The Power of Pre-Framing: 4 Questions to Ask Before You Present

By: Stephanie Bickel

Have you ever finished a presentation and thought, “I talked too much…” or “That wasn’t what they actually wanted”?

You’re not alone.

Many talented professionals walk into meetings ready to present, but forget to first check in. That’s where pre-framing comes in a simple yet powerful way to tailor your message in real time, so it actually lands.

“The success of your message depends more on what you ask before than what you say after.” — Stephanie Bickel

What is the Power of Pre-Framing

Pre-framing is asking a few quick questions before you launch into your message. It helps you:

• Align with your audience’s current priorities

  
  

• Avoid over-explaining what they already know

  
  

• Sound more confident and conversational

It’s not stalling - it’s strategic setup.

The 4 Pre-Framing Questions to Ask Before You Present

Whether you're sharing updates with a small team or pitching to executives, try these:

1. “Has anything changed since we last spoke?”

This question helps you avoid presenting outdated material and ensures you’re addressing today’s version of the problem.

2. “What’s most important for you to hear about today?”

Instead of guessing their priorities, ask. You may discover you can skip entire sections and go deeper where it matters most.

3. “How familiar are you with this topic already?”

This tells you how much background is truly needed. Don’t assume. Even a quick gauge helps you adjust your depth and pace.

4. “What are you hoping this helps you decide or do?”

This one ties your message directly to their desired outcome. It moves you from presenting information to driving action.

Framework: Pre-Frame, Present, Pivot

Pre-Frame

What you do: Ask your 4 audience questions

Why it works: Builds relevance, saves time

Present

What you do: Share only what supports action

Why it works: Keeps attention high, reduces rambling

Pivot

What you do: Check for feedback or next steps

Why it works: Turns information into a decision or result

Try This at Your Next Meeting

Before your next presentation or report-out:

• Write down the 4 pre-framing questions on a sticky note.

  
  

• Ask at least 2 before you begin.

  
  

• Adjust your message based on the responses—on the spot.

You’ll notice instantly: people listen more, respond more, and meetings move faster.

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