Category: Rick Enrico Blog

5 Presentation Tips to Ace Your Proposals

business proposals

presentation tips

Dec 09, 2014

To see an idea come to life, you need to get other people on board. Whether you’re looking to start a new business venture, working on a new project for your company, or recommending a new policy you believe in, you can’t expect to do everything on your own.[sg-blog-modules module=three]Eventually, you’ll need support from others to get the ball rolling. That could be in the form of funding or approval from your senior executives. Whatever the case, a great idea doesn’t come to life after you’ve figured out the details. That’s just the first step. To get the support you need, you have to present and ace your proposal.This task may sound easy enough, especially after the amount of time you’ve spent perfecting your proposal. A great idea should attract the support it needs, right? Not if you can’t communicate your vision properly.Present your idea with amazing clarity through these presentation tips:

Get straight to the point

The people you look to for support will often have busy schedules. When you get the opportunity to present your proposal, you’ll have limited time to do it. If you want to make the most of the time you have, you can’t waste a single second discussing things that aren’t particularly important to the big picture.Your goal is to introduce your new idea and talk about its value and merits. Don’t waste time going into inconsequential stories about the whole process. As with any presentation, it’s important to get straight to the point and focus on the most important parts of your discussion.

Follow a specific agenda

To avoid going off on a tangent, you should present your proposal by following a clear-cut structure. As John Hall of HubSpot’s Agency Post writes, the best way to do that is by following a specific agenda. He suggests covering several major points in your presentation, especially if you’re conversing with clients.Start your presentation by giving a brief introduction. What is the context behind your proposal? What are the challenges you’re hoping to address? Once you’ve set up the scene, talk about the benefits that your proposal will bring.How can your idea solve the challenges you just detailed? Make sure you provide a clear picture by sharing data and specific examples. After that, you can begin delving into the details of your proposal.What is your specific plan? If you’re pitching to prospects, you can also share some quick details about your company. For other situations, you can skip to closing your presentation by reviewing the main points of your proposal.

Focus on sharing a story

Through all these steps, it’s easy to get lost in discussing particular things like budget constraints and market predictions. While these details are important to show the validity of your proposal, don’t forget the vision that’s behind everything else.What is your idea really about? Don’t let the audience lose sight of the underlying principle. Behind every piece of information you have to share is a story. Don’t forget to focus on that story and use your information as supporting details.Here are a few more tips to help you focus on the story behind your proposal.

Use data wisely

Creating a proposal that’s supported with hard facts and data will definitely add to your credibility. However, you need to use the numbers you have wisely. You can’t just dump all of your data into your PowerPoint presentation.To use data properly, you need to carefully curate which information is most crucial to your main points. Review the numbers you’ve gathered and try to simplify them as best you can.Remember, your proposal is mainly about an idea that tells a story. Like everything else in your presentation, the data you share should contribute to moving that narrative forward. You can take a look at our previous blog post to learn more about  presenting data correctly.

Encourage questions and discussions

Communication is a two-way street, so don’t be afraid to ask the audience for questions or comments. Most people think that receiving questions is a sign of a negative outcome, but that’s hardly the case. When the audience opens up to you with their insight, it simply means they’re willing to engage with your ideas. Acknowledge their comments and thank them for their suggestions. Answer their questions as best as you can and avoid feeling like you have to be defensive. If you encounter something you can’t really answer, tell them you’ll follow-up with through an email. Don’t be afraid to turn your presentation into a fruitful discussion. Open communication will only benefit your upcoming project in the long run.–You can’t see your proposal turn into reality without the support of other individuals. Before you get to that point, you need to communicate your vision in a manner that’s clear and concise. Get the ball rolling and see your idea to the end by following these presentation tips.[sg-blog-modules module=two]READ MORE: 

Featured Image: Basheer Tome via Flickr

Prezi Design Tips: How to Leverage Your Brand

brand

Branding

presentation branding

presentation design

prezi design

Prezi Feature of the Week

prezi tips

prezi tutorial

Dec 04, 2014

Prezi offers a dynamic and visually captivating way to present ideas, going beyond the traditional linear structure of PowerPoint. The tool’s unique zooming interface and canvas-based approach can help your brand stand out in the marketplace—if you know how to use it effectively. To fully leverage your brand in Prezi, you need to incorporate the core elements of your company’s identity, such as your logo, color palette, fonts, and messaging.Here’s a guide to designing a Prezi that not only engages your audience but also reinforces your brand identity.

