Open with a Good Story
Hook your audience from the first slide. You don’t need to be able to cite Shakespeare. In fact, sharing a relatable story in your own words can help set the tone and draw people in.
Design for Clarity, Not Complexity
Stick with clean and straightforward design and content. Get off on the right foot with a simple, branded template to ensure consistency and professionalism. Focus each slide on one key idea. Use plenty of “white space” by avoiding overcrowding text or overly complicated visuals.
Show and Tell
As mentioned above, text-heavy slides prevent your audience from listening to your spoken narrative. Use high-quality images, infographics, or visuals to illustrate your points. Let your visuals do the heavy lifting while you narrate the rest of your message.
Click through the presentation below to see this tip in action!
Keep Text Short
For each slide, ask, “What’s the one thing I want my audience to remember?” Make that your title. The supporting text should consist of 6-8 words per bullet point.
Balance Colors and Fonts
Choose a consistent color palette that aligns with your brand or message. Stick to one or two fonts—one for headlines and one for body text. Consistency is key to your success.
Avoid Flashy Animations
They usually distract more than they impress. Stick with simple fades and on-click appearances to keep the focus on your message. If you do use a transition, make sure it reinforces the point you’re making in the moment.
Click through the presentation below to view an example of a GOOD use of animation.
Rehearse
The best presentations feel effortless because they’re well-practiced—even for timing and tone of voice. When you know your material well, you can adapt at any given moment.
Engage Your Audience
The more interactive the presentation, the more memorable it becomes. You can involve your audience by posing questions, using polls, or inviting comments.
Close with impact
You can end with impact by challenging a call to action, asking a provocative question, or leaving with a final takeaway that lingers long after your presentation ends.
