Creating the perfect PowerPoint presentation isn’t nearly slapping information and figures collectively or dazzling with snazzy graphics — it’s an artwork type.
Throughout my time at HubSpot, I created numerous shows. Since then, I’ve seen the nice, the dangerous, and the PowerPoints desperately crying for a makeover. I’ve discovered that the key isn’t simply within the textual content or visuals however in the way you serve it up.
On this information, I’ll share some professional recommendations on the best way to make the perfect PowerPoint presentation. You’ll learn to maintain your viewers’s consideration and drive your message residence with readability. Plus, I’ll share real-life examples to encourage you.
What do good shows have in frequent?
I’ve found that 5 components are essential when making a great presentation. Let’s have a look at each.
1. The presentation is extremely related to the viewers.
Rather a lot goes into creating shows that hit the mark. First, I clearly outline my viewers. Then, I select subjects that genuinely curiosity them, supply actionable recommendation, reply their questions, or tackle their ache factors.
However this isn’t simply my technique. Mike O’Neill, founder and CEO of Backspace Travel, a contemporary journey company, additionally talks about issues that matter to his viewers.
He says, “We conduct dry runs with a smaller group to collect suggestions and refine the presentation. Testing the presentation with colleagues permits us to determine areas that resonate [with our audience] or want enchancment earlier than the ultimate supply.”
I’ve discovered that crafting a fascinating title influences how receptive my viewers will likely be. For instance, as a substitute of a bland title like “New Product Options,” I’d go together with one thing extra intriguing like “Uncover the Hidden Gems of Our Newest Product Options.”
It makes my viewers marvel what these hidden gems are and nonetheless lets them realize it’s about new product options.
2. The presentation has a transparent goal.
As a former content material supervisor and strategist at HubSpot, I discovered the significance of setting viewers expectations. Whether or not it’s a brand new challenge, a marketing strategy, or perhaps a gross sales pitch, I made positive my slides and commentary tied again to the important thing takeaways I needed my viewers to recollect.
Alexandria Agresta, a company coach and management growth skilled, makes use of what she calls the three Ps of a presentation:
- Objective. What’s the aim of the presentation?
- Problem. What’s the problem your viewers is going through?
- Potential. What final result do they need?
She says this course of empowers her to convey her message in a means that resonates along with her viewers. As soon as she establishes the three Ps, she creates a transparent, concise define that features key factors and subjects she hopes to cowl.
“I then create a devoted slide in the beginning of the presentation that succinctly outlines what will likely be lined in the course of the presentation. This units expectations for the viewers and offers them a roadmap of what to anticipate,” Agresta says.
Regardless of the matter, spotlight your key takeaways on a selected slide (ideally the quilt slide), so your viewers clearly understands what your presentation is about from the get-go.
3. The presentation follows an organized storyline.
One factor I’ve discovered about shows is that it isn’t nearly conveying info; it’s about telling a narrative that guides your viewers from begin to end. Every slide is a chapter that results in a satisfying conclusion.
There are numerous methods to infuse storytelling into your shows. You may get as inventive as you need, like Aaron Wertheimer, a full-time search engine optimisation advertising and marketing copywriter for Marketing Reel, does.
He says, “I infuse storytelling into my PowerPoint shows by together with a Bitmoji sticker of myself because it pertains to every slide, and I demarcate every slide with verbiage to point which a part of the sequence we’re at present at within the presentation.”
Simply be certain to have a starting, a center, and an finish so you’ll be able to clearly exhibit the purpose you’re main in the direction of.
4. The viewers understands the subsequent steps.
When creating my shows, I at all times specify the motion I need my viewers to take by the point we conclude. Do I need them to enroll in a service? Think about a brand new perspective? Bear in mind key factors?
Chirag Nijjer, a buyer success lead at Google, normally wraps up his shows with two CTAs: one which’s helpful to him and one which advantages his viewers. His shows are extra impactful when he combines each CTAs.
