how to make a presentation for your parents

How Kids Use PowerPoint to Persuade Their Parents

Last updated on October 4th, 2023

Imagine getting your parents to say ‘yes’ to that sleepover or the video game you’ve been eyeing for months! Kids today are turning to PowerPoint presentations, blending technology and persuasive skills, to make compelling cases to their parents for their desires and wishes.

Kids are smarter and more ingenious nowadays. After all, they have access to information and the latest technologies right at their fingertips. If, before, kids can only ask their parents in person, or write them notes at most, these days kids are different.

How To Convince Parents with a Presentation? Kids Take on PowerPoint to Pitch to Parents

Today, kids grow up around gadgets and an ever-changing lineup of technological advances. So, it’s no wonder that personal relationships will always have that element of technology in its wake. After all, many kids these days have their own social media and email accounts, as well as their own set of gadgets such as mobile phones, computers, tablets, and what-have-you.

Source: New York Times

It is also through technology that people maintain relationships as we communicate through emails as keep each other posted through social media. So, when kids want something, for their birthday or for Christmas, it comes as no surprise that they would also capitalize on digital products–this time on PowerPoint presentations.

Computers are part of the education system, so a typical grade-schooler would know how to use PowerPoint or Google Slides, among many other applications. In fact, many kids use PowerPoint to ask for things from their parents, like in the article from the  New York Times . After all, if they can use slideshows for their projects and make a convincing case to their teachers about any given topic, why not do the same to convince their parents to do something for them?

Take the case of Lily, a 10-year-old who managed to convince her parents to let her attend a late-night concert by showcasing a detailed plan of how she would ensure her safety and manage her schoolwork. Or Jake, who illustrated through slides the emotional and physical benefits of adopting a puppy, eventually melting his parents’ resistance.

Making Convincing Cases for their Requests Using Slides

Schools routinely ask students to create and present slideshows for a range of academic topics. These presentations are also frequently used in non-academic activities, such as their extra-curricular programs. Kids know the power of PowerPoint & Google Slides and how slides can best be used to convey an idea, emphasize a point, or just get things done.

And they’re right. What better tool to show comparisons, Pros and Cons, trends, and so many other convincing reasons for parents to buy them that next Lego set or LOL toy, right?

The fact that many kids nowadays use Microsoft Office programs just make it easy for them to express themselves through PowerPoint slides . And these have proven effective, as seen by parents who are either surprised by their kids’ choice of medium, overwhelmed by their kids’ efforts, or simply convinced by the slides.

Med, from Columbus, Ohio, wrote this:

I love this! These kids are learning how to make a logical argument, to counter objections, and to stand their ground in a grown-up way. My parents are probably glad there was no Powerpoint during my teen years.

How to Get your Parents to Say “YES”! PowerPoint as Tool of Choice by Children and Adults Alike

PowerPoint has successfully proven its mettle on this matter by the way kids use the slides to ask their parents for something. It shows just how user-friendly PowerPoint’s interface is, and how persuasive slideshows can be. The example below shows a slide created by a kid who wanted a puppy and tried to convince his parents through a PowerPoint presentation.

For kids who use PowerPoint presentations to convince or manage their parents, they find that creating presentations allow them to convey their message to their parents without being interrupted by a simple “no.” They can also formalize the setting, with the parents sitting right in front of the slideshow, listening, as they get more time to present their case.

Parents can see the amount of effort their children put into creating a convincing presentation, and would not hesitate to agree. And even if their parents don’t, the slides show parents just how passionate their child is over one thing–and so maybe even reconsider their decision later on.

Presentation Ideas for Kids

Here are some real-life applications and examples on why kids are using presentations to convince their parents. If you are a parent, don’t get surprised if your kid come up with an invitation to present this to you.

