each year."

5. Provide a reference to a historical event. 

Good attention getters for speeches include mentioning a historical event. There are times when the day you present may have some significance in history that can be tied to the subject of your presentation as an opening gambit. You can quickly look up what happened on any day in  Today In Sport  or a more general site such as  This Day In History . You never know what pertinence the day might have that will add some pizzazz to your presentation. It's worth a look.

6. Use the word imagine.

Another effective attention grabber for speeches is the word “imagine.” It invites the audience to create a mental image of something. Ever since John Lennon's famous song, it has become a powerful word with emotional appeal. A good example is Jane Chen's TED  talk . She speaks about a low-cost incubator that can save many lives in underdeveloped countries. Chen opens by saying: “Please close your eyes and open your hands. Now imagine what you could place in your hands, an apple, maybe your wallet. Now open your eyes. What about a life?” She displays a slide with Anne Geddes' image of a tiny baby held in an adult's hands as she says this. Combining a hook with a visual is one of the most engaging speech attention grabbers.

There is power in asking the audience to conjure up their imagination, to play along. You can easily adapt this tactic to any topic where you want the audience to imagine a positive outcome or a vision of a better tomorrow. You can also use this opening gambit to ask the audience to imagine being in someone else's shoes.

7. Add a little show business.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to make a hook that's entertaining, consider the world of movies. Movies occupy a central place in most people's lives and a well-placed, pertinent movie quote at the start of a presentation can perk up your audience. Perhaps you have your own inspirational quote from a favorite film. You can also find some classics here:  The Best Business Wisdom Hidden In Classic Movie Quotes .

8. Arouse curiosity.

Powerful attention grabbers spark people's curiosity. To do this, you can start with a statement designed to arouse interest and make the audience look up and listen to you attentively. Bestselling author Dan Pink does this masterfully in  one  of his talks. He says: "I need to make a confession, at the outset. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret. Something that I am not particularly proud of, something that in many ways I wished no one would ever know, but that here I feel kind of obliged to reveal. In the late 1980s, in a moment of youthful indiscretion, I went to law school." The hook here leads to some self-deprecating humor, which makes it even more effective.

9. Use quotations differently.

Often-used hook ideas involve the use of quotes. While many speakers start with an apt quotation, you can differentiate by stating the quote and adding a twist. For example, "We've all heard that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. But we need to remember that a journey to nowhere also starts with a single step." You can also use a quotation from your own life. For example, in a presentation on price versus quality, I have often used a quote from my grandfather, who used to say: "I am not rich enough to buy cheap."

There are numerous sources for quotations, such as  The Library of Congress , but you might also consider  The Yale Book of Quotations , which brings together over 13,000 quotes. You can also find such resources in app form, including  Famous Quotes  and  Brilliant Quotes .

10. Quote a foreign proverb.

A novel attention grabber for speeches is quoting a proverb from a culture your audience might not be familiar with. There is a wealth of fresh material to be culled from around the world. Chances are your listeners have never heard them, so they have novelty appeal. Here are some examples: "Our last garment is made without pockets" (Italy); "You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind" (Ireland); "The nail that sticks up will be hammered down" (Japan), and "Paper can't wrap up a fire" (China). Whatever phrase you select,  take the time to read and understand any important context around it, so as to make sure it's appropriate for your talk.

11. Take them through a "what if" scenario. 

A compelling way to start your presentation is with a "what if" scenario. For example, asking "What if you were debt-free?" at the start of a money management presentation might grab your listeners' attention as it asks them to look forward to a positive future and it can intensify their desire for your product or service. Exploring hook ideas that use a "what if" scenario may be fruitful as the "what if" concept is easily adaptable to almost any presentation.

12. Tell them a story. 

The most engaging and widespread examples of hooks, without a doubt, are stories. Nothing will compel listeners to lean in more than a well-told story.  Science  tells us that our brains are hardwired for storytelling. But the story needs to be brief, with just the right amount of detail to bring it to life. It must be authentic and have a "message," or lesson, to support your viewpoint. Above all, it must be kind. 

A version of this article was originally published on April 11, 2013. 

Photo: Getty Images

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8 clever hooks for presentations (with tips)

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What’s a good hook?

The importance of a good hook, 8 good hooks for speeches and presentations , leave a lasting impression.

When delivering a presentation, the first few minutes are crucial for capturing your audience’s attention. This is your chance to build intrigue around your topic and give listeners an idea of what’s to follow.

The best speakers use powerful hooks for presentations to introduce their topics, build suspense, and spark curiosity . These hooks are sharp and quick to grab attention — the kind that sticks around until the end of the presentation. They can be a surprising statistic, a thought-provoking question , and even a short personal story.

Drafting excellent hooks for presentations is essential to building anticipation and sowing the seeds for your audience’s growing interest. And with a limited window of opportunity to gain your listener’s interest and trust, your hook needs to be as substantial as the rest of your presentation.

A good hook introduces your subject matter , engages your audience, and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation.

Capturing listeners’ attention can be challenging as a presenter, especially if they’re attending out of obligation rather than individual interest. Although it’s wonderful to present to a room full of people eager to hear what you have to say, this won’t always be the case.

Knowing how to make a good hook can set you up for a successful presentation , no matter who’s in the audience. It engages listeners from the very beginning (and might even ignite a disinterested party’s curiosity).

Consider who your audience members are and what they want to learn. Their background should inform the tone of the presentation and lay the groundwork for building an angle.

When giving a presentation on ocean acidification to an environmental board, you could deliver a thought-provoking statistic on coral bleaching or provide a personal story that illustrates ecological changes that have taken place in your lifetime.

Remember: the hook should hint at the value your listeners will gain from your presentation without giving away too much too soon. Don’t spoil the plot twist, but make sure you start foreshadowing.

Impressions are formed quickly, making it crucial for the start of your presentation to kick off on a high note.

According to psychologist Alexander Todorov and researcher Janine Willis, it takes a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger . During this brief moment, we evaluate qualities such as likability and trustworthiness. 

Although coming up with a hook idea that appeals to listeners within a tenth of a second may be impossible, your first few words are important. Knowing how quickly we form perceptions may be intimidating, but with the right intro, a short time frame can work in your favor.

A well-developed and intriguing hook gives your listeners a positive first impression and influences how they interpret the rest of the presentation.

The hook is a key opportunity to show why your topic is exciting or worth considering. Here are eight types of hooks and hook examples to stimulate your audience’s interest, no matter the subject.

1. Make a surprising claim

Starting your speech with a surprising statement or statistic is an excellent way to grab your listener’s attention. A person giving a presentation on the benefits of coaching services to a company’s top executives could share the increase in employee productivity that teams experience after implementing coaching in the workplace.

Example: “Productivity increases 63% in workplaces that provide employees with group coaching services.”

The trick to making a surprising claim? It needs to shock your audience. If you create a statistic-based hook, it must be substantial enough to be of value to your listeners and persuade them to learn more about your topic.

Imagine that the example above only referenced a 5% increase. The executives would likely view the number as too little to invest in coaching services, making them less eager to pay attention during the presentation.

2. Start with a story

Stories are an excellent way to enhance information retention, making them a great tool for leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

According to organizational psychologist Peg Neuhauser, we recall what we learned from a well-told story more accurately than we do from facts and figures . So, if there’s a piece of information you’d like to impart to your audience, consider wrapping it in a short but compelling narrative.

When selecting an anecdote to share, ensure it’s relevant to your topic and resonates with your audience. A story that excites a sales team will likely differ from what an engineering team finds compelling.