1. Start with Your Brand’s Visual Identity

Your brand’s visual identity is the foundation of any presentation, and Prezi is no exception. Before you begin designing, gather the essential elements that define your brand—such as colors, logos, and typography. Consistent use of these elements builds brand recognition and trust with your audience.

How to Do It:

  • Customize Your Prezi Theme: Prezi allows you to create custom themes to reflect your brand. Begin by setting the background color, fonts, and title styles to match your company’s brand guidelines.
    • Go to the Prezi Editor → Customize → Advanced Settings to edit the background, font, and shapes.
  • Use Your Brand Colors: Incorporate your brand’s color palette throughout the presentation. Prezi allows you to apply your own colors to backgrounds, frames, and text.
    • Tip: Use your primary color for important elements like titles and calls to action, and secondary colors for accents and emphasis.

Example:

If your brand uses a navy blue and orange color palette, make sure the background or key elements in your Prezi incorporate these colors consistently.

2. Leverage Prezi’s Dynamic Features to Showcase Brand Storytelling

Prezi’s zooming and path-based format is perfect for non-linear storytelling. Rather than moving slide by slide, Prezi allows you to zoom into different parts of your presentation, which can help convey your brand story in a more engaging way.

How to Do It:

  • Map Out Your Brand Story: Prezi’s canvas is an open space where you can plot your content visually. Structure your presentation like a journey, using zoom-in transitions to reveal key elements of your brand’s story.
    • Start with an overview of your company, then zoom into different parts of the canvas to explore your mission, values, product history, and other details.
  • Use Frames to Organize Content: Frames in Prezi act as containers for content, allowing you to group ideas or sections together. Use branded colors and shapes to differentiate various sections of your story, such as product features, company history, or future goals.
  • Zoom for Emphasis: Zooming in on your company’s milestones, key achievements, or new initiatives makes them feel more impactful and exciting for your audience.

Example:

If you’re telling the story of your brand’s evolution, start with an overview of your company, then zoom into specific timelines or product launches. Each zoom reveals more detailed information, such as customer testimonials or product successes.

3. Incorporate Branded Visuals

Images, icons, and graphics are a critical part of your presentation design. In Prezi, visuals have an even greater impact because of the zoom feature. High-quality, branded visuals help reinforce your message and make your presentation more engaging.

How to Do It:

  • Use Branded Icons and Graphics: Instead of generic visuals, use custom icons and graphics that reflect your brand’s aesthetic. Prezi allows you to upload your own images, so ensure they align with your visual identity.
  • Maintain Image Consistency: Stick to a consistent image style, whether it’s minimalistic, realistic, or illustrative. This keeps your presentation cohesive and professional.
  • Brand Your Imagery: If possible, use images that directly reflect your brand. This could include images of your products, employees, or customer success stories.

Example:

If your company has a specific style of product photography (e.g., high-contrast images or minimalist designs), incorporate these images into your Prezi to visually communicate your brand’s personality.

4. Align Fonts with Brand Guidelines

Typography is a powerful branding tool that reflects the tone and personality of your business. Prezi allows for font customization, so use this feature to align your text with your brand’s typography guidelines.

How to Do It:

  • Choose Brand Fonts: Prezi gives you the option to choose custom fonts from their library or upload your own. Select fonts that are part of your company’s branding, such as the font used on your website or in printed materials.
  • Set a Font Hierarchy: Ensure that your headers, subheaders, and body text use a clear hierarchy to maintain readability. Stick to a few font sizes and weights for consistency and professionalism.
  • Keep It Readable: While creative fonts are great, make sure they are legible, especially on smaller screens or during remote presentations. Balance creativity with clarity.

