Articles Archives

10/20/30: Why the Rule Should Be Used in Presentations

Posted on January 26, 2021May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Are you familiar with the 10/20/30 rule? It states that a presentation should have 10 slides, last no more than 20 minutes, and should not have a font sizes less than 30 pt.

This rule was made due to the gradual decrease of people’s attention spans. Making presentations concise and straightforward will save time while still getting the core message across.

Let us elaborate.

10 Slides

It can be quite a challenge to comprehend more than 10 concepts during a meeting.

The 10/20/30 rule suggests using 10 slides to discuss your core message, and provides the following example flow of topics for investor proposals and venture capitalist presentations:

Problem
Your solution
Business model
Underlying magic/technology
Marketing and sales
Competition
Team
Projections and milestones
Status and timeline
Summary and call-to-action

Remember these if you want to get your point across in a concise and straightforward way. Depending on the type of presentation you’re giving, you can tweak these to fit your purpose, but try to keep your slides to a 10 slide minimum, with a visible flow like the one above.

20 Minutes

Ideally, a 10-slide presentation would only take 20 minutes to finish. Beyond that and you’ll start losing your audience’s attention.

Keep your presentations short so you can address questions and other concerns at the end.

30pt Font Size

People usually use smaller font sizes to cram chunks of information into their slides. Doing so might distract your audience from listening to you and leave them unable to focus or retain the information you present. They may also question whether you are familiar with your own material. A straightforward presentation will assure the audience that you know the topic well enough to explain it in a way that they will understand, especially if they’re new to the concept.

Use a larger font and remove the unnecessary details. Remember, your presentation shouldn’t do the talking for you, but instead, be there to guide your audience.

Use the 10/20/30 rule as a consistent baseline to keep your audience engaged during your next presentation. Working within its boundaries will push you to craft a more refined presentation that focuses purely on the essentials, leaving out any distractions for your audience. It’s important to remember that people naturally have a limit to their attention span. This simple and effective rule is meant to guide you in creating a presentation that fits fully within the peak time of your audience’s attention. It’s at that point when your message is most effective and will lead to a more memorable experience for all.

How To Use Your Brand’s Custom Fonts in PowerPoint Design

Posted on January 14, 2021May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Custom fonts evoke emotions, making them an essential tool for defining your brand. Some fonts may portray traditional aesthetics, others a modern taste and can even give communicate grace and elegance. Brands strategically utilize fonts to help visually define their overall identity. Considering fonts can express a distinct “personality” it’s important to choose one that fits well with the brand and message you want to convey.

Often you are conveying your brand message through presentations internally, to customers, or even to potential investors so it is important to consistently use your brand’s font across all platforms. Employing your custom font in your presentations can help revitalize your design and define your brand’s aesthetics through your PowerPoint presentation.

Using Custom Fonts in PowerPoint

In order to use your brand’s custom font in your presentation, you’ll need to install it on your computer. Go to Control Panel > Fonts, then drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste the fonts into the Fonts Manager. Make sure the files are unzipped before you do.

Avoiding Your Custom Font Being Replaced When Shared

When you use custom fonts, there’s a possibility that PowerPoint will replace them if you share the deck with others. To avoid this try embedding the font in the presentation. PowerPoint allows this as long as the font file type is TTF or OTF. All you have to do is to click File > Option > Save, and then check the box that says, “Embed fonts in this file.”

Keep in mind that this will likely increase your file size, so choose “Embed only the character used in the presentation” if you need to be wary of your file size.

You can also share the font file itself when you’re sending the deck to others that need to edit your deck. PowerPoint will replace custom fonts with standards ones if you don’t embed the custom font, so this can be a great way to ensure your coworkers are also using the custom font and keeping your brand consistent. Keep your custom font file in an easy-to-find location for when you need to send it out.

Present Online

This is especially helpful when you want to share your PowerPoint via online hosting without having to embed the custom font (or increase your file size). Your audience may or may not have your custom font installed in their version of PowerPoint. But by taking this route, you can ensure whatever custom font you have used will appear on the audience’s end without worrying if the custom font has been installed.

