Lessons Archives

Enhance Your Sales Presentations with the AIDA Method

aida method

sales pitch

sales presentations

Aug 19, 2014

Did your last sales presentation end with blank stares from the audience? If your answer is a loud and desperate ‘yes’, it’s time to consider a new strategy. Luckily, there’s a classic marketing trick that will help sustain audience engagement throughout your presentation. It’s called the AIDA method.The AIDA method was first developed in 1898. It proves its longevity as it continues to provide an effective framework for marketing efforts. Utilize it for your next sales presentation.

What is AIDA?

AIDA is an acronym that stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Basically, it serves as a framework for any type of content that aims to persuade, engage, and convert readers or viewers. For presentations, you start by grabbing the attention of your audience then move to building their interest.When that’s done, you strive to make an emotional connection. This will eventually lead to positive response.How exactly does AIDA work? Let’s break down each component of the method to see how it can improve your sales pitch:

A – Attention

Set up your presentation by introducing the problem your product or service can solve. Be creative with your approach. You can do it by describing a hypothetical scenario your audience can relate with. You can also start with shocking statistics. If you’re feeling brave, try integrating humor through a short anecdote. Another thing you can do is to ask your audience a thought-provoking question.

I – Interest

With your audience hooked, it’s time to dig a little bit deeper. Talk about the special features of your product or service. Provide them with information that’s backed by proof. If your product allows it, give your audience a short demonstration. This is your chance to impress your audience with case studies and facts gathered through research. The key is to build a strong case.

D – Desire

This step of the AIDA method is closely related to the previous one. After you sustain interest with hard facts, you have to generate a strong emotional connection. You want your audience to realize that you have the best solution to their problems. Continue explaining the features of your product or service, but frame the discussion in a way that’s a bit more personalized for your audience. Explain the advantages of your offer, and how that could benefit them. You can also show them a video of testimonials from relatable clients and customers.

A – Action

If you were able to sustain interest and create an emotional connection, the last step of the AIDA method will be easy to accomplish. After you’ve convinced your audience that your product/service is something they need, persuade them to take action. Take inspiration from advertisers who use a sense of urgency in their commercials. For your presentation, give the audience a call to action that’s straight to the point.

Reference

“What Is AIDA?” About.com Money. Accessed August 19, 2014. Featured Image: Flazingo Photos via Flickr

Three Presentation Lessons from the Big Screen

movies

presentation lessons

Aug 15, 2014

Movies often captivate audiences with engaging storytelling, impactful visuals, and memorable moments. While presentations and films may seem worlds apart, there are many valuable lessons that presenters can learn from the big screen.Here are three key presentation lessons from the world of movies:

1. Use a Strong Opening Scene

In films, the first few minutes are crucial for grabbing the audience’s attention. Similarly, in a presentation, you need a strong opening that immediately hooks your audience and sets the tone.Why It’s Important:

Captures Attention: A compelling opening draws the audience in and piques their curiosity.
Establishes Expectations: Just like the opening scene of a movie, your introduction should give the audience a sense of what’s to come.

How to Apply It:

Start with a powerful statement, a thought-provoking question, or an intriguing story that ties into your main message.

Example: In a presentation about overcoming challenges, open with a real-life story of someone who faced and conquered a major obstacle.

2. Focus on Visual Storytelling

Movies rely heavily on visuals to tell the story. Whether it’s stunning cinematography or powerful imagery, visual elements are key to conveying the mood and message.Why It’s Important:

Keeps the Audience Engaged: Effective visuals can break up text-heavy slides and make the presentation more dynamic.
Enhances Understanding: Visual storytelling helps illustrate complex ideas and ensures that the audience remembers key points.

How to Apply It:

Use high-quality images, diagrams, or videos to reinforce your points. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text.

Example: If you’re presenting data, use a simple, clear chart to visually represent the numbers rather than listing them in bullet points.

3. Build to a Climactic Conclusion

Just like a great movie builds to an exciting climax, your presentation should culminate in a strong, memorable conclusion. This is your opportunity to reinforce your main message and leave a lasting impression.Why It’s Important:

Leaves a Lasting Impact: A strong conclusion ensures that your key message sticks with the audience.
Encourages Action: Like a movie’s resolution, your conclusion should prompt the audience to reflect or take action based on what they’ve heard.

How to Apply It:

Summarize the key takeaways and end with a powerful statement, quote, or call to action that reinforces your message.

Example: If you’re presenting on the benefits of a new business strategy, end by summarizing the results your company can expect if they implement the strategy.

