Steve Jobs is one of the inspirational presenter of our times. He had this extraordinary ability to simplify complex ideas and to present them in the most creative means.
Steve Jobs is an inspiration for many of us and has shown us the path on how to deliver presentations which inspire and move people. If you adapt some of his techniques, your ideas and presentation will stand out in a sea of mediocrity.
Take a higher purpose
Steve Jobs have been an awe inspiring presenter for decades. What differentiates Steve from others is his ability to take higher purpose. This higher purpose reflects in his choice of words and presentation that serve as an inspiration for many.
Steve Jobs while interviewing John Sculley quoted “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”
Steve Jobs has taken a higher purpose “Change the world”. Steve Jobs is driven by a purpose beyond making money.
Do you remember the legendary Apple 'Think Different' campaign? See Steve Jobs in action, one of the best campaign ideas ever in the history!
Tell a story
Story telling is a great tool to make an emotional connect with your audience. People remember stories, they share them and stories are less likely to be resisted.
Stories reveal what makes your message unique. Stories are the emotional glue that connects you to your customers. Stories shapes information into meaning and it can motivate your audience towards your goal.
Steve Jobs is an inspirational story teller. Steve Jobs uses the formula of classic story telling – the hero fights the villain. He uses this formula in most of his presentations.
In 1984 when he introduced the Macintosh, IBM represented the villain. Introducing the villain rallies the audience around the hero.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Steve Jobs words are simpler, phrases less abstract and uses fewer words per sentence. Steve Jobs says ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ It’s more effort to achieve simplicity, but it’s worthwhile going for it because the experience will WOW your audience.
Steve Jobs is known to challenge himself, build revolutionary simplistic ideas. It does take more thought and energy, but you’ll deliver Steve Jobs like presentation.
Like the Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. Drawing inspiration from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005.
Leverage the power of visual story telling
Steve Jobs was a master storyteller. He used narratives to engage his audience and create an emotional connection. He would often start with a personal anecdote or a relatable story that captured attention and built anticipation for the product or idea he was about to unveil.
Steve Jobs understood the power of visuals in his presentation. His presentation slides were carefully designed to have a high visual impact, with stunning images, product demonstrations, and videos. He used slides sparingly and ensured that each visual element served a purpose, enhancing the overall message.
Proponent of live product demonstrations
Steve Jobs was known for his captivating and memorable product demonstrations during his tenure at Apple. Here are a few notable examples:
Macintosh Introduction (1984): One of the most famous presentation inspiration by Steve Jobs was the unveiling of the original Macintosh computer. Jobs showcased the graphical user interface and mouse-driven navigation, which revolutionized personal computing. The presentation concluded with the famous "1984" ad, highlighting the Macintosh's impact on the industry.
iMac Introduction (1998): Steve Jobs introduced the iMac by pulling it out of a translucent blue plastic case, demonstrating its simplicity and modern design. He emphasized the iMac's internet capabilities and stated, "This is iMac: The whole thing is translucent. You can see into it. It's so cool!"
iPod Introduction (2001): Jobs introduced the iPod as a breakthrough digital music player that could fit "1,000 songs in your pocket." He demonstrated its intuitive scroll wheel and navigation, while also announcing the iTunes music store, which allowed users to legally purchase and download music online.
iPhone Introduction (2007): Arguably one of the most significant product demonstrations in tech history, Jobs unveiled the first iPhone. He showcased its innovative multi-touch interface, internet browsing capabilities, and integration of iPod and phone functionality. Jobs famously said, "An iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator... Are you getting it? These are not three separate devices; this is one device."
iPad Introduction (2010): Steve Jobs introduced the iPad as a new category of device that filled the gap between smartphones and laptops. He highlighted its versatility for browsing, email, photos, videos, and ebooks. Jobs described it as "the best browsing experience you've ever had" and "an incredible way to enjoy your content."
Focus on benefits
Steve Jobs had a remarkable ability to focus on the product benefits during his presentations. Rather than getting caught up in technical specifications or jargon, he emphasized how Apple's products would enhance people's lives. Here are a few key aspects of his approach:
Simplicity and User Experience: Jobs believed in creating products that were intuitive and easy to use. He emphasized how Apple's devices would simplify complex tasks and enhance the user experience. For example, when introducing the iPhone, he showcased its multi-touch interface and stated, "It works like magic. It's so simple and so easy to use."
Integration and Seamless Ecosystem: Jobs highlighted how Apple's products seamlessly integrated with each other, creating a cohesive ecosystem. He emphasized the benefits of this integration, such as the ability to sync content across devices effortlessly. For instance, during the iPad presentation, he showcased how users could access their music, photos, and apps seamlessly across multiple devices.
Emotional Connection: Jobs understood the importance of creating an emotional connection with the audience. He emphasized how Apple's products would evoke positive emotions and enrich people's lives. Whether it was the joy of listening to music on an iPod or the excitement of browsing the internet on an iPhone, Jobs focused on the emotional impact of the products.
Unique Selling Points: Jobs highlighted the unique features and capabilities of Apple's products that set them apart from the competition. He showcased how these features would benefit users in meaningful ways. For example, when introducing the iMac, he emphasized its innovative design, internet capabilities, and the absence of a floppy disk drive, stating, "The back of this thing looks better than the front of the other guys'."
Demonstrating Use Cases: Jobs often demonstrated real-world use cases to showcase the practical benefits of Apple's products. Whether it was browsing the web, listening to music, or using productivity apps, he showcased how Apple's devices would enhance productivity, entertainment, and creativity.
Rehearse
Steve Jobs rehearses for many hours over many days. His sense of informality comes after grueling hours of practice. For two full days before the presentation, Steve will spend all his effort practicing for the presentation, he will ask for feedback from his managers.
When was the last time you practiced a presentation for 2 days.
Steve Jobs introduces iPhone in 2007. A fine crafted presentation, and what a delivery!
One more thing
Have fun during the presentation. Great presenters are also great entertainers. Steve is known for telling the audience something new which they never heard off. He does this with lot of fun.
See his sense of humor in action!
Truly Steve Jobs is a great inspiration. You now know his secret formulas, practice it and all the very best to your path towards legendary.