Example:

If your brand uses a clean, modern font like Helvetica for headlines, and a simpler font like Arial for body text, replicate that in your Prezi to maintain brand consistency.

5. Structure Your Content with a Clear Visual Flow

Prezi’s zooming transitions allow for a more creative structure than traditional slide decks. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your audience can follow the flow of your presentation easily. A clear structure makes your message more impactful and avoids confusion.

How to Do It:

  • Organize Content Logically: While Prezi allows for non-linear navigation, it’s important to guide your audience through your presentation in a logical order. Plan out a path that takes your audience through key sections of your brand’s story.
  • Use Zoom for Subtle Transitions: Avoid zooming too far in or out, as this can disorient your audience. Instead, use smooth transitions that flow naturally between points.
  • Create a Strong Overview: Start with a high-level overview of your presentation’s key points, then zoom into more specific areas of interest.

Example:

For a product launch, create a map where each section of the presentation focuses on a different product feature. Begin with an overarching statement about the product’s benefits, then zoom into detailed explanations of features or customer use cases.

6. Add Interactive Elements to Boost Engagement

One of Prezi’s advantages is its ability to add interactive elements to your presentation, making it a more engaging experience. Interactive features allow your audience to explore the presentation at their own pace or to dive deeper into specific content.

How to Do It:

  • Embed Videos and Animations: Incorporating branded video content can help tell your brand’s story in a visually engaging way. You can also embed short product demos, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes videos to make your presentation interactive.
  • Hyperlinks to External Resources: Prezi allows you to embed hyperlinks to websites, reports, or documents. Use these links to direct the audience to your company’s landing pages, social media profiles, or other branded content.
  • Add Clickable Frames: Create frames that viewers can click to zoom into a specific part of the presentation. This makes your Prezi more interactive and gives your audience the freedom to explore your brand’s story.

Example:

For a presentation about a new service, embed a customer testimonial video or link to your company’s case study page to provide further insights and increase audience interaction.

7. Maintain a Strong Brand Voice

While Prezi offers many opportunities to get creative with visuals and structure, it’s important to maintain a consistent brand voice throughout your presentation. The way you present your content should reflect your company’s personality, whether it’s formal and professional or casual and conversational.

How to Do It:

  • Keep Your Messaging Consistent: Ensure that the language used in your Prezi aligns with your company’s tone of voice. Whether you’re using industry jargon or friendly, approachable language, consistency is key to reinforcing your brand identity.
  • Highlight Key Brand Messages: Incorporate your company’s tagline, mission statement, or unique value proposition within the presentation to remind the audience of your core values.

Example:

If your brand voice is innovative and bold, craft short, punchy statements that reflect that tone. Use headlines like “Transforming the Future of Healthcare” rather than longer, formal statements.

Final Thoughts

Prezi offers a unique and engaging platform to elevate your brand through presentations. By integrating your brand’s visual identity, storytelling techniques, and interactive features, you can create a dynamic presentation that not only captures attention but also reinforces your brand’s values and personality.With thoughtful design and strategic use of Prezi’s features, your presentation can go beyond delivering information—it can become an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Leverage the power of Prezi to highlight your brand and stand out from the competition.

The Complete Presentation Checklist

presentation checklist

presentation planning

presentation preparation

Nov 26, 2014

Creating a complete presentation checklist ensures you’re prepared, confident, and able to deliver a polished and engaging presentation. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of everything you need to check before stepping up to present:

1. Content Preparation

  • Define Your Objective: Clarify the purpose of your presentation. Are you informing, persuading, or motivating your audience? Understanding your goal will shape your content and tone.
  • Audience Research: Tailor your message to your audience. Consider their level of knowledge, interests, and what they hope to get out of your presentation.
  • Structure Your Content:
    • Introduction: Craft a compelling hook or opening statement to grab attention. State your purpose clearly.
    • Body: Organize your key points logically. Use a problem-solution structure, or chronological, comparative, or narrative formats depending on your message.
    • Conclusion: Summarize your key points and include a clear call to action or final takeaway.

