Category: Presentation

Presentation Storyboarding: How to Create Solid Content

presentation content

presentation storyboarding

storyboard

Jul 28, 2014

As we mentioned previously, the secret to great content is storytelling. Once you’ve identified the story behind your core message, you can move on to the next step: Presentation Storyboarding.We’re taking a cue from one of the greatest storytellers in history. In his own article on storyboarding, presentation expert Garr Reynolds cites Walt Disney as someone who perfected the art of storyboarding to create and pitch some of our most beloved stories.The quirky and funny adventures of Mickey Mouse all started as pieces of paper with rough drawings posted on a wall.In filmmaking, storyboards are an essential step before movies go into production. Similarly, you can’t begin to build your presentation deck or practice your delivery if you haven’t properly organized your ideas into a comprehensive and structured narrative.Through storyboards, you can easily visualize your presentation and draft how you want your PowerPoint slides to look. It also allows you to see your presentation as a whole, allowing you to see unnecessary details you can trim out.Before you begin your presentation storyboard, you need to have a basic idea of where you want your presentation to go. The very first step is to create a working outline and try to identify your main points. Once you have it, you can begin with the storyboarding process.Here’s the rest of what you need to know about presentation storyboarding:

1. Bring out your post-its

You don’t need fancy tools to create a presentation storyboard. All you need is a pen and a few sheets of paper. The idea is to draft each of your points into a piece of paper and tape them to a wall. In technical terms, each piece of paper is called a panel. If you remember your presentation design lessons, it’s important to limit yourself to one concept per slide.While you don’t have to stick your storyboard on a wall, we still suggest you do it. It’s a great way to see how your presentation is progressing. And if you’re not happy with something, you can easily move some parts around. You’ll save a lot of time if you use post-its.

2. Don’t hold back

Create as much storyboard panels as you think you need. In this initial stage, you can easily cut out the things you’re not happy with. If you’re collaborating with someone else, presentation storyboarding is also a great way to help you work out each other’s ideas.

3. Keep your core message in mind

While you shouldn’t stop your ideas from flowing freely at this point, it’s also important to keep in mind the core message that you want to share. This is why creating an outline before you start storyboarding. It’s a guide to help you maintain focus on the story your presentation is trying to tell.The important thing to remember during the presentation storyboarding process is to keep an open mind. Let your creativity flow naturally. Let your collaborates comment on your ideas, and bounce off from theirs. It’s all about swimming through different concepts to find the ones that tell your core message best.If you need more information about creating custom storyboards for your big presentation, we’ll be happy to help. Contact us for a consultation and we can make solid content for your presentations.Featured Image: Death to the Stock Photo 

Presentation Preparation: What to Do Before Taking the Podium

checklist

presentation preparation

tips

Jul 25, 2014

How much time do you spend on presentation preparation? One week? Two days? A few hours? It’s not the length of time that actually matters, but how much preparation you do. The real secret to a great presentation is sufficient preparation. It’s the one thing all skilled presenters do. They don’t just take the podium thinking they can “wing it”.If you feel like you’ve been giving presentations that are subpar, it’s probably because you don’t prepare enough. If you want to engage your audience and leave them with a memorable message, you need to some heavy lifting.Here’s a list of things you need to cover in your presentation preparation:

1. Establish your goal

Before you even think of doing anything else, ask yourself what the end goal of your presentation is. What do you want to achieve through this presentation? What’s the one thing you want your audience to take from it?Answering these questions will give you an idea which direction to take your presentation.

2. Know your audience

The members of your audience are key players in your presentation. They’re the ones you need to convince and impress. You need to be able to engage them to action. How are you going to do that if you’re totally clueless about who they are?You need to know where your audience is coming from to know how to create a connection with them. To do that, learn as much information as you can about their backgrounds, and what that could possibly say about their knowledge on the topic you’re going to be speaking about.Similarly, try to research as much information about the event or conference you’re participating in. Is it an industry event where you can speak in more technical terms? Or is it a seminar for aspiring leaders where you need to inspire and motivate?