Final Thoughts

By applying lessons from the big screen—such as using a strong opening, incorporating visual storytelling, and building to a climactic conclusion—you can create presentations that captivate and inspire your audience just like a great film captivates its viewers.

Design 101: Basic Elements of a PowerPoint Deck

design 101

PowerPoint Design

slide design elements

Aug 13, 2014

Creating a visually appealing and effective PowerPoint deck involves more than just placing text on slides. Good design ensures that your message is clearly communicated, your audience remains engaged, and your presentation looks professional. To achieve this, it’s essential to understand the basic elements of PowerPoint design and how to use them effectively.Here’s a guide to the basic elements of a PowerPoint deck and tips on how to design your slides for maximum impact.

1. Slide Layout

The slide layout refers to the arrangement of text, images, and other elements on your slides. A clear and well-organized layout makes it easier for your audience to understand your message and follow along.

Key Tips:

Consistency: Use consistent layouts throughout the deck. PowerPoint offers various pre-made slide layouts (e.g., title slides, content slides) that help maintain visual consistency.
Alignment: Ensure that elements on the slide are properly aligned. PowerPoint’s alignment guides help position text, images, and graphics in a balanced way.
White Space: Don’t overcrowd your slides. Leave enough white space around elements to avoid clutter and give the design room to breathe.

Example:

Use a Title and Content layout for most of your slides, with a large header at the top and content (text, images, charts) placed beneath it in a structured, easy-to-read format.

2. Typography

The typography (font style, size, and color) you choose plays a crucial role in making your presentation readable and engaging. Choosing the right fonts ensures that your text stands out, remains legible, and enhances the overall design.

Key Tips:

Font Choice: Stick to simple, clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica for body text. For headings, you can use a bolder, more distinctive font.
Font Size: Use a large enough font for readability. Generally, 24–32 points for headings and 18–24 points for body text works well in presentations.
Consistency: Keep your font choices consistent throughout the deck. Use one font for headings and another for body text to create hierarchy without overwhelming the viewer.
Limit Text: Avoid heavy paragraphs. Aim for short, punchy bullet points or key phrases to keep the slides easy to read.

Example:

Use Bold Arial 28pt for slide headings and Regular Calibri 20pt for body text, maintaining a consistent font size throughout the presentation.

3. Color Scheme

The color scheme of your PowerPoint deck sets the mood and tone of your presentation. A well-chosen color palette helps create visual harmony, draw attention to key points, and strengthen your message.

Key Tips:

Limit Colors: Stick to 3–4 primary colors. Too many colors can overwhelm the audience. Consider using your brand’s colors or a predefined PowerPoint color scheme.
Contrast: Ensure there is enough contrast between the text and background. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background improves readability.
Purposeful Use of Color: Use colors intentionally to highlight important points, differentiate sections, or emphasize key data points.

Example:

Use a dark blue background with white text and yellow or orange accents for emphasis or to highlight important figures.

4. Visuals and Graphics

Visual elements such as images, icons, charts, and graphs help break up text and provide a more engaging, visually stimulating presentation. They also help illustrate points more clearly than text alone.

Key Tips:

Use High-Quality Images: Always use high-resolution images to avoid pixelation. Ensure that the images are relevant to the content and don’t distract from the message.
Icons for Clarity: Simple icons can replace bullet points and add a modern, clean look to your slide. PowerPoint offers a built-in icon library that you can use for free.
Data Visualization: For data-heavy presentations, use charts, graphs, and infographics to visualize numbers and trends. Avoid overcrowding these visuals with too much data.
Balance Text and Visuals: Maintain a balance between text and visuals. Avoid too many images on a single slide, as it can clutter the design.

Example:

Use a bar chart to visually represent financial data or a large, high-quality image with minimal text to reinforce a key point in your presentation.

5. Transitions and Animations

Transitions (how you move from one slide to the next) and animations (how elements appear on a slide) add movement to your presentation. When used sparingly, they can make your slides more engaging. Overuse, however, can be distracting.

Key Tips:

Use Subtle Transitions: Stick to simple transitions like Fade or Appear to maintain a professional look. Avoid flashy or excessive transitions like Spin or Bounce.
Limit Animations: If using animations, apply them to key elements that need emphasis. Use them to reveal bullet points one at a time or to draw attention to important data points.
Keep It Consistent: Maintain consistent animation and transition styles throughout your presentation to avoid jarring shifts in pacing.

Example:

Use a Fade transition between slides and a subtle Appear animation for introducing new bullet points or images.