• A PowerPoint presentation for Adopting a Pet
• A PowerPoint presentation for Upgrading Kids’ Computer
• A Presentation for a Family Vacation Destination
• Enrolling in a Special Class or Activity
• A Presentation Titled “Redecorating My Room”
• A Presentation on How to Convince Parents to Get a Smartphone

Aside from convincing parents, kids are also smart to convience anyone in their circle. For example, some kids are also creating presentations to convince their teachers to do something.

Parents’ Perspective and Response

Navigating through the colorful slides, meticulously crafted by their children, parents often find themselves on a rollercoaster of emotions – admiration for their child’s creativity, amusement at their logical (or sometimes, adorably illogical) arguments, and a dilemma over whether to accede to their requests. The PowerPoint presentations (or Google Slides presentations), brimming with earnestness and effort, present a unique challenge to parents: how to honor their child’s initiative while also maintaining a balanced and responsible parental stance and limits.

For parents, these presentations offer a precious glimpse into their child’s world, revealing not just their desires, but also their priorities, thought processes, and burgeoning skills in argumentation and technology use. It’s a peek into what they value, what they’re willing to fight for, and how they perceive the act of asking and receiving. The slides may showcase their understanding (or sometimes, misunderstanding) of responsibility, commitment, and even financial management, providing parents with valuable insights and potential teaching moments.

While the initial reaction might often be a mixture of surprise and amusement, parents also grapple with the delicate act of balancing appreciation and authority. It’s pivotal to acknowledge and praise the effort, creativity, and courage it takes for a child to prepare and present their case. However, saying yes to every well-argued PowerPoint would not only be impractical but also potentially detrimental in instilling values of moderation and understanding of limitations.

Parents might find themselves explaining why, despite the impressive presentation, getting a new puppy might not be feasible due to allergies, or why a sought-after gadget is not appropriate for their age. It’s a nuanced dance between validating their efforts and guiding them towards understanding the multifaceted nature of decision-making.

These presentations can serve as a springboard for constructive conversations. Parents can utilize these moments to delve deeper into their child’s motivations, clarify misconceptions, and even guide them towards refining their persuasive skills. It’s an opportunity to discuss the difference between wants and needs, the concept of privilege, and the importance of understanding and respecting ‘no’ even after putting in effort.

For instance, a presentation asking for a new gaming console might open avenues to discuss budgeting, while a pitch for a sleepover can lead to conversations about trust and responsibility. Parents, while navigating through the slides, can affirm their child’s feelings and desires, and simultaneously instill lessons about empathy, understanding, and realistic expectations.

In the long run, parents are not just responding to a single request but also contributing to shaping their child’s approach towards negotiation skills, rejection, and compromise. By providing feedback on the presentation, discussing the pros and cons openly, and perhaps, negotiating counter-offers or alternatives, parents can utilize these pitches as a tool to nurture future negotiators who approach desires and disappointments with understanding, resilience, and a positive spirit

In a world where digital communication is becoming increasingly prevalent, these PowerPoint pitches symbolize a blend of traditional parenting dilemmas with the digital age’s unique challenges and opportunities. Parents, while navigating through their responses, are not just deciding on the current request but also subtly shaping their child’s future interactions, negotiations, and perhaps, their subsequent PowerPoint pitches.

In the digital era, children have ingeniously woven technology into their communication tapestry, utilizing platforms like PowerPoint to articulate desires and negotiate wants with their parents. These presentations, often a blend of heartfelt earnestness and budding creativity, transcend mere requests, reflecting a generation that intertwines emotion with logic and technology with communication. Parents, while navigating through these digital pitches, are tasked with balancing admiration for their child’s efforts with the responsibility of imparting lessons on understanding, compromise, and sometimes, accepting a ‘no.’

The emergence of these digital dialogues underscores a pivotal evolution in parent-child dynamics, emphasizing the importance of open, constructive communication. It’s a journey where children explore the realms of persuasion and parents find avenues to teach, guide, and connect, fostering an environment where young ones feel heard and valued. As we traverse through the parenting journey in this digital epoch, these PowerPoint pitches and the conversations they spark will weave into the rich tapestry of childhood narratives and parental experiences, symbolizing a unique, heartwarming intersection of generations, technology, and communication.