Companies with digital asset management platforms (DAMs) or learning management systems (LMS) often allow readers to view their content online. Broadcast Slide Show is a feature that lets you livestream your presentation to an online audience.

Consistency is Key

Much like all the other aspects of your company’s identity, consistency is key to how you present yourself, your brand, and your products or services. Using your brand’s custom font in your PowerPoint templates and presentations is a simple, yet effective way to authentically represent your company no matter who you are presenting to.

3 Ways to Livestream Your PowerPoint Presentation

Posted on January 12, 2021May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Don’t let distance get in between you and your audience. Livesteaming your PowerPoint allows you to still be the face of your presentation. Several online platforms can bring your presentation out of the boardroom and into digital spaces. These enable you to reach a wider audience without having to sacrifice your personal presentation style.

While many people may have figured out workarounds to livestreaming, the truth is there are many options, which are not too difficult to navigate once pointed in the right direction. Here are three ways you can livestream your next PowerPoint presentation.

Broadcast Online from PowerPoint

Microsoft itself offers a safe, reliable means to broadcast your PowerPoint presentation online to remote audiences (for PowerPoint 2013 and newer versions).

First, find your presentation and open it up. In the File tab, you can start livestreaming your presentation through the Share button.

Next click the Present Online button. A dialog box will generate a custom URL for your presentation. You can then copy the link to send directly to your audience.

Once they’ve received the link, click Start Presentation. Viewers will then be able to see your presentation as you guide them through each slide in real time.

This highlights how Presenter View will appear only on your screen. Your audience will see your slide show as you present it.

Once you’re done, simply hit the End Online Presentation in the Present Online tab.

This option is convenient when meeting in person is not possible. However, the slight downside is that some of your original deck’s features may be compromised. All transitions will automatically be set to “fade” from the audience’s view and a file size limit may be imposed on your upload.

In this situation, a concise deck is more advisable for livestreaming to minimize the lag in your loading times.

Use Office Mix

Office Mix is a free downloadable add-on for Office 365 subscribers. It makes livestreaming presentations much easier.

Office Mix retains more content such as audio, video, polls, and quizzes than broadcasting through PowerPoint alone. These features are helpful for presenters seeking to maximize audience engagement. using their deck. Consider reviewing each feature to see which will work best in your presentation, especially as you are livestreaming.

In the Mix tab, you can see Quizzes Video Apps.

The platform also features “live digital inking.” This is a more hands-on approach that enables you to guide the audience using video, audio, and illustrations. Office Mix offers several helpful tutorials on their site for navigating these useful features.

Office Mix requires an internet connection to share your presentation. However, your audience will be able to review your slides after you’ve concluded the presentation. And because Office Mix gathers audience data and feedback for in-depth analysis you can keep track of how your presentation went over with your audience and maximize on keeping track of after-presentation impact.

Upload to Online Platforms

This third option offers the least audience interactivity in the moment but can maximize your audience reach. And it may be the easiest to execute.

If the previous options are unavailable, you can upload and design your presentation on deck hosting platforms such as SlideShare.

Publishing your slides online will allow you to reach out to a wider audience. While you can configure the presentation to be viewed by selected viewers only, default settings keep your deck open for public viewing. Adding tags to your presentation makes it easier to search online, further enabling mass sharing.

These online platforms often require compressing your presentations to a size that websites can handle. While uploading to online platforms can be limited in file size, audiences will be able to view them at their own pace which can be a great benefit for a leave-behind aspect to your presentation.

Livestreaming Design Elements to Enhance Viewer Experience

Your deck plays a key role in the impact of your presentation and there are many ways to make your presentation accessible.

Because the presentation is being streamed from your source, you won’t need to worry about losing any of your custom fonts. That’s a common pain when people send their decks via email. Here are a few other assets that add value and enhance viewer experience:

Interstitial Graphics: Controls broadcast flow and breaks it into segments
Overlay Graphics: Media that plays over the main content
Alert Overlays: Pulls live data from online sources and displays over the stream

You may notice these things on streaming platforms like Twitch. Adding these elements to your presentation can give you a leg-up over other presenters and help you stand out with your audience.

