A Technique for Masterful Co-Presenting

"I've got the whole presentation memorized. Word-for-word."

Matt was excited.

He and I would be in front of a perspective client in a couple of hours.

It was his first time on a formal two-person multi-media pitch to a potentially important client.

"I've gone through it a million times. I know my part and your part by heart."

Like I said, he was excited.

"Glad you're ready, Matt. I need you to transfer some of that enthusiasm to the folks who'll be on the other side of the conference table."

"I wont let you down, boss."

"Didn't even cross my mind. But I've gotta give you a heads up. Depending on their response, I might not stick one hundred percent to the script."

Matt paled. "Then how will I know when it's my turn to talk?"

"Don't worry about what I'm saying, on script or off script. I might deviate from what we wrote, but I'll always finish my part with the same last line we prepared."

"The last line ..."

"Yes, when you hear me go into the last line of my section, you'll know that when I finish that line it's time for you to step in and cover your section."

"The last line ..."

"Yep. And I'll do the same with you. While you're talking, I know you'll be on point and I'll be reading the room. When you hit your last line, I'll be ready to go. It'll be seamless. The secret is for both of us to be ready to go on the other person's last line."

"So I didn't need to memorize every word. Just my parts and the last lines of your parts."

"Pretty much. Now let's walk through it. I'll yadda-yadda my part ending on the line you're waiting for. While I'm finishing that line, take a breath and relax. When I hit the last word, wait a beat and step up with your part. Be confident. They need our offer. Talk with them. Don't recite, talk. Comfortably. Conversationally. And don't worry about me. Don't even look at me. I'll be there when you're ready for me."

"When I do my last line."

"Exactly."

_________________________

The rest of the story ...

After I posted the above on LinkedIn, Stanley Ezeobele commented: 

“Now you've got me invested in this story Scott. How did the presentation go?”

And I responded: 

"Matt did great, Stanley ... but before we reached the halfway point, I saw enough buying signals to change course and close the deal. On the car ride back to the office, Matt was happy about making the sale but a little disappointed that he didn't get to complete his part of the presentation. He did, however, agree that being prepared was what was important, even if we didn't have to use every tool we brought to the job to get the job done."

 

Placeholder Text

 

To show clients a more complete view of a design that includes copy, it is a common practice to show “lorem ipsum” Latin text in the area finalized copy will eventually be. It looks more natural than just repeating a phrase like "content here", giving the design the flavor of what the final page may look like.

If you want to venture beyond the standard ipsum*, there are generators that take a more playful attitude to placeholder text. Here are a dozen of 'em:

Office Ipsum 

http://officeipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Let's take this conversation offline baseline beef up. We don't want to boil the ocean run it up the flagpole a tentative event rundown is attached for your reference, including other happenings on the day you are most welcome to join us beforehand for a light lunch we would also like to invite you to other activities on the day, including the interim and closing panel

Coffee Ipsum 

http://coffeeipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Chicory, cream doppio cinnamon cup affogato dark mazagran. Grinder, cinnamon, cup, plunger pot extraction instant viennese doppio. Breve americano, half and half seasonal single shot extra  siphon. Turkish, rich, skinny, dark caffeine beans, sweet french press organic robusta.

Pirate Ipsum  

https://pirateipsum.me/

SAMPLE:  Prow scuttle provost Sail ho shrouds spirits boom mizzenmast yardarm. Pinnace holystone mizzenmast quarter crow's nest nipperkin grog yardarm hempen halter furl. Swab barque interloper chantey doubloon starboard grog black jack gangway rudders.

Cupcake Ipsum 

http://www.cupcakeipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Sweet oat cake cheesecake gummi bears chocolate cake. Gummies cotton candy topping brownie tiramisu cake biscuit brownie. Soufflé dessert carrot cake caramels sweet roll marzipan biscuit danish. Chocolate bar sesame snaps sweet roll cheesecake liquorice bear claw. Cheesecake toffee sweet lemon drops sugar plum lollipop croissant. Lollipop chocolate bar sweet

The Godfather Ipsum
https://godfatheripsum.github.io/

SAMPLE: I am sorry. What happened to your father was business. I have much respect for your father. But your father, his thinking is old-fashioned. You must understand why I had to do that. Now let's work through where we go from here. Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in. Hey, listen, I want somebody good - and I mean very good - to plant that gun. I don't want my brother coming out of that toilet with just his dick in his hands, alright? Is that why you slapped my brother around in public?