3. Draft and outline your ideas

With an established goal and enough knowledge on the context of your presentation, you’ll find yourself forming more and more ideas. Draft all your ideas on a sheet of paper and start making a rough outline of your presentation. It’s best to keep this part analog, as explained by presentation expert Garr Reynolds.It’s best to let your ideas flow on paper. Just keep on writing and stop only until you’ve ran out of things to write. Don’t edit out anything yet. When you’re done, review what you’ve written and figure out the key points you want to make. If you have to, re-arrange your points to create a clearer and more logical flow.

4. Work on your content

As we’ve pointed out time and again, strong content is crucial to your presentation. It’s not enough to present your ideas through a series of bullet points. You need to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.As you work on writing your presentation content, keep in mind the core message you want your audience to take home. Go back to the goal you’ve established and make sure that it’s clear in everything point you make. Don’t make the mistake of overwhelming your audience with too much information. As the presenter, you have to be able to discern which of the data is the most important to your overall message.

5. Design an effective PowerPoint deck

According to Dr. John Medina, vision trumps all other senses. A majority of people will find it easier to retain information if it’s presented with images. If you want to engage your audience, give them a presentation that’s highly visual. Create a PowerPoint deck that will emphasize your key points by effective use of design principles.The general rule for PowerPoint design is to keep things simple by using minimal text coupled with high-quality illustrations or images. Another thing to remember is that you have to keep your design cohesive with the story you’re presenting. If you’re representing a business, make sure your brand is evident in the slides.If you want to make sure that your PowerPoint design reflects the best of your story, professional PowerPoint services could be a worthy investment.

6. Plan what you’re going to wear

It might not be the most comfortable fact, but looks really do matter. Especially if you’re the one expected to face a large group of people. As the presenter, you have to look polished and professional. The audience will need to see that you’re someone they can rely on for information. Dressing sloppily will make you lose the authority you want to achieve.Specific dress codes will depend on the event you’re presenting at, so remember to take note of that information during the initial parts of presentation preparation. The best way to gauge what’s appropriate to wear is by considering your audience. For example, you have to dress slightly better than the audience to stand out, but don’t appear too flashy to avoid being criticized.

7. Practice your presentation

Last but not least, you have to rehearse your presentation. You might feel silly doing it, but practicing will help familiarize you with every aspect of your presentation. Review your speech as much as you can and think about how you’d like to move on the stage. You should also rehearse how you plan to incorporate your PowerPoint deck into the presentation. Unexpected interruptions and distractions will less likely phase you if you’re familiar with your materials.

Conclusion

Presentation preparation is crucial to building a message that will make an impact on your audience. There’s no other way to go about it. The main goal of any presentation is to share knowledge and information. In order to do that, you can’t skip any steps.The main goal of any presentation is to share knowledge and information. In order to do that, you can’t skip any steps.

References

“Organization & Preparation Tips.” Garr Reynolds Official Site. Accessed July 25, 2014.”Vision.” Brain Rules. Accessed July 25, 2014. Featured Image: kkirugi via Flickr

Presentation Tips: How to End on the Right Note

concluding a presentation

conclusion

ending

presentation tips

Jul 22, 2014

The conclusion of your presentation is as equally important as the beginning. You need to maintain the favorable impression you created at the start until the very end. This final impression may just be the one people take home with them when they consider whether or not they’ll invest in your brand. At the same time, consistency is an admirable trait in any pitch. You can’t just thank your audience and be done with it. You need to make an impact and be memorable.These are a few presentation tips to keep in mind to make sure you’re concluding on the right note:

1. Summarize and repeat your main points

Repeating your main points is the best way to ensure that your audience will remember the most important parts of your presentation. Your conclusion starts with a quick summary of your presentation with a repetition of the most important sound bites.

2. End your story

Stretch your story throughout your presentation and end it as you conclude your presentation for maximum impact. You’ll see this done all the time in TED presentations. Try to observe how TED speakers neatly tie the story together at the end of a presentation.

