Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

2517 snips

Feb 11, 2025

Guy Kawasaki, a renowned author and former chief evangelist for Apple, shares his insights on making communication captivating rather than merely informative. He emphasizes that storytelling should evoke emotions, suggesting that entertainment enhances the chance to inform. From crafting engaging presentations to utilizing the 10-20-30 rule, he offers practical strategies for pitches and talks. Kawasaki also discusses how fostering a growth mindset is crucial in both communication and personal endeavors, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling.

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ADVICE

Entertain to Inform

Entertain your audience first; information comes second.
Prioritize engagement to effectively inform and connect with listeners.

INSIGHT

Pitching Goals

The goal of a pitch is not to secure immediate funding but to avoid elimination.
Focus on progressing to the next stage, due diligence, rather than aiming for a check right away.

ADVICE

Pitch Like a Fighter Jet

Deliver pitches concisely and get to the point quickly, like a fighter jet taking off.
Avoid long-winded explanations; present core information immediately, focusing on value.

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How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.

Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.”

A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawasaki knows that the point of great storytelling isn’t about information, it’s about emotion. “Too many speakers think, ‘I need to inform my audience. I need to get my story across,’” he says. But throughout his career, formerly as Chief Evangelist at Apple and now co-founder of Canva, he’s shown how successful communication is about captivating audiences, not conveying facts. “If you entertain people, you have a chance of informing them.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for building decks, structuring presentations, and tips for keeping audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote presentations, these strategies help create effective storytelling — in business and beyond.

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(02:18) - The Key to Great Storytelling
(04:06) - The Purpose of a Pitch
(07:51) - How to Structure a Pitch Effectively
(09:23) - The 10-20-30 Rule for Slide Presentations
(12:49) - Using Images vs. Text in Presentations
(13:30) - Lessons from Podcasting
(15:01) - The Final Three Questions
(20:28) - Conclusion

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