6. White Space and Balance

White space, also known as negative space, is the empty space between design elements. It’s one of the most critical aspects of design, as it helps keep your slides clean, organized, and easy to read.

Key Tips:

Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t feel the need to fill every inch of your slide with content. Leaving space around text and visuals helps guide the viewer’s eye and emphasizes important points.
Create Balance: Distribute elements evenly across the slide to achieve visual balance. Use PowerPoint’s alignment tools to ensure that text, images, and shapes are properly aligned and spaced.
Focus Attention: Use white space strategically to focus attention on specific elements or key messages on your slide.

Example:

For a quote slide, center-align the text with plenty of white space around it, allowing the message to stand out without distractions.

7. Slide Numbers and Branding

Including slide numbers and branding elements like logos helps maintain professionalism and makes it easier for your audience to follow along or reference certain slides later.

Key Tips:

Add Slide Numbers: Include slide numbers on every slide (except the title slide) to keep your presentation organized. This is especially helpful during Q&A sessions when referring back to specific slides.
Incorporate Branding: Add your company logo and use your brand’s color scheme and fonts consistently throughout the presentation.
Avoid Overdoing Branding: Place branding elements like logos in subtle places, such as the footer or corner of the slide, so they don’t overpower your content.

Example:

Place your company logo in the lower-right corner of each slide and include slide numbers in the footer to ensure consistency and professionalism.

Final Thoughts

Designing a PowerPoint deck involves carefully balancing text, visuals, and other elements to create an engaging and clear presentation. By focusing on slide layout, typography, color scheme, visuals, transitions, white space, and branding, you can create a professional and visually appealing PowerPoint deck that effectively communicates your message. With these design principles in mind, your presentation will not only look polished but also be more impactful and memorable for your audience.

What’s Your Presentation Delivery Style?

examples

presentation delivery

presentation styles

Aug 07, 2014

Every presenter has a unique delivery style that affects how they connect with the audience. Understanding your presentation style can help you play to your strengths and work on areas for improvement. There are several key delivery styles, each with its own advantages, and knowing yours can help you deliver more engaging and effective presentations.Here are four common presentation delivery styles and tips on how to optimize each:

1. The Storyteller

Storytellers use narratives, anecdotes, and personal experiences to engage their audience. They often weave stories throughout their presentation to illustrate key points and make their message more relatable and memorable.Strengths:

Emotional Connection: Storytelling creates a strong emotional connection with the audience.
Engagement: Audiences are naturally drawn to stories, making it easier to hold their attention.

Tips to Optimize:

Use stories strategically to illustrate your key points, but don’t overuse them. Make sure each story ties directly into your main message.
Incorporate a mix of personal anecdotes and case studies to make your stories both relatable and informative.

2. The Instructor

The instructor is focused on educating the audience. This style is structured and informative, with an emphasis on providing clear explanations, data, and actionable insights. Instructors excel at delivering detailed, step-by-step presentations.Strengths:

Clarity: The instructor’s logical and methodical approach ensures that complex ideas are explained clearly.
Authority: Audiences often view instructors as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Tips to Optimize:

Avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information at once—break down complex ideas into simple, digestible sections.
Engage the audience by asking questions or including interactive elements like polls to make your presentation more dynamic.

3. The Performer

Performers are charismatic, energetic, and use body language, tone, and humor to capture the audience’s attention. This style is often entertaining and keeps the audience fully engaged throughout the presentation.Strengths:

Charisma: Performers can hold the audience’s attention with their energy and enthusiasm.
Memorability: The use of humor and dynamic delivery makes the presentation more memorable.

Tips to Optimize:

While energy is key, make sure your presentation is also informative—don’t sacrifice substance for entertainment.
Be mindful of pacing—don’t let your energy rush you through important points.

4. The Facilitator

Facilitators focus on collaboration and audience participation. They guide discussions, encourage questions, and create an interactive environment. This style is ideal for workshops or sessions where audience input is valued.Strengths:

Engagement: Facilitators create a dialogue with the audience, making the presentation feel more interactive.
Collaboration: This style fosters a sense of collaboration and makes the audience feel like active participants.

Tips to Optimize:

Balance audience participation with content delivery to ensure you stay on track with your key points.
Be prepared to manage time effectively, especially if discussions run long.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your presentation delivery style can help you play to your strengths and refine your approach. Whether you’re a storyteller, instructor, performer, or facilitator, the key to success is understanding how your style resonates with your audience and making adjustments to enhance engagement, clarity, and impact.