2. Slide Design

  • Consistent Theme: Ensure that your slides follow a consistent color scheme, font, and layout. Avoid using too many fonts or clashing colors. Consider using a professional template for cohesion.
  • Clarity Over Complexity: Simplify your slides. Each slide should focus on one key message. Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive text or data.
  • Use of Visuals: Integrate relevant visuals (charts, graphs, images, and infographics) that support your message. Make sure visuals are high quality and easy to interpret.
  • Readable Fonts: Use large, clear fonts (minimum 24pt for body text) to ensure readability. Stick to clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica for a professional look.
  • Slide Transitions and Animations: Keep transitions smooth and animations subtle. Too many flashy effects can distract the audience.
  • Branding: If presenting on behalf of a company, ensure your slides reflect the company’s branding guidelines.

3. Technology Check

  • Test Your Equipment: Ensure your laptop, projector, microphone, or any other equipment is functioning properly. Test all connections, cables, and speakers.
  • Backup Your Presentation: Save multiple copies of your presentation on USB, cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox), and your laptop. This reduces the risk of losing access to your content.
  • Software Compatibility: Ensure your presentation works seamlessly with the software being used on-site. If using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote, test it on the system you’ll be presenting from.
  • Check for External Media: If you have embedded videos or external media, verify that they load correctly. Have offline versions ready in case of an internet failure.

4. Practice and Rehearsal

  • Time Your Presentation: Practice delivering your presentation within the allocated time. Adjust your content if necessary to fit within the timeframe.
  • Rehearse Out Loud: Go through your entire presentation out loud, simulating the real experience. This helps you get comfortable with the flow, language, and timing.
  • Anticipate Questions: Prepare for potential audience questions. Rehearse answers for common queries related to your presentation topic.
  • Body Language and Voice:
    • Practice standing, gesturing, and moving naturally.
    • Work on voice modulation, varying tone, and avoiding filler words like “um” or “uh.”
  • Record Yourself: If possible, record your practice session to identify areas for improvement in body language, pacing, or clarity.

5. Day of the Presentation

  • Arrive Early: Get to the venue early to set up and address any potential technical issues.
  • Check the Room Setup: Confirm that the seating arrangement, lighting, and screen visibility are all conducive to a good presentation. Ensure all audience members will be able to see your slides clearly.
  • Bring Water: Have water on hand to stay hydrated and keep your voice clear during the presentation.
  • Backup Materials: Bring a printed version of your slides or notes in case of technical issues, so you can continue without disruption.

6. Engaging the Audience

  • Opening Interaction: Engage the audience right away with a question, anecdote, or interesting statistic to grab attention.
  • Eye Contact: Make consistent eye contact with different sections of the audience to keep them engaged.
  • Encourage Participation: Invite questions, comments, or polls during or after your presentation to create a dialogue and keep the audience invested.
  • Use Pauses: Strategic pauses give your audience time to absorb key points, and give you a moment to collect your thoughts.

7. Post-Presentation Follow-Up

  • Handle Q&A Smoothly: End with a strong call to action and then open the floor for questions. Be prepared to handle difficult or unexpected questions diplomatically.
  • Provide Supporting Materials: If appropriate, offer handouts, links, or other supplementary materials for further learning or reference.
  • Follow-Up: After the presentation, follow up with any key audience members or participants who expressed interest or asked for more information.

8. Review and Improve

  • Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive feedback from colleagues or attendees. This will help you refine your presentation skills for the next time.
  • Self-Assessment: Reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Were there any technical issues, timing challenges, or parts where you lost the audience? Use these insights to improve future presentations.

