Summary of the book “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs”
In the business world, it’s important to share ideas and convince people, and Steve Jobs was really good at it. The author, Carmine Gallo, who knows a lot about communication and has written successful books, tells us how Steve Jobs made his presentations work.
The book is divided into three parts, like acts in a play, and there are many chapters, like scenes, with lots of videos of Steve Jobs on YouTube to show us what he means. The author says that if we study the examples in the book, our presentations will get much better.
Written by Carmine Gallo in 2016, the book has 273 pages.
Review and summary of “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs”:
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs Act 1: Create the Story
In this part, the chapters help you make a story for your brand. A good story gives you confidence to impress your audience.
Presentation of Steve Jobs Scene 1: Plan in Analog
“Marketing is theater. It’s like staging a performance.”
– John Sculley
Even though Steve Jobs was a tech guy, he used simple tools like paper and pen to plan his presentations. Nancy Duarte, who helped Al Gore with his famous presentation, says a speaker should spend a lot of time preparing, and only a third of that time should be spent making slides (like in PowerPoint).
Be careful with PowerPoint. It can make us think in lists. Make a visual presentation that inspires people. It’s the story, not the slides, that grabs attention. Cliff Atkinson, who wrote Beyond Bullet Points, has three steps for making a presentation:
Writing -> Sketching -> Producing
Here are tips for making your PowerPoint or Keynote presentation:
– The Headline: What’s the most important thing you want people to remember? Keep it short and memorable.
– The Passion Statement: Steve Jobs was always passionate. Finish this sentence: “I’m really excited to tell you about this because ____.” Then say it!
– Three Key Messages: Write down the three main things you want people to remember.
– Metaphors and Analogies: Use comparisons to explain your ideas. For example, Steve Jobs said a computer is like a bicycle for our minds.
– Demonstrations: If possible, show your product in action. Make it real.
– Partners and Testimonials: Bring others on stage with you. Share customer success stories.
– Visuals and Videos: Steve Jobs used videos a lot.
– Graphics, Stats, and Props: Use things that your audience can see, hear, and touch.
– Spend more time on the story, not just the slides. Use these ideas to make your presentation better.
Presentation of Steve Jobs follows Aristotle’s 5 steps to persuade:
– Tell an interesting story that catches attention.
– Present a problem that needs a solution.
– Offer a solution to the problem.
– Explain the benefits of the solution.
– Make a call to action
Scene 2: Answer the One Question that Matters Most
”You must start with the customer experience and work backward toward the technology – not the other way around.”
– Steve Jobs, May 25, 1997, World Developers Conference
As an example of a presentation of Steve Jobs, in a video called “The First iMac Introduction,” from May 1998, Steve Jobs introduced the first iMac. He talked about how this iMac would make it easy to use the Internet. He added some funny parts to his speech. When you’re talking to people, they want to learn about your product, understand how it works, and have fun listening. But the most important thing is to answer this question: Why should I care about what you’re saying?
Here’s another example where the goal is to convince people (customers and developers) about the benefits of the new Intel-Apple partnership: “The Intel Switch Revealed.”
When you’re preparing your talk, remember that it’s not about you, it’s about the people you’re talking to. Also, don’t forget the one question you need to answer to keep your audience interested: “Why should I care about what you’re saying?”
If you could make your audience remember just one thing, what would it be? Don’t use complicated words; make it easy for everyone to understand. Tell your audience about the good things your product does for them, and do it clearly and often. In his Presentation, Steve Steve Jobs didn’t make people guess.
Say the same thing in all your ads
In “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs,” there’s a chart that shows how Steve Jobs talked about the benefits of his products or features. For example, Keynote Software, iPod nano, Genius feature for iTunes, and more.
Don’t talk only about yourself; that can be boring. Always think about what your audience wants to know.
Presentation of Steve Jobs secrets: Jobs didn’t just sell products; he sold a vision of a better future.
He explained why something was important before explaining how it worked. Your audience doesn’t really care about your product; they care about themselves. Sell them a dream, not just a product.
Scene 3: Develop a Messianic Sense of Purpose
Great presenters are passionate because they follow their hearts. In the documentary “Triumph of the Nerds”, Steve Jobs said, “I was worth $1 million when I was 23, $10 million when I was 24, and $100 million when I was 25, but I didn’t care because I never did it for the money.”
Great speakers are excited because they love what they do. In a documentary called “Triumph of the Nerds,” Steve Jobs said he wasn’t focused on money when he started. He cared about his work.
It all begins with passion. Steve Jobs talked with excitement and energy. We all have something we’re passionate about. Steve Jobs found his when he was young. Find yours or keep looking. Watch the video “You’ve got to find what you love.”
Steve Jobs was sure that his creations were making the world better. He convinced his teams to work for a better future. He told this to anyone who would listen.