Occam’s Razor and Simplifying Presentation Content

presentation content

presentation lessons

presentation tips

resources

Jul 31, 2014

Occam’s Razor is a philosophical principle that states that the simplest solution is often the best one. This concept can be applied effectively to presentation content, where simplicity helps communicate ideas clearly and avoid unnecessary complexity. By stripping away the extraneous and focusing on the essentials, you can ensure that your presentation delivers a focused, concise message that resonates with your audience.Here’s how you can apply Occam’s Razor to simplify your presentation content:

1. Focus on Core Messages

The first step in simplifying your presentation is identifying the core message you want to communicate. What is the main point or takeaway that you want your audience to remember? By honing in on this core message, you can remove any content that doesn’t directly support it.Why It’s Important:

Avoids Overwhelm: Focusing on the essentials prevents information overload and ensures the audience can absorb the most important points.

Strengthens Clarity: A clear, concise message is more impactful and easier to understand.

How to Apply It:

Start by writing down your key message in one sentence. Then, build your presentation around supporting that single idea.

Eliminate any slides, data, or explanations that do not directly contribute to your core message.

Example: If your presentation is about improving workplace productivity, every slide should focus on specific strategies that enhance productivity, rather than delving into unrelated aspects of workplace culture.

2. Cut Unnecessary Details

It’s tempting to include every piece of data, every chart, and every example that supports your argument, but this can dilute your message. Occam’s Razor encourages you to simplify by cutting out unnecessary details and focusing only on the most compelling and relevant information.Why It’s Important:

Keeps the Audience Engaged: Simplifying content by removing extraneous information keeps the presentation concise and ensures that the audience stays focused.

Increases Retention: Fewer, more impactful details are easier to remember than a barrage of information.

How to Apply It:

Review each slide and ask, “Is this essential to my core message?” If the answer is no, consider removing or simplifying it.

Focus on providing one or two powerful examples instead of a long list of supporting points.

Example: Instead of presenting five case studies to support a point, choose the one most relevant and impactful example that clearly illustrates your message.

3. Use Simple, Clear Language

Occam’s Razor applies to your language as well. Avoid using complex or technical terms when simpler alternatives will do. The goal is to communicate your message as clearly and concisely as possible.Why It’s Important:

Increases Accessibility: Simple, straightforward language ensures that your message is accessible to all audience members, regardless of their background or expertise.

Reduces Confusion: Clear, concise language prevents misunderstandings and ensures that the audience grasps your points.

How to Apply It:

Use plain language and avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless absolutely necessary.

Break down complex ideas into simple explanations or analogies that everyone can understand.

Example: Instead of saying, “Our synergistic approach leverages cross-functional collaboration,” say, “We work together across teams to achieve better results.”

4. Use Minimalistic Visuals

Visuals are an important part of any presentation, but overcomplicated graphs, charts, and images can overwhelm the audience. Apply Occam’s Razor to your visuals by keeping them simple and focused on supporting your key points.Why It’s Important:

Prevents Distraction: Overly complex visuals can distract the audience from the core message.

Enhances Focus: Simple, clean visuals reinforce the message and keep the audience focused on the key takeaways.

How to Apply It:

Use charts and graphs that are easy to read and interpret at a glance.

Avoid cluttered visuals with too many data points or unnecessary elements.

Opt for a minimalistic design with plenty of white space to keep the focus on the content.

Example: Instead of a busy graph with too many data points, simplify it to show only the most important trends, making the chart easier to read and understand.

5. Stick to a Simple Structure

A well-organized structure helps the audience follow along and stay engaged. Occam’s Razor suggests that you should remove unnecessary sections or slides and keep your presentation structure as simple and logical as possible.Why It’s Important:

Improves Flow: A simple structure with clear transitions keeps the audience engaged and ensures your message is delivered logically.

Reduces Confusion: A straightforward structure prevents the audience from getting lost or overwhelmed by too many points.

How to Apply It:

Organize your presentation into a simple structure: introduction, main points, and conclusion.

Limit each section to a few slides and make sure each one clearly leads into the next.

Example: A presentation on launching a new product could follow a simple structure: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Introduce the product as the solution, 3) Show benefits and results, 4) Call to action.

Final Thoughts

Applying Occam’s Razor to your presentation content helps you focus on the essentials, cut out unnecessary complexity, and deliver a clear, impactful message. By simplifying both the content and the visuals, you make it easier for the audience to follow along, retain information, and engage with your presentation.