3. Interact with the audience

While it may not be appropriate in some settings, you can use the conclusion of your presentation to elicit audience interaction. Allow them to ask questions or share their opinions. To make it feel a bit more organic, you can orchestrate a poll that’s related to your topic at hand.

4. Pose a challenge

Lastly, it’s important to challenge to your audience through a call-to-action. Pose a challenge with a thought-provoking question that will encourage them to reflect on what you’ve shared. As demonstrated by The New York Times‘ David Pogue, if you did your job right throughout your presentation, this question will keep the backchannel discussions going long after you step down the podium.–It’s important that your presentation’s message rings true until the very end. People are swamped by hundreds of presentations in various forms every day. Make sure yours stands out with an interesting conclusion that will get them thinking long after you’ve stepped off the podium.Want people to invest in your brand? Keep these presentation tips in mind and you’re sure to create a significant impact on your audience.Need a winning deck to go with your pitch? Contact our SlideGenius experts today for a free quote! Featured Image: Benny Lin via Flickr

The Why and How of Presentation Handouts

presentation handouts

Jul 21, 2014

As much as you want your listeners to retain what you’ve said, chances are, their own busy schedules might make their minds wander and forget about your key points. But there’s something that your audience can literally take home after your presentation.If you haven’t been giving out handouts, maybe it’s time to consider the idea. Presentation handouts are an interesting addition to the presentation experience, with plenty of benefits for you and your audience members.

Why You Should Use Them

Make use of handouts to include additional information about the points in your presentation. Since you have to be concise with your slides, your handouts can act as a “footnotes” section and expound on the details you’ve glossed over.At the same time, knowing when to hand them out is essential in tapping into their full potential. It ultimately depends on the presenter. Handing out your white paper at different points in your presentation each has their advantages. But generally, giving these out once you’ve delivered all your points is preferable, to avoid distracting them from your pitch.Audience members are also more likely to relax and listen to your presentation because they no longer have to worry about taking notes and catching every word that you say. Lastly, handouts are a great reference material for your audience members. If your presentation was particularly informative, they can refer to your handouts in their research or reports.

How to Make Handouts

After a while, most of your audience won’t remember a single thing about your presentation. Handouts are a great way to refresh their memories. Make sure that your handout contains all the necessary information from your presentation. Organize your points into sections and expound on the details you had to condense. You can also add graphs and other illustrations you used to represent data.Cite the references you used for your presentation, so your audience can check them out if they want to know more. You should also provide them with additional resources. Leave them with a list of books, articles, and websites that can provide them with more insight on your subject matter. It’s also important that you provide space in your handouts for annotations.Don’t be tempted to give out printed versions of your PowerPoint slides. As we’ve mentioned earlier, PowerPoint slides only highlight your main points. They’re visual aids that help the presentation become more dynamic. Slide printouts won’t make much sense when your audience members refer back to them after some time.

The Takeaway

With the information and sensory overload people experience daily, your presentation might easily get lost in their memory. Give them a take away from your presentation by handing out handouts at the end of your pitch.If you’ve given a memorable spiel, it will help them keep track of your key points and contact you later on. 

Reference

“Why Use Handouts?” Total Communicator. Accessed July 21, 2014. Featured Image: Quinn Dombrowski via Flickr

Storytelling: The Secret to Great Presentation Content

presentation content

presentation writing

Jul 16, 2014

Everyone loves a good story. Everyday books are read, movies are watched, and events of the afternoon are shared over the dinner table. Stories are an intrinsic part of our experience as people. It’s a vital part of how we communicate with one another.Remember this fundamental truth when you’re set to give your next presentation. Your presentation content has to be more than just a barrage of information and numerical data. Make your presentation interesting and relatable. There is nothing more compelling than a good story. It’s the secret recipe you’re missing in your presentation content.Keep these things in mind when you’re working on your presentation content:

1.) Every story has a beginning, middle, and end

Your presentation content should follow a clear and organized structure.Just as Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, had a great fall, and was unable to be put back together by the King’s men, your presentation content should be presented in a pattern that’s familiar to everyone.Start with an introduction, delve into the issues after that, and then end with a summary and conclusion.