Example: When delivering a presentation on the benefits of sleep on mental clarity, the speaker provides a story from your personal experience . They describe a period when construction outside constantly interrupted their sleep and how that negatively impacted several areas of their life, including their career and relationships.

This story uses vulnerability to earn the audience’s trust and segues into the rest of the presentation: breaking down how deep sleep is vital to performing your best.

3. Reference a historical event

This extra creative spin on the storytelling hook relies on a fascinating historical moment rather than your personal experience. The odds that your audience understands the wider context and thus the relevance of your presentation makes historical references good attention grabbers.  

A person giving a product pitch to potential investors could start with an anecdote about when they developed the first iteration of their product.

Example: “Did you know that jeans were invented 150 years ago? On an ordinary day like today, Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis combined metal rivets and denim trousers to create durable work pants for gold rush miners.”

This historical hook creates a captivating opening for a pitch about stylish and wearable apparel. The speaker can lean on this historical reference to introduce a product that’s even more universal than jeans.

4. Ask an intriguing question

Finding a single starting sentence that hooks readers isn’t always easy. But incorporating participation into the start of your presentation is a fun way to hook your audience, even if it’s with a rhetorical question that encourages them to participate mentally.

Your question should be as captivating and intellectually stimulating as possible to pique the interest of each of your audience members. This approach works great for introducing products, services, or projects, as you can present what you’ve been working on as the answer to the question.

Example: “What if there was a way to fight the climate crisis while you cook dinner?”

Remember to pause after asking a question to give your audience time to brainstorm possible answers and stimulate their curiosity.

If you’re giving a business presentation, conduct research beforehand to ensure your question is relevant to your clients. The answer should mean something to your audience or solve a pain point they experience.

5. Contradict expectations

Contradicting a widely held belief is a compelling way to grab your listener’s attention. Do this by starting your presentation with a statement that challenges your audience’s presumptions.

Example: “Hydration isn’t all about how much water you drink.”

This presentation hook intrigues audience members to learn what else is needed other than water to stay hydrated. You can then lead your presentation through several methods for staying hydrated , like incorporating electrolytes into your diet and eating fruits and vegetables with high water content.

6. Show a captivating video

Starting your presentation with a video allows someone else to break the ice for you. Choose a short video related to your topic that easily transitions into your slideshow.

Example: A graphic design team manager wants to introduce new software into their department. They show a video from the product designers that provides an in-depth and visually engaging overview of the software’s features and benefits.

After the video ends, the speaker can move on to slides that describe how the team can leverage the software to improve their workflow and creative outputs.

7. Use a quote from a famous figure

Find a quote from someone admirable that relates to your presentation and impart wisdom to your audience.

Example: Someone’s administering a presentation on professional networking. They use Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Although this quote can apply to a number of topics, in a networking context , it emphasizes how important it is for people to consider how they make others feel when they first meet. This tells your audience that a critical networking component is connecting with others personally rather than focusing solely on what they do professionally.

8. Show an object

An object can promote interaction and help your audience visualize what you’re talking about. This is especially helpful if you’re pitching a product and want to show listeners what the product looks like in real life and how it functions.

Example: A salesperson presents a new lamp design to a furniture store. They enhance the pitch by bringing the lamp to the presentation and demonstrating its ambient light features.

This strategy also works in contexts when you’re discussing the gravity of a statistic. For instance, if you’re aiming to communicate the dire levels of microplastics in the ocean, you could illustrate the severity by showing the audience a container filled with plastic fragments.

It’s not always easy to grab your listener’s attention when speaking publicly. Using hooks for presentations is one of the most effective ways to fan your audience’s curiosity and earn their engagement from start to finish.

The key is to keep your hook brief, relevant, and engaging. Remember to take the time to know your audience and set up your presentation to deliver valuable information from the start.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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10 Killer Marketing Presentation Examples (Template-Ready)

Learn from the best marketing presentation examples how to engage your audience, persuade & reach marketing strategy goals for your business or product.

13 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What does a marketing presentation include.

The key elements that every marketing presentation should include are:

• Introduction
• Market overview
• Product/service overview
• Marketing strategy
• Competitor analysis
• Performance metrics
• Action plan
• Projections
• Conclusion and next steps

Transform your presentation from snoozefest to showstopper.

In the high-stakes business arena, a poorly executed marketing presentation can be a fast track to losing your audience's attention.

But you lose more than just attention - you lose potential customers, sales, growth opportunities, and ultimately revenue.

The uncomfortable truth is that your chances of standing out in a sea of noise are slim to none. But don't despair!

With a strategic approach to your marketing presentation your brand will never be overlooked.

If this sounds like a complicated thing to achieve, that’s because it is.

But this post will teach you the ins and outs of what makes an effective marketing presentation. We’ll do better - we’ll show you how it’s done with captivating marketing presentation examples .

Let’s dive in!

What’s considered an effective marketing presentation

At Storydoc, we’ve analyzed more than 100,000 presentation sessions to get to the bottom of what makes the most effective decks so successful.

Let's dive into some intriguing presentation statistics that shed light on the components of a successful marketing presentation .

The first 3 slides determine whether people will bounce or read on - make them count:

• Think deeply about your hook
• Use the person's name and company logo in the title
• Prioritize the information that matters most to your audience
• Be very short and to the point

32% of people bounce from your deck in the first 15 seconds. But more importantly 80% of readers who cross the 3rd slide threshold will read the deck in full.

Imagine you were giving a speech and after 3 minutes a 3rd of the audience just stood up and left the hall. That would feel horrible, wouldn’t it? So why do this to your decks?

What you can do is write a relevant, personalized, and intriguing hook, and place it on slides 1-3 of your deck. Make the audience understand that you’re writing FOR THEM, about THEIR NEEDS, but also that you have something amazing up your sleeve.

And tell them how long reading your deck will take. Time is their currency, you wouldn’t ask a client for “money” without stating how much, would you?

You should also have a strong visual hook. Use a video, animated, or interactive cover slide. Make it so they can’t look away.

Here's an example of a great hook:

2. Personalization

Personalization is the key predictor of success:

• Get to know your audience, their needs, and the words they use (Voice of Customer)
• Use dynamic fields to inject personal details of your recipient (when prospecting at scale)
• Offer tailored solutions that address the specific needs of your audience
• Leverage automation tools to pull personalized data directly from your CRM into your presentations

Adding a personal touch to your presentations can work wonders. Our data shows that decks with personalized notes are 68% more likely to be read in full compared to general presentations.

More impressively, personalized content led to a 41% increase in average reading time , and decks customized for a specific prospect were shared internally 2.3x more often. So, sprinkle in that personal touch, and watch engagement skyrocket!

But, effectively personalizing presentations at scale is incredibly time-consuming, right?

Well, not necessarily, in Storydoc you can add dynamic variables that let you inject personal info into any number of presentations. Storydoc can even pull this info automatically from your CRM .

Now each presentation you send will feel tailor-made for the recipient while only taking a few clicks to create.

Here's a great example of a personalized presentation:

3. Interactive design

Including interactive elements in your presentation increases engagement:

• Integrate interactive features like videos, tabs, live graphs and charts , calculators, or sliders
• Use video and animations to illustrate complex ideas
• Avoid text-heavy slides
• Test user interactivity to ensure all the features work

Using interactive elements in your presentation can boost engagement significantly.

Decks with tabs to click through, live data calculators, sliders with case studies, or customer testimonials were scrolled to the bottom 41% more often, leading to a 21% longer average reading time.

If your average reading time is 5 minutes, that’s one whole minute extra to get your message across. Do you think you could use that extra minute?

