Outside The Margin :: Joann Sondy

Happy Holidays to You

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:00:00 +0000

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday and Happy New Year!
Joann

New "Go To" Presentation App: Adobe Slate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:05:00 +0000

Adobe Slate for visual storytelling... you must try this application!

This little application, available for mobile devices and via web, is the kind of application that will propel your presentations to new heights.

My initial stories were quite simple, more like family albums, then I began to organize the content differently; approaching more like a movie director. Storyboarding my outline and objectives.

Slate will shift your visual storytelling skills to be more robust.

Overview:

Easily add images and video
Create slideshows and/or grids
Add text and styling (body, h1, h2, quotes)
Ability to add external links (webpages, email, etc)
Limited theme templates
Share link (social media, mail)
Embed on webpage

After producing "Historically Speaking" and evaluating other visual stories it see numerous possibilities to use Adobe Slate, professionally and personally. Go beyond the newsletter and blog post. Book trailers, e-newsletters, event pre-launch, new business presentation, etc.

During the planning or storyboarding stage think more like the movie director; background imagery, video or audio clips, still images, photo grids and slideshows, etc. How to pair with text to emphasize the core message?

https://slate.adobe.com/cp/ivSk7/

Don't worry this application is available for mobile (iOS & Android) and web.

Form Ever Follows Function

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 03:08:00 +0000

My tardiness in writing a well-thought out newsletter was delayed due to book* & presentation projects earlier this month.

I've been leading an Art Deco skyscrapers walking tour, primarily along LaSalle Street in Chicago, since I 'certified' in late spring. Art Deco is about ornamentation, these magnificent 1930s skyscrapers got me thinking about structure and the use of ornament (decoration).

Below is a quote excerpt from Holabird & Roche, architects of Chicago Board of Trade (1930):

"the exterior is an expression of the function(s) of the building..."

I think they were tapping into Louis H. Sullivan's "form ever follows function." For the CBOT, many would agree, the ornamentation is not merely decoration; it accentuating the overall design of the commodities exchange–all relating to agriculture (wheat, corn, lumber).

Why the architecture metaphor?
Frankly, there are numerous metaphors beyond architecture.
Each project, even an image for your Instagram feed requires structure and planning. We must invest the time into purpose or function, before any discussion of ornamentation. Then the mechanics of structure structure and flow of the publication will designed. Every writer I know begins with an outline or structure. Yes, even graphic designers begin with function and structure.

No amount of stock images, cheeky infographics or trendy color swatches will hide the lack of thought given to crafting a strong message and story structure; including any call-to-actions.

Working with photographic material presents a different opportunity to create a theme or visual structure for a collection. (see previous post)

I can't tell you how many times, I've been asked to work on pitch deck/publication and the first conversation is about the aesthetics versus purpose, theme, content and audience.

Let's not design from the outside inward. Sticky notes, index cards or whiteboards are simple, yet effective tools to breakdown your storyboard, eliminating the non-essential, shifting sections to improve the flow, etc.

More about structure or storyboarding:

Storyboarding Four Pattern of Organization

Lessons from the Art of Storyboarding

Unique Storyboard Method: Receipt Tape

Break out your coloring pencils to ignite your inner creative juices–coloring is the new meditation. Patterns of the Ancient World and Renaissance Patterns were developed for convenience of travel. The 6x9" size is ideal to toss in your shoulder bag and fits nicely on hard surface like your tablet. AND, I included blank pages for your own drawings or doodles. Available via Amazon.

Joann

Cosmic Journey of Three

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:37:00 +0000

A walk through the Adler*

A recent walk along the three levels of the Adler Planetarium guided me through the exhibits to the theaters with ease. Reminding me of the graceful, yet powerful of use of THREE. How do we consciously or unconsciously incorporate this into our work?

The use of three segments or divisions can be used to construct a presentation, write the speech or develop visuals. Artists and architects have used "3" for centuries. It's simple, keeps us focused; more importantly, our audience focused.

Note the three parts of this stalwart advise for speech:

Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em.
Tell 'em.
Tell 'em what you told 'em.

Patterns of Ancient World Coloring Book

Simple. 1. 2. 3.

Three most recent projects on my desk:

Book by illustrator and writer, a family legacy story. Limited edition, printed.
Expanded version of my husband's first book Saigon Shuffle, which we self-published almost ten years ago. Projected release end of September.
Coloring book for grown ups, I self-published a Patterns of the Ancient World coloring book, available via Amazon.

