I went to an event last night called Ignite Seattle (there might be a version in your city too).

Sort of a mini-TEDx conference, with a party vibe.

The format is simple:

• 5-minute talks
• 20 slides each
• Slides auto-advance every 15 seconds
• Lights. Camera. Action.

Just everyday people sharing something they care deeply about…

…with a live audience of 900 people.

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I went because it sounded fun. A good show.

Only in retrospect did I realize why I was particularly drawn to it.

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Remember those Solo Consultant Moats I wrote about?

They were all on full display:

• Each speaker picked a very specific topic they genuinely care about. (Niche)
• They shared their unique POV derived from personal experiences. (Lens)
• And they made it land in just 5 minutes, using visuals to do the heavy lifting. (IP)

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They weren’t all perfect. (Though much better than I could do!)

More importantly, they were compelling.

I left having seen a glimpse of their worldview, and wanting to learn even more.

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So here’s a question:

How would you talk about your domain expertise in just 5 minutes?

What would you say?

What would be on your 20 slides?

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Actually, what if you had just 5?

5 visuals that speak for you.

That show your thinking clearly, confidently, and at a glance.

To the point that you wouldn’t even have to take the stage.

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What would those 'headshots' look like?

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💡

-Wes

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P.S. The event was recorded - here are 3 of my favorites:

• ​Sounds that trigger rage (misophonia) - Justin Resnick
• ​Building a keyboard of words, not letters - Matthew Dockrey
• ​“What Viagra Taught Me About Peak Performance” - Lei Wang
  ⬆️ This unassuming woman brought the house down as the closing talk