2.) Introduce your topic with an anecdote or two

Let your audience see that there’s a genuine and relatable story behind what you’re presenting. Don’t just settle for being informative.Show your audience why the information you’re presenting is important to them. Tell them a few stories that will allow them to relate your topic to their own experiences.

3.) Create context for data

Cold, hard facts can seem impersonal at times, and thus a bit alienating. In order to pull your audience into the main part of your presentation content, you have to give them some context.When presenting any kind of data, don’t focus too much on the figures. Instead, focus on explaining what they mean and where they fall into your storyline.

4.) Try for an emotional response

Don’t be afraid to show some heart. Try your best to evoke the emotions of your audience in a positive way. Illustrate your points with heart-warming examples, or tell a few jokes as you go along your presentation.Go for what feels natural to you, your topic, and the people in the audience.

Conclusion

Delivering a pitch, no matter how formal, doesn’t need to be boring. Using storytelling as a creative means to leverage your pitch can attract you a wider range of audiences and introduce your brand to a bigger public.It can also serve a double purpose as something to give structure to your presentation with a solid hook, line, and sinker. Organize your content with a story to deliver in mind, and you’ll be surprised how much easier everything else will follow.Need help crafting your presentation story? Contact our SlideGenius experts today for a free quote! Featured Image: matryosha via Flickr

SlideShare Mastery: Unleashing the Power of PowerPoint Design to Captivate and Inspire

PowerPoint Design

slideshare

Jul 14, 2014

SlideShare is a great platform for sharing knowledge and information. Upload your PowerPoint presentations to the website and you’re sure to reach a broader audience.Since it was created in 2007, SlideShare has been boasting 50 million visitors and 3 billion views a month. That much traffic offers plenty of opportunity for your message to spread. But of course, as with most things on the Internet, you can’t expect your presentation to go viral that easily.SlideShare requires a different technique for PowerPoint design. Without a speaker to explain the details on the slides, presentations have to speak for themselves. Take note of these PowerPoint design tips to help you maximize the famous presentation platform.

Use the right amount of text

Too much text is usually frowned upon in PowerPoint presentation design. Most of the time, presenters opt for adding short phrases to their slides. But with SlideShare presentations, having the right amount of text is crucial. There’s no other way to get your point across.But don’t flood your slides with a barrage of information, either. Make sure your PowerPoint design has captivating and concise copy. It can’t be too short. It just needs to be long enough to convey the message you’re trying to get across.

Discuss one concept at a time

A great way to condense the text and information in your SlideShare presentations is by discussing only one concept at a time. This also helps prevent any information overload from overwhelming the audience.Your content has to flow in an organic way. Structure your presentation in such a way that you can discuss one point in one slide, before moving on to the next one in a new slide.

Visuals are crucial

Visuals are probably more crucial for SlideShare than it is in real-life-presentations. When you’re in front of an audience, you’re able to command attention with enthusiasm and dynamic body language. If you’re a particularly skilled public speaker, you might be able to get away without using a PowerPoint presentation at all.But for SlideShare, a visual PowerPoint design is extremely important. Command the attention of SlideShare users through your use of images, colors, and interesting fonts.

Upload PowerPoint as PDF

SlideShare allows you to upload your PowerPoint presentation in several different formats. But the best file format is PDF. This makes it more compatible across different programs. It’s also a smaller file size than a PowerPoint, which makes it easier to transfer to other devicesIt gives your presentation the most polished, high-quality look. Your PowerPoint design will maintain its crisp images and unique fonts.

Check out our SlideShare account for more tips and inspiration on PowerPoint design. You can also get great ideas by browsing through the featured SlideShares.

Reference

“15 Mind-Blowing Stats About SlideShare.” CMO by Adobe. Accessed July 14, 2014.