Planning for the Future

Being able to present your deck effectively online will help amplify your message and showcase your skills as a presenter to your audience even while remote. And while working from home or hybrid interactions continue to be the norm, it’s essential to utilize all the tools you have at your disposal. Livestreaming solutions have made it so much easier to deliver a smooth online presentation experience. Take these tips as unique chances to improve your skills for your next big presentation.

Effective Business Presentations from Home

Posted on December 9, 2020May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Delivering an immaculate business presentation no matter the circumstance is an essential skill. But COVID has drastically changed the world. Whether you’re trying pitch new creative ideas to your partners or hoping to land more investors, your abilities as a presenter are more vital than ever to your business.

Executing your pitch has become a completely different ball game. The pandemic has forced many businesses to start working remotely, essentially erasing any chance of having face-to-face meetings. The “normal” pitch setting these days has moved from boardrooms into living rooms. It’s a circumstance we have little control over but must adapt to in order to keep things running smoothly.

While the situation may be challenging, there are ways to keeping your pitch as effective as ever… even as you deliver it virtually. In this article, we’ll tackle some of the best methods of delivering presentations from your home.

Appear Worthy of Your Business Presentation

Appearances go a long way in pitches. But just because you’re working form home, it does not mean you can take your looks lightly. When it comes time for the big pitch, pick an outfit that you’d wear as if you were delivering the presentation in person. This speaks volumes about your sense of professionalism.

The next step, however, is something plenty of people still overlook. In video call settings, remember to always tidy up your background. It does not necessarily need to be a blank space behind you, it just needs to look clean and professional. Find a good spot in your home that looks simple and uncluttered. The last thing you want is your audience being distracted by whatever is going on behind you, whether it be a fancy looking painting or children’s toys sprawled all over the floor.

Looking for a game changer in making your video pop? Good lighting makes your video crisp, naturally attracting more attention. Even if you are not onscreen very long, making good first and last impressions are essential to delivering a successful pitch.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

Preparations are more important than ever in virtual settings. While many apps and services have adapted to make your online business presentation easier, there are still a lot variables that can go wrong at any moment. Whether its your mic going on the fritz or your internet connection getting spotty, be prepared for everything that could possibly go wrong. Test your set up several times beforehand to make sure everything is works as it should be.

On top of all that tech prep work, there’s still the act of delivering the presentation that you need to prepare for. Keep in mind, your voice comes off differently through a mic. Use your tests to see if your delivery comes off clearly given the equipment you have to work with. Much like delivering pitches in person, making these run throughs will help you iron out all the kinks beforehand.

Engage Your Audience DURING the Business Presentation

Audience attention span is your biggest enemy in online presentations. You may be able to control everything within your environment, but you can do very little about what your audience has around them. Success rests on engaging your audience throughout the presentation. Actively raise questions for your audience throughout the presentation. This will strike a more conversational tone to your pitch and keep your audience focused on the discussion.

Picking up on your audience’s body language is much harder online. Be on the lookout for different cues. Take note if their attention is drifting off screen. That is a cue to pull them into conversation. This will help you keep things on track while also assisting your audience in properly internalizing everything that’s been talked about so far.

SlideGenius is Your Presentation Expert

As a start-up presentation design company since 2012, we’ve created almost every kind of presentation you can imagine. We’re a worldwide team, with four difference offices spread across the US and Philippines. Meaning, we’re also experts on working “remotely” for close to a decade now. These barriers have become normal for us, but we’ve always learned to adapt and overcome. What pulls us together is our shared passion for helping our clients succeed. From our artists, writers, web developers, animators, and project managers, we utilize our expertise in presentation design to spark invaluable growth.

At SlideGenius, we are eager to be a valuable partner to all who needs our services during this challenging time. Contact us today for all your presentation needs!

Guy Kawasaki’s 10-20-30 Rule of Presentation: Is It Still Relevant?

Posted on April 18, 2020May 3, 2023 by Rick E

PowerPoint is a superb presentation tool that can be an effective visual aid for professional speakers when appropriately used. However, at the hands of inexperienced presenters who have no eye for design, it can pave the way for jarring and unattractive slides. Sad to say, the business world is teeming with mediocre pitch decks that just don’t do justice to the ability of PowerPoint as an excellent design tool. Luckily, there are people like Canva Chief Evangelist Guy Kawasaki, who can show the noobs how it should be done.