Three products to assist with your projects:

Slideshare is now part of LinkedIn. Post slideshows, PDFs directly to your LinkedIn profile; great for entrepreneur and business profiles.
Canva: online and tablet platform to to create visuals online; tap into library of free and paid assets.
Adobe Slate new free iPad app to create visual stories quickly; might be a new method to present to clients or blog. entries.

My youngest is beginning her SENIOR year of high school... where has the time gone?

Joann Sondy
Designer & Publisher
mobile: 231-633-0945
social media: @joannsondy
joannsondy.com

* Adler Planetarium, located along the Chicago shoreline, was the nation's first planetarium. Opened May 1930, designed by Ernest Grunfeld for Max Adler; the twelve zodiac bronze bas reliefs by Alphonso Ianelli grace the exterior. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmark.

Great Cover Grabs Your Buyer's Attention

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 15:17:00 +0000

I'm diverting, briefly, from my Create Your Own Great Photo Book articles with a post about cover design.

I'm currently prepping for a keynote presentation to Chicago Self-Publishing Meet-Up group about cover design. I've been attending this monthly meet-up, organized/managed by Kim Bookless, for the past few years. It is a community of like-minded individuals who are eager to learn and share.

I've been invited to speak at this month about cover design. My goal is to emphasize the importance of your book's cover design and a look "behind the curtain" of how I approach cover design with you, my client.

We're not going to bad mouth lousy DIY book covers that cast a dark shadow over self-published books. (Well, at least one...for a valid reason.) I'll draw your attention to the shared characteristics of book covers within categories: format, colors, fonts and graphics.

Genres Share Cover Characteristics
These are fundamentals to understanding your target audience and how they respond the cover design. For example, it would be odd to see a sci-fi novel cover designed like a romance novel. Or a self-help book designed like a children's book. I think you get the idea.

Create [Visual] Drama

I'll also show how your cover designer will/should use graphic elements to connect the cover design to the content; adding drama. Drama could be mystery, action, movement, whimsy, or nostalgia. We'll look at a few before & after book covers to illustrate this point.

Where'd you get that image?

Image usage will also be discussed; emphasizing the importance of working with a designer who understands how to acquire and license an image properly and legally. Downloading an image from an internet search is amateurish and you'll be disappointed by the results. There are different levels of licensing images and illustrations that you, the self-published author, NEED to understand.

Who's printing your book?

Finally, book cover design–especially for print–is highly technical. A professional designer will ask early in the creative briefing discussion, "who is printing the book?" (Red flag, if they don't!) The printer's specifications, bleed, trim, safe margin, etc. The final spine measurement is crucial. And, dimensions and placement of the ISBN bar code and pricing are necessary.

If you can't make this week's Chicago Self-Publishing Meet-Up presentation, I'll be doing follow up article, since I'm confident the group members will have plenty of questions.

Happy self-publishing!

Conduct Your Own Symphony, Visually

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 May 2015 17:46:00 +0000

The following is an ongoing series from Create Your Own Great Photo Book. The first "Be a Ruthless Photo Editor" covers activities you can use to take control of your image library. The second, "Storyboarding, Not Just For Filmmakers," presents concepts for creating a theme for your images.

Conduct Your Symphony, Visually

Image: Barbara Weibel (2014), http://holeinthedonut.com

Very frequently, I take a shortcut from the bus stop at Adams/Wabash through the Chicago Symphony Orchestra building to reach the Chicago Architecture Foundation, next door. If I'm lucky, I can hear the musicians in the practice rooms or the auditorium. Music, written and performed, is structured. Components that can help us structure and create our own great photo books.

By now, you've done your sequencing, injecting energy and emotion during the storyboard phase. As a designer, I use several techniques to establish a cognitive flow within a book's theme:

Add pauses or rests,
Build to crescendo,
Emphasis on single images, and
Tell a story...visually

Below are a few techniques to help you "conduct your own symphony"~visually.

PAIRINGS: Make connections. Typically, still images are static on their own but 'paired' with others the group can make a moment.

RHYTHM/FLOW: Curate a method of how you want the reader to advance through your book. How can you tell the story visually?

RESTS/PAUSES: A blank page is NOT always the answer; in fact, it can be confusing. Use negative (white) space to balance with your photos and/or text.

MOTIFS: Be true to the core theme or concept of the book look for colors and patterns to add interest.

TEXT: Your text should SUPPORT the images in your photo book. Refrain from using text to fill empty space.

PRO TIP: Storyboard your book and create a mock up. This helps you envision the finished book as a singular piece, versus assembling it page-by-page.

Interested in more? Download "Create Your Own Great Photo Book."

Next: Front and back matter–important elements to create a professionally designed photo book.

Happy self publishing.