‘Before/After’ Slides from Presentation Design Expert Garr Reynolds

Garr Reynolds

Presentation Zen

Jul 11, 2014

Renowned presentation expert, Garr Reynolds runs a blog called Presentation Zen where he shares tips and insights on presentation design. He advocates for the use of more minimalist visuals, challenging us to create presentations that are simple but impactful. He provides more details about this presentation design philosophy in his book.If you’re curious about learning more about his presentation design philosophy, see it in action with these Before and After slides.

Presentation Design Inspiration

Check out how the following slides have transitioned from PowerPoint Hell to Presentation Zen:These prove that PowerPoint slides don’t have to be long and detailed in order to embody the core of your message. Reynolds makes use of interesting images and minimal text without losing the key points of the slides.A few lessons you can pick up from these examples:

  • Add meaningful images that will ‘show’ without having to ‘tell’
  • Think of catchy, one-sentence headlines instead of using generic titles for your slides
  • Condense several bullet points into a brief but meaningful sentence

View the rest of the Before and After slides in Garr Reynolds’ SlideShare presentation. He has several other presentations that you can view. Browse through his profile to learn more about ‘zen’ presentation design.

Captivate and Conquer: Mastering the Art of Impressing Your Audience in Just 60 Seconds

first impression

hook

presentation tips

Jul 09, 2014

The first minute of your presentation is crucial. During this short timeframe, your audience will begin to decide if you’re worth their attention. It’ll shape how the rest of your presentation will play out. Will you spend the next hour talking to a room full of people checking their phones for social media updates? Or are you going to be addressing an audience who are engaged, forming their own opinions on the information you’re sharing with them?

Consider these presentation tips to capture your audience right away: 

1. Iron out the details of your presentation before you step up on the stage

People are able to tell if the person that’s about to present is unprepared. They’re fumbling with their notecards or clothes. They’re struggling to get the PowerPoint going. They’re clearing their throats before they even speak. Avoid these awkward scenarios for your presentation. The way to make a good first impression is by exuding confidence. Have every detail ironed out before you step up to the podium.A few weeks before your presentation, you should have your PowerPoint presentation prepared. You should also practice how you will talk and move. Following that, just a few days before your presentation, plan what you’re going to wear. Make sure that you’ll look respectable, but still feel comfortable.If you can, you should also take the time to familiarize yourself with the room you’re presenting in. Learn what equipment it has, so you don’t have to struggle with technical difficulties on the day of the presentation.

2. Open your presentation with something interesting

The next tip to make your 60 seconds count is by opening your presentation with a hook. This hook can be anything. You can tell a story, pose a thought-provoking question, or even tell a joke if you have a great sense of humor. Whatever you decide, make sure your hook works coherently with the body of your presentation. Also, consider how you’d feel if you were in the audience. What would be interesting to you?

3. Improvise when you need to

No matter how much you prepare, you can never account for what will happen in the future. Something could happen that will disrupt your crucial 60 seconds, and you need to remain calm in order to reel the situation back to your favor. It could be anything—a power outage, a heckler in the back of the room. Unless it’s a serious emergency, the best thing you can do is to improvise.  Try to think of ways that the unexpected situation can work in your favor. Read up on a few improv techniques before your presentation, so you won’t feel lost when the moment strikes. Featured Image: Ryan Hyde via Flickr

How to Work with a Professional PowerPoint Designer

powerpoint designer

presentation design

presentation designer

professional PowerPoint designer

Jun 27, 2014

Even with a working knowledge of PowerPoint, there will be times when you’d rather hire a presentation designer than work on it on your own. Either you’re too busy and don’t have the time or the event is too important for a DIY presentation. In any case, having a professionally designed PowerPoint gives you a number of advantages.For one, you can be sure that your slides are given a lot of tender, loving care. You know can’t go wrong once you step in front of your potential audience with your PowerPoint. Professional PowerPoint designers can certainly come up with attractive and mind-blowing designs. They don’t even need your help or input at all, right? Wrong.There’s more to working with presentation designers than telling them your preferred design and paying for their expertise. There are still some things expected of you to ensure that your presentation would look unique and not as though it was made using a cookie cutter template. To make the most of your collaboration (and your budget), here are some tips that you may want to follow when working with a designer:

Prepare your content

Unless you want your presentation to contain generic stock photos, you’ll need to provide your designer with appropriate materials to use. You also have to make sure that the text data is complete and ready.This way, the designer can work on your PowerPoint immediately and get it done according to your time frame.