Kawasaki advocated the 10-20-30 Rule of PowerPoint, which banks on the idea that a presentation “should have ten slides, last no more than twenty minutes, and contain no font smaller than thirty points.” Although Kawasaki originally meant it for entrepreneurs and startup business owners, this principle applies to all presentations. Following this guide can avoid basic design mistakes and ultimately stand out from the vast sea of lackluster presentations.

Why the 10-20-30 Rule Is Still Relevant Today

Kawasaki’s 10-20-30 Rule is now more than a decade old—which, we can all agree, is a long time for any virtual rule to last, with the constant and almost abrupt changes that technology makes. Although PowerPoint is still the most recognizable presentation design software in recent history, it’s no longer the only one in the book. Several competitors have emerged, and they all have something relevant to offer. Apart from that, how people use PowerPoint has changed over time. What was invaluable ten years ago may not be as significant today.

This begs the question, “Does the 10-20-30 Rule still apply?” The answer to this is short and clear: YES. Here’s why.

1. Presenters still cram several ideas into one pitch deck

You’d think a lot would have changed in a decade. Well, in the case of slide design, nothing much has improved. Don’t get this wrong—agencies specializing in presentation design have emerged over the years and elevated the landscape. The individual presenters who have not fully maximized the use of PowerPoint still make the same mistakes. Despite professionals strongly advising against it, some presenters still cram multiple ideas into one pitch deck. They don’t even bother to filter out the unnecessary stuff and keep only the crucial points.

When Kawasaki first proposed the 10-20-30 Rule, he also suggested ten topics for the ten slides: the problem, the solution, the business model, the underlying technology, sales and marketing, the competition, the team, projections and milestones, status and timeline, and summary and call to action.

So, instead of filling each slide with unnecessary text, why not try to identify your salient points first and then make an outline based on them? Use as little text as possible to avoid overwhelming your audience with a barrage of ideas. If a slide isn’t necessary, do away with it. Remember, you are the star of your presentation, not the pitch deck or anything else. Make sure that all focus remains on you.

Are You Looking for a Pitch Deck?
View Our Amazing Pitch Deck Examples!

2. People’s attention span is getting shorter

We’re in the age of social media, where the best content is short and fast, and people appreciate things that don’t take much time. Attention spans have become relatively more straightforward, so people are growing more impatient and expectant—a combination that is hard to satisfy. This is why when delivering a presentation, you should always be considerate of your audience’s time and level of interest. Even if you’re given an hour to present, prepare for a speech that doesn’t last longer than twenty minutes. You can use the extra time to set up your equipment or hold a Q&A session.

“But I have something significant to say!” you may argue. That doesn’t give you any reason to go beyond the suggested time frame. Look at the universally-renowned TED talks, for example. Speakers are expected to deliver their speeches in eighteen minutes or less, which doesn’t stop them from communicating brilliant ideas worth sharing. If you have an imposed time constraint, you’ll be forced to edit your speech meticulously until it’s down to the bare necessities. Trim down all the unnecessary stuff to put the essentials in the spotlight.

3. Readability is a crucial factor that’s still being sidelined

The number one rule of presentations is simple: The audience is the boss. Wherever you are in the presentation, you should always put the audience at the forefront of your mind. For instance, what the people in the front row see should also be seen clearly by those in the back row. Optimize the font size of your text to accommodate all of your viewers. When you see people squinting at your slide, take the hint that something’s not right.

Another reason why the thirty-point font rule should still be reinforced today is that it encourages you to limit the number of words you can put in each slide. As much as possible, don’t overload your slides with information. Remember that your goal is not to bombard your audience with ideas but to present them with a few that can improve their lives.

Is the 10-20-30 Rule Absolute?

Kawasaki didn’t mean for the 10-20-30 Rule to be followed religiously by all business presenters. Instead, he set it as a guideline for people who want to improve their pitch decks and, consequently, their presentations. The fact remains that each situation is unique, so there’s no hard-and-fast rule that applies to all.