The simple fact is that if you make your deck a dynamic, interactive experience, your audience will be much more likely to stick around and listen.

Static slides often fail to get and hold attention. This leads to missed opportunities.

Interactive slides will engage your audience and motivate them to explore your content in-depth.

Which one would engage you more?

Benefits of including interactive elements in your marketing presentation

More decks read in full

Longer average reading time

4. Great mobile experience

1 in 3 people read decks on mobile - make sure yours looks flawless on any device:

• Design for mobile first
• Use responsive design
• Simplify your content
• Test on multiple devices

32% of all decks are opened on mobile devices. What do you think this means for you if your presentation isn't optimized for mobile? How many opportunities are you losing?

It’s worth noting that the average reading time on mobile is 3:41 minutes, slightly less than the 4:24 minutes on desktop, but more than enough time to create a memorable impact.

Is giving a third of your a great mobile content experience on their preferred device just 'nice-to-have'? You decide.

Creating a mobile-friendly presentation sounds like a lot of work but it isn’t. You can find fully tested mobile-optimized presentation templates in our marketing presentation template gallery .

Here's a great example of a mobile-friendly deck:

5. A clear next step

Making the next step clear and easy boosts conversion:

• Include a clear call-to-action (CTA)
• Limit your CTAs to avoid choice overload
• Make multiple instances of the same CTA look the same (design and text) to avoid confusion.
• Make the CTA stand out
• Deliver value first before asking readers to take the next step
• Make your next step a small concession rather than a big commitment

A well-crafted marketing presentation isn't just about informing—it's about converting.

Decks that contained a singular, clear next step (e.g., book a demo, sign up, leave your email) saw a 27% boost in conversion rate compared to those ending with a generic "thank you."

Bottom line - make your call to action crystal clear, easy to do, and with immediate reward.

Vague or generic calls to action result in missed conversion opportunities.

The solution is smart and easy to act on CTAs, such as embedding your calendar in the presentation . You can’t do this with PowerPoint, but you can with Storydoc.

Here's what a deck with an embedded calendar looks like:

Types of marketing presentations

PRODUCT MARKETING

MARKETING STRATEGY

MARKETING PLAN

MARKET ANALYSIS

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Product marketing presentation

This is your stage to spotlight your product or service. Dive into unique features, benefits, and the problem it solves for your customers. Remember, it's not just about what your product is, but why it matters.

Marketing strategy presentation

The beating heart of your brand's direction, this presentation outlines your game plan to reach your audience. It covers your unique selling proposition, target market, distribution channels, and more. Think of it as your strategic compass guiding you to your business goals.

Marketing plan presentation

Detailing your tactical roadmap, this presentation is where strategy meets execution. It includes your specific marketing activities, timeline, budget, and key performance indicators. Your plan is your strategy's vehicle - fasten your seatbelts and let it drive you to success!

Market analysis presentation

In this presentation, you dissect your market to unearth valuable insights. Understand your customer demographics, identify trends, and evaluate market size. It's your secret weapon to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Marketing campaign presentation

This presentation highlights your creative initiatives aimed at promoting your product or service. It showcases your campaign theme, messaging, promotional channels, and projected outcomes. It's your marketing storybook – captivate your audience with every page.

Best marketing presentation examples to inspire you

Let’s help you elevate your marketing presentations from 'good' to 'jaw-dropping'. Explore the best performing marketing presentation examples based on our data.

Each example is designed with best practices in mind and optimized to hook your audience from start to finish.

Jump ahead to each example

Company presentation

What makes this deck great:

• Incorporating information on the average reading time reduces your bounce rate by nearly 25% !
• Using tiered slides allows you to segment the various aspects of your offering. By providing clickable tabs for your audience to navigate, you can ensure that 41% more people will read your entire marketing presentation .
• The inclusion of image and video placeholders is ideal for demonstrating your product or service in action, enhancing user engagement.

Marketing proposal

• Incorporating a video into the cover slide elevates engagement by as much as 32% ! As a result, anyone who opens your marketing presentation will spend more time reading it and become more inclined to take the desired action at the end.
• The running numbers slide enables you to present crucial metrics, marketing budget, or expenditures in a visually captivating manner.
• Animated lists , as well as icon and text arrays, prove highly beneficial in guiding your audience through your marketing strategy.

Marketing one-pager

• An entirely interactive design boosts user engagement and guarantees a flawless appearance across all devices, no matter where your presentation is viewed.
• The inclusion of a smart CTA allows you to present your offering succinctly and direct your target audience to a more comprehensive deck for further information, or let them book a meeting straight from the deck.
• The user-friendly editor is intuitive and operates seamlessly. Any element you add will automatically adapt to the overall deck design, so you never have to worry about messing up the layout.

Marketing case study

• A “read more” tab allows you to include more information in your marketing case study without making it too text-heavy.
• The running numbers slide makes it easy for your target audience to instantly realize the value of your offering.
• Clickable tabs can be used to walk readers through the customer journey or segment the information for different audiences.

Product pitch deck

• The running numbers slide set against a vibrant backdrop provides an eye-catching platform to present your unique value proposition.
• Easily customizable logo placeholders serve as an ideal tool for highlighting the key integrations of your solution.
• The option to embed case studies allows you to legitimize your solution and establish trust with your audience.

Physical product one-pager

• Interactive clickable tabs provide an ideal platform to showcase the key products in your company's portfolio, complete with short descriptions and accompanying images or videos.
• Easily customizable fields allow you to create a polished marketing presentation within minutes.
• Incorporating a smart call-to-action (CTA) makes it more likely for your audience to take the desired action at the end.

Social media proposal deck

• The narrator slide serves as the perfect tool to lead your audience through the project details.
• Including a timeline slide enables you to format your marketing presentation within a captivating narrative that engages your audience.
• An array of data visualization slides is perfect for presenting key metrics or project budgets in a way that is comprehensible and easy to follow.

General business one-pager

• The ability to add dynamic variables to personalize your marketing presentation at scale.
• Versatile slides that can easily be adapted to various industries and use cases.
• AI assistant that can create relevant visuals for your marketing presentation, tweak the copy, or create it from scratch.

Agency pitch deck

• Using tiered slides and a timeline comes in handy when presenting the diverse range of services provided by your agency.
• Incorporating interactive slides enhances engagement and improves the user-friendliness of the deck, increasing the likelihood of more prospects reaching the end.
• The pricing slide can be used to provide your audience with a concise overview of the main services you offer.

Creative pitch deck

• The timeline slide is a creative solution for presenting the main problem of your industry without overloading your audience with too much text.
• A completely interactive layout designed to enhance engagement and prolong the average reading time.

The inclusion of various data visualization elements enables you to position your company in relation to key competitors and compare important metrics.

How to create an effective marketing presentation

Each presentation has its unique recipe for success. Whether it's a Strategy & plan, a Branding & product talk, or a Performance analysis, they all have little details to look out for.

Let's get cooking!

STRATEGY & PLAN

BRANDING & PRODUCT

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

Strategy & plan

To breathe life into your strategy and plan presentation, paint a vision of the future.

Start with a robust situational analysis, highlighting key findings about your market, competition, and audience.

Define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) marketing objectives that directly link to your strategies.

Present clear and concise strategies, directly aligned with the objectives.

Wrap up with detailed tactics and action plans, using compelling visuals to engage your audience and simplify complex information.

Branding & product

When presenting on branding and product, you're essentially telling a story.

Showcase the personality, values, and unique selling proposition (USP) of your brand.

Introduce your product or service, making it tangible and valuable to your audience.

