I am working with a client who asked me to create a title for a presentation so I came up with something along the lines of "7 Things Your Clients Want you to Know ." I wanted to use a number in the title because people like this system of organizing information.
So which number should you use?
Here’s why I chose "7":
#1. I was trying to be different (or "Zag") as one of my recent favorite books call it.
Think about a number that has significance for your topic or seems the funniest if you’re going for humor. 7 is funnier than 6. (Trust me on this. “Gerbil” is also funnier than “Hamster” and “Kalamazoo” is much funnier than “Detroit.”)
#2. I wanted to use an odd rather than an even number. I could have used 5 or 9 as they are also odd numbers, but I chose 7.
Odd numbers are asymmetrical. I can’t explain it. If you are a symmetry freak, ignore this rule and do whatever you want.
#3. It is decidedly different from “10” which I think has been overdone. That makes it uninteresting IMHO.
Top 10 lists are everywhere. "10" is trite. We need to boycott all 10’s starting now. In fact, let’s change from a base 10 system of numbering to a base 7.
Use a number with impact if you want to stand out - or not if you want to blend in.
#4. “3.1416” things would have been too hard to come up with. And my slide rule is in the safety deposit box.
Sometimes the content will dictate the right number to use.
#5. “7” is substantial enough to promise enough content for an hour presentation but not big enough to be overwhelming.
You might call it the Goldilocks number. ( Right-sized with just the right amount of information promised. )
#6. It worked for the deadly sins – right? They’re memorable.
Memorable is important. People will remember the title and tell other people about your presentation.
#7. The word “Seven” is symmetrical when written out. Hopefully this gets me extra credit with the people I lost on point # 2. And the numeral has a nice clear shape, and “7” has a high likelihood of being rolled in a game of dice. (Maybe I should have gone with "6".)
Look for a title that makes efficient use of the space you have to fill and also has good visual appeal. You might be more of a “3” fan, but I am happy with the “7” .
So what happened with my client? He asked me to change the "7" to "10". Let's just say I'm getting "Ziggy" with it.
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Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession.
But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. Through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me [email protected] I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. If I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com Archives
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