Storyboarding, Not Just for Filmmakers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 19:00:00 +0000

The following is part of a running series of posts, from Create Your Own Great Photo Book; the first "Be a Ruthless Photo Editor" covers activities you can use to take control of your image library.

Storyboarding, Not Just for Filmmakers

How do you organize your images? Stay true to your theme.

Developing a structure based on your time is the foundation to create your own great photo book. And, keep you focused. It can be overwhelming when you're confronted with a volume of images. Refer to my previous post, Be A Ruthless Photo Editor, to eliminate the unnecessary, poor quality and non-relevant images.

A screen shot of one folder.

Example: My Family Archive. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I decided to make a dent in scanning the negatives and photographs––which I have two or three large Rubbermaid storage tubs––from my family's photo archive. I pulled out an armful of 'stuff' and began sorting the pieces. Tossing items that had little relevance to the long-term integrity of the archive, poor quality and extremely damaged. Things like out-of-focus shots, unrecognizable subjects, generic birthday & holiday cards, etc. The result, spending time on quality pieces that would convey the story of my family.

Stay Grounded to Your Theme

As mentioned above, developing a structure will serve as your foundation. Using images and text creates your visual story. Most stories are typical: a beginning, middle and end. Let's take this further.

Tapping into a more sophisticated organization can add more interest to your photo book. Try one or a combination of the following:

4 types of story organization to add interest to your photo book.

Storyboarding your content gives you a 'roadmap' to a finish product. Naturally, we want to be flexible as the project progress. Image sequencing and storyboarding is time well spent!

After you've experimented with your visual storyboarding with your first photo book, it will become easier the next time. Eventually, challenging your creativity to try new concepts.

Interested in more? Download "Create Your Own Great Photo Book."

Next: Add cognitive flow within your theme.

Happy self publishing.

Great Photo Book: Be A Ruthless Photo Editor

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 20:30:00 +0000

Using as many images in your Great Photo Book maybe your first inclination; this is the absolutely wrong approach.

You MUST be a ruthless photo editor! Focus on quality over quantity.*

Image from http://www.tokyojinja.com/

As you review your big pile (or folder) of images, ask yourself repeatedly:

Does the image support my theme?
Does it add visual interest to the message?
Is this image the BEST quality?

Every image selected must have purpose to the theme.

Intuition plays a huge role and powerful role. Removing your own emotions from your review process will allow you focus on quality and the image(s) contribution to your book.

Conduct research at the library and/or local bookstore, I find used bookstores have fabulous stacks of photo books. Observe the sequencing of images and how each leads you through a process of the visual story. What story are your images telling?

* Select images that express concepts and support the main story or theme of the book.

An introduction to self-publishing techniques to create your own amazing book using your photographs or illustrations.

Download Free eBook

Discover techniques to create and publish of your own photo book, plus an introduction to self-publishing options (print and digital formats). Ideal for photographers, illustrators, architects, chefs, historians and many more.

Topics covered:
Image Sequencing & Storyboarding
Page Layout and Structure
Cover Design
Image Preparation
Overview: Shutterfly, Lulu and Blurb

Create Your Own Great Photo Book

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 21:14:00 +0000

Create Your Own Great Photo Books

Have you ever wanted to create your own photo books?
How do you start?
What are techniques to make it look professional?
How do I get it printed?

Download Free eBook

Just released a few days ago to select list of followers, now available for you.

An introduction to self-publishing techniques to create your own amazing book using your photographs or illustrations.

Discover techniques to create and publish of your own photo book, plus an introduction to self-publishing options (print and digital formats). Ideal for photographers, illustrators, architects, chefs, historians and many more.

Topics covered:

Image Sequencing & Storyboarding
Page Layout and Structure
Cover Design
Image Preparation
Overview: Shutterfly, Lulu and Blurb

Dancing In The Dark

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 18:53:00 +0000

Wow, it's been a couple of months since I've posted anything new for you. Frankly, I've been immersed in some very exciting projects.

Don't let the title of this post send you looking for Bruce Springsteen on iTunes.

Can you deliver your speech/presentation in the dark?

Without the support of visual aids? Ditch the PPT?

Image courtesy Choose Chicago

Many of you know that I'm a docent with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and this year I'm 'sponsoring' a trainee. One of my responsibilities is a walk through or demonstration of one of the core tours.

Due to scheduling, my trainee and I could only agree to meet after work. This is Chicago, it's dark by 6 p.m. and this week it's been cold (again) and damp. Not the best conditions to display my expertise.

Midway through the two-hour tour, Ben, docent-in-training, complimented me on the descriptive speech I used to describe details of buildings on the Chicago Old & New Tour.