Instead of asking how many slides you should have, ask how many you need. Also, instead of going with the twenty-minute rule, why not apply the one-third rule, which suggests that the length of your speech should be one-third of the time you’re given? That is, after all, the original idea that Kawasaki proposed. Lastly, you can bend the thirty-point-font rule without breaking it. It’s only the minimum font size recommended, so you can go higher as the number of words you use per slide decreases. Ultimately, you should consider the needs of your audience instead of mindlessly jumping on the bandwagon. What works for one may not always work for you.

Twelve years later, Kawasaki’s 10-20-30 rule is still as effective as ever. If every presenter applies these three timeless guidelines, the landscape of presentation design will be infinitely better.

Resources:

Dlugan, Andrew. “The 10-20-30 Rule: Guy Kawasaki on PowerPoint.” Six Minutes. June 10, 2010. sixminutes.dlugan.com/10-20-30-rule-guy-kawasaki-powerpoint

Jonson, Laura. “The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint: Does It Still Work?” SlideShare. January 13, 2016. blog.slideshare.net/2016/01/13/the-102030-rule-of-powerpoint-does-it-still-work

Kawasaki, Guy. “The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint.” Guy Kawasaki. December 30, 2005. guykawasaki.com/the_102030_rule

“Follow the 10-20-30 Rule for a Perfect PowerPoint Presentation.” Presentation Load. October 17, 2013. blog.presentationload.com/follow-10-20-30-rule-perfect-powerpoint-presentation

Determining Your Brand’s Identity

Posted on May 29, 2019May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Brand image is everything. Customers prefer companies they identify with. Your brand image is the fastest way for customers to connect with you.

At SlideGenius, we’ve been working with clients since 2012 to develop their message and reach customers while staying within their established brand identity.

Relatability fosters trust, which inspires loyalty. Brand image is how the consumers perceive your brand, and this perception is derived from your brand identity.

That said, how do you determine the right identity for your brand?

Define Your Principles

Decide what kind of company you are. What makes you different from your competitors?

Identify the unique element that you can bring to the table. Before you can project the kind of image that you want to your consumers, you must know yourself first.

Ask yourself the following:

What are your company’s mission and vision?
What is your company’s core philosophy?
What are your company’s critical business goals?
Is there a key message that you want to advocate?

You need to carefully consider and answer the questions above. You are forming the foundation of your identity, the basis of the audience’s perception of your brand.

If you have the answers pat down, you can start outlining your PowerPoint.

Define Your Target Audience

After getting to know your company, the next step is determining the people you are selling to. Who is your target audience? What kind of consumers do you want to attract? What are their demographics?

Go into specifics. Take into consideration their age, their income bracket. Define all the possible data. Research your chosen audience so you can customize a strategy that will address what they want and what they need.

Once you have set the parameters on the kind of audience you would like to attract and have done the research, determine the elements that would appeal to them. Playful? Relaxed? Exclusive?

Define Your Brand’s Personality

What five words would describe you best? It’s a good time to sit and brainstorm on keywords, descriptors, adjectives that would apply to your brand. Consider the emotion or feeling that you want to evoke when people mention your brand.

Never underestimate the power of emotion, the driving force of human actions and motivations. Consumers purchase from brands they are comfortable with and have the same principles as they do.

To create a more compelling identity, take the descriptors that you have come up with and form a brand persona from there.

A persona can range from “cool hip uncle” to “health conscious millennial.” The persona you create should be consistent with your company’s core principles, mission, vision, and the type of audience that you want to attract. Keep your persona simple but significant to the message that you want to put across.

Once you have defined your brand’s principles, audience and persona, you now have a brand identity.

To reinforce the identity, design your logo, establish you company colors, craft the tone of your content and choose the typeface that will be identified with your brand.

Remember the identity that you have determined when making your visual choices, as every element will reinforce your identity.

Here at SlideGenius, our expertise in constructing PowerPoint presentations helps businesses reinforce their brand identity through presentations, content, and imagery. We’ve helped thousands of people stay true to their brand identity while helping to bring their value to their forefront of their messaging. If you find yourself struggling, contact us for a free quote today!

