Before you start creating slides for your next talk, plan
what you’re going to say. A storyboard — a visual outline of your presentation
¬— will save you more time than it takes to create it. First, draw small
representations of your ideas on sticky notes. The small space forces you to
use simple, clear words and pictures. Limit yourself to one idea per slide:
There’s no reason to crowd them. This sketching process will help you clarify
what you want to say and how you want to say it. As you storyboard, you’ll be
able to tell immediately which concepts are clunky or overly complex (you’ll
run out of space on your sticky notes). Eliminate them, and brainstorm new ways
to communicate those messages more clearly.