After I thanked him, I was surprised when I realized that the darkness added a new and highly disciplinary behavior to my tour. A way to reduce and eliminate some bad behaviors and crutches.

I wasn't relying on the illumination of daytime, as I usually do. Instead, recalling specific details expressed with highly descriptive language. Clearly articulating the core concepts, coherently making comparisons to describe details that are seen vividly during the day.

Plan B–No Crutches
This exercise recalled the disastrous and feeble attempts I've witnessed over the years when technology fails. You know what I'm talking about: microphone cut outs, the presentation file doesn't load, the computer shuts down, the projector lamp burns out, you don't have the right cable, its the wrong file/version, etcetera, etcetera.

A Challenge
I challenge you to deliver your speech or presentation without the use of visual aids. Take it further and step away from the lectern and turn off the microphone.

Can you express the core message(s) and support it with details to your audience coherently? Delivered with passion and confidence?

Here's the link to your 80s rock-n-roll fix, "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen.

Season's Greetings from Joann Sondy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:28:00 +0000

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday and Happy New Year!
Joann

Great Photo Books Holiday Schedule–There's Still Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:33:00 +0000

Just did a quick check on the delivery dates for Blurb, Lulu and Shutterfly for photo books and calendars.

Good news: There's still time to publish your photo book or calendar.

Bad news: Drop dead dates are fast approaching!

Blurb Holiday Schedule

December 11, 2014* is Blurb's date for books (less than 30) delivered via USPS in U.S.the target date to order and take advantage of standard shipping in order to have your book order delivered in time. Blurb is offering discounts of bulk orders until December 9, 2014.
Check the Blurb holiday page for all the details.

Lulu Holiday Schedule

December 11, 2014 is the order date for paper back books and December 10, 2014* for hard cover and calendars shipped via mail with estimated delivery before the 25th. (I don't see a discount promotion, check your email, if you're on their list.)
Check the Lulu holiday page for all the details.

Shutterfly Holiday Schedule

For December 24, 2014* Economy delivery of photo books and calendars, you must order by December 17th. Last day to order is December 19th.
Check the Shutterfly holiday page for all the details.

*Options for Priority Mail, Expedited and Express options are available.
__________________
I have a client last year come to me the first week of December with her sketches and copy with the goal of turning it into a holiday gift for your family. We made it!

I can help you make your book a reality. Drop me an email or give me call to discuss your project.

Start With A Vision of End Product

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 18:54:00 +0000

Recent activity a LinkedIn self-publishing group caught my attention.

Someone asked for a recommendation about the best production method to publish their own book. There were several replies and counter replies. Group members offered testimonials about their own experiences with major players in the self-publishing industry, as well as links to their own services.

No one asked "What type of book do you want to produce?"

The author's answer to this question would have provided much needed information to provide some direction for the the project.

Instead many self-publishing consultants ASSUME that everyone wants to publish a text-only book and recommend that it be published via Amazon's CreateSpace for hardcopy and digital versions.

That's fine, but not all book projects are text only. Other genres include:

Photo essay
History of (subject)
Family genealogy
Cookbook
Poem
Mystery novel
Business-related

Your book is a product and how it is produced and distributed should be considered in the early stages.

Is your book filled with full color images?
Do you need a fixed layout or fluid layout?
Hardcopy, softcover or both?
Will it be available for purchase?
Are you familiar with printing terminology?

My ebook "Self-Publishing: Navigating the Process" goes into this topic and provides an introduction to service providers to navigate the process of publishing your book.

Self Publishing: Navigating The Process from Creative Aces

Everyone Has a Story, We Need to Discover It

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:32:00 +0000

This year's Chicago Ideas Week was filled with superb speakers, workshop and IDEAS. Unfortunately, my budget would only allow a small sampling of the seven day schedule. Choosing wisely.

A must see, for me, was Bruce Weindruch's presentation/workshop "Start with the Future and Work Back." I had the pleasure of participating in the workshop earlier this year and enjoyed it so much that I had to attend, again. Mr Weindruch is the CEO and Founder of The History Factory, a different kind of creative company that leverages an organization's history to tell a new story.

Working with historical content is nothing new for me; the joy and tedium of shifting through archives–cataloging, tagging and sorting to find the most relevant material for the project connects me with the past. Everything from film, newspaper/magazine clippings, photographs and even audio can contain some very surprising details about people, places and organizations.

Begin with a few simple questions:

What's important NOW?
What do you want to HAPPEN?
What INVENTORY do we need to get from the archives?

Here are a few takeaways from the "Start with the Future and Work Back" workshop.

