The Art of Presenting with Simon Sinek – A Marketer's Take, by Jack Hardy
Talk The Talk
Someone much better at communication than myself once said, if your technical skills are a 10 but your communications skills are a 3 then people will only ever perceive you to be a 3…
Quite scary when you think about it, and I have no doubt you’ll have seen the reverse of this at some point. The people that blag and waffle their way into positions way above their station because they can talk the talk.
Hopefully, you’re not here to learn how to do that…
Getting to the point, I feel that everyone who presents to an audience no matter how skilled they are or how regularly they do it has room for improvement.
This led me to Simon Sinek’s course, The Art of Presenting. Not because I’m a particularly bad presenter, but because I knew I could be better.
After all no one is a 10 out of 10 and I have no doubt in my mind that Simon Sinek will update his course as time goes by with new lessons to teach as he improves his own skillset.
“Simon is an unshakeable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.
Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work they do.
Simon may be best known for his TED Talk on the concept of WHY, which has been viewed over 60 million times, and his video on millennials in the workplace—which reached 80 million views in its first week and has gone on to be seen hundreds of millions of times.”
Team Simon
Presenting in Marketing
Drawing from Sinek's profound understanding of communication, it's clear that in the world of marketing, the art of presenting and the ability to engage, educate and inspire in presentations isn’t an advantage it’s a necessity.
Whether pitching externally or internally you need to sell the dream, which isn’t easy.
"Effective marketing transcends the mere act of selling products; it involves crafting stories that resonate with the human experience, engaging audiences through compelling narratives that speak to their needs and desires. By understanding and articulating the 'why' behind our actions, we forge deeper connections, inspiring trust and loyalty. This approach is not just about presenting information but about weaving a vision that aligns with our audience's beliefs and values."
Simon Sinek
Without giving too much away as I really recommend you taking the full course, I would like to share a couple of tips from it with you.
The Giver’s Mindset
Effective communication in marketing leads us to one of Simon Sinek’s key principles – The Giver’s Mindset.
You are not presenting to look smart, you are not presenting to be heard and you’re certainly not presenting for your own needs. In other words, you are not presenting to take.
You are presenting to give. To give a valuable piece of information to the audience.
Remind yourself: “I’m here to give.”
Not only does this make the presentation more engaging for the audience, but it also takes the pressure off you. You aren’t there to make the sale, get the job or impress the boss. You’re there to give the audience something, which is a lot less stressful.
"I have one very important rule in public speaking, and that’s that you have to show up to give"
Simon Sinek
Tell a Story
Simon Sinek ALWAYS starts with a story, and I do now too. I have to say it really helps. Not only does the audience buy in more but you have a theme to link your presentation to, a common thread.
In marketing, stories not only captivate but also create a relatable context for our products and ideas, making them more memorable and impactful.
But you need to make it personal. When we connect with someone, we feel it. A name, a face and a family all ground us to the story. Whereas with numbers, there is no personal connection.
"In the realm of impactful communication, storytelling emerges as a pivotal force. It's not merely about conveying information; it's about weaving narratives that resonate deeply, that prompt action and foster connections. My approach underscores the potency of stories to not just inform, but to transform. By aligning our tales with the core motivations of our audience, we can inspire, engage, and drive meaningful change. This is the essence of storytelling as I see it."
Simon Sinek
Wrapping Things Up
And I’m afraid with that I will put an end to telling you all of Simon Sinek’s best advice on presenting after all, there’s a course dedicated to this… and he does a much better job of explaining it than I do.
So, if this has sparked your interest you can learn more about the course here: The Art of Presenting.
On a personal note, the course has not just enhanced my presentation skills; it has fundamentally changed how I approach communication in my marketing role.
As one last final tip from Simon Sinek, use your opening title slide effectively. Typically, it’s the screen that’s on the longest and if it just says “Marketing Update 202X” you’ve wasted an opportunity. Everyone in the room knows you’ll be talking about that… be creative!
About the Author
Jack Hardy is the Head of Marketing at Jam 7, a Chartered Marketer, and an award winning CIM board member with over a decade of experience in crafting B2B growth strategies across various technology platforms and SaaS providers. At Jam 7, he leads a team of Growth Agents by fusing human expertise with AI to unlock ambitious B2B tech brands growth potential.