Utilize customer testimonials, case studies, or live demos to demonstrate the benefits and solve problems.

Make your audience fall in love with your brand and product to create strong brand ambassadors.

Performance analysis

Performance analysis presentations are all about the numbers — but don't let that intimidate you.

Begin with an overview of campaign objectives and strategies used.

Dive into the data, highlighting key metrics and KPIs to analyze performance.

Use clean and clear charts and graphs to visually present the story of the campaign.

Showcase wins and successes, but also discuss areas for improvement as valuable learning opportunities.

Conclude with key takeaways and next steps, demonstrating transparency and setting the stage for ongoing success.

Marketing presentation best practices

A winning marketing presentation can make all the difference between a yawn and a standing ovation. But, how do you actually do it?

Craft that perfect blend of content, storytelling, brand message, personalization, and relevancy.. Let’s break it down.

When it comes to content, less is more. Each slide should communicate one key idea, supported by a powerful headline and easy-to-digest visuals.

Avoid jargon and long sentences — simplicity and clarity are your allies. Remember, your slides should support your speech, not overshadow it.

You don’t want your marketing presentation to end up looking like this:

2. Storytelling

Unleash the power of storytelling. Every great marketing presentation is a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Hook your audience with a compelling introduction, then build intrigue as you progress, and finish with a memorable conclusion. Ensure your story has a human element — this emotional connection can turn listeners into advocates.

Here’s our recommended storyline structure:

3. Brand messaging

Consistency is key in brand messaging. Your presentation should reflect your brand's voice, values, and visual identity at every turn.

This not only enhances recognition but also builds trust. Remember, a strong brand doesn't just sell a product or service, it sells an experience.

You can do this by pulling your brand colors from the brandbook:

4. Personalization

Make your audience feel special with personalization. Address them by name, incorporate their company logo, or include a heartfelt personal message. Tailor your call-to-action to resonate with them on a personal level.

5. Relevancy

Address your target audience's pain points in your value proposition and content. Show them you understand their challenges and you have the solution they've been looking for.

When your audience sees themselves in your presentation, they're more likely to see the value in what you're offering.

Marketing presentation design tips

Imagine your marketing presentation as a canvas, and your design elements as the palette. Let's discover how to blend layout, visual aids, animation, and infographics to create a masterpiece that dazzles your audience.

The layout should guide your audience's eyes effortlessly from one point to the next. Keep it clean and uncluttered.

Balance text with empty space to avoid overwhelming your audience. Remember, the Rule of Thirds isn't just for photography — it's a great guide for slide layout too!

2. Visual aids and graphics

Visual aids and graphics are your allies in storytelling. Use relevant, high-quality images, vector icons , or diagrams to support your points.

They can simplify complex information, evoke emotions, and make your presentation more memorable. But, be mindful not to overdo it — each visual should serve a purpose.

3. Animation

Animation can add a dash of dynamism to your presentation — if used wisely. Use it to guide attention, illustrate a process, or reveal information progressively.

But beware, too much animation can distract and annoy. Like a well-chosen spice, a little can go a long way.

If you want to learn more, check out our article on how to use video animations to create engaging content .

4. Infographics

Infographics are the secret weapon for presenting data in an engaging way. They can transform boring stats into compelling visuals.

Whether it's a bar chart, a pie chart , or a flowchart, pick the format that best tells your data's story. Just remember, simplicity and clarity should always guide your design choices.

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Crafting a top-notch marketing presentation can feel like trying to scale Everest. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, compelling storytelling, and striking visuals.

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Think of these as your base camps on the way to the summit. With a gallery of interactive marketing presentation templates at your disposal, you've got the tools to simplify your climb!

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The Marketing Hook: 3 Ways to Capture Your Audience’s Attention

Earning the attention of an audience is one of the toughest jobs in marketing.

The best way to do this is with a marketing hook.

A hook is an angle used in content and advertising that grabs attention, creates interest and makes an audience receptive to your messages.

In other words, it gets your foot in the door.

BTW : Do not confuse a HOOK with a USP. Unique Selling Points belong to a product/service. Hooks belong to marketing and advertising content.

Who Needs a Hook?

Every business needs a hook for every piece of content or promotion it runs.

Even established businesses with huge email lists , subscribers and customers need hooks to control the attention and trust of their audience.

Take a look in your inbox and see how many emails you receive from businesses who’ve lost your attention.

Do you think they’ll ever get it back? I doubt it.

When your marketing hooks fail to grab attention, you’ll lose your audience (and potentially) your leads forever.

A marketer who controls the attention of a small group owns a more valuable asset than one who has no control over a large audience. Click To Tweet

Making a Hook Effective

Attention is a hugely sought-after commodity.

Every day we are bombarded with emails, notifications, updates, messages, calls and social media adverts – all of them are begging for our attention.

If you’re going to compete, your marketing hook needs to stick to at least one (the more, the better) of the following rules:

• Be different: Stand out from the crowd in a world packed with attention hungry banners and updates. 350 million photos are posted every single day on Facebook, how will yours stand out?
• Have a polarising message: Say something that shocks or sides strongly with your audiences’ opinion.
• Reject the status quo and conformity: If you run marketing campaigns that have the same message as everybody else, your hook won’t stand out. Find something that’s wrong in your industry and use it.
• Be authentic: Don’t create a hook that isn’t real or lie about your opinions. This might win you attention on day one, but by the end of the month, you’ll be back where you started.

Creating a Marketing Hook

Unfortunately, we can’t just hand you a killer hook on a velvet cushion.

We do it for our clients, but that’s because we know their industry, brand and products.

In order to create the attention-grabbing hook every marketer is hunting, you’re going to need a sprinkling of creativity and a dash of out of the box thinking.

Don’t be downhearted if you’re a paint-by-numbers kind of marketer, in the rest of this ‘marketing hooks’ guide I’ll give you 3 techniques that’ll help you find your hook.

The Marketing Hook That Nobody is Saying

The marketing hook that nobody else is saying is one of the most effective you can use.

It focuses on the principles of hitting a pain point or desire within your target market and speaking to them about it in a way that nobody else is.

In order for you to create a marketing hook like this, you’re first going to need a detailed understanding of your target market – I’d suggest creating a customer avatar .

When you have that, follow the steps below:

• Consider your audience. What’re their needs? Wants? Desires? Pain points? Problems?
• Think of a message that appeals to one of these interests/pain points
• Research customers/competitors/authority holders that use the same message or are experts on the subject.
• Find something interesting that they’re not saying and apply it to the 4 rules (in Making A Hook Effective, above)
• There’s your marketing hook

Weaknesses as a Marketing Hook

Weaknesses as a hook?

As marketers, it pays to be smart with your messaging. This can occasionally mean flipping things on their head and approaching a problem in a totally new way.

Using ‘weaknesses as a marketing hook’ achieves exactly that.

The first thing you’ll need to do in order to use this technique as your hook in marketing is to find a weakness…

Find a Weakness

Sometimes weaknesses stick out like sore thumbs. If that’s the case, you probably need to fix your product/service.

But for now, we’re going to assume you’ve got a rocking product/service or piece of content to promote.

To find your weakness, you’re going to need to start digging. Here are a few tips:

• Be objective
• Put yourself in your customers shoes
• Use customer feedback  (reviews and testimonials are the perfect place to start)
• Think about leads who didn’t convert and their biggest objections to buying
• Do you own the product? Have you received the service? If not, why?

2. Overcome the Objection

This is where our hook comes in.

We’re going to create an attention-grabbing leverage point that overcomes an objection (due to weakness) before it’s spotted.