Everyone has a story to share. Your product or project can make people’s lives better. Dig deep into your thoughts, find what you’re most excited about, and share it loudly.
Make a “passion statement” and tell others. Explain why you’re happy to work with them.
If you want to be a great speaker but you don’t like your job, change it. You can make money doing a job you don’t love, but you won’t inspire others.
Scene 4: Create Twitter-Like Headlines
“Today, Apple reinvents the phone!”
– Steve Jobs, Macworld 2007
Apple’s headlines are easy to remember because they have three things: they are short (only 27 characters), they are clear, and they tell you how you’ll benefit.
Here are some examples of Apple’s headlines:
– The most eco-friendly laptops
– iPhone 3G. Twice as fast, half the price.
– The fastest Mac browser, some say the best ever.
– Google’s founders introduced their company like this:
– “With one click, Google gives you access to all the world’s information.”
One person who invests money told the writer:
“If you can’t explain what you do in 10 words or less, I’m not interested.”
Starbucks:
“Starbucks is like a third place between work and home.”
In the presentation “Introduction of Keynote by Steve Jobs,” Steve Jobs did the same thing with catchy headlines that capture the main point of the presentation. He would repeat these headlines in his speech too.
Make sure you say the headline in your speech, ads, on the website, and wherever else it’s needed.
Remember, the headline promises a better future. It’s not about you; it’s about what your audience wants.
Scene 5: Draw a Road Map
Steve Jobs always followed the rule of three. You can see this in his presentation “Steve Jobs Introducing The iPhone.”
In your presentation, talk about three things. This makes it easy for your audience to follow. For example, you could talk about three main features, or do a three-part demonstration.
First, make a list of everything you want to say about your product, service, or company.
Then, group these ideas until you have only three main points. These three things will be the main focus of your presentation.
For each point, use one of the techniques you learned in Scene 1: tell a personal story, share facts, give an example, compare things, use a metaphor, or share what someone else said.
Scene 6: Introduce the Antagonist
In every story, there’s a bad guy. Steve Jobs’ presentations are no different.
Here’s an example:
In 1984, Apple made a commercial for the Macintosh computer. In that story, IBM was the enemy.
Watch “Steve Jobs Introducing The iPhone” too. Steve Jobs raises questions about problems and then gives the solutions. Problem + Solution = classic Steve Jobs style.
It’s important to show who the enemy is. It gets people’s attention, makes them talk, and even buy.
You need a sentence to introduce the enemy: why do we need to solve this?
For example:
Safari Web Browser Introduction. Question: Why a new browser when there are others? Solution: Ours is faster and works better with Google.
You need to make space in your audience’s minds for your solution. This prepares them for your message.
Introduce the problem at the start of your presentation. Always ask the question before giving the solution. You can use pictures to make the problem clear.
Build your talk by answering these four questions:
– What do you do?
– What problem do you solve?
– How are you different?
– Why should I care?
Spend time talking about the problem in detail. Make it real for your audience. Explain how bad it feels.
Remember, people don’t care about your solution. They care about solving their own problems.
Scene 7: Reveal the Hero
”The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste. And I don’t mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way.”
– Steve Jobs
Once you’ve introduced the problem or challenge, which is like the bad guy in a story, explain how your product or service can solve that problem in a way that’s easy to understand.
For example:
In an old video called “Apple Keynote (1983),” Steve Jobs talks about the problem (Big Blue), like a villain in a James Bond movie, and then introduces the solution, which is like the hero who saves the day.
In Steve Jobs’ presentations, the hero’s job isn’t always to defeat the bad guy, but to make our lives better.
Here’s another example:
In “The First Ever iPod Introduction (2001),” Steve Jobs said, “No one has figured out how to do digital music yet. But we will.” He’s describing the challenge in the music industry and how Apple’s iPod is going to fix it.
Talk about the current situation, and then share your vision of how things could be better.
When presenting your solution, avoid jargon. The solution must be simple.
“Unless you have a lot of passion about what you offer, you’re not going to survive. You’re going to give it up. So you’ve got to have an idea, or a problem or a wrong that you want to right that you’re passionate about; otherwise, you’re not going to have the perseverance to stick it through. I think half the battle is there.”
– Steve Jobs
Remember, Steve Jobs believed that unless you’re really passionate about solving a problem, you won’t have the determination to keep going.
Break time: the 10-minute rule
Research in cognitive science has shown that people start losing interest after about 10 minutes.
Steve Jobs didn’t let his audience get bored. He planned things like demos, having different speakers, showing videos, and more.
You can do the same in your presentations.
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs Act 2: Deliver the Experience
The next six parts of this section give you specific techniques to make your presentation visually appealing and captivating.
Scene 8: Channel Their Inner Zen
”Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
– Leonardo Da Vinci
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
– Hans Hofmann
”If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
– Albert Einstein
Steve Jobs’ presentations are really simple. He shows a word or a couple of words, along with images or photos that help explain what he’s saying.