Look inside the organization to support today's message.
European luxury fashion companies due this elegantly to highlight heritage, craftsmanship and creativity.
Pull the right story for the right moment.
One example that comes to mind is from one of my architecture tours when we site the energy efficiency of 110 year old building connecting it with a contemporary issue.
Tag (meta tag) the historical material.
Select keywords that connect with today's message. This is truly an art form and should be well thought and systematized.
Look for significant threads or commonalities in the inventory.
Years ago, I was researching and designing a 75th anniversary event magazine for a private golf club. The archives were NOT organized. It's almost like putting a puzzle together.
Ask "what's important?".
The historical matter must be credible.
Find an iconic image and shape your story around it.
As a designer this is one of favorite aspects of any project; if you're lucky enough to find it.
Create compelling stories using the "threads" customized for your audiences.
Working with the writer to create the language that will bring it all together; adding the emotion, passion and persuasion to the story (stories)
Measure the impact of the story. Marketers will do what they do best to track and measure the effectiveness of the advertising and/or PR campaign. See what's working.

Case studies referenced by The History Factory to illustrate these concepts; these included Brooks Brothers, Inland Steel Building and Boeing. Check out the company's video library for more nuggets about storytelling.

These tips and strategies have proven very useful, recently, on some personal projects and the research for some architecture tours. Simply stated...how can we make history fun and relevant for today's audience?

An example is the History Channel's 10 Things You Don't Know About show, the host uses a contemporary approach to uncover ten little known facts about a topic–stuff we may have slept through during high school history class.

Remember, everyone has a story, we need to discover it.

PS: There were three Chicago Architecture Foundation docents in the audience, including myself. Watch out... our storytelling skills will only get better!

Pitch Decks Publications Pumpkins Oh My

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:33:00 +0000

The trade show and fall meeting schedules are as abundant as the pumpkins in the patch.

When was the last time you stepped back to REALLY look at your current presentation and supporting collateral?
Are these key marketing tools outdated?
Lacking the solid connection to your current messaging?
Has your visual branding evolved?

Pumpkin Chunkin' Round 1

Slapping your logo on a stock template your assistant may have download for mere dollars is NOT the best path to creating brand awareness. The CEO of a point-of-sale technology and services company contacted me after viewing my pitch decks on Slideshare.net. He shared with me the current state of his presentation, frustrated that it lacked any connection to his company. The content needed to be tweaked and a template created for an upcoming sales webinar in a few days. Digging deep into the company's website and other supporting material, I created initial composite designs for the client's approval and went to work importing the content. The CEO would edit accordingly. The custom template included images, color palette and fonts which complimented the current branding. Also suggested that the CEO consider a customer-centric design for each of the three major market segments served.

Pumpkin Chunkin' Round 2

Another client was invited to present his company to a high-profile industry event, the catch NO POWERPOINT. The CEO of this technology services company, in the oil & gas industry, was confident in his ability to make the presentation without the slides, but wanted a "leave behind" (aka fact sheet) to highlight the investment appeals. We extracted key slides from the existing pitch deck, tweaked copy, updated data and designed an attract single page sell sheet. This high impact piece will serve as an extension of the speech...simple and elegant.

Whether it's an upcoming online webinar or in-person presentation, take a hard look at your materials and ask yourself how these will serve your goals. I offer a Free Consultation to review your pitch deck and assess how we can align it with your task-at-hand.

Self Publish a "Look Book" for a Competitive Edge

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:31:00 +0000

Presenting samples of your work is an important and making your portfolio stand-out can give you an edge in today's highly competitive (freelance) marketplace.

After viewing a short video about how a NYC photographer still uses traditional prints and cut sheets in the presentation cases or boxes because he had tremendous success getting a face-to-face meeting. Plus, the large format glossy prints SHINE.

This got me thinking... could I take the best of a traditional portfolio and update using today's technology to produce a book (or magazine) that can be given to a client?

YES, most certainly.

Ideal for architects & related, designers, photographers, illustrator and more. Self publish a book or magazine, customize content and self publish in hardcopy and digital formats.

Tell Your Story

Have a vision of the end product? Good. Let's step back to begin with the big picture. Storyboard your book, focusing the message you want your client or prospective client to remember. Build to a crescendo–but leave them wanting more.

Think About Format

A magazine format is excellent for case studies. Complete with descriptive copy to dig deeper into your approach to the project. Where were the core directive of the creative brief? Unexpected challenges and outcomes? The magazine could be produced on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and made available digitally (ideal for tablet!) and print-on-demand for small quantities.

A traditional coffee table-style book would the option when larger format images need to be used. Wouldn't this make a great gift to a VIP client? Or, a new product to add to your shop.

