What's the first thing you consider when you start working on a presentation for a new audience?

When I start working on a presentation for a new audience, the first thing I consider is understanding the audience itself. It’s like embarking on a journey—you need to know who you're traveling with to ensure a meaningful and memorable experience.

Imagine walking into a room filled with people. You may not know their names yet, but you can sense their energy. Are they industry experts looking for data-driven insights, or are they potential investors waiting to be inspired by your vision? Just like this scenario, I begin by trying to understand who is in that "room." Are they well-versed in the topic, or are they entirely new to it? What are their goals, challenges, or expectations? These questions help me shape the presentation's approach and style.

Take, for example, a time I prepared a pitch for a group of early-stage investors. I knew they weren't looking for a deep technical dive—they wanted to be excited, to feel the potential of the business. I started by painting a picture of the problem, using a relatable story that resonated with them. I could see their interest piqued from the very beginning. It was clear to me that, for this audience, emotions mattered as much as numbers. That insight set the tone for the entire presentation, ensuring it connected not just intellectually, but emotionally.

On another occasion, I was crafting a presentation for a group of data analysts. Here, the audience wanted facts—clear, logical insights with compelling evidence. I knew they valued precision, so I prioritized structuring my slides with clean visuals, concise data points, and detailed examples. Understanding their expectations helped me build trust and credibility right from the start.

In both cases, it wasn’t about what I wanted to say—it was about what the audience needed to hear. The first step in every presentation journey is figuring out what’s going to make the people sitting across from you lean in, nod, and think, "This is exactly what I needed." That’s why my first consideration is always the audience—because once you know who they are, you know how to take them on the journey that matters most to them.

I always ask who the audience is and what their makeup is. It's also vital to know how much they already know about the topics you'll be presenting - nothing worse than teaching your grandmother to suck eggs!

When starting a presentation design for a specific audience, the first thing I consider is who the audience is and the nature of the content. If it’s for sales, marketing, or product, the design needs to be clear and actionable, focusing on results and strategy. If it’s for investors, the focus should be on creating visuals that communicate key metrics and growth potential effectively.

In sectors like data, biotech, AI, Web3, or DeFi etc. I tailor the design to suit the industry’s style—whether it's clean and data-driven for tech and data, or more futuristic and innovative for Web3 and DeFi. I ensure that the design makes complex information easy to digest while keeping the visual tone aligned with industry expectations. The goal is always to make the presentation engaging, informative, and relevant to the audience’s needs.

When crafting a presentation for a new audience, the first crucial step is understanding the audience profile. This includes gathering key details such as age range, professional backgrounds, and the nature of the event—whether it's an intimate sales meeting, a webinar, or a large-scale conference.

Next, I delve into the audience's motivations. What are they hoping to gain from this presentation? What specific outcomes are they seeking? Understanding their expectations helps tailor the content effectively. I also consider the time allotted for the presentation, as this impacts the depth and breadth of information I can cover.

The presentation's format—live or via email—significantly influences my approach. A live presentation, or "Talk deck," allows for minimal text and more visuals, as I'll be there to provide context. An email presentation, or "Mail deck," requires a self-explanatory approach with a balanced mix of text and visuals.

With these factors in mind, I create a storyboard to map out the content flow. Knowing that attention typically wanes after about 20 minutes, I strategically sequence the most critical information within this window to keep the audience engaged.

The copywriting process then begins, tailored to either the "talk deck" or "mail deck" format. Finally, I focus on design—not just aesthetics, but as a communication tool that guides the reader through a coherent flow of ideas.

When I start working on a presentation for a new audience, I see the audience as the hero facing a significant challenge—whether it's a problem that needs solving or a goal they're striving to achieve.

My first step is to fully understand their struggles and what’s at stake.

Then, I position the presentation as the guide that will lead them through their journey. The climax of the presentation is where I showcase the solution—how the strategies, ideas, or tools I’m presenting can transform their situation.

In the end, the audience isn’t just receiving information; they’re empowered with the knowledge and tools to conquer their challenges and achieve success.

Based on the presentation goals and the audience's needs, I might choose different approaches, but the research of the audience always comes first. That’s the point.