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Persuasion Techniques to Get Your Folks to Say "Yes"

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Nora Oliver and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA . Nora Oliver is a Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2021 Nora started her own coaching business, 10X Nora Oliver, where she offers corporate wellness, divorce, pre-marital, and individual coaching programs, specializing in helping others discover who they are and how they want to live their lives. She is certified in Life Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, and Mindset and Forgiveness. Nora is the author of I Needed a Hero so I Became One and Mental Health Nutrition. Nora has her own local TV show which focuses on offering guidance & support to her audience on mental health. Nora was selected as Business of the Month by the Woburn Chamber of Commerce and Best Life Coach of the Year 2022. Nora has been featured in multiple media outlets such as Small Business Congress in Washington D.C., Channel 5 (WCVB), Daily Times Chronicle, Entrepreneur Modul, Fashion Show Host, Behind Bodybuilders, Disrupt Magazine, etc. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,116,978 times.

There's nothing more frustrating than a parent saying “no” to something you really want, whether it's a dog, a new phone, or a later curfew/bedtime. You won’t always be able to persuade your parents to see things your way, but there are a lot of simple things you can do to help you convince your parents to give you what you want! Keep on reading: we’ve compiled a list of tricks and hacks to help you persuade your parents to let you do anything—well, almost anything.

Things You Should Know

• Be informed about what you're asking for so that when you present your case to your parents, you know exactly what to say and can argue confidently and calmly.
• Show your parents you're responsible in other areas of your life to convince them to give you what you want.
• Come up with compromises to help convince your parents to say yes. Work out an agreement that will make both of you happy.

Pick the right time and place to approach the subject.

• Don't bring it up when they’re not in a good mood, and especially not if they’re upset at you . In other words, don’t ask for more time to play Minecraft" right after they find out you bombed your last math test.

Be calm, cool, and collected.

• Even if you end up not getting your way, behaving maturely throughout will set the tone for future discussions that may go your way.

Make them want it too!

• If you're asking for a phone , make it clear that they can use your new number to check up on you.
• If you're asking for an extended curfew , emphasize that that means more free time for them.

Be patient, and don't expect an answer right away.

• Arrange a specific time to talk about it. That way they'll be less likely to respond with "Oh, we haven't discussed it yet.” Saying “Let’s discuss it next Tuesday at dinner” makes it more likely to happen.

Be flexible.

• If you want a dog, work out a compromise regarding who is going to take care of it. The responsibility doesn't end with a pet after it's bought, and that's likely what they're worrying about.
• Come up with a plan for if you don't hold up your end of the deal, too. This shows that you mean business and are willing to make sacrifices.

Julie Krizner

If you need permission from your parents to do something, choose a good time to introduce the idea. When trying to convince your parents to let you do something new, set a specific time to thoughtfully discuss it instead of arguing randomly. Come prepared with logical reasons explaining why this matters to you, and be open to negotiating some concessions or check-ins to ease their worries.

If they say no, ask why (politely).

• Of course, even if you address their concerns, it still may not convince them. Be sure not to push too hard, or a temporary “no” may become a permanent one.

Clean up your act.

• As mentioned previously, sometimes you may have to put in the time. A couple of days of being on good behavior might not be convincing, but a few weeks? That could do the trick.

Be nice to them even though they said no.

• It can also start making them feel a little guilty, which may not be a bad thing in this situation. The kinder you are, the more they'll feel bad they said no, which could lead to a change of heart.

Write a letter.

• Make sure it's handwritten and presented nicely. They'll see how much work you put into it and how much it means to you.
• It's a good starting point for showing how much work you're willing to put in later, too. If you put this much work into a letter, maybe you will take care of Fluffy, pick up her poo, and take her for walks when she needs them.