3 Questions Your Online Presentations Need to Answer

content marketing

online presentations

Jul 28, 2014

There are plenty of reasons you should include presentations in your content marketing strategy.[sg-blog-modules module=three]Online presentations have the potential to become exactly the type of content users are gravitating towards today. If you re-purpose your slides properly, you can create a highly visual, dynamic, and engaging experience for a wider audience.But there’s more to great online presentations than adding more visual elements and animations. Without a speaker to explain the finer points, your online presentations need to speak through the screen. Before you upload your deck to SlideShare, Brainshark, and other presentation sharing websites, make sure your online presentation can answer the following questions:

Are you addressing your target audience?

Online users spend about 10 to 20 seconds browsing through a web page. They practice the “screen and glean” method, skimming fast to make sure it has what they’re looking for. If they skip over your online presentation, it’s likely they’re not coming back to it again. You need to make an impression right then and there. How do you capture attention in a matter of seconds?Make sure you’re clear on who you want to address. Fashion your headline and title slide in a way that lets your target audience know that you’re speaking to them. Avoid anything generic. Instead, lure viewers in with unique images and witty headlines.There’s plenty of “Top Ten Tips” type of content out there, but few that are specifically meant for your clientele. According to startup guru Mark Evans, if you’re familiar with and have properly defined your target market, this part won’t be difficult at all.

Are you giving them what they’re looking for?

Getting users to view your online presentations is just the first step. You also have to maintain their interest until the very end. If your slides can’t answer their questions, they can easily click “X” and move on to another page. To make sure they don’t stray, you need to immediately establish that you have the answer they’re looking for.Make sure the goal of your presentation is clearly defined before you delve into the main body. That way, your target audience knows that the presentation they’re viewing holds exactly what they’re looking for.

Are you clear on a Call to Action?

A Call to Action is important to any presentation, regardless of its medium of delivery. Your online presentations must have a proper CTA to let your target audience know what you want them to do next. By reaching the end of your presentation, you’ve successfully enticed and engaged their interest. Don’t let that impact go to waste without properly defining an action you want them to take.–Online presentations are an effective way to address your target audience. Make sure your slides can speak through the screen by following these tips.You can also try turning your presentation deck into a scrolling web pitch to give it a more interactive dimension. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.[sg-blog-modules module=two]Featured Image: Lali Masriera via Flickr

Business Storytelling: Turn Presentations into a Powerful Marketing Tool

Branding

business storytelling

content marketing

Jul 24, 2014

Business storytelling has been helping brands add more impact to their online content, and it can do the same for your presentations.We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Your presentations have the potential to become one of the most powerful marketing tools in your arsenal. During presentations, you’re directly talking to the people you want to reach out.So don’t waste a good opportunity by boring potential clients with bad delivery. Engage them with a simple technique that’s ‘as old as time’. Tell them a great story.

What is business storytelling?

According to Mike Murray, business storytelling is basically about “brands sharing their messages in ways that engage audiences and drive them to a desired action.” It might sound similar to the definition of content marketing we gave previously, but Murray maintains that they are two separate, but related things.

“Business storytelling is a distinct content discipline that leverages well-crafted narratives in a diverse range of content types, while content marketing is much broader and speaks to the collective efforts that companies use to communicate with their audiences in informative and engaging ways.”

To frame it, content marketing refers to a collection of things you do to reach out and engage consumers and potential clients. One of the ways you can do that is through presentations that reveal the core identity of your brand and company.

What business story should you tell?

In her book, “Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins,” Annette Simmons identified six kinds of stories that can help facilitate business communications:

“Who am I” Stories
“Why am I here” Stories
Vision Stories
Values-in-Action Stories
Teaching Stories
“I know what you’re thinking” Stories

While Simmons uses these stories to help frame interactions that are more straightforward, her insights can also be helpful to marketing presentations. Particularly, it’s the first three that are important to business storytelling in your presentations. These are the type of stories that help reveal insights to build trust and establish rapport between you and your audience.Obviously, you won’t be telling stories from your own personal experience. Instead, think of answers to “Who am I”, “Why am I here” and “What do I envision” in terms of your brand and company identity. Here are a few specific questions, courtesy of Content Marketing Institute, to help you narrow it down:

What’s your reason for being?
What’s your history?
Who are your main characters?
What’s your corporate mission?
How have you failed?

Humans have always been storytellers. It’s our way of connecting with each other. In whatever form, the core of all our communications is the primordial impulse to tell and hear stories. Why not use that to improve your presentations?