He explains with an instance: “If I’m presenting to a gaggle of professors who intend to make use of the information to show their college students, I’d write, ‘Would you want entry to the abstract slides and an inventory of challenge concepts in your college students to be taught this matter? Fill out the suggestions type and provides me your e-mail tackle.’”
I can see why this methodology works. The e-mail tackle permits him to contact his viewers, and he additionally advantages them by instructing them the best way to flip his shows into helpful motion. It’s like killing two birds with one stone!
Bear in mind, although, in order for you your viewers to carry out an motion after your presentation, be clear about what you need them to do subsequent.
5. The viewers leaves with contact info and/or sources.
I’ve noticed that on the finish of my shows, most attendees need extra info or an opportunity to debate the subject additional.
That’s why I at all times present my contact particulars or extra sources. So, if anybody desires to succeed in out for a one-on-one chat or learn additional, they’ll have what they should delve deeper into the fabric.
For instance, after a presentation on digital marketing strategies, I would present my e-mail tackle and invite attendees to succeed in out if they’ve any questions. I might additionally share an inventory of really helpful books, articles, and even YouTube movies for individuals who need to take their digital advertising and marketing journey to the subsequent degree.
How one can Do the Greatest Powerpoint Presentation
Now that I’ve lined what to search for in a killer slide deck, let’s leap proper in and discuss how one can make your subsequent presentation unforgettable.
1. Much less is extra.
I’ve used PowerPoint so much, and it’s tempting to pack slides with flashy graphics and tons of textual content. Nevertheless, I discovered the onerous means that much less is commonly extra.
As soon as, I used to be tasked with presenting a brand new content material technique to the advertising and marketing staff. Desirous to impress, I packed my slides with gorgeous visuals, intricate graphs, and a great deal of textual content explaining each element of the technique.
I assumed the extra info there was, the higher. However as I began presenting, I shortly realized my mistake.
The staff appeared overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of knowledge on the slides. They have been so busy attempting to decipher the infographics and skim the tiny texts that they missed out on the details I used to be attempting to convey.
Ultimately, I might sense that I hadn’t made the affect I had hoped for. It was a humbling expertise, nevertheless it taught me a helpful lesson: simplicity is vital.
Since then, I’ve made a aware effort to streamline my shows with a transparent message and keep away from complicated particulars that would distract my viewers.
Listed below are some key factors to at all times keep in mind:
- Let the main focus be in your message as a substitute of the slides themselves.
- Hold the slides related and easy sufficient so folks can take note of what you’re saying.
- Your visuals and fonts ought to help your message, not steal the highlight.
2. Hold textual content to a minimal.
From my expertise, you’ll be able to inform that including an excessive amount of textual content overwhelms folks, and as a substitute of listening to you, they deal with attempting to learn the slides. And that’s not what you need. You need your viewers to be engaged, hanging onto your each phrase, not attempting to decipher paragraphs of textual content.
So, use fewer phrases in giant fonts. That means, you’ll be certain everybody, from the entrance row to the again, sees what’s on the display with out squinting.
3. Rethink visuals.
Individuals are 30 times more likely to learn infographics than written articles. This stat simply places a stamp on what I’ve mentioned about decreasing the quantity of textual content in your shows. It’s like a neon signal screaming: “Much less textual content, extra visuals!”
Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to simply throw some nice-looking pictures onto your pitch deck and transfer on. Like some other content material technique, your visible sport have to be on level and related.
Let me share the several types of visuals I’ve come throughout in my years of doing shows that will help you determine what works finest.
Templates
PowerPoint templates have come a great distance since Microsoft first unveiled this system to the world, and I sometimes use them in my shows.
Nevertheless, to make my PowerPoint slides stand out, I at all times go for a theme that my viewers hasn’t seen dozens of occasions earlier than — one which vibes with my model and suits the subject I’m speaking about.