This is why weakness hooks are awesome!

A fix, bonus or perceived add-on that handles an objection before it arises gives leads an ‘aha moment’. They create a complementary enhancement that makes a customer feel like they’re getting more for their money.

For example, if your product is more expensive than your competitor’s this would be considered a weakness and a potential objection point for your prospects.

However, if you were to use a hook that elevates your product’s status and its ‘premium’ price, you could turn this into a desirable element of your product.

The Big Gain Marketing Hook

As we know, a hook is an angle we use in marketing to grab the attention of our audience.

The big gain hook does just that.

Simply described, we are aiming to tempt our prospects into our content by showing them what they could have .

The big gain acts as bait.

Think of your where your target market are, and then where they want to be. Your marketing hook needs to show your product/service, content or offer aligned with where they want to be.

Here’s an example of how to find your big gain marketing hook:

• What are the PROBLEMS/PAIN POINTS of your target market?

Use your Customer Avatar to find the biggest problems your market faces.

A (Post-Christmas) Example: Our target market has eaten far too much unhealthy food over the festive period. They are worried about their health and weight.

• What are your customers GOALS with regard to this PAIN POINT? And why do they want to achieve them?

Is their problem something that can be totally solved? Or do they need to take steps towards it?

Example: Our target market wants to feel healthier and look slimmer. They want to lose the extra weight they put on and get a body they can be proud of.

• What can the customer gain from achieving their goal? What are the advantages?

This should be a specific answer. Go into as much detail as possible here, because this is where you’re going to draw your big gain marketing hook from.

Example: Our customer can go from swollen stomach to six-pack, look more attractive, fit in that dress they always wanted, get the body of a GOD …etc.…

What You Should Have  

If you’ve spent some time digging and followed our steps, you should be able to use one of these methods to develop an attention-grabbing marketing hook.

From there, you’ll have the opportunity to present them with more of your product/service content or marketing offers.

These three methods should arm you with a wealth of ideas for your marketing hooks, but don’t let you journey end there – check out one of the following articles to help you build on your journey:

• The Complete Guide to Facebook Ad Copy and Creatives
• Google Chrome Extensions For Marketers
• Priming in Marketing: Advertising Psychology 101
• Instagram Post Reach: 9 Strategies to Reach More People on Instagram
• How to Get 1000s of Facebook Page Likes
• Author Details

5 Responses

A great loss. I congratulate you on this. I didn’t know that hooking was so important. It can also be a very good idea to create separate hooks for each persona. I would like to publish this topic on my own blog. Thanks

Very useful. I will try all of these marketing hooks for my business.

Thanks Jamie!

Weaknesses as hooks! Aamazing idea…

Love these marketing hooks. The idea of using the weaknesses is very clever!

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• Presentation

How to Hook Your Audience with An Effective Opening?

• January 15, 2023

The success of a presentation often hinges on its effective opening moments. The moment you have an opportunity to gain your audience’s attention and make an impact on them on the stage. This critical phase is where the presentation hook comes into play. In this article, we’ll delve into creating a captivating presentation hook, exploring what an author should do to hook the audience at an effective opening, how to attract their attention, and why the hook is indispensable in Presentation design services .

Have you ever heard a TED talk that was so captivating, it practically drew you in from the very beginning? The starting point of any presentation can be just as important as what comes afterward. When done well, it sets the tone for an engaging and gripping experience. To help get your own presentations off to an unforgettable start, here are some amazing examples given by top-notch TED speakers!

Table of Contents

What Is a Presentation Hook?

A presentation hook is the effective opening statement or segment of your presentation designed to grab your audience’s attention and hold it. It serves as the “hook” that reels them in, setting the stage for the content you’re about to deliver.

Why Is the Hook Important?

• First Impressions Matter: Your audience’s initial impression can shape their perception of your entire presentation. A strong hook in presentation ensures this impression is positive and engaging.
• Engagement and Retention: Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and retain the information you present. A well-crafted hook sets the stage for heightened engagement.
• Audience Focus: People have shorter attention spans in today’s fast-paced world. The hook reorients their focus to your presentation, making them more receptive to your message.

Now that we understand the significance of the hook let’s explore what an author should do to hook the audience effectively.

HOW TO START?

When I’m invited to share my ideas at a conference, there’s always the potential for great synergy with those of other speakers. With this in mind, I take time before each presentation to glean what insights and strategies they have shared so that their messages can be echoed or further fortified during mine. This allows me not only to thoughtfully craft an engaging introduction but also to leverage any intriguing concepts introduced by previous presenters – creating something greater than the sum of its parts!

By demonstrating active listening and linking your intervention to other speakers’ perspectives, you set a strong example for others on how one should engage in meaningful dialogue. This can make a lasting impression during any speech or presentation!

By unlocking a deeper exchange between presenters, you can draw the entire audience into an engaging dialogue. By responding to their ideas and connecting previous discussions with your own intervention, everyone in attendance is awoken from any potential stagnation felt during prior presentations. Transform mere speeches into something truly memorable!

What Should an Author Do to Hook the Audience?

1-know your audience.

Before crafting your hook, it’s crucial to understand your audience’s needs, interests, and expectations. Tailor your hook to resonate with them. Are they looking for information, inspiration, or entertainment? Adjust your approach accordingly.

2-Craft a Compelling Story

Stories have an inherent ability to captivate an audience. Begin your presentation with a narrative that’s relevant to your topic. A relatable story can draw listeners in emotionally, making them more invested in your message.

3-Pose a Thought-Provoking Question

Asking a question at the outset invites your audience to think critically. Make it a question highlighting the problem your presentation addresses or challenges conventional wisdom. This creates curiosity and anticipation for your insights.

4-Startle with a Surprising Fact or Statistic

Shocking or intriguing facts and statistics can jolt your audience out of complacency. Begin with one that’s directly related to your topic. The element of surprise will grab their attention and set a tone of curiosity.

5-Use a Powerful Quote

A well-chosen quote from a respected authority or a thought leader can lend credibility to your presentation. Ensure the quote aligns with your message and serves as an enticing preview of what’s to come.

Tips for effective hook in presentation

Make a provocative statement..

How do you get people to actually listen? An economics professor found the answer: he delivered his talk with 4.8 million views and counting, using blunt humor that called out all of those making excuses for not achieving their goals and dreams. His statement wasn’t subtle – it was boldly provocative, stirring up surprise, amusement, curiosity and fear in equal measure…and didn’t require any traditional presentation methods at all!

Incite curiosity.

After 20 long years of keeping a secret, Dan Pink decided to set the record straight and divulge what had been on his mind. He boldly proclaimed that he was about confess something embarrassing which would be difficult for him to admit — an event so life-shaping that it left many in attendance wondering: What could possibly be this deep dark secret?

Shock the audience.

Jane McGonigal knows how to get an audience’s attention – by making bold and unexpected claims! In her introduction, she made a statement that left many listeners wondering if it really was possible. But not only did Jane make good on this promise by revealing the game design behind it – but also supported its incredible feasibility with rigorous scientific research too. Listen in for the full story of how gaming can actually lead to increased resilience!

Tell a story.

Shawn Achor has found the secret to being more productive–and it starts with a wonderfully nostalgic childhood story! According to this renowned psychologist, positive psychology is not only effective but essential when looking for ways to become more efficient. With plenty of evidence backing his case, Shawn shows us how pursuing happiness leads us down an even brighter path towards productivity than we could ever have imagined.

Be authentic.