• You should broach the topic at a later date, but don't be too rushed with it. Respect their wishes, and they'll be more likely to respect (and grant) yours.

Do background research on the thing you want.

• If you want them to let you have a dog, research how much maintenance the dog will require, how much it will cost to have one, and the pros of adopting a dog.
• Know the downsides of the thing you’re asking for—and be upfront about them. Ignoring the cons will not help your case: instead, mention the cons and how you would go about navigating them.
• To help you remember your main points when it comes time to talk to your parents, try writing down a few notes and have them on hand when you broach the subject.
• Doing your research is also a great way to make sure you know what you’re getting into. For instance, you may decide after learning more about what it takes to have a pet that you’ve changed your mind.

Assemble credible sources your parents can trust.

• For example, if you want to spend the night at someone else's house, make sure your parents have access to your friend's house number, know your friend's parents' names, and know where the house is.
• If you want a body piercing or tattoo, have the number of the establishment or some reliable websites about the practice itself.
• Researching your subject will not only help your parents feel more confident in granting what you’re asking; it will also help you seem more mature, making them more likely to grant your request!
• Go a step further and cite any sources that you use so your parents can do more investigation themselves.

Show you’re responsible in other areas of your life.

• Don't just make your bed that day after leaving it unmade all week. Do your chores for several days or weeks in advance to convince your parents you’re really responsible. You may have to play the long game here.
• If you already do do all your chores every day...you should have no problem getting what you want. (If you do, tell your parents we’d like a word with them.)

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• You might end up having to scale back a bit. If you want a dog and they say no, keep your cool and think a little smaller. They might not let you have a German Shepherd, but they may be receptive to a goldfish or a hamster—something tiny and easy to take care of. Who knows? You may even be happier with your fishy friend anyway. And if you take good care of that fish, it just may show them you’re ready for a dog after all. [14] X Trustworthy Source Simply Psychology Popular site for evidence-based psychology information Go to source Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Before talking to your parents, make a list of the reasons they may say no and come up with a counterargument for each one. For example, counter "we don't want to pay for dog food" with "I'll start babysitting and save up my money to buy pet food."
• Remember that when you grow up, you can do whatever you want! Parents can't always say yes to what you want, even if you don't understanding their reasoning at the time. Before you know it, you won't have to ask for their permission anymore.
• Make a PowerPoint or presentation for your parents. Include relevant information on each slide to show you've done your research and are taking this decision seriously.
• Asking over and over again can frustrate parents and make them more likely to say no. It can make you seem childish and unable to maturely handle their decision.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/jenniferlerner/files/annual_review_manuscript_june_16_final.final_.pdf
• ↑ https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-to-improve-negotiation-skills
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/to-choose-or-not-to-choose/202311/if-you-want-to-convince-someone-start-by-mapping-their-mind
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://familytimes.co.nz/kids-compromise/
• ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-to-convince-your-parents-to-get-a-dog/
• ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/time-talk-talking-your-parents
• ↑ https://www.familyservicesnew.org/news/8-ways-to-strengthen-a-parent-child-relationship/
• ↑ https://www.niu.edu/language-literacy/_pdf/the-benefits-of-writing.pdf
• ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Disciplining-Your-Child.aspx
• ↑ https://www.harfordshelter.org/news-events/2015/12/convincing-your-family-that-youre-ready-for-a-pet
• ↑ https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2024/September/ways-to-build-trust-between-parents-and-teens/
• ↑ https://onevoicebhm.org/helping-kids-be-responsible
• ↑ https://www.simplypsychology.org/compliance.htmlhttps://mottpoll.org/reports/family-pets-pros-and-cons-kids

About This Article

If you want to convince your parents to let you do anything, make sure you know a lot of information about what you're asking for. Gather all of your information from credible sources, and write down all of your main arguments. When you're ready to approach your parents, do it at the appropriate time in place, such as a time when your parents are relaxed. Then, maintain a clam tone and ask them for what you want, describing how it benefits them as well as you. Remember to give them time to think before making their decision! For tips on figuring out how to respond if they say no, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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PowerPoint Is the Most Efficient Way for Kids to Manage Their Parents

The most solid method for kids to achieve their goals? An awesome presentation.