Communicate properly

Your designer needs to understand your objectives for your presentation. If for some reason you’re going to be busy for the next couple of days, be sure to provide him or her with a description of what you want your slides to convey. This includes the general style, feel, and tone.If there are any specific colors and typeface that you want, then say so. Avoid giving general instructions such as “make it look awesome” or telling the designer to “surprise me.” Vague instructions can be interpreted in many different ways and really “surprise” you in the end.

Trust your designer’s instinct

When in doubt, put your trust on your designer. For sure, he or she has an extensive experience and the right skills to deliver great results.If you have some ideas that wouldn’t jive with the overall presentation design, let your designer work on a solution. After all, you’re working with an expert.

Conclusion

Working with a professional PowerPoint designer is not a one-way street. Both of you want the same thing: A well-designed PowerPoint presentation that will leave a great impression. So, as much as possible, be open to suggestions and if you’re presented with a concept, respond constructively.Keep in mind that successful projects are generally the result of a great collaboration between two people who respect each other’s skills and capabilities. 

Reference

“Colors and Typography.” Virginia Tech. Accessed June 27, 2014.

Breathing Room: Unleashing the Power of White Space in PowerPoint Presentations

powerpoint designs

white space

Jun 25, 2014

In visual arts, white space refers to the unmarked portion of a page or the empty space in-between content. This graphic design element, however, is more than just a passive by-product of a layout design. White space helps create balance and harmony, allowing a canvas or page to look more appealing. White space is also great for one important purpose. According to designer Corina Ciripitca, graphic artists use it to guide the viewers’ eye and lead them from one element on the page to another. You can also apply this principle to your PowerPoint designs.

Greater impact

Also known as negative or blank space, white space (though, it doesn’t always have to be white) is added to a layout in order to create better structure. As a result, the text or image that the space surrounds generates greater impact. Just look at the sample below:  The image, one of Volkswagen‘s famous ads, utilizes white space to effectively convey its message. Compared to a cluttered design, the advertisement retains only the most essential parts of its message, leaving room for the viewer’s gaze to rest. This avoids sensory overload, which, similar to information overload, defeats the point of communicating to the audience. Too many things going on can overwhelm your audience and bury all the information under superficial details.

Less clutter

With your slide design, leaving plenty of white space can make a lot of difference. In fact, white space has made such an impact on the design industry that Smashing Magazine‘s Vitaly Friedman and a few other writers wrote extensively on the topic.It makes the text as legible as possible while allowing images to capture attention. This means that there’s no need to fill your slide’s empty areas with logos or other pointless graphics or text that do not add to your key points. The less cluttered your slides look, the more powerful your message will become.

Better appreciation

Putting too much text and images can drown out the key points on your slides. When used strategically, the white space on your slides will inform your audience instantly where to look. Apart from making your layout easier to follow, it also offers the eye a visual rest. Using white space in PowerPoint designs is probably one of the easiest ways to add impact to your slides. As you put enough blank space around an image or text, you emphasize its importance. In turn, they capture your audience’s attention. Ultimately, even if you don’t know anything about layout design, mastering the use of white space in PowerPoint designs can significantly improve the way you create your slides.

Craft a winning PowerPoint with a simple deck that doesn’t flood the audience’s eyes. Once you’re through with this, you can focus on your pitch and polish your overall presentation.

References

Ciripitca, Corina. “Why Is White Space Good For Graphic Design.” Designmodo. October 13, 2011. Accessed June 25, 2014. Friedman, Vitaly. “White Space and Simplicity: An Overview.” Smashing Magazine. January 12, 2007. Accessed June 25, 2014.