“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.”
— Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

In my weekly articles, I have extensively discussed how to create, practice, and deliver presentations. However, I have not often discussed what you should do before you create your presentation.

Before creating your presentation, you should take three essential preparatory steps to ensure your message is relevant, practical, and engaging. 

These foundational actions lay the groundwork for clarity, audience connection, and the impact of your presentation.

References 

• Lucas, S. E. (2019). The Art of Public Speaking. McGraw-Hill. Lucas emphasizes that “adapting to the audience is one of the most important keys to effective public speaking,” underscoring the need for thorough audience research.
• Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences. Wiley. Duarte advises speakers to “articulate the big idea,” stressing that without a central message, the audience will struggle to retain anything meaningful.
• Reynolds, G. (2011). Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. New Riders. Reynolds promotes simplicity and structure, stating that “the best presentations are well planned and well organized,” not just visually compelling.