References

Murray, Mike. “Business Storytelling: Key Questions.” Content Marketing Institute. April 23, 2014. Accessed July 24, 2014.”The Six Kinds of Stories.” Annette Simmons. 2014. Accessed July 24, 2014.Williams, Debbie. “Find the Heart of Your Brand Storytelling with These 6 Questions.” Content Marketing Institute. June 19, 2013. Accessed July 24, 2014. Featured Image: UNE Photos via Flickr

Online Tools to Enhance Your PowerPoint Designs

design tools

online resources

PowerPoint Design

Jul 23, 2014

Creating a visually appealing PowerPoint presentation often requires more than just text and basic shapes. To truly elevate your design, it helps to incorporate high-quality visuals, creative fonts, and other design elements. Thankfully, there are several online tools that can help you enhance your PowerPoint slides without needing extensive design experience.Here are some powerful online tools to improve your PowerPoint design:

1. Canva

Canva is a popular graphic design tool that offers a vast collection of templates, icons, fonts, and images that can be easily incorporated into PowerPoint presentations. With its user-friendly interface, you can create custom graphics, infographics, and visual elements tailored to your presentation.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Use Canva to create visually appealing cover slides or custom images for your presentation.
Export designs as high-quality PNG or JPG files and insert them into your PowerPoint slides.

Example: Use Canva to design an eye-catching title slide for your presentation by combining text and unique visual elements.

2. Pexels and Unsplash

High-quality, free stock images can elevate your presentation design, making it more visually appealing and professional. Pexels and Unsplash offer extensive libraries of royalty-free images that you can use in your PowerPoint designs without worrying about licensing fees.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Search for and download high-resolution photos to use as backgrounds or in slides where images are necessary to convey your message.
Both platforms offer images across various themes, such as business, nature, technology, and more.

Example: Download high-resolution images from Unsplash to use as the background for a product launch presentation.

3. Google Fonts

The right font can make a big difference in your presentation’s overall design. Google Fonts is a free resource that offers a wide variety of fonts, from professional serif fonts to creative and playful typefaces. You can download these fonts and use them directly in PowerPoint to customize your typography.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Choose fonts that align with your brand or the tone of your presentation.
Combine different fonts to create a visual hierarchy between titles, headings, and body text.

Example: Use Google Fonts to download a modern sans-serif font like Roboto for your headings and a classic serif font like Merriweather for your body text.

4. Noun Project

Icons can add clarity and creativity to your PowerPoint slides, and Noun Project is a comprehensive resource for high-quality, customizable icons. With thousands of icons available, you can find icons to represent virtually any concept.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Search for icons that visually represent your key points, simplifying complex ideas or processes.
Customize the icons by adjusting their color and size to match your presentation’s theme.

Example: Use icons from Noun Project to represent different departments in an organizational chart or to illustrate steps in a process.

5. Piktochart

Piktochart is an online tool designed for creating infographics, reports, and presentations. It offers easy-to-use templates that can help you create visually stunning charts, diagrams, and data visualizations for your PowerPoint slides.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Use Piktochart to create data-driven infographics and charts that can be imported into PowerPoint as images.
Simplify complex data into visual formats that are easy to understand and visually appealing.

Example: Create a sleek infographic on Piktochart to summarize survey results and add it to your PowerPoint slide.

6. Coolors

Choosing the right color palette is key to creating a visually cohesive presentation. Coolors is a color palette generator that helps you create harmonious color schemes for your slides.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Generate color schemes that match your brand or presentation theme and use them consistently across your slides.
Coolors allows you to export color palettes with hex codes, making it easy to apply your chosen colors to PowerPoint text, shapes, and backgrounds.

Example: Generate a professional color palette in Coolors, then apply those colors to your headings, bullet points, and shapes in PowerPoint.

7. Remove.bg

Remove.bg is a tool that allows you to quickly remove backgrounds from images, making it easy to create transparent images or cut out objects to use in your PowerPoint design.How It Enhances Your PowerPoint:

Use Remove.bg to isolate subjects in photos and create clean, professional-looking images with transparent backgrounds.
Incorporate these cutouts into your PowerPoint slides for a polished, design-forward look.

Example: Remove the background from a product photo using Remove.bg and place it on your slide with a clean, transparent background.

Final Thoughts

These online tools can significantly enhance your PowerPoint designs by providing access to high-quality images, custom fonts, icons, and other visual assets. By leveraging these tools, you can create more visually appealing, professional, and effective presentations that engage your audience and communicate your message more effectively.