Reinforcing Your Brand Identity

Posted on May 22, 2019May 3, 2023 by Rick E

You’ve probably heard the terms “brand identity” and “brand image.” They’re both important. But do you know the difference?

Your brand identity is how you want people to perceive your brand. Brand image, on the other hand, is how people currently see your brand.

At SlideGenius, we’ve spent years making sure that our clients are presenting themselves in the best possible manner. Each client gets their own dedicated design team.

If you’re a bit uncertain about telling your brand identity from your brand image, we have a few ideas for you.

Form Your Visual Signature

Humans are visual creatures. Our memories are deeply tied to what we see. We associate moments and feelings to colors, images, scenes. So, usually, when we talk about brands or companies, the first image that comes to mind is the logo.

Your logo will be an intrinsic part of your identity. It will appear on emails, stationery, ads and anything that connects to your company.

It must reflect the personality of your brand. Is it fun, creative and active?Or is it more subdued, minimalist and classic? Take the time to conceptualize your logo and, if you are able, hire a professional to design it.

Take note that your logo should reflect the company’s colors and your chosen typeface.

Choosing your company colors is as important as conceptualizing your logo.

Most people base their decisions on emotion. Apart from this, color psychology has been widely used in branding and marketing.

Consider what emotions you want your target audience to feel. Make sure that the chosen emotion also fits your brand’s identity.

The other element of your logo is the typeface.

Fonts carry layers of subliminal communication and meaning, much like color. Do you want your brand to exude strength and power? Consider a typeface with sharp and angled edges. Soft and graceful? Cursive might work well. Make sure that, like color, your chosen typeface matches your brand’s identity.

As a final touch, create your company’s tagline or slogan. Your tagline must be short, simple, and consistent with your brand’s identity.

If you’re having trouble with the design, consult with SlideGenius today. Branding is one of the areas we specialize in.

Content Is King

Once you have formed your visual signature, another avenue to reinforce your brand is to create a steady stream of content on all your company’s channels. Content is essential in your public relations, enabling the audience to know you better through blog posts, articles, white papers and other media such as videos and photos.

To create quality content, you have to determine your brand’s voice first. Is it friendly? Professional? Technical? Like your visual signature, your brand’s voice must match your brand identity so that your target market can relate and trust you more.

Once you have decided on a voice, use it to create your content, whether it be written, photos, or video. Keep it relatable but significant, whether in inspiring brand loyalty or upselling your services.

Social Expression

Finally, utilize social media to closely engage with your audience using your brand voice. Imprint your brand identity on your social media accounts. Utilize your logo, tagline, colors. Write and promote posts that align with your identity. Use your brand voice to converse with the audience.

Social media allows you to encourage conversation, providing a platform to promote and reinforce your identity to the world.

Find a Design Agency that Supports Your Brand Identity

Remember that you are telling your brand’s story. Integrate the elements of your brand’s identity in everything you do, whether it be on social media, presenting to a client, or talking to a large audience. Consistency is important, and in time your brand image will develop organically and inspire a loyal following.

At SlideGenius, we help businesses reinforce their brand identity and shape their brand image through presentations, content, and imagery. We have helped thousands of people create dynamic PowerPoint presentations that bring your value to the forefront while elevating your brand identity. We’ve helped people raise more than $500 million over the years. We can help you, too. Reach out to find out to find out if you can help.

Fascinating Financiers For Your Financial Firm

Posted on March 20, 2019May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Starting a financial firm requires more than a good name. It might be daunting at first but a good business plan can put you on the right track. Once you have a solid business plan (which includes a strong marketing plan) for your dream company, it’s time to get some funding.

Getting your startup financed is quite challenging as you might need to knock on every door, both literally and figuratively.

Where do you find investors?

Startup companies are more prevalent today as more and more millennials try and break away from the traditional big company careers. To answer this demand, the number of investors has risen, particularly angel investors, individuals that invest in entrepreneurs and startups.

There are networking sites that can connect you to angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding sites where you would need to present your product concept so that interested consumers can fund for its completion.

You may also go the more traditional route… go to private equity firms and small business administrations with passion in your heart and your proposal in your hand.