By Katherine Rosman

Makennah Gatica, who is in eighth grade in Lubbock, Tex., knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: record albums, Puma sneakers, posters and slippers, all relating to her love of BTS , the South Korean boy band.

To convince her mother to buy some of these items, Makennah, who is 13, created an 85-slide PowerPoint presentation.

The slide show begins with a visual explainer of the K-pop music genre: images of the musicians making silly faces and an embedded video of them that Makennah has labeled “iCoNiC.” The demonstration next zeros in on coveted items of “BTS murch” (meaning, obviously, merchandise). Slide 17 reveals a publicity photo of the seven male band members, with an overlaid caption Makennah wrote that says, “I’m going to give you a list of things I would have an enormous amount of gratitude for :)”

Rather than just emailing the document, she delivered its contents in person, standing before her mother to make the full audiovisual pitch. “I like to add music and do my own intros and stuff,” Makennah said.

For children growing up in a world where personal relationships are often maintained and managed through digital products, sometimes convincing parents to do stuff is most easily achieved with the help of a PowerPoint presentation. School projects routinely call for students to create and display slide shows, so they’re comfortable with the technology. And maybe parents are amused, and more open to saying yes, when seeing their children doing the ho-hum, middle-aged task of calling a meeting to show off a deck , as working stiffs like to say.

Though some presentations are made with Google Slides or Apple’s Keynote, PowerPoint also seems to be the dominant tool, creating yet another instance for young people to embrace a Microsoft product (the company also owns Minecraft and Xbox).

The children say that their polished presentations serve a few purposes. They convey to parents that what is being asked for really matters. They also let them make an entire case without being interrupted by a parent’s quick “no.” “With a PowerPoint it was a little bit more impactful because they could see the amount of effort and work I put into it instead of just my usual begging,” said Lucy Frisch, 14, an equestrian from New York who made a presentation a few years ago to ask her parents to buy her a horse.

She did not manage to close the deal. Still, her presentation showed to her parents that Lucy’s interest in riding was not fleeting, and convinced her father that the family should commit as many resources as possible to her riding.

How to Get a Puppy

A key strategy is to be prepared in advance with answers to your parents’ objections, said Cade Collins, 14, from Maryville, Tenn.

On the occasion of his brother Luke’s birthday last year, Cade sat his parents in their living room, turned down the lights, streamed some soft jazz, lit a candles and dressed in a T-shirt with a picture of a puppy on it. Then he unleashed upon his parents a PowerPoint pressure-tation entitled, “Reasons Why We Need to get a Wing Pup.” The family already had a dog, Cooper, age 10, whom the family had nicknamed “the Wing.” But Luke wanted a duck-hunting dog and relatives were offering a black Labrador from a new litter.

The boys’ parents, Vallie and Steve Collins, didn’t want a puppy to distract the boys from their responsibility of walking and picking up after Cooper. Plus, they were trying to sell their house and they didn’t think it was smart to take on a needy, messy new pet.

In a slide that he headlined “I Know What Your Thinking,” Cade wrote, “I’ve heard it from you mom, ‘We would but there is just too much stress with moving houses.’ Well, boy do I have an answer for you. Studies have shown that when petting a dog your body releases a number of ‘feel good’ hormones, such as serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. There for releasing stress.” (He meant “you’re” and “they’re” but that’s not the point here.)

“Coopers years are numbered and he is slowing down, but a younger energetic presence wouldn’t hurt and may improve his lifestyle,” he added. (See slide four, “Lets Face It.”)

What did Mr. and Ms. Collins say? What do you think?

