5 Minutes is More Than Enough – To Tell a Story

As the first ever winner of WTF, I wanted to offer some thoughts on the event for future presenters.  Starting here:  I won by one vote.  My grandmother was there.  She said she woulda voted for the Runner-Up, KitBook, if I hadn’t been her grandson.  Seriously.  (She bragged on me, too, but she’s a retired teacher and their idea spoke to her.)  Therefore my first suggestion is to bring your grandmother.

So take the following advice (from a guy who probably shouldn’t have won) with a grain of salt . . .

You should be able to describe your idea in 30 seconds or less.  That leaves 4.5 minutes to tell a story that sticks with your audience.

WillThisFloat is NOT an idea competition.  It’s an idea presentation competition.  Don’t forget that.  The organizers of WTF have given you plenty of time not only to describe your idea, but to get your audience emotionally involved.

Here are the stories I told and in parentheses what I hoped to convey with the stories . . .

1. “Broken collar bone” (Idea). I was wearing a sling so everybody is thinking right up front, “what happened?”  Fortunately, the broken collar bone story led right into the idea.  I really wish that I had used the name of the guy who told me to get the remote shutter release and used it in the story.  My bad.

2. “Garage lock-in” – (Gumption). Part of the story you want to tell is that you can make this business happen.  The garage lock-in was a fun story, but it also said “Eric is fearless enough to make this thing go.”  You don’t want to actually say these things.  You want your story to do it for you.  Getting a business on it’s feet is going to take some bravado.  Heck, presenting at WTF takes bravado.  You have some story in your past that says you’ve got gumption.  Think about it.

3. “Addictions” – (People). I didn’t get all of this in because of the fog-horn, but at least got the pictures and names up of 3 people who were already “addicted” to my idea.  People.  How can your idea improve their lives?  Politicians do this all the time.  Think of the national conventions or State of the Union address.  They ALWAYS have someone planted in the audience whose son is in a war, or who survived cancer, or whose small business is doomed.  They mention names, hometowns (usually Kansas), and we always get a few emotional seconds of these folks during the telecast.  Always.

So there are 3 story possibilities for you.  Idea, Gumption, People.  There are more.

Now, refine your stories.  Think about every word.  I practiced my presentation over and over again out loud in the last couple of days before WTF.  You’ll have to cut lots of sentences and words.  You must be succinct.

You really have more than 5 minutes to explain your idea.  So keep some of the dry info in reserve.  There are judges questions!  More on this in another post . . .