Research is Key

Before you reach out to investors, it’s essential that you first do market research to determine your target market and if there’s a demand for your financial services. If you have a target in mind, determine if there’s a demand in that sector. This is the stage where you solidify your company goals and the audience that you will cater to, what they want and what appeals to them. Market research can also help you shape your marketing plan and lay the groundwork for your pitch deck.

Put Together a Solid Marketing Plan

Whether it’s a financial consulting firm or a financial planning firm, you will need to attract investors to finance your dream company. One way to do so is to show that you can attract potential clients and grow your company’s presence with your marketing strategy.

Once you have formed your strategy, make sure to place it on a PowerPoint presentation to show to your potential investors. They will be interested to find out how you’re going to get your name and services out there. For maximum impact, you may avail the services of a PowerPoint expert (you could do so right now by clicking here).

Impress Them with a Pitch Deck

Along with your marketing strategy, it’s also advisable to create a pitch deck to present to your potential investors. A pitch deck is particularly important for startup companies as they are a way to communicate the vision you have to your investors. The deck gives a snapshot of the company along with the products and services that you offer. A compelling pitch deck starts with the problem that you are trying to address. Make sure that you have the numbers to back your claim.

Once you have highlighted the severity of the problem, explain the demand and that your solution is the ideal among your competitors. For a more in-depth discussion on creating pitch decks, feel free to read one of our articles here.

Show Them What You’ve Got

You’ve got a great pitch deck and marketing plan. You’ve done the research and you’ve found an investor. Now it’s time to show them your passion and commitment to your cause. Since they are basically taking a risk with their finances, they will want to get a feel for your dedication to your company’s work.

Investors are taken with people who speak positively and will do whatever it takes to succeed with their ventures. They are also looking for companies who are committed, who are all-in one hundred percent.

If you want your pitch deck done professionally to save yourself the effort, you may contact companies that provide assistance with investor presentations.

We at SlideGenius make it a point to help starting businesses achieve their goals by providing top-notch presentation services and resources. Feel free to check out our PowerPoint Templates here or give us a call should you wish for us to help you out!

Jumpstarting Your Construction Company

Posted on March 6, 2019May 3, 2023 by Rick E

If you need to raise funds to jumpstart your construction company, you might need the help of a pitch presentation consultant to aid you in getting your target capital for your business.

Construction companies are a lucrative business, essential in building infrastructures. It is one of the fastest growing industries, doing their part to satisfy the housing demand. Apart from residential, there is also a demand for commercial construction as more businesses grow and require their very own office space.

If you are thinking of starting a construction company, here are a few things that can help you jumpstart your business.

Create a business plan

A business plan helps you determine the direction you want your business to take. It provides clarity and help you win over investors for your construction company.

Ask important questions like “Are you going to focus on remodeling or will you build a homes from the ground up?”

During this phase, you should also decide on your company’s structure. Are you going for a sole proprietorship? Or do you want a partner to help you with the company? Consult with your company’s attorney or accountant to determine which option would be best for your business.

Hire a professional PowerPoint service

Once you have polished your business plan and have a clear vision of your company, you will need capital to put all those plans into action. You may finance your business through several ways… you can go traditional and acquire the capital you need by tapping into your savings, applying for a bank loan or you can attract investors for your business.

Remember that investors are looking for businesses that have the potential for growth. This is where your business plan comes in. Back your ideas up with data and don’t forget to highlight your company’s story to set yourself apart from other startup construction companies.

If you want to increase your chances with investors, consider hiring a business presentation PowerPoint expert to help you create a first-class presentation. This gives you the extra push you need so you can open your dream construction company.

If you’re not sure how to make your own, don’t worry! You can have one made for you at affordable rates by clicking here.

Get legal

The next step in starting your company is to file the required documents to become a legal entity. Don’t forget to register your business, acquire the necessary documents (the name of your business, Tax ID number, etc.) and your business account.

Since the requirements needed vary from state to state, do not hesitate to inquire what papers are needed. Make sure you acquire all the needed licenses (business license, tradesman license) and permits before you operate your business.