PowerPoint Design Lessons from Iconic Brand Logos

brand logos

Lessons

PowerPoint Design

powerpoint lessons

Jul 21, 2014

A logo is crucial for any brand. The most iconic ones are easily recognizable, encompassing the story of an entire brand. Consumers don’t need to take much time to discern it. A good logo can tell them a lot about a certain product or service with just a single look.The same thing should be said about your PowerPoint design. Like McDonald’s famous golden arches and Nike’s Swoosh, an effective PowerPoint deck can speak volumes without being too complicated or overwrought.Here are a few PowerPoint design lessons we can learn from the most iconic brand logos:

Be consistent with your message

In 2010, Gap launched a new logo on their official website, but it didn’t last long. Customers took to social media to complain about the change. Loyal fans threatened to stop shopping at Gap stores. They felt the new logo didn’t portray the classic American feel they’ve come to love about the clothes. A week later, after an attempt to crowdsource a better design, the company reverted back to its original logo.Gap’s mistake was to move away from the message their consumers love most about their brand. The stories their clothes told was that of timelessness. The new logo certainly felt disjointed from their identity.Similarly, your PowerPoint design should always be coherent with the core message you want to impart. Choose colors, images, and other design elements that are consistent with the theme of your presentation. For example, if you’re presenting in a more corporate setting, it would be inappropriate to use loud and bright colors.

Tell a good story

Did you know that Apple’s iconic logo was inspired by Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity? Seems pretty fitting for a company who has pioneered several innovations in the past several years. Apple’s first logo showed a picture of Newton under an apple tree and incorporated a quote from Wordsworth that said, “Newton… a mind forever voyaging through strange seas of thought…alone.” Steve Jobs later asked to have it replaced with a sleeker and simpler design that still represents the same narrative.As we’ve mentioned previously, a presentation can benefit from a great story. But you can also apply the same philosophy to your PowerPoint design by following the example of Apple’s logo. Enhance your slides with images or illustrations that have their own story. Choose an icon that may have symbolic significance (like the apple), or a picture that is composed with its own narrative. Don’t go with easy choices like cheesy stock photos.

Keep it simple

The original Google logo was created in 1998 using GIMP, a free graphics program. It showed the word Google in the Baskerville typeface with each letter in a different color. The logo evolved over time, but it kept its simplicity. Today, the Google logo is among the most recognizable. Despite its minimal design, it tells a powerful story. Ruth Kedar said of her design: “We ended up with the primary colors, but instead of having the pattern go in order, we put a secondary color on the L, which brought back the idea that Google doesn’t follow the rules.”Just like Google’s logo, your PowerPoint design should remain simple. It’s not just about keeping your design easy on the eyes. It’s also important to make sure that your audience can easily pick up your key points without getting distracted by too many elements.

Power Your Presentations with These Body Language Tips

body language

non-verbal cues

presentation tips

Jul 17, 2014

Delivering a compelling presentation isn’t just about the words you say—your body language can speak just as loudly, if not louder. Studies have shown that non-verbal cues like gestures, posture, and facial expressions have a significant impact on how your message is received. Whether you’re pitching to a client, giving a conference keynote, or presenting to your team, mastering body language can enhance your credibility, keep your audience engaged, and amplify the power of your words.Here are some essential body language tips to help you power your presentations and make a lasting impression.

1. Maintain Eye Contact

Why It Matters:

Eye contact builds trust and connection with your audience. It signals confidence, openness, and attentiveness. When you make eye contact, you engage your audience, making them feel as though you’re speaking directly to them.

How to Do It:

Scan the Room: Don’t just focus on one person or one area of the room. Gradually shift your gaze to different sections of the audience to engage everyone.
Connect Individually: Try to make eye contact with individual members of the audience for a few seconds before moving on. This creates a personal connection, even in larger groups.
Avoid Staring at Slides: Your PowerPoint slides should support your presentation, not take the spotlight. Keep your focus on the audience instead of continuously looking at your slides.

Pro Tip:

For larger audiences where direct eye contact might not be possible with everyone, look at sections of the room as if you’re addressing someone in that area. This gives the appearance of broader engagement.

2. Stand Tall with Good Posture

Why It Matters:

Your posture conveys authority and confidence. Standing tall signals that you are poised, confident, and ready to engage. Slouching or leaning, on the other hand, can suggest uncertainty or lack of preparation.

How to Do It:

Stand with Feet Shoulder-Width Apart: This provides a stable base and helps you appear grounded. It also prevents unnecessary swaying or fidgeting.
Keep Shoulders Back: Maintain an upright posture with your shoulders back and chest open. This not only looks confident but also helps with breathing, making it easier to project your voice.
Avoid Crossing Your Arms: Crossing your arms can make you appear defensive or closed off. Keep your arms at your sides when you’re not using them for gestures.

Pro Tip:

Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head to help you maintain a tall and confident posture throughout your presentation.