Let's work together to resurrect the Look Book for an awe-inspiring impression.

What kind of book (or magazine) do you want to publish?

Give New Life to Your Archives :: Self Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 20:57:00 +0000

Deep in the back of big walk-in bedroom closet are three (maybe four) large Rubbermaid storage tubs filled with my family's photo archive; dating back over 100 years. Old sepia-toned and yellowing prints, envelopes of negatives, newspaper clippings, letters, and more. After my parents passed, my siblings concurred that I would be the best steward of this precious archive by nature of my profession and also married to photographer.

Organizing the "stuff" can be a challenge. What do I keep? What can be tossed? How do I scan it? How should I organize it, chronologically?

Since my niece has been doing a bang-up job working on the genealogy including images on our Ancestry account aids her research. (Recently, a distant relative on my mother's side reach out to me and after sharing a picture of my grandfather we discovered that his grandfather was my great uncle.)

Successful Self Publishing: Family Archives

Here at Creative Aces, we have the resources to work with your photo archive to produce a book or series of magazines that could be a treasure – something that will be coveted by family and friends.

These also make excellent gifts!

Collaborate. Create. Publish.

Structure & Clarity Rocket Your Presentation

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:49:00 +0000

My faith in a well-structured presentation has been restored when a client recently asked:

“Does the flow of the presentation cover all the key points for an investor pitch?”

Referencing my “Universal Pitch Deck–The Ultimate 12-Slide Structure for Any Presentation” it was easy diagnose the client’s presentation:

Overview/Intro
The Problem
The Solution
Opportunity & Market
Technology
Competitive Advantage (USP)
Competitive Landscape
Market Strategy
Financial Roadmap
Management Team
Current Status
Summary

The Competitive Advantage is the pinnacle of the presentation, we lead the audience to crescendo. You’ve got their attention, now guide them to the closing (the ASK).

Interestingly, this presentation replaced text heavy and clip-art slided with well-designed illustrations for the Solution, Opportunity & Market and Technology.

45 Slides in 30 Minutes?

Today, I received a 45-slide deck for review and recommendation. This well-designed draft is currently suited for a tradeshow or business conference not an investor and analyst audience.

The core message is hidden behind complex Photoshop’d backgrounds and overuse of ‘expert’ quotes and illegible charts.

The first step will be the “big picture” view via the Slide Sorter and begin to pull irrelevant slides, shift and combine slides into an articulate story structure focused on the core message for the intended audience.

Structure and clarity should be your creative strategy to stay focused on core message. I firmly believe that your audience will be more responsive. I was just discussing with my client (same PPT) the value he places on ample Q&A time to dig deeper into content and audience engagement.

Celebrate and be safe, happy 4h of July.

New Technology + Existing Market = New Pitch Deck

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:15:00 +0000

The past two months have been a whirlwind of activity, pushing my monthly newsletter to the back burner. As a marketer, we all know this is a bad habit. However, focusing on successful results for client projects is a good thing.

Since early April, I’ve been immersed in several publishing projects: annual reports (2), software user’s manual, pitch decks (2 or 3), conference program, marketing brochures and simple webpages.

Today, I’d like to share a success story.

New energy technology start-up, GasTechno Energy and Fuels, hit the road in May to meet with prospective investors. Then, immediately back at the airport for an oil/gas industry event. Both required presentations and at a minimum a fact sheet.

After years of “start-up” mode, GasTechno was ready to take a more aggressive lead with its marketing. Conversations with the CEO, as the private placement was nearing completion, were about a fresh/modern design to wrap around the key message(s).

Despite the 30-slide deck, the client was rigorous with copy editing; choosing words/phrases carefully, even whittling the amount of data being presented. The use of infographics and strong visuals supported the core message.

The result was a deck that has proven itself to be great companion to the overall presentation, a successful first round of investments.

Immediately thereafter, the CEO headed to a gas/energy conference for meetings with a different audience (energy company analysts and engineers). We pulled several slides from the investor deck and updated slides from an existing presentation. A thorough “going over” to ensure overall design consistency was needed...all under very tight deadline.

The result for this hybrid deck was highly receptive. Contracts [close to being] signed and GasTechno has been awarded funds from new technology grants on state and national levels.

Congratulations to GasTechno Energy and Fuels, especially Walt and the opportunity to part of the company’s new launch this year. Much continued success!

Six Keys for a Successful Presentation or Dye Your River Green

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:54:00 +0000

What's more "Chicago" than a bright green river and a parade, all on the same day! As St. Patty's Day is just a few day away, Chicagoans will be in celebration mode all weekend. I forgot to check the city's event calendar and scheduled myself for an architecture tour this Saturday; needless to say I'll be navigating the party-goers.