Generally, I discover presentation platforms apart from PowerPoint (like Prezi) to find contemporary templates. There are additionally tons of visible content material design websites that provide customizable templates I can tweak to match my model and matter completely.
Canva is considered one of my favorites. It affords a plethora of templates and permits me to create shows from scratch.
I’ve additionally examined out Venngage’s free presentation maker and located it tremendous useful for getting eye-catching slide templates, icons, and high-quality inventory pictures for my PowerPoint tutorials.
Professional tip: Obtain our 10 PowerPoint presentation templates without spending a dime to simplify your design course of. Every template is made so as to add that additional aptitude to your presentation in order that your slideshows not solely look nice but in addition resonate deeply together with your viewers.
Charts and Graphs
Certainly one of my favourite methods to again up what I’m saying in my presentation is to toss in some stats and knowledge visualization. Charts and graphs jazz issues up and make the numbers far more fascinating.
Nevertheless, I don’t simply share the information; I let my viewers know the story behind these numbers. For instance, as a substitute of simply presenting quarterly gross sales figures to my staff, I might spotlight the challenges we confronted, the methods we carried out, and the victories we celebrated to reach at these digits.
One factor you at all times have to do, although, is to verify your charts and graphs mix in seamlessly with the remainder of your presentation’s visible theme. In any other case, these graphics usually tend to steal the present than aid you get your level throughout.
Shade Scheme
I perceive that colours can actually play with my viewers’s feelings. So, even when I’m not attempting to shut a take care of my presentation, I would need to fire up particular emotions or impressions, and the colour palette I select may also help with that.
Max Shak, founder and CEO of nerDigital, even considers cultural variations and coloration associations to verify his shows hit the suitable notes with various audiences.
I’d suggest testing Coschedule’s guide to color psychology in marketing. It’s a goldmine of how completely different tones, shades, and coloration mixtures can sway shopping for selections. You’ll positively elevate your presentation sport by following this information.
Font
Once I add textual content to my slide decks, I need it to be easy sufficient for everybody to learn. If it’s tiny or crammed, folks find yourself squinting and lacking out on what I’m saying.
That’s why I like to recommend utilizing web-safe fonts like Sans-Serif or Arial. They’re straightforward on the eyes and may show accurately even when a person hasn’t put in them on their laptop.
4. Incorporate multimedia.
I might discuss one thing all day lengthy, nevertheless it gained’t have the identical affect as displaying it to you.
That’s the place multimedia is available in — it’s the key sauce for maintaining folks engaged in your shows.
Once I do a easy Google seek for “music in presentations,” it pulls up a bunch of outcomes that discuss the best way to add music to my slide decks. From this, it’s clear that utilizing music in my shows is a singular option to have interaction my viewers or at the very least set a welcoming tone earlier than and after I communicate.
However in order for you folks glued to your slideshows all through your presentation, incorporate movies. I imply, a whopping 96% of individuals admit they tune into explainer movies to be taught extra a couple of product.
So why not give folks what they need? Movies can deliver theories to life in a means that phrases or pictures alone simply can’t match.
Greatest PowerPoint Shows
In my years of expertise, I’ve come throughout many pitch decks, and the perfect ones at all times minimize via the muddle. On this part, I’ll share 15 PowerPoint presentation examples that set the bar for what knowledgeable presentation ought to seem like.
1. The HubSpot Culture Code by HubSpot Co-founder Dharmesh Shah
To not sing our personal praises, however The HubSpot Tradition Code has been considered one of our most profitable shows. The key? Shah chooses a central theme — the acronym HEART (humble, empathetic, adaptable, exceptional, and clear).
This acronym embodies our firm’s values whereas offering a central message for the presentation. Plus, coronary heart icons on the slides make the connection clear.
I just like the type and message of this presentation. It sticks to our model colours and fonts and makes every little thing tremendous clear and simple on the eyes.