Take note of the specific licenses that you will need. You will need to know the type of licenses that are required at the local, state and federal levels. If you’re unsure as to which Tax ID or licenses would be applicable to your company, it’s best to ask assistance from your attorney or a certified public accountant (CPA).

Part of the paperwork is getting your business and your employees insured. This protects you from liability and the interests of your employees.

If you already own construction equipment, it’s best to insure it so your business would not take a financial hit in case they get damaged. Check the insurance requirements for the state that you live in.

Set it up

Now that you’ve taken care of the paperwork, set up your company by acquiring tools and equipment. Construction equipment is expensive, but you can opt to lease them temporarily. If you can afford a few larger pieces, go for yard ramps and forklifts as they are a good investment for any construction firm.

As for laborers, you may source them by hiring employees, independent contractors, subcontractors or labor brokers.

Market it

Last but certainly not the least, start your online presence and connect with people to grow your professional network. Set up your website, make sure that all info is present and correct. This includes a short description of your company, services offered and contact details.

Set up your social media accounts and establish a network in the construction industry. Market your company online by churning out relevant content, promos and connecting with people.

To aid your marketing campaign, you can opt to create a PowerPoint presentation to help communicate your plans, whether in product management, promotions and advertisement of products. They can also help you show how you plan to price your services and merchandise.

Feel free to check out our PowerPoint Templates here—or give us a call should you need a business pitch presentation consultant!

Boosting Your Body Language for Better Presentations

Posted on February 27, 2019May 3, 2023 by Rick E

Preparing the content of your deck is only half the battle in delivering a presentation. You can have the most beautifully designed and eloquently written presentation in history, but if your public speaking skills are not up to snuff, then it will be all for naught. Your body language can tell a different story.

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As the saying goes, “it’s not about what you say, but how you say it.”

Simply put, delivering a good presentation takes demonstrating good body language. Presentation experts will tell you, beyond simply knowing your content, it’s important to be able to show confidence and relatability in front of your audience. When your body language complements your content, then you’re sure to deliver a great presentation.

In this article, we’ll tackle the key aspects of body language that will boost your presentation skills to the next level.

Posture

Whether you’re sitting down or standing up, how you carry yourself greatly affects the entire mood of your presentation. You never want to be caught slouching, as it makes you look lazy and unprofessional.

Maintaining an upright and open posture presents a confident and charismatic stance to your audience. It also makes you feel more confident.

A good tip is to loosen up before your presentation. It’s meant to release all the nervous tension that may cause you to stand or sit in awkward positions.

Eye contact

Perhaps one of the most neglected steps in presenting is establishing a good connection with the audience.

The stronger the connection, the more receptive your audience will be to what you’re presenting. The quickest way to develop that is with eye contact. It sends a subtle message that you are paying attention to them, making you deserve their attention.

It may seem like a small detail, but it also subconsciously tells them how confident you are in your presentation.

Facial expressions

While we’re on the topic of connections, remember to be aware of your facial expressions.

When it’s appropriate, you’ll want to smile as much as possible. No one enjoys sitting through a presentation from someone who looks like they do not want to be there.

Remember that audiences tend to mimic or feed off the emotions of the presenter facing them.

With a smile on your face, you have the power to uplift the room you step in front of.

Gestures and Movement

As the presenter, it’s your mission to keep your audience engaged. Incorporating hand gestures and movement can be what makes the difference between a dull presentation and a captivating one.

Think of your arms and legs as storytelling tools. Hand gestures add emphasis to your speech while movement along the stage can guide the attention of your audience. And like any tool, you must handle these with care and precision. You need to strike a balance in your use of gestures and movements so that they come off as part of your natural motions and not overly rehearsed.

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While presentation styles may vary from person to person, body language is universal. It’s a form of communication that speaks beyond words and potentially adds to the impact of your presentation.

To presentation specialists, using subtle hints in body language is an invaluable skill in communication and public speaking. With enough practice, you’ll be instinctively using your body language to deliver more dynamic presentations.

To learn more ways to elevate your presentations, you can contact us anytime! At SlideGenius, it’s our passion to design exceptional PowerPoint presentations. We believe that good business starts with a well-made presentation.

Let us handle the designs, while you can practice on your delivery!

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