Tapping into resources like Presentation Zen for guidance and "how to" advice to develop a remarkable presentation can be very helpful. Possibly elevating your presentation to the next level; maybe even close the deal on the spot. Leverage your presentation (and speech) for professional success and personal fulfillment with these six key elements.

Story: The Narrative Imaging. Everyone has a story to tell. All of us will listen to a story. The best storytellers are those who input their own personality, character and experiences into the material in a form of narrative. Yes, even business presentations can have a personality; it should be the company's personality.

Design: More than Decoration. Developing the design of the presentation should come after the storyboarding (outline) stage. Colors, graphics, images, fonts and charts/tables should add visual emphasis to the content. Not just mere ornamentation. The visual theme should be regarded as part of the overall messaging process.

The Big Picture. When you look through the view finder of your camera, you see the larger view. Look some more and you'll begin to focus on the details. What's important? What matters? Focus on the key message.

Empathy: Be Human. Can you add emotion to your presentation + speech? The best stories are those that grab our emotions. Look for non-verbal cues to add emphasis.

Play: Be Willing to Laugh at Yourself. This can be tricky, because telling joke can backfire. Being authentic (aka human) can build a real connection with your audience and keep them interested.

Meaning: Where's Your "Why". Where's the passion? Have you given this presentation + speech so many times that your enthusiasm is waning? Go back to the Big Picture and ask yourself "why?" (Hat tip to Simon Sinek)

Do you attend professional networking events? Or, pitch nights? How many times have you pulled out your smartphone and began checking your emails or catching up on headlines because you lost interest?

There's a lesson for all of us.

The core of my creative services is working with professionals to improve their presentations. I offer a free review of your existing presentation and an evaluation with recommendations.

"Anana" Presentation Template ~ Free

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:38:00 +0000

Chicago's extreme cold temperatures the past few days, which BTW were preceded by several inches of snow. Where ever you are...stay warm and dry.

My family and I have been relocated to a hotel while our apartment/condo is rehabbed following a burst steam heating pipe burst in our neighbor's unit (on New Year's Day (about 3:00 a.m.!).

This month's free Powerpoint template was inspired by Anana the polar bear who resides at Lincoln Park Zoo. I live across the street the from the zoo. Anana is one of my stops whenever I'm strolling through the zoo. Anana had to be taken inside during the recent arctic blast since she doesn't have the underlying layers to keep her body protected from the extreme cold.

I look forward to seeing Anana in the when I get to go back to my condo.

"Anana" Presentation Template ~ Free from Creative Aces

Season's Greetings from Joann Sondy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday and Happy New Year!

Secrets of Self-Publishing Presentation December 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 22:36:00 +0000

Are you an aspiring author looking for a publisher?

Look no further than the closest mirror!

I will be leading a class and discuss to help you simplify the self-publishing system, whether you’re excited about e-books or hard-nosed about hard copies.

You’ll learn about a wide variety of author services, DIY tools and creative platforms while deciding which method of print and distribution fits your circulation aspirations. And the best part is, you’ll love who you’re working with: yourself!

This free class will be held at one of the community classrooms at Next Door Cafe in Chicago. We'll begin at 6:30p and I'm planning on leaving enough time for Q&A. Next Door Cafe is located at 659 West Diversey.

In case you can't make this live event, I have prepared an, Self Publishing: Navigating the Process; loaded with description of service providers, tools and pages of resources.

Available for viewing/downloading via Slideshare.

Self Publishing: Navigating The Process from Creative Aces

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Celebrating Thanksgiving this year quietly with my family; giving thanks for so many blessing this year.

Best wishes to you and yours.
Joann

Pitch Session Evaluation: Technori Pitch Chicago (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:25:00 +0000

Last month I attended a PechaKucha Chicago and Technori Pitch both very impressive and kudos to all who stepped onto the stage with a story to tell. Both community based, with PechaKucha more entertainment versus Technori business oriented.

My interest was in the presentation styles, the delicacies of ‘how to say it’ and ‘get to the point’. The following observations rely heavily on my Toastmasters evaluation protocol.

See my review and 'takeaways' in my PechaKucha article.

Technori Pitch is a monthly showcase of innovative starters, showcasing what they have just launched.

Designed to be a showcase of launching startups, Technori Pitch gathers 550 people together in Chicago, every single month, to watch as five startups launch on-stage. With a production quality that far exceeds comparable events, Pitch is designed to elevate the startup showcase to a level on-par with theater experience.

October's theme was non-profits and/or social conscious companies. Arriving a few minutes late and standing in the back while the keynote speaker, a fund manager gave her introduction about the marketplace for such investments.