By following this complete presentation checklist, you ensure that your content is well-prepared, your technology is reliable, and your delivery is smooth and engaging. Whether you’re presenting in front of a small team or a large audience, this systematic approach will help you deliver with confidence.

The Road to Delivering a Persuasive Presentation

persuasive presentations

presentation tips

Nov 24, 2014

As we frequently point out, the success of your presentation is measured through the impact it makes on the audience. If you can move them to action and persuade them to consider new ideas, then you’ll know that you’ve done your job right. Whether you’re pitching to investors, selling a product, or sharing your thoughts as an expert in a conference, the main goal is to convince and connect with the audience. As the presenter, you need to show them that your viewpoint is valid and worth their interest. Delivering a persuasive presentation is the quickest route toward this outcome.So what does it take to deliver a persuasive presentation? What do you need to do to enthrall and engage an audience? Here are 3 essential things you’ll need to keep in mind:

Start with a powerful hook

A persuasive presentation should always start with something that will capture the attention of your audience. According to some experts, presenters only have 60 seconds to make a positive impression on stage. If you can’t begin to engage the audience within that time, you might lose their attention quickly. That’s why it’s important to start with a hook. Whether or not you have longer than a few seconds, it’s important to begin with something that will make people sit up with curiosity.The best way to do that is by creating a sense of familiarity and relatability. Try to approach your presentation from the point of view of the audience. Show them that your presentation is more than just a collection of facts and data. Let them see that your presentation is actually relevant to their experience.This is where storytelling is particularly effective. A story is a great way to appeal to emotions. You can share something from your own experience or share a scenario that emphasizes the perspective of the audience. This is especially crucial if you’re delivering a sales pitch. Try to describe a vivid story that situates your audience as the protagonist, highlighting problems that you can solve.

Give your audience something to look forward to

At the heart of it, a persuasive presentation is all about being able to sell an idea. To do that, think about your own experience as a consumer. Why do you choose certain brands over others? Why are you compelled to try out new products? For both scenarios, it’s because you’re offered something you want or need. In other words, products make certain promises that interest you.The same should be said about your presentations. In order to “sell” your own ideas, you have to make a promise that the audience can look forward to. Consider the 2007 Apple Keynote where Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. There, he repeatedly mentioned that their new product was going to “reinvent the phone“. Looking forward to this promise, 700,000 units were bought by consumers within the first weekend of its release.While it’s important to make powerful statements, you should also keep them grounded with supporting facts and data. In his keynote, Steve Jobs provided quick demos, stats, and visuals to strengthen his message. The only promises you should be making are the ones you are sure you can keep. Offer the audience evidence to bolster the validity of your message. Aside from research data, you can also share some testimonials or demonstrations. Let them determine that your presentation is both powerful and reliable.

End with a call to action

When you reach the end of your presentation, it’s not enough to say thank you and quietly ask for questions. First, you’ll need to reiterate your main points, making sure that the main takeaway is clear for the audience to see. Next, you’ll need to urge them to take positive action.Tailor a Call to Action statement that’s specific to the outcome you’re aiming for. After you’ve shared your ideas, it’s time to give the audience a particular goal or objective they can act on. What do you want to happen as a result of your presentation? Your answer to this question should be echoed to the audience in a strong and straightforward voice.As we’ve mentioned in an earlier blog post, you need to be brief and straight to the point. Avoid using phrases that sound like you’re beating around the bush. Statements such as “if it interests you, maybe you can consider…” make it sound like you’re hedging. You need to show confidence in your presentation. If you’re confident about your presentation, the audience will surely feel the same way.There are no shortcuts to a successful presentation, but the quickest route is through the art of persuasion. By delivering a persuasive presentation, you  can move the audience to consider and affirm new ideas. Follow these 3 tips to drive your audience into action and achieve the outcome that you’re hoping for. Featured Image: Corey Leopold via Flickr