Examples:
When he introduced the iPod in 2001, he said “1000 songs in your pocket” and showed a picture to help people understand how much music that means.
In the Macworld 2008 presentation, he talked about selling four million iPhones by breaking it down to about twenty thousand iPhones per day.
So, simplify your slides in your PowerPoint or Keynote. Use images instead of bullet points. Each slide should focus on just one main point and include a relevant image.
Scene 9: Dress Up Your Numbers
Use numbers to support the main elements of your presentation. However, be careful not to overwhelm your audience with numbers.
Place your numbers in a context that speaks to your audience.
Examples:
Macworld 2008 Keynote Address [10]. “To date, we’ve sold four million iPhones. If you divide four million by two hundred days, that’s an average of twenty thousand iPhones per day.” Steve Jobs makes these numbers much more meaningful to the audience by scaling them down to a daily rate.
The First Ever iPod Introduction (2001). [11] “1000 songs in your pocket”. Steve Jobs explains what 5 GB of space means and differentiates the iPod from its competitors at the time.
Make your numbers speak to your audience in a context they are familiar with, while being specific and relevant.
Sometimes analogies are the best way to contextualize numbers so that people will understand.
The author gives various examples of how he has helped translate very large numbers that are not very relevant to the public or investors into something more relevant and contextual through analogies.
Use analogies to “dress up” your numbers.
Scene 10: Use “Amazingly Zippy” Words
Use numbers to support your main ideas, but don’t overwhelm your audience with too many numbers.
Put your numbers in a context that your audience can relate to.
For instance, instead of saying you’ve sold four million items, explain it as selling twenty thousand items per day over two hundred days.
If your numbers are large, use analogies to make them more understandable and relatable.
Scene 11: Share the Stage
Steve Jobs often shared the stage with his partners, employees, and customers, like Intel CEO Bill Gates or Twentieth Century Fox CEO.
Having a customer on stage to support your product is even better than just their opinion.
When you launch a product, make sure you have customers who have tried it to confirm what you’re saying.
Your customers need to trust you. Sharing testimonials from them or reviews can help convince others.
Put these customer testimonials directly in your presentation.
Don’t forget to thank your employees, partners, and customers. Do it more than once.
Scene 12: Stage Your Presentation with Props
During your presentation, do a short and clear demonstration, like passing around a product to the audience.
Engage your audience’s senses – use visuals, sounds, and even give them something to do.
Invite someone from the audience on stage.
Focus on just one element or feature during your demonstration.
For example:
Apple Special Event, October 2008 [12]: Steve Jobs passes around the high-tech hardware of the new MacBook among the audience. The demo lasted 2 minutes.
Give your audience a pen and paper and give them an exercise to do.
Invite someone from your audience to join you on stage.
During your demo, focus on only one element, only one feature, etc.
Scene 13: Reveal a “Holy Shit” Moment
”People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou
Steve Jobs always planned a moment in his presentation that he wanted the audience to remember – a “Holy Shit” moment.
For example, when he introduced the MacBook Air, he pulled it out of an envelope to show how thin it was.
Plan something memorable, like an unexpected announcement, a personal story, or a surprising demo.
Practice and rehearse this moment to make sure it’s impactful.
For example:
During the Macworld event in 2008, Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air in a remarkable way. He pulled a MacBook Pro out of an envelope, showcasing it as the thinnest laptop in the world. This left a lasting impression on the audience.
In the first iPod introduction back in 2001, Steve Jobs took an iPod out of his pocket, highlighting its small and thin design while emphasizing its ability to store a thousand songs. This simple yet impactful demonstration stuck in the minds of the audience.
While not everyone can introduce a groundbreaking product like Apple’s, sharing a personal story can create an emotional connection that makes your message memorable.
Consider planning a “Wow” moment in your presentation. This could be an extraordinary announcement, a personal anecdote, an unexpected fact, or a demonstration that leaves a lasting memory for your audience.
Craft a script for this moment, aiming to create something that your audience will discuss even after the presentation. Think about incorporating surprising elements that can captivate your audience’s attention.
Practice and rehearse this moment thoroughly. Avoid mistakes that might undermine its impact. Ensure that your slides display correctly and that any demonstrations work seamlessly.
During the second intermission, the author shares how Phil Schiller, who had the challenging task of taking Steve Jobs’ place at Macworld 2009, used Steve Jobs’ techniques to create a memorable presentation.
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs Act 3: Refine and Rehearse
In the last sections of the book, we will learn about how Steve Jobs makes his presentations better and gets ready to connect deeply with his audience’s emotions.
Scene 14: Master Stage Presence
”Always act confident.”
– Barack Obama
How you express your words is just as significant as the words themselves.
