How to tell a story that keeps your audience hooked - without overloading them with details.
I was already five minutes late to the appointment when I realized the mistake.
I frantically dug through my laptop bag, shoving aside pens, notebooks, and receipts. Nothing. My “perfect” presentation - the one I’d spent months upgrading - was sitting at home.
The only thing I had?
A crumpled, coffee-stained copy of my mentor’s original presentation. Two pages. None of my razzle dazzle.
My gawd today 🤦🏾♀️
The trainee sitting next to me glanced up, sensing my panic. I forced a smile. There was no time to explain. We were already behind and had another appointment after this one.
I start talking m, and feel naked without my masterpiece.
For weeks, I’d been using my upgraded version of the sales presentation, packed with more charts, more graphics, and more text. My aim was to essentially to make the presentation ‘follow the bouncing ball’ so that new agents could just read, instead of memorizing.
I glanced at my trainee during the appointment and noticed something I hadn’t noticed the last few training appointments. She was focused on me instead of the presentation. And the prospect, he wasn’t squinting at charts and graphs - he was making eye contact with me, nodding at my words.
For the first time, my busy presentation wasn’t getting in the way. My words were landing with everyone at the table.
After the appointment, my trainee turns to me and says:
“I’m so glad you switched back to the old presentation. That new one had me scared to go out on my own - I was never going to remember all that.”
The extras I added to the presentation, thinking they were helpful, were only holding her back.
My mentor had it right the whole time - less is more, for real.
Did you know that people’s ability to retain information drops by 30% when they’re overloaded with visuals or details?
This isn’t just about presentations.
It’s about how we tell stories, create content, and connect with our audience.
We think more is better. More slides. More details. More stats. But the more you add, the harder it is for people to focus on the story you're actually telling.
They stop listening to your words and start working to “decode” all the ‘information’ you’re giving them.
Here’s how to keep your stories, presentations, and content clean and impactful using my M.I.N.U.S. Method:
• M - Make the Core Clear
Identify the one takeaway you want your audience to remember. If it doesn’t support this, cut it.
• I - Identify Distractions
Find the slides, stats, or side stories that pull focus away from your message. Remove them.
• N - Narrow the Focus
Stick to 2-3 key points that directly reinforce your core idea. Anything more is noise.
• U - Use Simplicity
Simple visuals, language, and examples make it easier for your audience to engage.
• S - Sharpen the Close
End with a direct, memorable takeaway your audience can act on immediately.
Why This Works
When you strip away the noise, you give your audience space to focus. They stop trying to keep up and start engaging with the message you’re wanting them to receive.
By simplifying, you don’t just make it easier for them to listen - you make it easier for them to execute on your call to action.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
• A Clearer, Stronger Presence: Your audience will stop feeling overwhelmed and start focusing on you—your voice, your value, and the solutions you offer. No distractions, no clutter.
• Faster Learning for Your Audience: By simplifying your message, you’ll shorten the learning curve for the people you serve, giving them the clarity and confidence they need to act on what you’re sharing.
• The Confidence to Step Back: You’ll trust your voice and your message enough to let go of the extras, knowing that what you’ve left behind is exactly what your audience needs to succeed.
“Good content is just as much about what you don’t say as what you do.”
Your Turn
Look at the last story, presentation, or piece of content you created. Ask yourself:
1. What’s the core idea? Can you distill it into one sentence?
2. What’s distracting from the message? Identify the details, slides, or stats that might be getting in the way.
3. Is it clear enough to act on? If your audience can’t also explain it in one sentence, it’s too complicated.
What can you cut to sharpen your message? Cut it, repurpose the content, then take note of how the interactions change.