But before Willie joined the family (they named the new dog after Willie Nelson!), the boys had to sign a contract promising that they would clean up accidents, monitor the pup’s furniture-chewing and keep him fed and groomed. “We replied to the PowerPoint with our own official documents,” said Ms. Collins.

One Direction (to Success)

It’s not just about getting parents to spring for new sneakers and animals.

Makennah of Lubbock has also used PowerPoint for more quotidian request: to convince her mom to let her wear a little makeup. “I’m quick to be convinced by her,” said Marla Castro, her mother. “She has me dumbfounded a lot.”

Also sometimes young people simply want their parents’ blessing. Last Christmas, Maria Stopenski, then 19, had bought a ticket to a meet-and-greet with Niall Horan , the singer famous for being in the boy band One Direction . Ms. Stopenski, who attends the University of Pittsburgh and whose family lives in Pittsburgh, didn’t want money from her parents for the ticket. She wanted their O.K. Her parents weren’t thrilled about her driving all the way to North Carolina for the event — and she didn’t feeling comfortable going without their permission. “I needed them to see how dedicated I am. So I said, ‘Mom, if I make a PowerPoint will you let me go?’ she said.

“Sure, make a PowerPoint and we’ll see,” her mother said.

A few days later, Ms. Stopenski set up a life-size cutout of Mr. Horan and hooked her laptop to the family’s living-room TV. She devoted a few slides to explaining the appeal of Mr. Horan, just in case it wasn’t readily apparent to her parents: “He is 5’9” so basically he is the perfect height for me” and “He loves golf,” one said. “He sings good” and “I like his brown hair more than his blonde hair,” said another. She explained how much the travel, hotel and concert would cost and how she had budgeted to keep costs low.

One of the final slides included a photograph of Mr. Horan, applauding in an audience. Ms. Stopenski’s caption said, “Niall is clapping in this picture because he is so impressed at how dedicated I am to him.”

“They said ‘yes’ right away,” she said.

This year she wants to go to Toronto to see Shawn Mendes. “Do you want me to make a PowerPoint? Because I will,” Ms. Stopenski asked her mother.

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” her mom said.

Ask for the Right Things

For some, the process of creating and delivering a presentation is less about dazzling parents than crystallizing for their own selves how strongly they want something. Last month, Dwayne Neff, 17, a high-school senior in Park Forest, Ill., set up a time to meet with his parents and had his PowerPoint on the TV screen when they came into the living room. He needed $250 to buy a ticket to the Travis Scott concert. Dwayne thought if he simply asked for the money, his parents would say no before he got the words out. Thanks to his slide show, Dwayne, an aspiring musical artist, was able to make his argument.

Dwayne Neff’s PowerPoint on Travis Scott

Check out this excellent PowerPoint about Travis Scott.

“ Travis Scott is my favorite artist and makes my favorite music and pushes me to be better musically,” said one slide. In another, Dwayne laid out his financial realities (“I cut grass today which gives me $120 that’s all I have to offer it’s not much but it’s a try”) and highlighted his improving report card (“Last week it was an F in Math now were looking at an 81% and I only got two questions wrong on last quiz”).

After, “they even told me that if I had just asked, they would say ‘no’ but that they would see what they could do because I put in time and effort,” he said.

“We don’t always take him seriously, because his approach to things sometimes can be somewhat colorful,” Dwayne’s mother, Stephanie Neff, wrote in an email.

She and her husband did decide against giving the $250, but Dwayne, pumped up by his PowerPoint, sold his PlayStations and attended Mr. Scott’s performance last week. “It was everything I needed to give me the inspiration to continue following my musical dreams,” he said.

Stay Practical

Charlie Regan, 10, used a Google Slides presentation to be relieved of an activity. Charlie really wanted to quit soccer. So she sat her parents down and delivered an argument why she should be allowed to stop after the season’s end. “I knew that if I just wrote it one a regular piece of paper, I couldn’t do as much as I could with a computer,” said Charlie, who is in fifth grade.