The author explains how Steve Jobs highlights specific words and uses gestures to make his point.
Steve Jobs did three important things that anyone can do: he looked at the audience, stood with an open posture, and used his hands to support his words.
Steve Jobs was skilled at staying connected with the audience because he practiced his presentation well in advance. He knew his slides and how they transitioned. Many presenters don’t practice enough, which can affect their presentations. When presenting visually, it’s better to focus on the audience rather than the slides.
Avoid crossing your arms and having barriers between you and the audience.
The author studies the words and intonations Steve Jobs used in some of his speeches.
Take special notice of your speed, pauses, and how loud you speak.
Don’t underestimate the importance of your nonverbal communication.
Record a video of yourself, then observe your body language and listen to your voice to enhance your speaking abilities.
Scene 15: Make It Look Effortless
Steve Jobs appeared relaxed, comfortable, and confident during his presentations. His secret: he dedicated hours and days to practicing his presentation beforehand!
If you want to present like Steve Jobs, you need to spend more time practicing and rehearsing your presentation than you currently do.
Research has shown that it takes about 10,000 hours, or 20 hours a week over a 10-year period, to become an expert in a particular skill. This rule is confirmed by The Beatles, other famous individuals, athletes, and Steve Jobs himself, who all showcased exceptional performance around 10 years after starting.
“Spontaneity” is a result of planned practice. Bringing your presentation to life requires practice. You must accept this reality to elevate your presentation above mediocrity.
Recording yourself and making videos is crucial. Observe aspects like eye contact, body language, filler words like “uh” or “actually,” your voice, and your energy. Recording the first 5 minutes is sufficient to identify any bad habits.
The author provides a technique to handle various questions:
Identify the questions that are likely to come up.
Categorize the questions into no more than 7 categories. Based on the author’s experience, most questions fit within these categories.
Prepare responses for each category.
Listen attentively to the question and determine the relevant category for your response.
Think of these responses as mini-presentations.
Scene 16: Wear the Appropriate Costume
Steve Jobs consistently wore a black sweater and jeans for his Keynote presentations. Should you do the same? No.
Steve Jobs dressed suitably for the occasion. If he needed to persuade investors or meet with bankers for funding, he dressed accordingly.
Here is Steve Jobs in a suit early in his career: Nightline interview with Steve Jobs (1981).
Ensure that your outfit reflects the image you want to portray, the leader you aspire to be. Dress appropriately based on the context.
Scene 17: Toss the Script
Steve Jobs addressed his audience by maintaining eye contact, without constantly referring to his slides. You need to practice effectively so that you can confidently deliver your presentation without relying on a script.
Steve Jobs’ presentations were highly visual, serving as a teleprompter for him. He focused on one idea per slide.
Great actors rehearse their lines months ahead of their performance. Do they memorize their lines? Yes, but their delivery sounds natural. You should do the same.
The author provides a technique to memorize and present like Steve Jobs:
Write your entire script in full sentences. Condense each idea to three or four sentences.
Highlight a key word in each sentence and practice your presentation.
Trim unnecessary words, leaving only keywords, and practice again.
Memorize the main idea you want to convey per slide. The image on your slide represents that keyword or idea.
Practice your entire presentation without notes, using your slides as prompts.
While notes aren’t forbidden, Steve Jobs used them for demos, containing only a few words.
Scene 18: Have Fun
“I have no secrets. There are no rules to follow in business. I just work hard and, as I always have done, believe I can do it. Most of all, though, I try to have fun.”
– Richard Branson
Create “Infotainment” by blending information with entertainment: make sure your audience enjoys listening to what you’re saying. The author gives examples of how Steve Jobs made his presentations entertaining by incorporating choreography, jokes, and amusing personal stories.
Despite all your preparation, there might be some unexpected problems. Instead of getting stuck on these issues, keep moving forward with your presentation no matter what.
If something goes wrong, don’t let it throw you off track. Focus on the main message of your presentation, have fun, and don’t let minor issues hold you back.
The author provides several instances of how Steve Jobs continued with his presentations despite unexpected challenges on stage. He never lost his excitement, regardless of the situation.
Conclusion on The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo:
In conclusion, “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs” by Carmine Gallo had a significant impact on the author’s approach to public speaking. Despite having practiced public speaking for years, this book took their presentations to a new level.
The decision to read the book “Presentation of Steve Jobs” was made while preparing for a crucial job interview in the aviation industry, which required presenting an innovative idea. Applying the principles from the book, along with watching Steve Jobs videos, helped the author excel in their presentation and secure the job over competitors. Even years later, the manager who witnessed the presentation still recalls its impact.
Never underestimate the power of a speech in shaping your career or life. This skill is valuable whether you’re an entrepreneur, an employee, or in your personal life.
If you are looking for another book like The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, People also read:
Never split the difference summary
Exactly what to say – The magic words for influence and impact