Cheese Ipsum

http://www.cheeseipsum.co.uk/

SAMPLE: Bavarian bergkase cheese strings pecorino. Dolcelatte babybel feta bavarian brie cream cheese port-salut mascarpone. Ricotta cheese and biscuits who moved my cheese edam mascarpone taleggio macaroni cheese. Edam cut the cheese boursin goat bocconcini monterey jack. Cheese slices.

Hipster Ipsum 

https://hipsum.co/

SAMPLE: Photo booth cornhole heirloom whatever bicycle rights, direct trade echo park fingerstache blog venmo retro synth quinoa craft beer. Vape ramps pork belly banh mi, kombucha kogi cred cloud bread messenger bag meh adaptogen iPhone yuccie 8-bit. Hammock +1 tote bag live-edge trust fund umami occupy affogato single-origin coffee distillery hashtag.   

Cat Ipsum 

http://www.catipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Hiss at vacuum cleaner kitty loves pigs ha ha, you're funny i'll kill you last my cat stared at me he was sipping his tea, too decide to want nothing to do with my owner today kitty run to human with blood on mouth from frenzied attack on poor innocent mouse, don't i look cute? sleep on keyboard. Poop on floor and watch human clean up walk on keyboard and meow .

Bacon Ipsum 

https://baconipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Bacon ipsum dolor flank buffalo sausage tongue cow. Spare ribs buffalo ham hamburger pig ground round. Bacon porchetta ground round chicken, venison chuck corned beef. Pork chop frankfurter picanha, fatback rump turducken short ribs meatball swine pork belly drumstick strip steak. Ham hock drumstick bresaola bacon. Beef ribs bresaola chuck tenderloin cow salami, andouille pork.

Sagan Ipsum 

http://saganipsum.com/

SAMPLE: Dream of the mind's eye trillion across the centuries corpus callosum Apollonius of Perga preserve and cherish that pale blue dot? Network of wormholes the only home we've ever known bits of moving fluff two ghostly white figures in coveralls and helmets are softly dancing cosmic fugue the ash of stellar alchemy? Citizens of distant epochs Tunguska event prime 

And that's just scratching the surface.

A quick search will find you placeholder text with just about any kind of theme you can imagine, including: 

Zombie Ipsum 

Samuel L. Jackson Ipsum 

Space Ipsum

DeLorean Ipsum

Skate Ipsum

Bob Ross Ipsum 

Tuna Ipsum

Bluth Ipsum

Heisenberg Ipsum

On the Farm Ipsum

Cheeseburger Ipsum

https://www.makesum.com/

______________________________

 

 *Traditional "loren ipsum" placeholder text:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

_________________________ 

OOPS!

Placeholder text is just that. Always doublecheck the final draft
to make sure the finished copy has been incorporated into the design
before it goes to production.

 

The 25 Step Checklist for Editing Your Own Copy

"Your thinking about editing is wrong."

That eyeopener is from Erica Schneider who goes on to say:

"Editing is not a cutting exercise - it's a value-adding exercise. Because even when you're cutting fluff, redundancy, and wordiness, you're adding value. And when you remove friction, you add clarity."

Strong editing makes good writing. Follow these 25 self-editing tips to tighten up your copy and make it shine.

Developmental Editing Tips

1. Start Fresh:

• Approach your draft with a clear mind. Step away from your copy (at least 24 hours if deadlines allow) before editing to see your work with fresh eyes.

2. Revisit Your Outline:

• Check that what you've written aligns with your initial goals and the outline you started with.

3. Read Aloud:

• Give your copy a vocal test. Reading aloud helps you catch awkward phrasing and improves overall flow.

4. Big Picture Check:

• Ask yourself if each section serves the overarching purpose of your piece. Cut out anything that strays too far from the main point.

4. Smooth Transitions:

• Ensure your narrative flows seamlessly. Transitions between paragraphs should be smooth (as my mother-in-law would say, "like butter.")

Copy Editing Tips

1. Sentence Purpose:

• Verify that every sentence serves a clear purpose. If it doesn't, consider giving it the boot.

