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 a variety of 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 tips about easy methods to make the perfect PowerPoint presentation. You’ll learn to maintain your viewers’s consideration and drive your message house with readability. Plus, I’ll share real-life examples to encourage you.
What do good shows have in widespread?
I’ve found that 5 parts are vital when making a nice presentation. Let’s take a look at each.
1. The presentation is very related to the viewers.
Lots 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 handle their ache factors.
However this isn’t simply my technique. Mike O’Neill, founder and CEO of Backspace Journey, a contemporary journey company, additionally talks about issues that matter to his viewers.
He says, “We conduct dry runs with a smaller group to assemble suggestions and refine the presentation. Testing the presentation with colleagues permits us to establish areas that resonate [with our audience] or want enchancment earlier than the ultimate supply.”
I’ve discovered that crafting a charming title influences how receptive my viewers will probably be. For instance, as an alternative of a bland title like “New Product Options,” I’d go along with one thing extra intriguing like “Uncover the Hidden Gems of Our Newest Product Options.”
It makes my viewers surprise 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 undertaking, a advertising technique, or perhaps a gross sales pitch, I made positive my slides and commentary tied again to the important thing takeaways I wished my viewers to recollect.
Alexandria Agresta, a company coach and management improvement 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 want?
She says this course of empowers her to convey her message in a manner that resonates together 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 probably 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 subject, spotlight your key takeaways on a selected slide (ideally the duvet 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 various methods to infuse storytelling into your shows. You will get as inventive as you need, like Aaron Wertheimer, a full-time search engine optimization advertising copywriter for Advertising and 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 presently at within the presentation.”
Simply be certain to have a starting, a center, and an finish so you possibly can clearly show the purpose you’re main in direction of.
4. The viewers understands the following steps.
When creating my shows, I all the time specify the motion I would like my viewers to take by the point we conclude. Do I would like 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, often 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 data to show their college students, I’d write, ‘Would you want entry to the abstract slides and an inventory of undertaking concepts on your college students to study this subject? Fill out the suggestions type and provides me your e-mail handle.’”
I can see why this technique works. The e-mail handle permits him to contact his viewers, and he additionally advantages them by instructing them easy methods to flip his shows into useful 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 assets.
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 all the time present my contact particulars or extra assets. So, if anybody desires to achieve 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 advertising methods, I would present my e-mail handle and invite attendees to achieve out if they’ve any questions. I may additionally share an inventory of advisable books, articles, and even YouTube movies for many who wish to take their digital advertising journey to the following stage.
Learn how to Do the Finest Powerpoint Presentation
Now that I’ve lined what to search for in a killer slide deck, let’s soar proper in and speak about how one can make your subsequent presentation unforgettable.
1. Much less is extra.
I’ve used PowerPoint lots, and it’s tempting to pack slides with flashy graphics and tons of textual content. Nonetheless, I discovered the exhausting manner that much less is usually extra.
As soon as, I used to be tasked with presenting a brand new content material technique to the advertising group. Desperate 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 believed the extra info there was, the higher. However as I began presenting, I shortly realized my mistake.
The group appeared overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of knowledge on the slides. They have been so busy making an attempt to decipher the infographics and browse the tiny texts that they missed out on the details I used to be making an attempt to convey.
In the long run, I may sense that I hadn’t made the impression I had hoped for. It was a humbling expertise, however it taught me a useful 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 all the time keep in mind:
- Let the main target be in your message as an alternative of the slides themselves.
- Hold the slides related and easy sufficient so individuals can take note of what you’re saying.
- Your visuals and fonts ought to assist your message, not steal the highlight.
2. Hold textual content to a minimal.
From my expertise, you possibly can inform that including an excessive amount of textual content overwhelms individuals, and as an alternative of listening to you, they concentrate on making an attempt to learn the slides. And that’s not what you need. You need your viewers to be engaged, hanging onto your each phrase, not making an attempt to decipher paragraphs of textual content.
So, use fewer phrases in massive fonts. That manner, 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 instances extra doubtless to learn infographics than written articles. This stat simply places a stamp on what I’ve stated about decreasing the quantity of textual content in your shows. It’s like a neon signal screaming: “Much less textual content, extra visuals!”