Brene Brown knows how to draw in an audience. She opens her talk on confronting shame by confessing that she was embarrassed about the insights shared during her most well-known TED speech, one focused on embracing vulnerability. Through this brave and revealing story, Brown allows listeners to connect with their own experiences while delivering a clear message of authenticity above all else.

Quote an influential person.

Andrew Solomon successfully grabs his audience’s attention with a powerful Emily Dickinson quote to kick off his discussion on depression. His poignant words are even more compelling as they illustrate the heavy emotions that accompany this often-misunderstood condition, emphasizing its prevalence and impact in society today.

Begin with a captivating visual.

Revolution can seem like a mammoth task, requiring the rallying of people around a cause–usually with an awe-inspiring leader at its head. But is that really what happens? In his TED talk, Derek Sivers reveals otherwise. With eye-opening video footage to back him up, he explains how movements get going in ways we don’t expect – and why it doesn’t take much for something small to become big!

Ask a question.

What if you had the power to learn how to manipulate people’s perceptions? World-famous pickpocket Apollo Robbins dives deep into this question with an attention-grabbing presentation that has provoked more than 10.5 million viewers worldwide and challenged us all about what we think is real or not.

Use silence as a marketing tool.

Amanda Palmer demonstrates how powerful a tool silence can be in presentations. With nothing more than her breath and an insightful prop, she commands the attention of any room — proof that this dramatic technique is sure to capture your audience if employed correctly. While not all presenters may feel comfortable with such bold moves, those who do have access to a powerful way of gaining captivated listeners right off the bat!

Start with a prop.

Susan Cain shows us the power of props when engaging an audience. She uses a physical object to recreate her first summer camp experience, captivating viewers with its vivid visuals and adding a dramatic effect that keeps everyone’s eyes glued on hers while she takes center stage.

Jokes that convert: laugh and learn

Pamela Meyer highlights how powerful a combination of humor and surprise can be in giving an engaging talk. Her effective opening statement – essentially accusing the person to her right of being liar – grabs everyone’s attention, which propels them through her thought-provoking presentation featuring shocking statistics like “on any given day, we’re lied to up to 200 times”. Since it was uploaded online 13 million people have watched this eye-opening speech!

Use the word “imagine.”

Ric Elias invites his audience to use their imaginations and enter the harrowing scene of a plane crash survivor. Drawing from personal experience, he challenges them to “think of” or “picture this,” allowing for an even more immersive story-telling experience.

How to Hook Your Audience’s Attention During a Presentation?

1-start with a story or anecdote to capture your audience’s attention.

The very first time I realized that my voice could be helpful in a presentation was when someone asked me to give an impromptu speech at school. All of the other kids were too shy, but not me! From then on out there would always seem like some kind person who needs what they have got going on and so we connected really well over this common ground – our ability to help others feel seen or heard whatever situation may call upon us for service.”

2-Use visual aids such as graphs, charts, or images to help explain your points

People are more likely to pay attention when they can see what you’re talking about. Make sure your visuals are clear and easy to understand.

3-Make use of humor – but be careful not to offend anyone!

Humor is a great way to keep your audience engaged and it’s not necessary if you’re being too jokey. Make sure there aren’t any offensive words or phrases in the text, though!

4-Speak in a clear and concise manner so that everyone can understand you

This is so important to remember that it’s really the cornerstone of public speaking. If your audience isn’t following you or comprehending what you’re saying, they won’t be very interested in listening and watching for much longer than necessary! 

5-Move around the stage and use hand gestures to keep your audience engaged

There are some people who believe that if you’re just standing in one spot the whole time, your audience will get bored quickly. But as a result of this boredom, they may wander off and stop listening or watching altogether! To avoid any negative consequences like these from happening move around while talking so hand gestures can help keep them interested enough for what’s coming next – remember to use plenty (and varied) facial expressions too because it bring life back into our words when spoken aloud.

6-Pauses for emphasis can be very effective in grabbing the attention

Pause for effect! Pause your speech to let people really listen and process the information. This can be especially effective if you’re trying to make an important point that needs emphasis, so don’t just breeze through without giving them time to think about what’s being said or how it applies in their lives.”

7-Asking questions is a great way to get your audience involved

The more you involve your audience, the better. They’ll be much happier and more attentive if they feel like this is an event that’s happening just for them!

8-End with a strong conclusion that leaves your audience wanting more

You want your presentation to be memorable, so make sure you end on a high note! Thank your audience for their time and let them know where they can find more information.

How to Attract Audience Attention

Creating an effective presentation hook is just the beginning. To maintain your audience’s attention, employ these strategies throughout your presentation:

Dynamic Body Language

Your physical presence matters. Move purposefully, make eye contact, and use gestures to emphasize key points. A dynamic presenter is inherently more engaging.

Vary Your Vocal Delivery

Monotony is the enemy of engagement. Adjust your tone, pitch, and pace to match the content. A well-modulated voice can hold the audience’s interest.

Visual Aids and Multimedia

Incorporate visuals, videos, and multimedia elements strategically. These can break up text-heavy slides and provide visual stimulation.

Interactive Elements

Engage your audience by asking questions, conducting polls, or inviting participation. Interactivity keeps listeners actively involved.

Relatable Examples

Use real-life examples and anecdotes that your audience can relate to. Stories from everyday experiences make your content more accessible.

The Presentation Hook: Your Gateway to Engagement

Imagine you’re sitting in an auditorium, attending a seminar or conference. The speaker steps onto the stage and begins with a long string of data and statistics, droning on about the subject matter without any context or intrigue. How engaged do you feel in that moment? Chances are, not very.

Now, picture a different scenario. The speaker begins with a riveting story, a surprising fact, or a provocative question that piques your curiosity. Instantly, you’re drawn into the presentation eager to learn more. This is the magic of the presentation hook—a powerful tool for captivating your audience from the very start.

The Hook in Presentation: Crafting Your Effective Opening

Now that we’ve explored a presentation hook and how to attract and maintain your audience’s attention, let’s put these principles into action. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting an engaging opening for your presentation:

Step 1: Know Your Audience

• Identify your audience’s preferences, expectations, and pain points.
• Determine the primary objective of your presentation: inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire.

Step 2: Choose Your Hook

• Select a hook that aligns with your audience’s interests and your presentation’s purpose.
• Consider using a captivating story, a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or a powerful quote.

Step 3: Craft Your Opening

• Introduce your hook confidently and clearly.
• Ensure your hook directly relates to the main topic of your presentation.
• Keep your opening concise; the hook should be a brief preview, not the main event.

Step 4: Transition Smoothly

• After your hook, smoothly transition into the core content of your presentation.
• Provide a brief overview of what your audience can expect.

Step 5: Maintain Engagement

• Throughout your presentation, use the strategies mentioned earlier to maintain audience engagement.
• Emphasize key points, use visuals effectively, and keep the energy level high.

Now that we’ve explored a presentation hook and how to attract and maintain your audience’s attention with effective opening, you may be thinking that it is next to impossible for you, the presenter of an academic paper or talk show host who has just begun speaking with their guest on camera. But there are ways around this problem! In order to keep attention span during presentations by using eye contact and voice tone which will make sure your audience stays engaged throughout all videos presented thus far- try looking into peoples’ eyes when mentioning specific facts; use excited tones while talking about exciting topics such as technology innovation cycles taking place now within various industries. Remember not only do these techniques work wonders at attracting.

What is a strong opening for a presentation?

Just start your words by asking your audience to visualize a scenario related to the main idea of your presentation. You need to see the topic from the audience’s perspective, which can help the audience relate better to your narrative. 

What is an example of a hook question in a presentation?