2. Active Voice Dominance:

• Opt for active voice whenever possible to add punch and clarity to your writing.

3. Cut the Clutter:

• Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases. Your readers will thank you for the streamlined experience.

4. Consistent Style:

• Maintain a consistent writing style for a polished, professional impression.

5. Fact-Check Vigilance:

• Double-check your sources and ensure accuracy. Nothing erodes credibility like inaccurate information.

Proofreading Tips

1. Final Read-Through:

• Give your copy one final, meticulous read-through. The last defense against typos and errors.

2. Spelling Bee Champion:

• Check for typos and common mistakes that can slip through. Reading it in a different medium (e.g., printed on paper instead of on screen) can help.

3. Punctuation Patrol:

• Ensure consistent punctuation. Too many exclamation marks? Tone it down. Keep it polished and professional.

4. Homophone Hunt:

• Beware of sneaky homophones that spell checker might not catch such as "their" vs. "there" vs. "they're."

5. Grammar Guru:

• Brush up on your grammar rules. A well-placed comma can make all the difference.

Fine-Tuning Tips

1. Word Economy:

• Embrace brevity. If a shorter, more common word conveys the same meaning, use it.

2. Variety is Key:

• Mix up sentence structure. It keeps your readers engaged and adds a dynamic rhythm to your copy.

3. Consistent Tone:

• Maintain a consistent tone throughout your piece. Sudden shifts can be jarring for your audience.

4. CTA Perfection:

• Craft compelling Calls-to-Action. Make sure they're clear, persuasive, and aligned with your goals.

5. Empathy Check:

• Put yourself in your reader's shoes. Does your copy resonate? Does it answer their burning questions?

Final Checks

1. Formatting Finesse:

• Ensure your formatting is reader-friendly. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points for easy digestion.

2. Mobile-Friendly Read:

• Imagine your audience reading on a smartphone. Is your copy mobile-friendly? Short paragraphs and concise sentences are critical.

3. Brand Consistency:

• Double-check that your copy aligns with your brand's voice and values.

4. Fresh Eyes Feedback:

• Get a second opinion. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can uncover hidden gems or areas that need improvement.

5. Sleep On It:

• After all edits are done, sleep on it. A new day might reveal even more ways to enhance your copy.

One final word of advice: When writing, detach yourself from your editor self ... and when editing, detach yourself from your writer self.

A 30-second Masterclass in Storytelling

 

The Hook:

Taylor Swift “…about a time she got her heart broken, although not in the way you might expect.”

The Story: In less than 200 words, writer Sam Lansky gives us a story to set up the Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2023 Taylor Swift cover story:

“She was 17, she says, and she had booked the biggest opportunity of her life so far—a highly coveted slot opening for country superstar Kenny Chesney on tour.

“’This was going to change my career,’ she remembers. ‘I was so excited.’

“But a couple weeks later, Swift arrived home to find her mother Andrea sitting on the front steps of their house.

“’She was weeping,’ Swift says. ‘Her head was in her hands as if there had been a family emergency.’

“Through sobs, Andrea told her daughter that Chesney’s tour had been sponsored by a beer company.

“Taylor was too young to join. ‘I was devastated,’ Swift says.

“But some months later, at Swift’s 18th birthday party, she saw Chesney’s promoter.

“He handed her a card from Chesney that read, as Swift recalls, ‘I’m sorry that you couldn’t come on the tour, so I wanted to make it up to you.’

“With the note was a check. ‘It was for more money than I’d ever seen in my life,’ Swift says. ‘I was able to pay my band bonuses. I was able to pay for my tour buses. I was able to fuel my dreams.’"

Lansky’s next paragraph sums it up masterfully:

“Listening to Swift share this, on a clear fall afternoon in her New York City apartment, I’m struck by how satisfying the story is. There are high stakes at the outset; there are details, vivid and sensory; there’s a twist that flips the action on its head; and there’s a happy ending for its hero. It takes her only about 30 seconds to recount this, but those 30 seconds contain an entire narrative world.”

 

Sure, Taylor Swift will get attention, but you don’t need the Taylor Swift connection to tell a story that is concise and has the characteristics to make it engaging and compelling.

_________________________

Read the full article: https://time.com/6342806/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift/