Entertain to Inform
If the sole goal is to inform, the message may fail to land. Communicators must entertain their audience to effectively pull off the message.
15Communication Techniques
Rethinks: Craft Compelling Communication
Guy Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to share practical strategies for crafting compelling presentations, building better slide decks, and using storytelling to keep audiences engaged.
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304. Rethinks: Craft Compelling Communication
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Turn this episode into your next question.
Ask naturally. GenPod can find a related episode—or make a focused explainer when the right one does not exist.Key takeaways
What to know before you press play.
Create Connection
Great presentations go beyond sharing information; they create a connection with the audience through engagement and relevance.
25Pitch for Continuity
The primary goal of a pitch is not to close the deal, but to earn the next conversation. This approach keeps the dialogue moving forward.
7Focus on the Audience
Effective communicators keep messages simple and audience-focused, using clear stories and concise visuals centered on what the audience cares about.
7Refine Through Feedback
To improve communication, describe an idea in 30 seconds focusing on the problem and its importance, then revise until someone can clearly explain it back to you.
9Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“How can I apply the 30-second pitch exercise to my current project?”
“What are examples of stories that effectively create connection with an audience?”
“How does entertaining an audience differ from simply informing them?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Guest Profile
About Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki is Apple's former Chief Evangelist and Canva's co-founder. He has spent decades helping people communicate ideas that inspire action.
3Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Why is entertainment important in communication?
If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience to create connection.
12What is the goal of a pitch?
The goal of a pitch isn't to close the deal—it's to earn the next conversation.
7How can one improve their pitch?
Challenge yourself to describe an idea in 30 seconds, focusing on the problem and why it matters. Revise until someone can clearly explain it back to you.
9Experts
Voices named in the source.
Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This episode is supported by sponsors, including Zoom, which helps turn conversations into outcomes.
- Publisher show notes
"If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience."
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Great presentations don't just share information—they create connection.
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As Apple's former Chief Evangelist and Canva's co-founder, Guy Kawasaki has spent decades helping people communicate ideas that inspire action.
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In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to share practical strategies for crafting compelling presentations, building better slide decks, and using storytelling to keep audiences engaged.
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From investor pitches to keynote speeches, he explains why the best communicators don't just inform—they captivate.
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Key Takeaways:
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• Pitch to keep the conversation going. The goal of a pitch isn't to close the deal—it's to earn the next conversation. • Keep it simple and audience-focused. Engage people with clear stories, concise visuals, and a message built around what they care about.
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Activity:
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• Choose an idea, project, or product you frequently explain. Challenge yourself to describe it in 30 seconds, focusing only on the problem you solve and why it matters to your audience. Then ask someone if they can clearly explain it back to you. Revise your pitch until they can.
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Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities
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Episode Reference Links:
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• Guy Kawasaki • Guy’s Book: Think Remarkable • Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First • Ep.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder
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Connect:
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• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
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Chapters:
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• (00:00) - Introduction
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• (01:29) - Being a Great Evangelist
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• (02:51) - Why Stories Move People
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• (04:15) - Entertain Before You Inform
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• (06:36) - The Goal of a Pitch
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• (09:56) - Evolve Every Pitch
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• (12:42) - The 10-20-30 Rule
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• (15:57) - Better Slides, Better Presentations
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• (16:39) - Lessons from Podcasting
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• (18:09) - The Final Three Questions
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• (22:20) - Conclusion
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