The $100K Presentation Mistake Most Parent Entrepreneurs Make (And How to Fix It)

Recently, I watched a talented entrepreneur lose a $100K deal. Not because their solution wasn't good enough - it was excellent. Not because their pricing was off - it was competitive.

They lost it because they made the same presentation mistake I see parent entrepreneurs make every day: trying to prove their worth by showing everything they know.

Here's the reality: While we're all chasing the latest TikTok trend or AI tool, we're missing the fundamental truth about business communication - less is more, but only if it's the right less.

Let me share three counter-intuitive presentation principles I learned from presentation design expert Emily Schneider emily schneider (who built a six-figure business helping others tell better stories):

1. Start Away From Your Computer Sounds crazy, right? In our recent Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast conversation, Emily revealed that the best presentations start with Post-it notes, not PowerPoint. Why? Because you can't put too much on a Post-it note. This natural constraint forces clarity.
2. The "Newspaper Headline" Test Before you write any slide title, ask yourself: Would this work as a newspaper headline? If someone only read your slide titles, would they understand your story? If not, simplify.
3. The Subtraction Technique Write your bullet point. Then keep removing words until it stops making sense. Add back the last thing you removed. What's left is usually exactly what you need to say.

But here's what fascinates me most about Emily's approach - she's not just teaching presentation skills. She's showing us how to turn our "parent entrepreneur limitations" into advantages.

Think about it: As busy parents, we don't have time for complexity. We've mastered the art of getting to the point because our kids demand it. What if that same skill could transform our business communications?

I recently used these principles in a client pitch. Instead of my usual 20 slides, I used 5. Instead of explaining everything we could do, I focused on three things that mattered most to them.

The result? The fastest 'yes' I've ever received.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? I had an fascinating conversation with Emily on the Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast where she reveals:

• Her emergency presentation creation framework
• How she built a six-figure business around PowerPoint (in a TikTok world)
• The three principles that transform any presentation
• How she balances client work with family life

Listen to the full episode here: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/ep495

But I'm curious - what's your biggest presentation challenge? Share in the comments below, and let's help each other communicate more effectively.

#ParentEntrepreneur #BusinessPresentation #Storytelling #DarkHorseEntrepreneur #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Leadership