Charlie Regan’s Successful Soccer PowerPoint

How to get out of sports.

“It totally took us by surprise and we agreed with her reasoning,” said her father, Patrick Regan.

Then Charlie’s older brother, Cash, who is 14 and had seen his sister’s success with the soccer matter, suggested that the two of them create another presentation. This one was aimed to convince their parents to buy a house in the country.

In their pitch, titled “Paradise,” the children wrote, “Don’t get us wrong we love summer and the things we do and the places we visit. But there are definitely room for improvement.”

Against the backdrop of stock images of log cabins and other buildings they found doing a Google image search for “small country house,” the Regan kids laid out the case to splurge on a vacation home. Their reasons included, “We could go camping right outside our house” and “It would be a great place to park and keep Uncle Richard’s truck.”

“It didn’t work as well as it did with my soccer idea,” Charlie said.

Katherine Rosman is a features reporter. She covers media, social media and celebrity — and the way in which they intersect and collide. She joined The Times in 2014. More about Katherine Rosman

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Can You Copyright a Vibe?: One influencer is suing another, accusing her of copying her minimalist aesthetic  on social media.

It Wasn’t You. It Was Your Parents.: A decade after it was published, the book “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” is surging in popularity  and making people rethink their family dynamic.

Model of the Year: For the first time in the three-decade history of the award  at the annual Fashion Awards in London, the honoree, Alex Consani, was a transgender woman.

4 Must-Know Tips for Powerful Presentations for Parenting Coaches

As a parent coach, offering a presentation, giving a talk, or running a workshop is a great way to connect with potential clients. But only if you know how to do it in a way that allows you to connect with your audience, build trust, and give them enough to get a clear sense of the power of this work. If that sounds like an extremely tall order, keep reading. I promise it’s not as hard as you might think!

Before your inner perfectionist throws in the towel, let me start by emphasizing that presenting is a learned skill, not an innate talent. You will get better every time you do it. Most people start off nervous, unsure, and a little rusty. With the tips below, I promise you’ll already be ahead of where many coaches start out.

Most people know what a great presentation looks like. But few people stop to find out exactly what secrets are behind the curtain in those presentations. Start with these simple tips so you have a few aces up your sleeve, then fine-tune your craft over time. Your second presentation will be better than your first, and so on, until you’re hitting them out of the park consistently. You just have to get started exactly where you are.

#1 Be prepared (but not over-prepared!)

Hard truth: Most people don’t prepare enough before getting up in front of a group. 

It’s important to run through your presentation a few times (even if it’s only in front of a face you draw in lipstick on your bathroom mirror). While the feedback from your audience might be limited, you’ll at least get to hear yourself say it all out loud in a couple of different ways.

When I say run through it, I do not mean memorize. 

Why not? Because memorization only engages one part of your brain. According to neuroscience, your hippocampus is the part of your brain that kicks in for the rinse and repeat or memorization function. The problem is that the part of your brain you use for being engaged and responsive to your audience, is the cerebrum. 

Get comfortable with what you're presenting, in a way that allows you to remain present, connected, and ready to comfortably respond to whatever comes up. Use your slides as a guide but be flexible in your presentation style. Remember, connection with your audience always outshines being overly polished.

#2 To be persuasive, avoid monotony

Hard truth: Being accidentally boring is easier than it looks .

Unless your presentation involves literally hypnotizing people, make sure to vary your tone, volume, and speed at which you speak. It will take some practice to do this in a way that feels natural (but since I know you read tip number one, I know you’re planning on doing this anyway).

A study by Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger found that presenters who modulate their voices are more effective because they appear more confident. 

So, increase your volume when making important points and pause noticeably after a particularly insightful or impactful statement to let it linger in the air and really drive your point home.

#3 Employ the villain, the victim, and the hero

Hard truth: People like stories that are mostly about them, not so much about you.