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can simply throw some nice-looking pictures onto your pitch deck and transfer on. Like another content material technique, your visible recreation should be on level and related.
Let me share the several types of visuals I’ve come throughout in my years of doing shows that can assist you determine what works finest.
Templates
PowerPoint templates have come a great distance since Microsoft first unveiled this system to the world, and I often use them in my shows.
Nonetheless, to make my PowerPoint slides stand out, I all the time go for a theme that my viewers hasn’t seen dozens of instances earlier than — one which vibes with my model and matches 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 supply customizable templates I can tweak to match my model and subject completely.
Canva is one in all my favorites. It provides 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 further aptitude to your presentation in order that your slideshows not solely look nice but in addition resonate deeply along with your viewers.
Charts and Graphs
One among 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.
Nonetheless, I don’t simply share the information; I let my viewers know the story behind these numbers. For instance, as an alternative of simply presenting quarterly gross sales figures to my group, I’d spotlight the challenges we confronted, the methods we applied, and the victories we celebrated to reach at these digits.
One factor you all the time 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 enable you to get your level throughout.
Colour Scheme
I perceive that colours can actually play with my viewers’s feelings. So, even when I’m not making an attempt to shut a cope with my presentation, I would wish to fire up particular emotions or impressions, and the colour palette I select might help with that.
Max Shak, founder and CEO of nerDigital, even considers cultural variations and colour associations to verify his shows hit the suitable notes with numerous audiences.
I’d suggest testing Coschedule’s information to paint psychology in advertising. It’s a goldmine of how completely different tones, shades, and colour combos can sway shopping for selections. You’ll positively elevate your presentation recreation by following this information.
Font
Once I add textual content to my slide decks, I would like it to be easy sufficient for everybody to learn. If it’s tiny or crammed, individuals 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 might show accurately even when a consumer hasn’t put in them on their pc.
4. Incorporate multimedia.
I may speak about one thing all day lengthy, however it received’t have the identical impression as displaying it to you.
That’s the place multimedia is available in — it’s the key sauce for retaining individuals engaged in your shows.
Once I do a easy Google seek for “music in shows,” it pulls up a bunch of outcomes that speak about easy methods to add music to my slide decks. From this, it’s clear that utilizing music in my shows is a novel strategy to have interaction my viewers or not less than set a welcoming tone earlier than and after I communicate.
However in order for you individuals glued to your slideshows all through your presentation, incorporate movies. I imply, a whopping 96% of people admit they tune into explainer movies to study extra a few product.
So why not give individuals what they need? Movies can carry theories to life in a manner that phrases or pictures alone simply can’t match.
Finest PowerPoint Displays
In my years of expertise, I’ve come throughout many pitch decks, and the perfect ones all the time reduce by the muddle. On this part, I’ll share 15 PowerPoint presentation examples that set the bar for what an expert presentation ought to appear like.
1. The HubSpot Tradition Code by HubSpot Co-founder Dharmesh Shah
To not sing our personal praises, however The HubSpot Tradition Code has been one in all our most profitable shows. The key? Shah chooses a central theme — the acronym HEART (humble, empathetic, adaptable, outstanding, 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 fashion and message of this presentation. It sticks to our model colours and fonts and makes every little thing tremendous clear and straightforward on the eyes.
I particularly benefit from the superhero theme on slide 26 — it’s a enjoyable strategy to say that we’re all about empowering our prospects to be their finest. It elevates the concept of buyer assist from an obligation to a mission, which I discover very motivating.
2. 2022 Girls within the Office 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, pictures, and different visible representations for instance how the expectations girls face at work have developed over time.
I’m impressed by how they’ve maintained their model colours all through the presentation. I’m an enormous fan of consistency, and this slideshow nails it by sticking to its colour scheme from begin to end. It creates a cohesive look and reinforces their model id, 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. search engine optimization, PPC, and AI in 2023 and Past 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 usher in imagery from motion pictures like “Blade Runner“ and “Ghost within the Shell” when speaking about AI and the way forward for advertising of their SlideShare presentation.
