Whether you’re giving a presentation, leading a brainstorming session, or facilitating a meeting, appealing to your audience’s visual side can be the secret to selling your ideas.

Picture this: A room filled with attentive faces, all waiting for the next big idea to propel the company forward. Now, imagine the idea being delivered not just through words but with vibrant, compelling visuals. Sounds like a game-changer, right?

That’s because most people—about 65% of the population—are visual learners. Whether you’re giving a presentation, leading a brainstorming session, or facilitating a meeting, appealing to your audience’s visual side can be the secret to selling your ideas.

Take it from someone who’s been there. When I pitched an idea for a grand July 4th ceremony at Disney World—complete with an immigration ceremony for a thousand new citizens, a presidential appearance, and an Air Force flyover—my words didn’t win my team over. I sketched out the scene, creating a visual representation of the ultimate American dream. Fast forward two years to the event, and the resemblance to my original illustration was uncanny.

Walt Disney knew this trick all too well. He pioneered the use of storyboards to pitch his ideas, recognizing that images resonate. Walt would line up his storyboard panels on the wall and walk his audience through the story, turning a static presentation into a dynamic journey. This approach invited collaboration, allowing others to contribute and build on the ideas.

To discover the 3 steps I use to emulate Walt and use visualization to pitch your next idea, read the full article I wrote for Fast Company here.

Photo Credit: deagreez / Adobe Stock / Fast Company