I particularly benefit from the superhero theme on slide 26 — it’s a enjoyable option to say that we’re all about empowering our clients to be their finest. It elevates the concept of buyer help from an obligation to a mission, which I discover very motivating.
2. 2022 Women in the Workplace Briefing by McKinsey & Firm
This slide deck lays out key knowledge from McKinsey’s 2022 analysis on girls within the office. It makes use of a mixture of graphs, photos, and different visible representations for instance how the expectations girls face at work have advanced over time.
I’m impressed by how they’ve maintained their model colours all through the presentation. I’m a giant fan of consistency, and this slideshow nails it by sticking to its coloration scheme from begin to end. It creates a cohesive look and reinforces their brand identity, which makes the presentation look skilled.
One other factor I like about it’s that the titles instantly say what every slide is about. It helps you navigate the presentation effortlessly and retains you centered on the details.
3. SEO, PPC, and AI in 2023 and Beyond by Lily Ray
Lily Ray and Inna Zeyger from Amsive Digital took inspiration from the world of science fiction. It’s fairly cool how they playfully herald imagery from films like “Blade Runner“ and “Ghost within the Shell” when speaking about AI and the future of marketing of their SlideShare presentation.
The entire futuristic vibe with vibrant colours grabs my consideration straight away. It’s a contemporary break from the same old bland company stuff, they usually do a incredible job of constructing positive you take pleasure in their presentation whereas studying one thing new.
4. ChatGPT: What It Is and How Writers Can Use It by Adsy
All of us get author’s block typically. Belief me, I’ve been there, watching a blinking cursor, feeling the frustration construct up. However ChatGPT acts like a trusted sidekick, nudging me alongside and whispering, “Hey, how about this concept?”
This presentation breaks down what ChatGPT is, its limitations, and extra importantly, what it might do. I discover it fairly useful, particularly in case you’re new to the AI chatbot.
One factor I like most concerning the SlideShare presentation is that it has numerous use instances that may encourage you. For instance, if it tells you ChatGPT can write a YouTube script, it reveals you the immediate the creator used and the outcomes they received.
I additionally love the way it makes use of a mix of daring white textual content towards a blue background or black and blue textual content on a white background to name out vital headings. And people key definitions are proper there within the heart, surrounded by all that whitespace, virtually begging you to take a more in-depth look.
5. Insights from the 2022 Legal Trends Report by Clio
I’m a giant advocate of including visuals to what you are promoting shows. However it doesn’t should be the identical previous boring workplace inventory pictures. Take a cue from Clio’s presentation.
Clio has integrated summary components to maintain issues contemporary — easy shapes like triangles, rectangles, and circles. These shapes mix seamlessly with completely different charts and graphs, including an inventive contact to the slide decks.
6. Email Marketing Trends by Gabriel Blanchet
Gabriel Blanchet creates a brief presentation to elucidate some key components of e-mail advertising and marketing and its traits to point out us why it’s nonetheless a helpful instrument regardless of the rise of social media.
What do I really like about these slides? They’re superior. Vibrant colours, clear visuals — they’ve received all of it. What seals the deal for me is how Gabriel breaks down every level and explains why it issues.
7. 2022 GWI’s Social Report by GWI
I’m actually impressed by how Leticia Xavier makes use of completely different shades of pink and purple so as to add some distinction to the slides. All the pieces, from the graphs to the backgrounds and pictures, sticks to this identical coloration palette.
If I’m ever nervous about my visuals not contrasting sufficient, I’ll positively draw inspiration from Leticia’s coloration palette. Choose one or two colours and mess around with completely different shades and tones to tie the slides collectively and make them pop.
8. Digital 2023 Global Overview Report by DataReportal
I selected this slide deck from DataReportal as a result of it jogs my memory that robust distinction between textual content and background is essential. It’s what makes my slides straightforward to scan.
The presentation makes use of a darkish background all through. The graphs and icons pop in brilliant orange, pink, blue, and inexperienced, whereas the textual content retains it white.