The entire futuristic vibe with vibrant colours grabs my consideration immediately. It’s a contemporary break from the same old bland company stuff, they usually do a unbelievable job of constructing positive you get pleasure from 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 generally. 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 will possibly 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 a variety of use instances that may encourage you. For instance, if it tells you ChatGPT can write a YouTube script, it exhibits you the immediate the creator used and the outcomes they obtained.
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 better look.
5. Insights from the 2022 Authorized Traits Report by Clio
I’m an enormous advocate of including visuals to your small business shows. Nevertheless it doesn’t must be the identical outdated boring workplace inventory pictures. Take a cue from Clio’s presentation.
Clio has integrated summary parts 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. E mail Advertising and marketing Traits by Gabriel Blanchet
Gabriel Blanchet creates a brief presentation to clarify some key parts of e-mail advertising and its developments to indicate us why it’s nonetheless a useful software regardless of the rise of social media.
What do I really like about these slides? They’re superior. Vivid colours, clear visuals — they’ve obtained 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. Every part, from the graphs to the backgrounds and pictures, sticks to this identical colour palette.
If I’m ever fearful about my visuals not contrasting sufficient, I’ll positively draw inspiration from Leticia’s colour palette. Decide 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 International Overview Report by DataReportal
I selected this slide deck from DataReportal as a result of it jogs my memory that sturdy 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 vibrant orange, crimson, blue, and inexperienced, whereas the textual content retains it white.
That stated, 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 vibrant and sunny, stick with a lightweight background with darkish textual content.
9. ThinkNow Tradition 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 traditional black and white. It’s a sensible transfer that creates sharp distinction and makes the visible parts straightforward to scan.
Plus, I respect how the headers are in a readable font, summarizing what every slide covers.
10. 2023 Metro CERT Annual Occasion by MNCERTs
I’m stunned by how easy this Metro CERT presentation is. It shows only a few phrases per slide, all in huge, daring fonts. The distinction between the blue and yellow colours is placing and makes every little thing actually pop.
And you realize what’s much more inventive? There are a great deal of pictures of individuals sprinkled all through. It provides a pleasant private contact that retains issues fascinating.
11. Pecan Creek Vineyard 2023 in Footage Displays
As I used to be going by Pekan Creek Vineyard’s enterprise presentation, I observed the way it sticks to a easy colour palette of simply white and black. It’s clear and modern and lets the content material shine with none distractions.
It’s additionally filled with 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 individuals 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 obtained somewhat little bit of every little thing to maintain its viewers hooked.
It retains the fonts easy, which I respect. Plus, these vibrant background colours make the black and blue textual content stand out.
The presentation can also be spiced up by the story of a canine named Sassy. It provides a private contact. And who doesn’t like an excellent story? It’s a surefire strategy to maintain attendees glued to your presentation.
13. Exploring Superior API Safety Strategies and Applied sciences 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 vibrant 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. Competitors in Vitality Markets by Georg Zachmann
Simplifying technical info could be a powerful nut to crack, particularly when it’s important 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 vitality disaster into clear visible representations, which I actually love.
I additionally observed the large, daring headings that instantly let you know what every slide is about. You’ll be able to skim the doc shortly and hone in on the important thing factors you want to know.
15. 10 Issues That Helped Me Advance My Profession by Thijs Feryn
This presentation impresses me proper from the duvet 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 facet. Every slide looks like a brand new chapter unfolding and transitioning seamlessly into the following.
And the visuals? They’re top-notch — from charming pictures to energetic animations and even a useful map. Plus, these vibrant colours and big textual content fonts be certain each element pops, even for the individual chilling within the again row.
Create the Finest PowerPoint Presentation Designs
As somebody who’s created numerous shows, I’ve seen firsthand the transformation that occurs if you put somewhat soul into these slide layouts — whether or not including modern visuals, slicing down on muddle, or weaving a narrative that carries your message.
Implement the ideas 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 an excellent slide deck into your finest PowerPoint presentation but.
Editor’s word: This submit was initially revealed in March 2023 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.