Instead of focusing on your own opinion of the topic, try creating a three-part relationship in your presentation between the villain of your story, the victim, and the hero. 

For example, instead of saying, “I’m excited to be sharing with you the incredible opportunity to change your life through parent coaching,” you might say, “Parents are finally getting to experience what it’s like to truly enjoy their relationships with their children and their role as parents, instead of feeling a constant sense of frustration and overwhelm.” It puts the parents at the forefront as opposed to centering you as the parent coach. Can you feel the difference?

For parent coaches, the villain, victim, and hero equation might look like placing antiquated norms of parenting, like power-over models, as the villain. Another villain could be the way in which, as a society, we don’t give parents support or skills to parent. Instead we expect everyone to just ‘know’ what to do, leaving us all at the mercy of our own generational patterns, moments of dysregulation and overwhelm.

The victim role could be assigned to both our children and us as parents. We both feel the deep consequences and wish for things to be different. As parents, we understandably lack the skills and support to know how to truly make that happen. And unsurprisingly the role of the hero goes to… empowered parenting and the incredible transformations available to families through the parent coaching process! When parents get a chance to participate in the creation of a new world for their families through parent coaching, their whole lives change. 

#4 Create connection (for now and in the future)

The more you are able to connect with your audience, the more likely they are to feel engaged with you and your message and the more likely they are to become clients! 

Consider the environment you present in. Try to make it as warm and inviting as possible. Lighting, seating, and a few thoughtful beverages all help to create a good foundation for your presentation. And because you can’t always be dragging a lamp, an area rug, and some throw pillows with you, you can always create a good feeling in the room through your warmth and presence, no matter the environment.    While some people will be ready to schedule a call with you right away, others may be interested but need more time. That’s where collecting people’s contact information is a golden opportunity. Make a point of getting people’s email addresses and any other contact information you would like to have, and they would be willing to share. Not doing this is an incredible missed opportunity! Be clear on how you will use their contact information as well in order to set clear expectations and create trust. 

If you have a conversation with someone but they say no to getting on a call, ask them if it would be alright to check in with them again in a month (or whatever time frame seems appropriate) to see how things are going. Having someone’s email or mailing address allows you to stay in touch, provide value, and give them future opportunities to work with you. It is a golden marketing opportunity. 

Remember, connecting with prospective clients is like planting seeds, some flowers bloom in May, some flowers bloom in late August and some need to be planted in the fall and enjoyed the following spring. Just keep watering them!

When it comes to giving presentations and getting your work out into the world, you have everything you need to get started now.

You can do this. 

The best learning comes from doing. 

Give yourself lots of grace. 

And remember, perfectionism isn’t really about being perfect—it’s about being afraid to make a mistake. In presentations and in life, we all know it’s not IF you make a mistake; it’s WHEN. There are no mistakes that a little self-compassion and humor won’t soften or solve. The only real mistake would be not getting your work out into the world because of fear.

Now, go out there and schedule a talk! Your clients are waiting for you.

Meet Your Author, Katie Owen

Jai Business Coach & Marketing Mentor

As a former practicing therapist turned copywriter and marketing strategist, Katie is passionate about the intersection of marketing and mindset. Katie embodies the practices of taking the simple actions, consistently over time, that create epic results.

A master storyteller, Katie works with our coaches to refine their message, increase their visibility and get clients! 

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April 26: amy neufeld & lisi harrison.

Drama-Free Parenting: How to co-parent effectively whether you’re married or not.

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is. Presenting a united front with someone with opposing values and viewpoints can make it even harder. This hour-long presentation offers tools and techniques to help parents rise above their differences, frustrations, and pain so they can focus on raising well-adjusted children.

February 6: Dr. Lori Aleknavicius

Dr. Lori Aleknavicius, PsyD, LP, and co-founder of Inner Fōkus, presented on ways to see the world from your child’s perspective, how to build stronger family bonds, and how to raise confident, self-aware children.

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