That mentioned, in case you’re prepping for an in-person presentation, take into consideration the room. If it’s dim with the lights off, a darkish background like that is spot on. But when it’s all brilliant and sunny, stick with a light-weight background with darkish textual content.
9. ThinkNow Culture Report 2022 by ThinkNow
ThinkNow impresses me with how they’ve combined magenta and yellow within the background of their PowerPoint design. In the meantime, the graphs stick with basic black and white. It’s a sensible transfer that creates sharp distinction and makes the visible components straightforward to scan.
Plus, I respect how the headers are in a readable font, summarizing what every slide covers.
10. 2023 Metro CERT Annual Event by MNCERTs
I’m shocked by how easy this Metro CERT presentation is. It shows only a few phrases per slide, all in massive, daring fonts. The distinction between the blue and yellow colours is putting and makes every little thing actually pop.
And you recognize what’s much more inventive? There are a great deal of photos of individuals sprinkled all through. It provides a pleasant private contact that retains issues fascinating.
11. Pecan Creek Winery 2023 in Pictures Presentations
As I used to be going via Pekan Creek Vineyard’s enterprise presentation, I seen the way it sticks to a easy coloration palette of simply white and black. It’s clear and glossy and lets the content material shine with none distractions.
It’s additionally full of a great deal of footage that showcase occasions and the wine-making course of. That’s precisely the way you craft a presentation that will get folks pumped up about your model.
12. LLMs in Healthcare and Pharma. VTI day
This participating presentation impresses me with its visuals. From charts to pictures and even some enjoyable animations, it’s received a bit of little bit of every little thing to maintain its viewers hooked.
It retains the fonts easy, which I respect. Plus, these brilliant background colours make the black and blue textual content stand out.
The presentation can be spiced up by the story of a canine named Sassy. It provides a private contact. And who doesn’t like story? It’s a surefire option to preserve attendees glued to your presentation.
13. Exploring Advanced API Security Techniques and Technologies by Sudhir Chepeni
The subsequent time I do a data-heavy presentation, I’ll take some inspiration from Sudhir Chepeni’s slide designs. The darkish background paired with brilliant textual content instructions consideration. And people easy, readable fonts make it straightforward to digest the data.
Plus, I love how he sprinkled charts and knowledge all through. It retains issues fascinating and breaks up the textual content properly.
14. Competition in Energy Markets by Georg Zachmann
Simplifying technical info is usually a powerful nut to crack, particularly when it’s a must to clarify it in a slide deck. However Georg Zachmann isn’t afraid of the problem.
He makes use of graphs and charts to interrupt down complicated technical points concerning the power disaster into clear visible representations, which I actually love.
I additionally seen the massive, daring headings that instantly let you know what every slide is about. You may skim the doc shortly and hone in on the important thing factors you want to know.
15. 10 Things That Helped Me Advance My Career by Thijs Feryn
This presentation impresses me proper from the quilt slide. The picture of a person ascending the steps captures a way of effort and accomplishment, which is exactly what the presentation is all about.
The keynote speaker, Thijs Feryn, nails it with the storytelling side. Every slide appears like a brand new chapter unfolding and transitioning seamlessly into the subsequent.
And the visuals? They’re top-notch — from fascinating pictures to full of life animations and even a useful map. Plus, these brilliant colours and big textual content fonts be certain each element pops, even for the individual chilling within the again row.
Create the Greatest PowerPoint Presentation Designs
As somebody who’s created numerous shows, I’ve seen firsthand the transformation that occurs whenever you put a bit of soul into these slide layouts — whether or not including glossy visuals, reducing down on muddle, or weaving a narrative that carries your message.
Implement the guidelines I’ve mentioned right here so that every slide can act as a stepping stone that lightly guides your viewers to the place you need them subsequent. These little touches can flip slide deck into your finest PowerPoint presentation but.
Editor’s observe: This submit was initially revealed in March 2023 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
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