Nancy Duarte: Why Your “Big Startup Idea” Is Necessary!

Nancy Duarte is a pro when it comes to presentations. Not just giving presentations, but starting them, finishing them, and every step in between. Author and co-founder of Duarte Designs, Nancy Duarte is a seasoned veteran when it comes to incorporating storytelling into speaking and creating connections with an audience.

The below video is the second part in a series of 10 in which Nancy shares the key components to making a successful pitch using creativity and critical thinking. Find out what she has to say:

Why Your “big startup idea” Is Necessary

Before you take your place on stage and deliver your message to your audience, you need to have a big startup idea.

What’s a big idea? Well, according to Nancy, a big idea has two parts:

1. Your perspective

Your perspective is your unique point of view on whatever topic you’re presenting. Simple as that. Think about your startup, for example. Why do you believe in it? Why should other people? What do you see that other people may not?

2. Have something at stake

Having something at stake, on the other hand, is a critical piece when it comes to the puzzle that is your talk. When it comes to the adoption of your idea, Nancy says there needs to be something good at stake if the audience does, and something bad at stake if they don’t. Let’s go back to your startup: to what problem is it delivering a solution? What happens if that problem can’t be resolved?

“If there’s nothing at stake, you don’t need to communicate.”

So how do you leverage a big idea to successfully create an effective message?

First, turn your big idea into a sentence. Use this sentence as a filter for everything you put into your talk.

Next, charge your sentence emotionally. This will help you create a compelling message that comes from the heart.

Finally, ask yourself “How do I want my audience to transform?” Figure out what you’re trying to move them from, and what you’re trying to move them towards.

“If you’re trying to make [your audience] believe that your financials are accurate, use a chart,” Nancy explains. “If you’re trying to move them emotionally, use stories.”

No matter how analytical your audience is, if they prefer facts over feelings, Nancy gives a gentle reminder that you’re still talking to humans. To her, it’s wise to wrap a heavily factual presentation in a thin veneer of story, because they’ll be moved by the heart, not just the mind.

There’s a story behind every startup – make sure you tell yours.

Coming soon: more summaries of Nancy’s talk. Don’t want to wait? Watch the next step now!