Questions could be as simple as: “How many of you have ever done ‘x’?” Or “What do you do when ‘y’ happens?” For example, in a salary negotiation presentation, I might start by asking the audience, “What do you say when an interviewer asks about your current salary?” Asking this question engages your audience.

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Crafting a Memorable Brand Marketing Presentation That Creates Advocates

Once upon a time, businesses simply manufactured products and offered services. The relationship between a company and its customers begins and ends with exchanging money for an item or service.

Those days are long gone.

In our crowded and noisy world, brands must work harder to capture attention and loyalty. Today's consumers have nearly unlimited choices. To stand out, you must connect with them on an emotional level.

That's where brand storytelling comes in.

Storytelling draws people in. It helps them relate to your company on a more personal level. Through stories, brands can spark interest, build trust and foster devotion. Simply put, a compelling brand narrative sets you apart from the competition.

But brand storytelling isn't just about creativity. It serves an essential business function. Stories help you:

• Attract new customers:  By sharing your origin story and core values, you demonstrate why people should care about your brand.
• Strengthen ties with existing customers:  Stories reinforce what makes your brand unique and worth returning to.
• Inspire brand loyalty:  When people care about your story, they're more likely to become dedicated customers.
• Rally employees around your mission:  Stories remind staff why their work matters.
• Add personality to your brand:  Stories allow you to inject humour, emotion and relatability into your brand messaging.
• Generate buzz:  A memorable story gets people talking about your company.

Brand storytelling isn't optional. To thrive in today's marketplace, you need an engaging brand narrative.

But how do you share your powerful story in a way that captivates audiences?

Marketing presentations offer a highly effective method.

In this guide, we'll explore how to craft a compelling brand marketing presentation that hooks your audience and creates enthusiastic brand advocates. Let's dive in.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Develop a Clear Narrative Arc

Every engaging story—a Hollywood film, a novel or a brand origin story—contains certain core narrative elements. When preparing your presentation, keep these storytelling fundamentals in mind:

Start with the Backstory

Before unveiling your brand in the presentation, set the stage by providing context. Share details on the following:

• Problem:  What consumer pain point prompted your company's founding? Describe the frustration people faced before your brand came along.
• Founder's “aha” moment:  When did your founder(s) realise they could solve customers' struggles? Share that lightbulb moment.
• Early days:  Bring the audience behind the scenes into the scrappy early days of your brand. Share funny mishaps and risky pivots.

This background helps the audience understand what motivates your brand and why it exists.

Introduce a Relatable Protagonist

Every great story has a compelling central character. In your case, that's your founder(s).

Spotlight what makes them bold, innovative rule-breakers. But also share moments of self-doubt and vulnerability. This humanity will help the audience relate to them on a deeper level.

Take Listeners on an Emotional Journey

Now, take the audience on a rollercoaster ride through your brand's key milestones.

Share euphoric “we made it!” moments like first sales or product launches . Discuss gut-wrenching setbacks and how the team persevered.

Be transparent about challenges. This shows authenticity and helps the audience root for your brand.

Share Your Mission

What positive change does your brand strive to create in the world? Share your grand vision to make people's lives better.

Articulating a purpose beyond profits makes audiences more eager to buy into your brand. It also provides a rallying cry for your team.

Part 2: Choose Memorable Brand Storytelling Approaches

Brand stories shine brightest when delivered creatively. Avoid blandly listing milestones. Instead, bring your account to life through compelling presentation methods like:

Riveting Opening Hook

Grab attention immediately by opening with:

• A surprising statistic:  Jolt the audience with a startling fact on the problem your brand tackles.
• A “day in the life” vignette:  Set the scene by showing a stressful day for someone struggling with the issue before your brand's solution.
• A provocative question:  Challenge the audience's assumptions by asking them to imagine a different reality.

The Power of Storytelling Metaphors

Metaphors subtly help audiences see your brand in a new light. Try comparing your company's journey to:

• An Indiana Jones treasure hunt filled with adventures and narrow escapes
• The training regimen of an Olympic athlete gunning for the gold medal
• The struggles of pioneers blazing a new trail out West

Turn Employees into Storytelling Heroes

Spotlight inspirational team members who embody your values. Discuss:

• Their proudest brand moments
• How they rally during tough times
• Why they love working for your brand

This provides relatable human faces behind your company.

Creatively Display the Brand Timeline

Move beyond boring bullet points. Visually map your brand journey using the following:

• An illustrated road stretching into the distance
• Mountain peaks marking major milestones
• A winding river symbolising the ups and downs

This captures the audience's imagination.

Infographics That Captivate

Use compelling infographics to showcase vital brand stats like:

• Total customers served
• Revenue growth
• Product innovation timeline

Vibrant data visualisations make facts more memorable.

The Power of Original Photos and Videos

Transport the audience inside, defining brand moments with behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Show:

• Your cramped first office space
• Prototypes of early products
• Team brainstorming sessions
• Company celebrations

This imagery adds texture to your story.

Surprise Giveaways

Close your presentation with a fun surprise like:

• Free product samples for each attendee
• Discount codes to shop your brand
• A sneak peek of an upcoming product line

Parting gifts make audiences feel special and excited about your brand.

Part 3: Hone Your Brand Storytelling Skills

Crafting an outstanding marketing presentation takes practice. Here are tips to become a stellar brand storyteller:

Study Other Winning Brand Stories

Deconstruct presentations from brands you admire. Analyse what narrative techniques drew you in emotionally.

Find Your Unique Voice

Avoid mimicking other brands' storytelling styles. Instead, embrace what makes your company one-of-a-kind. Showcase your distinct personality.

Keep Iterating

Start crafting your presentation early. Test different opening hooks and storytelling metaphors . Refine until you achieve the maximum wow factor.

Make it Conversational

Refrain from sounding overly salesy. Adopt a warm, conversational tone that makes the audience feel like you're speaking just to them.

Watch Recordings for Improvements

Filming your rehearsals allows you to fine-tune your pacing, body language and tone. Review the footage with a critical eye.

Practice Telling Stories Off the Cuff

Impromptu storytelling takes experience. When networking, get in the habit of sharing brand anecdotes conversationally. The practice will build your skills.

Immerse Yourself in Your Brand Story

You can't tell an authentic, emotional brand story if you don't know it yourself. Study your company's history until you can recite it in your sleep.