3. Use Gestures Purposefully

Why It Matters:

Gestures can emphasize important points and help clarify your message. Purposeful hand movements can direct attention, convey enthusiasm, and make your presentation more dynamic. On the flip side, fidgeting or random gestures can be distracting.

How to Do It:

Match Gestures to Words: Use gestures that align with what you’re saying. For example, when talking about growth, you might raise your hand upward to signal progress.
Keep It Natural: Avoid overly exaggerated movements. Your gestures should feel natural and not forced.
Use Open Gestures: Open palms facing upward or outward suggest honesty and inclusivity. Avoid pointing, as it can come across as aggressive.

Pro Tip:

Practice using gestures during rehearsal so they feel natural. Pay attention to how your hands move when you speak normally, then refine and adjust those movements for your presentation.

4. Move with Purpose

Why It Matters:

Movement can enhance your energy and keep your audience’s attention, but it should be intentional. Uncontrolled pacing or wandering around the stage can be distracting. Purposeful movement can help emphasize transitions or key points.

How to Do It:

Move Between Sections: Walk a few steps when transitioning between major points or sections of your presentation. This signals a shift in focus and keeps the audience visually engaged.
Return to a Neutral Position: After moving, return to the center of the stage or your speaking area. This gives you a neutral stance to continue delivering your message.
Avoid Unintentional Pacing: Pacing back and forth can make you seem nervous or distracted. Be mindful of your movements and stay grounded.

Pro Tip:

If you’re nervous and have the urge to move around, channel that energy into controlled steps between key points in your presentation. This keeps your movement purposeful rather than random.

5. Mirror Your Audience’s Energy

Why It Matters:

Matching the energy level of your audience helps you build rapport and create a connection. When you mirror your audience’s energy or gradually raise their energy level, you engage them on an emotional level and draw them into your presentation.

How to Do It:

Match Enthusiasm: If your audience is enthusiastic or excited, show similar energy in your delivery. For a more serious or formal setting, tone down your gestures and delivery style.
Elevate Energy Gradually: If you’re presenting to a quiet or passive audience, start by matching their energy and slowly increasing your enthusiasm and expressiveness to bring them along with you.
Be Aware of Reactions: Pay attention to your audience’s body language—are they nodding in agreement, or are they disengaged? Adjust your energy accordingly to maintain engagement.

Pro Tip:

Use moments of humor or storytelling to elevate energy. These techniques create opportunities to connect emotionally with the audience, energizing them while drawing them into your message.

6. Control Your Facial Expressions

Why It Matters:

Your facial expressions reveal your emotions and can help convey the tone of your message. Consistent facial expressions that match your words reinforce the authenticity of your message, while mismatched expressions can confuse your audience.

How to Do It:

Smile When Appropriate: A genuine smile can build rapport with your audience, making you seem approachable and confident.
Show Emotion: If you’re discussing something exciting, let your face show enthusiasm. If you’re sharing serious data or results, maintain a focused or thoughtful expression.
Avoid Deadpan Expressions: Keep your facial expressions aligned with the content of your presentation. A flat expression can come across as disinterested.

Pro Tip:

If you’re nervous, relax your face by breathing deeply and consciously smiling before you begin. This can help loosen your facial muscles and allow for more natural expressions during the presentation.

7. Control Nervous Habits

Why It Matters:

Nervous habits like fidgeting, tapping, or adjusting your clothing can be distracting to your audience and make you seem less confident. Controlling these habits helps you maintain a composed and professional appearance.

How to Do It:

Be Mindful of Your Hands: If you have a habit of fidgeting, try holding a small object like a clicker or pointer to keep your hands occupied and focused.
Practice Deep Breathing: If you notice yourself becoming anxious, use deep breathing techniques to calm your nerves and prevent jittery movements.
Rehearse Your Presentation: The more familiar you are with your material, the less likely you’ll be to engage in nervous habits. Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to become aware of any distracting movements.

Pro Tip:

If you’re prone to nervous habits like pacing or fidgeting, try standing in front of a mirror and practicing your presentation to become more aware of your movements. With practice, you’ll gain control over these habits.

Conclusion

Mastering body language is key to delivering a persuasive, engaging, and powerful presentation. By maintaining eye contact, standing tall, using purposeful gestures, and moving with intention, you can command the room and reinforce the impact of your words. Remember, your audience isn’t just listening to your presentation—they’re also watching you. Using these body language tips will help you communicate with confidence, connect with your audience, and leave a lasting impression.The next time you step on stage or in front of a boardroom, let your body language speak as powerfully as your message!