Collaboration in Prezi: Creating a Cohesive Vision

Prezi Feature of the Week

prezi tips

prezi tutorial

Nov 20, 2014

Technology continues to make communication and collaboration much easier. Share your ideas and collaborate with everyone in your team with a step-by-step guide in this week’s Prezi Feature. A presentation isn’t always a lone endeavor. Maybe you’re working with collaborators on a new project. Maybe you need to ask some people in your team to corroborate the facts and data you have. Whatever the reason, there will be occasions when your work requires close collaboration with others. If you want to make sure that the core message is properly represented through visuals and content, you’ll need to take into account everybody’s input.Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. The process of collaboration can get a bit tedious, especially when you’re building a presentation deck together. There will be plenty of back and forths between different individuals. Dozens of emails sent. Different versions of the presentation file shared. There are so many steps to go through before everyone can agree on a final “look”. In between those steps, there are a lot of room for error as well. The process will be so much easier if you can all just sit and work together at one time. But what if there’s a conflict in schedules? Or what if your collaborators live across the country from you?We often talk about how today’s technology has significantly increased our ability to communicate, specifically in the world of business. You can save a lot of time and effort if you know which tools to use. Speed up the process and see everyone’s input instantly using Prezi’s collaboration feature.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to keep everyone’s ideas clear and cohesive:

With Prezi’s collaboration feature, you can work with up to 10 different users. While editing your presentation, click on the Share button at the right side of the top menu.Choosing ‘Share prezi’ will prompt a pop up where you can type down the email address of your collaborators. Prezi will send emails informing them that they can edit the presentation with you.From there, it’s as easy as working on your prezi as you usually would. Except now you’re working together with several other people, making your own edits on specific parts of the presentation.If you want to see which part of the prezi your collaborator is working on, click on their avatar and choose ‘Zoom to position’.You can also invite other users to join by expanding the sidebar on the right. If you want to review your prezi once everyone is done making their contributions, just click on ‘Start presentation’.You’ll be the presenter by default, but you can allow your collaborators to take the lead by clicking on their names and choosing ‘Hand over presentation’.

Collaboration is a crucial part of any project. When it comes to preparing presentations, the old saying “two heads are better than one” is often true. Allow others to share their ideas and contribute to create a strong and cohesive vision. Creating a presentation involves a lot of creativity and innovation. With Prezi’s collaboration feature, you can combine the best ideas into a single vision.

Featured Image: Death to the Stock Photo / Prezi logo via Wikimedia Commons

Prezi Tips: How to Create Your Own Designs in No Time

Prezi Feature of the Week

prezi tips

prezi tutorial

Nov 13, 2014

Prezi is known for its dynamic, zoomable presentations that break away from the traditional slide-based format. With Prezi, you can create engaging and visually captivating presentations that move smoothly between different elements, helping you tell a compelling story. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Prezi user, these tips will help you create your own designs in no time.

1. Start with a Prezi Template

Prezi offers a variety of ready-made templates that can be customized to fit your content. Starting with a template helps save time while providing a solid foundation for your presentation design.Why It’s Effective:

  • Saves Time: Prezi’s templates are professionally designed, allowing you to focus on customizing the content rather than starting from scratch.
  • Provides Structure: Templates provide a clear structure, making it easier to organize your presentation and create a cohesive flow.

How to Do It:

  • Open Prezi and browse the template gallery. Choose a template that matches your presentation’s style and theme.
  • Customize the template by adding your text, images, and other media.

Example: If you’re creating a business pitch, choose a professional template with clean lines and subtle colors that can be easily adapted to your company’s branding.

2. Use Prezi’s Zooming Feature Effectively

One of Prezi’s standout features is its zooming capability, allowing you to zoom in and out of content. This feature can help you present your information in a nonlinear way, making your presentation more interactive and engaging.Why It’s Effective:

  • Enhances Engagement: Zooming adds movement to your presentation, keeping your audience interested and helping them follow along.
  • Emphasizes Key Points: By zooming in on specific elements, you can highlight important information and create a visual hierarchy.

