Start with the story, not with the slides.
You have a big presentation to make. The subject is complex and the stakes are high. After 65 years between us helping the biggest businesses get their message across, our advice is: start with the story, not the slides.
And now there is a tool that walks you through it.
Your first story is free. Just your email, no credit card.
Who we are
Two people who have spent 65 years helping others make their case.
Jim Harvey
Jim started his first business 35 years ago and had to learn to sell as he built it. Before long, clients were asking him to help them launch products, run conferences and train their people. Today his company, The Message Business, works with teams at JP Morgan, Mercer, Ford, Rolls-Royce and many others in technology, retail, consulting and finance. He has also written for television, done hundreds of gigs as a stand-up comedian, and hosts conferences as a core part of his work.
The Message Business
John Zimmer
John is a lawyer who found public speaking and never looked back. He is a nine-time European Toastmasters champion and a TEDx speaker. He teaches presentation skills on Executive MBA programmes in Geneva, Lausanne and Barcelona. His blog, Manner of Speaking, has been one of the leading voices on public speaking since 2009.
Manner of SpeakingThey met through a shared obsession with presentations, started Presentation Guru together, and have worked side by side ever since.
The problem
Most presentations are built backwards.
People start with PowerPoint. They gather old slides, add new ones, and hope that somehow, a coherent presentation will emerge. The audience leaves with plenty of information, often too much information, but no clear message.
In most poor presentations, the story is the problem. But after the presentation, the presenter gets the blame. It's unfair, and it's easy to fix.
StoryMachine helps you build stronger stories. Stronger stories mean more confident presenters and more engaged audiences. More engaged audiences mean better results.
How it works
Five steps. About 20 minutes.
- 1Answer some key questions.What kind of presentation is it? Who is your audience, and what do they think about the subject? What do you want them to do when you finish? What is your message, and why should they care?
- 2Add what you have.Paste or type your notes. Upload any relevant documents. Your files stay on your computer; StoryMachine only reads the words.
- 3Enter your email.We will send you a six-digit code. Type it on the page. No credit card required. Your first story is free.
- 4Read and revise your story.Edit any line, ask for a sharper version, or argue with StoryMachine until it says what you mean. When you are satisfied, download it as a PDF or Word file.
- 5Add slides, if you need them.StoryMachine can produce a PowerPoint outline, or give you a detailed prompt for your slides to use in your AI tool of choice.
What you get
A compelling story that you can take to your audience.
Stage 1
Get your story straight
The essential elements that form the backbone of your story.
Free with your first story.
- Understand the audienceWho is in the room, what they need to hear, what to leave out.
- Set a clear goalAfter my presentation, the audience will...
- Build a three-act storyBeginning, middle, end.
Stage 2
Add interest and impact
Refine and reinforce your story.
Follows straight on, in the same run.
- A confident start and a powerful endingThe first minute, and a conclusion with a clear call to action.
- Headlines and signpostsThe lines the audience will remember, and the sentences that drive home the key points.
Presentation types
Tell StoryMachine what kind of presentation it is.
A project update, a strategy recommendation, a sales pitch, choosing between options, a training session, a conference keynote, a scientific presentation, bad news, or something else. StoryMachine helps you create the right story for any presentation.
- Project update
- Strategy recommendation
- Sales pitch
- Choosing between options
- Training session
- Conference keynote
- Scientific presentation
- Bad news
- Something else
StoryMachine works from what you give it
Make it your own.
StoryMachine only works from your notes, your documents and your ideas. If it needs more information, StoryMachine will ask you questions. Every story ends with a panel headed Make it your own. Here, you add the example, the number, the reason it matters to you. And you get advice before you rehearse. Audiences believe speakers who sound like themselves.
Confidential material
Your documents stay on your computer.
Upload a Word file, PDF or PowerPoint of any size. StoryMachine reads the words, but the files never leave your computer. Only the words go to our servers and to the AI that helps you write your story. Your story is saved to your account. You can delete it, and all related material, at any time.
For more details on how your information is handled, please see the User Guide.
The method behind it
65 years of the same method, in one tool.
Between us, we have used this method for 65 years with teams at AstraZeneca, Ford, Givaudan, Gore, Grifols, JP Morgan, Mercer, Mott MacDonald, Nokia, Puig, Rolls-Royce, UEFA, the United Nations, Zalando and many others.
Each part of your story has a line explaining why it is there, so you learn the method while you work with StoryMachine. The PDF ends with a summary of the method, so you can do it yourself next time.
You don't have to be a superstar to speak and present well. Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, all of the greats had speechwriters to help them.
StoryMachine will guide you through the maze of information and help you structure and articulate the good ideas you already have.
What it costs
Your first story is free.
Your first story
Free
Start to finish, with the PDF. Just your email, no credit card.
Each additional story
$9.99
Edit as often as you like.
One month
$19.99
As many stories as you like for one month. Cancel any time.
One year
$149.99
As many stories as you like for one year. Cancel any time.
Try it for your next presentation.
For more information, read the User Guide.
For bespoke training for you or your team: storymachine@themessagebusiness.com