Start with the story, not with the slides.
You have a big presentation to make. The subject is complex and the stakes are high. After 65 years between us helping the biggest businesses and organisations get their message across, our advice is simple: start with the story, not the slides.
And now there is a tool that walks you through the process.
Your first story is free. Just your email, no credit card.
The problem
Most presentations are built backwards.
People start with PowerPoint. They gather old slides, add new ones, and hope that somehow, a coherent presentation will emerge. The audience leaves with too much information and no clear message.
When a presentation falls flat, the presenter takes the blame: too long, too confusing, too many slides. The real problem is usually the story. And it's easy to fix.
StoryMachine helps you build a clear, strong story. A strong story means a more confident presenter and a more engaged audience. A more engaged audience means better results.
How StoryMachine works
StoryMachine takes your thinking and turns it into a finished presentation.
Six steps. Under 30 minutes.
- 1Answer some key questions.What kind of presentation is it? What is it about? Who is your audience, and why does it matter to them? What do you want them to do as a result? What is your message, and why should they care? How long is your presentation?
- 2Add what you have.Paste or type your notes. Upload any relevant documents, or a photo of your whiteboard.
- 3Get your story straight.StoryMachine writes the first draft: your Big Idea, your argument and your three acts. Read it and change any line. Ask for a sharper version, or argue with StoryMachine until it says what you mean.
- 4Add interest and impact.When the story is right, press one button. StoryMachine adds a strong start, signposts, a clear ending, speaker notes and suggestions for more powerful language. Use them, change them or leave them.
- 5If you need them, make your slides.Download your story as a PDF or Word file. Then take the PowerPoint outline, or a detailed prompt for your preferred AI tool.
- 6Rehearse it into life.Say it out loud from your speaker notes, with your slides if you have them.
Your first story is free. Just your email, no credit card.
What you get
A compelling story that you can take to your audience.
Stage 1
Get your story straight
The essential elements that form the backbone of your story.
- Understand the audienceWho is in the room, what they need to hear, what to leave out.
- Set a clear goalAfter my presentation, the audience will...
- Build a three-act storyBeginning, middle, end.
Stage 2
Add interest and impact
Refine and reinforce your story.
- A confident startThe first minute that captures attention.
- Headlines and signpostsThe lines the audience will remember, and the sentences that drive home the key points.
- A powerful endingA clear call to action and a message that sticks.
Presentation types
Tell StoryMachine what kind of presentation it is.
StoryMachine helps you create the right story for any presentation.
- Project update
- Strategy recommendation
- Sales pitch
- Choosing between options
- Funding request
- Leading change
- Product launch
- Team kickoff
- Lessons learned
- Conference keynote
- Bad news
- Something else
StoryMachine works only from what you give it
Make it your own.
StoryMachine only works from your notes, your documents and your ideas. If it needs more information, StoryMachine will ask you questions.
Every story ends with a panel headed Make it your own. Here, you add the example, the number, the reason it matters to you. You then get concrete advice before you rehearse. Audiences believe speakers who are authentic.
Confidential material
Your documents stay on your computer.
Upload a Word file, PDF or PowerPoint of any size. StoryMachine reads the words, but the files never leave your computer. Only the words go to our servers and to the AI that helps you write your story.
The one exception is a photo or screenshot: it goes to our servers, is read, and is then deleted. All of your information, including your story, is saved to your account. You can delete it at any time.
For more details on how your information is handled, please see the User Guide.
The method behind it
65 years of the same method, in one tool.
Between us, we have used this method for 65 years with teams at AstraZeneca, Ford, Givaudan, Gore, Grifols, JP Morgan, Mercer, Mott MacDonald, Nokia, Puig, Rolls-Royce, UEFA, the United Nations, Zalando and many others. Who we are
Each part of your story has a line explaining why it is there, so you learn the method while you work with StoryMachine. The PDF ends with a summary of the method, so you can do it yourself next time.
You don't have to be a superstar to speak and present well. And even the superstars had help. Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher: all of them worked with others on their words.
StoryMachine will guide you through the maze of information, and help you structure and articulate the good ideas you already have.
What it costs
Your first story is free.
Your first story
Free
Start to finish, with the PDF. Just your email, no credit card.
Each additional story
$9.99
Edit as often as you like.
One month
$19.99
As many stories as you like for one month. Cancel any time.
One year
$149.99
As many stories as you like for one year. Cancel any time.
Try it for your next presentation.
For more information, read the User Guide.
For bespoke training for you or your team: storymachine@themessagebusiness.com