Upon reviewing my notes, I began to notice a pattern:

Taming Your Bridge Words
Move Away From the Lectern
Graphics/Images Connect with Your Ideas
The "Ask"

Ah, Oh, and Um–Taming Your Bridge Words

The keynote presenter was highly educated. However, I somehow sensed that she might have been called upon at the last minute to participate and lacked adequate rehearsal/practice. And, her use of bridge or filler words ("so", "um", "ah") was extensive.

Move Away From the Lectern

Chase Auditorium, where Technori Pitch is held, has a lectern on stage; which might be a permanent fixture. Recalling it was in the same place during a taping of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" show last year. This lectern or podium was an anchor for most of the presenters throughout the Technori evening. Thus, you are standing in one spot, hugging onto the lectern and creating a barrier with your audience. Only one presenter stepped away from the lectern, expanding his space and connecting with the audience.

Graphics/Images Connect with Your Ideas

A presentation (speech or keynote address) requires planning. Period. Once you have your idea and outline, it is time to work on the slides. Writing your speech and planning the slides should you hand-in-hand. This process cannot be rushed. The rewards for all the advance planning are a clear message, confidence and an attentive audience.

Here are a couple of things to consider when working with your designer or presentation coach with regard to graphics.

Refrain from downloading images from the web unless you have purchased or acquired via appropriate usage licensing. A fuzzy, blurry, out of scale image is amateurish and should be avoided.
Select images that best convey your idea and invoke emotion.
Avoid using tables of numbers. Instead stay focused on a key number or outcome and display it boldly with a few words. 500,000 Acres Saved in 2013
Charts: Unless your writing a scientific paper, use charts simply and elegantly. Far too many presentations overload a slide with a chart, add data points, footnotes, explanations, etc.
Keep it simple.

The "Ask"

Elise Zelechowski, Rebuilding Exchange, is a young female executive director operating in an industry dominated by men; she was extremely clear about how much money her organization needed and how the money would be invested/used. Clear and direct. While a few others were ambiguous or chose to rely on their financial model.

Another method, used by Rich Johnson, Spark Ventures which connects organizations and to children in-need, he cited results already achieved and then stated, "I need your help." Explaining the breakdown of the investment (rule of 3!) to help raise children out of poverty. Sharon Schneider, Moxie Jean an e-commerce upscale resale children's clothing, also illustrated "why do I need the money?" and how the investment will be put to use.

Outside The Margin :: Joann Sondy

Happy Holidays to You

New "Go To" Presentation App: Adobe Slate

Form Ever Follows Function

Cosmic Journey of Three

Great Cover Grabs Your Buyer's Attention

Create [Visual] Drama

Where'd you get that image?

Who's printing your book?

Conduct Your Own Symphony, Visually

Conduct Your Symphony, Visually

Storyboarding, Not Just for Filmmakers

Storyboarding, Not Just for Filmmakers

How do you organize your images? Stay true to your theme.

Stay Grounded to Your Theme

Great Photo Book: Be A Ruthless Photo Editor

Every image selected must have purpose to the theme.

Start Creating Your Own Photo Book

Create Your Own Great Photo Book

Create Your Own Great Photo Books

Start Creating Your Own Photo Book

Dancing In The Dark

Season's Greetings from Joann Sondy

Great Photo Books Holiday Schedule–There's Still Time

Good news: There's still time to publish your photo book or calendar.

Bad news: Drop dead dates are fast approaching!

Blurb Holiday Schedule

Lulu Holiday Schedule

Shutterfly Holiday Schedule

Start With A Vision of End Product

Everyone Has a Story, We Need to Discover It

Pitch Decks Publications Pumpkins Oh My

Pumpkin Chunkin' Round 1

Pumpkin Chunkin' Round 2

Self Publish a "Look Book" for a Competitive Edge

Tell Your Story

Think About Format

Give New Life to Your Archives :: Self Publishing

Successful Self Publishing: Family Archives

Structure & Clarity Rocket Your Presentation

“Does the flow of the presentation cover all the key points for an investor pitch?”

45 Slides in 30 Minutes?

New Technology + Existing Market = New Pitch Deck

Six Keys for a Successful Presentation or Dye Your River Green

"Anana" Presentation Template ~ Free

Season's Greetings from Joann Sondy

Secrets of Self-Publishing Presentation December 19th

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pitch Session Evaluation: Technori Pitch Chicago (Part 2)

Ah, Oh, and Um–Taming Your Bridge Words

Move Away From the Lectern

Graphics/Images Connect with Your Ideas

The "Ask"