Tips for a Killer Brand Marketing Presentation

• Start Strong with an Attention-Grabbing Opening:  Your opening is your chance to make a stellar first impression . Please don't waste it with boring introductions or dwelling too long on agenda-setting. Jump right into your most compelling content to hook your audience.
• Consider an Engaging Story:  Stories naturally capture human interest. Start your presentation by transporting your audience into a story that introduces your brand heroically overcoming a challenge to seize an opportunity. Draw them in with vivid details, high stakes, and a relatable protagonist.
• Pose an Intriguing Question:  Alternatively, start with a thought-provoking question that piques curiosity and primes your audience to eagerly await the answer you'll reveal as the presentation unfolds. Aim for intellectual stimulation over easy questions.
• Shock with Unexpected Statistics:  Hard-hitting statistics that challenge assumptions make great opening hooks, too. Find a surprising fact or figure that jolts your audience from autopilot and instantly grabs their attention.
• Share a Revealing Quote:  A short, impactful quote encapsulating your key message packs a punch up front. Look for something from an influencer in your industry that aligns with your brand's purpose and ideals.
• Set Up a Dramatic Contrast:  Contrasts are inherently attention-grabbing. Set up a bold before-and-after contrast showcasing the transformative power of your brand. This creates intrigue and a burning desire to see that transformation.
• Structure Your Content Logically:  A clear system ensures your content flows logically and engages your audience. Use an overarching framework like the following to shape your presentation: (Problem) Identify a timely, relevant problem your target audience cares about solving. Outline the ramifications of not solving it. Build urgency. (Solution) Introduce your brand as the solution to that problem. Explain critical features and functionality. Spotlight your competitive differentiators. (Proof) Provide solid evidence that your solution works. Include credible statistics, expert opinions, client testimonials , demonstrations, and case studies.
• Call to Action:  Close by recapping the key benefits and clearly stating what you want the audience to do next. Provide a motivating rationale.
• Craft Compelling Content:  Your content itself must captivate your audience. Follow these guidelines for content that engages:
• Keep It Concise:  Be brief, not lengthy. Slides with too much text quickly lose audience interest. Keep word count tight on slides. Expand more in your talking points.
• Know Your Audience:  Tailor your content specifically to who will be in the room. Include details, examples, and language that resonate with their needs and preferences.
• Balance Facts and Stories:  Blend data with narrative elements. Facts and figures provide logic, while stories add emotional appeal and memorable impact.
• Use Striking Visuals:  Strong visuals enhance engagement. Use high-quality photographs, charts, illustrations, videos, and graphics to reinforce key points.
• Add Intriguing Interactivity:  Interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and activities give your audience a change of pace. Just keep them short, easy, and directly tied to critical points.
• End Strong:  Close each section with powerful statements to impart key takeaways. Use recaps, statistics, stories, or questions that underscore core ideas.
• Keep Your Audience Attentive with Smart Presentation Techniques:  Your delivery and presence significantly impact audience engagement. Use these techniques to keep listeners invested:
• Make Eye Contact:  Frequently make eye contact with individuals throughout the room. It forges an intimate, personal connection.
• Use Gestures Strategically:  Hand gestures magnify your message and channel enthusiasm. Just keep them purposeful, not distracting.
• Vary Tone for Emphasis:  Alter your volume, inflexion, speed, and intensity to stress important points. But avoid sounding robotic or overly dramatised.
• Own the Room:  Move around the stage or room with authority. Interact up close with audience members when possible.
• Share Energy and Passion:  Project confidence and authentic enthusiasm for your brand. Your passion will prove contagious.
• Promote Audience Participation:  Posing questions, asking for examples, and incorporating activities get your audience involved.
• Use humour Skillfully:  Funny stories, witty anecdotes, and amusing visuals sprinkled in moderation can lighten the mood. But don't force humour.
• Build in Impactful Pauses:  Brief, well-timed pauses create anticipation and allow ideas to sink in deeply. Silence draws attention.
• Optimise Flow and Transitions:  Your presentation should unfold seamlessly from one idea to the next. Smooth flow and transitions keep your audience with you:
• Link Sections Logically:  Wrap up each section by introducing the next. Outline causal relationships between ideas to knit things together.
• Echo Key Themes:  Repetition builds connections. Echo essential words, phrases, ideas, and visual cues throughout your presentation.
• Use Transitional Phrases:  Bridges like “Here's why this matters,” “Turning to,” and “In light of this” ease the audience from point A to B.
• Pace Thoughtfully:  Brisk pacing generally holds attention best but slows down at critical moments. Insert dramatic pauses before major reveals or conclusions.
• Limit Verbal Tics:  Avoid overusing filler words such as “um,” “like,” “you know,” and “actually.” Pace yourself to speak fluently without them.
• Make Your Brand the Hero:  Ultimately, the spotlight should shine brightly on your brand throughout your presentation. Reinforce brand dominance with the following:
• Summarise Brand Purpose:  Succinctly encapsulate what your brand stands for and its reason for being early on. Reiterate as needed.
• Showcase Brand Personality:  Let your brand's personality and voice come through. Infuse it into stories, visuals, and language choices.
• Tout Brand Values:  Highlight ways your brand lives its values in serving customers and the community. Provide proof points.
• Recap Key Brand Messaging:  Reinforce core brand messages around your positioning and differentiators multiple times.
• Remind the Audience of Brand Benefits:  Frequently remind the audience of the most compelling benefits your brand delivers.
• Close with a Clear Call to Action:  End by driving home what you want audience members to think, feel, or do next related to your brand.

Conclusion: Crafting a Compelling Brand Story Pays Dividends

Sharing your brand narrative through engaging presentations is well worth the effort. An inspiring story beats dry facts and figures when connecting with your audience.

When you master brand storytelling techniques, you'll see results like:

• Increased brand awareness and sales
• Stronger customer loyalty
• Improved employee morale and retention
• Enhanced media coverage and word-of-mouth buzz

So, put in the work needed to hone your brand storytelling skills. Avoid generic corporate jargon. Instead, craft a narrative that tugs at heartstrings. Surprise, delight, and inspire your audiences.

If you authentically communicate why your company exists and the values it stands for, people will eagerly flock to your brand. They will tattoo its logo on their bodies, craft adoring memes about it and debate its merits endlessly on Reddit.

Okay, maybe not that far. But compelling brand storytelling does create passionate brand evangelists who can't stop talking about your company.

And in today's crowded marketplace, a tribe of loyal devotees is the most valuable asset your brand can have. So start brainstorming your next brand marketing presentation today. Avoid facts and figures. Instead, captivate audiences with the inspiring tale of why your company changes lives.

When you hook audiences on your brand story, everything else will fall into place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crafting a Compelling Brand Marketing Presentation

Why is brand storytelling so important.

Brand storytelling helps audiences relate to your company on an emotional, human level. Stories build trust and loyalty more than facts alone. In today's crowded marketplace, brands need an engaging narrative to connect with consumers and stand out.

How can I make my brand story more compelling?

Use creative presentation techniques like surprising statistics, audio/visuals, relatable anecdotes, metaphors and giveaways. Most importantly, open up about vulnerabilities and mistakes to appear authentic.

How do I improve my brand storytelling skills?

Practice! Study other brand's presentations. Find your unique voice. Test different hooks and narratives. Record rehearsals to refine your delivery. Hone your impromptu storytelling ability through networking.

Should I tell my brand story chronologically?

Not necessarily. Feel free to start at the climax, then loop back to the beginning, begin with the present day and then flashback. Play with the narrative timeline to keep audiences engaged.

How do I make facts and stats compelling?

Use surprising statistics that jolt audiences. Present data points visually through infographics, charts and illustrations. This keeps facts memorable and easy to digest.

Stuart Crawford

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10 Fantastic Marketing Presentations To Watch Today

Updated: October 11, 2022

Published: June 20, 2011

Been too bogged down with your own marketing activities to learn from other practicing marketing professionals ? There's a lot you can learn from the marketers out there -- be them "experts" or just fellow marketers who are trying out new marketing trends and sharing lessons learned. Take some time to catch up on what other marketers have to share by taking a gander at some of the awesome marketing presentations we've culled below...

1. The Unfair Advantage of Inbound Marketing by Rand Fishkin/SEOmoz

2. social 101 facebook by marcus nelson, 3. emarketer webinar: mobile, social & geolocation -- key trends for marketers, 4. fail: social media disasters & what we can learn from them by dave peck, 5. the social habit 2011 by edison research, 6. interesting data from the 2011 ranking factors by rand fishkin/seomoz, 7. social media for business by presentation advisors, 8. mobile trends - june 2011 by space150, 9. top 25 social media tips - quick tips to get your brand noticed by ranson, 10. work that content by michael pranikoff.

What other marketing presentations that you've viewed lately are worthy of sharing?

Don't forget to share this post!

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