How to Do It:

  • When designing your Prezi, map out the flow of your content so that key points can be zoomed in on when needed.
  • Avoid excessive zooming, which can be disorienting for the audience. Use it strategically to guide the viewer through your presentation.

Example: Use zoom to start with an overview of your topic, then zoom in on specific points for deeper explanations, such as moving from a big-picture concept to detailed case studies.

3. Customize Your Path

In Prezi, your presentation follows a path that connects each element. While templates come with predefined paths, you can customize the path to better suit your narrative and control how the audience navigates through your content.Why It’s Effective:

  • Improves Flow: Customizing the path allows you to create a logical flow that matches the story you want to tell.
  • Tailors the Experience: You can adjust the path to focus more on key points and skip less important details if needed.

How to Do It:

  • Use the Edit Path feature in Prezi to customize the order in which elements are presented.
  • Rearrange, add, or remove elements from the path to create the flow you want.

Example: For a product presentation, you can start with the product overview, zoom in on its features, then move to customer testimonials, and finish with pricing details.

4. Incorporate Multimedia Elements

Prezi allows you to insert multimedia elements such as images, videos, and charts to make your presentation more interactive. These elements not only add variety but also help illustrate complex ideas more clearly.Why It’s Effective:

  • Enhances Engagement: Incorporating multimedia can break up the text and keep your audience visually engaged.
  • Simplifies Complex Information: Visuals like charts or videos can help explain difficult concepts more effectively than text alone.

How to Do It:

  • Drag and drop images, videos, or charts into your Prezi design. Make sure they are relevant to your content and support your key points.
  • Use multimedia elements sparingly to avoid overwhelming your audience.

Example: Include a short product demo video to show how your solution works or insert a chart that visualizes key data points.

5. Make Use of Prezi’s Frames

Frames in Prezi are like slide containers, used to group content together and control how the audience views each section of your presentation. Frames can be circular, rectangular, or invisible, allowing for flexible design.Why It’s Effective:

  • Organizes Content: Frames help break down your presentation into sections, making it easier to manage and navigate.
  • Guides the Viewer: Using frames allows you to control what the audience sees and when, guiding them through your narrative in a structured way.

How to Do It:

  • Use frames to group related content together. For example, one frame might contain all the key benefits of your product, while another contains customer testimonials.
  • Choose from Prezi’s different frame shapes to match the visual style of your presentation.

Example: Create a circular frame to highlight an important statistic and a rectangular frame to show a step-by-step process.

6. Keep It Simple

Prezi’s zooming and interactive features make it tempting to add a lot of movement and content, but it’s important to keep your presentation simple and focused. Overcomplicating the design can distract from your message and confuse your audience.Why It’s Effective:

  • Improves Clarity: Keeping the design simple ensures that your content is the focus and prevents the audience from feeling overwhelmed.
  • Maintains Engagement: A clean, simple design is easier for the audience to follow, helping them stay engaged with your message.

How to Do It:

  • Stick to one main idea per frame and avoid cluttering the design with too many elements.
  • Use zooming and movement sparingly, ensuring that every action serves a purpose.

Example: Instead of cramming multiple charts and text into one frame, focus on presenting one chart at a time, followed by a zoom into a key takeaway.

Final Thoughts

With these tips, you can create your own Prezi designs quickly and efficiently while still delivering an engaging, dynamic presentation. By using templates, customizing paths, incorporating multimedia elements, and keeping your design simple, you’ll be able to create professional, visually appealing Prezi presentations that captivate your audience.

Fine-tuning Your Presentation’s Core Message

core message

presentation content

presentation preparation

presentation writing

Nov 12, 2014

As a presenter, your main goal is to make sure that the audience remembers the vital parts of your discussion. It’s not a particularly easy task, especially if you’re tackling several different points throughout an hour-long presentation. That’s why crafting a fine-tuned core message is important. You should have a clear and effective way to deliver the “big idea” behind your presentation. You should have something short and straight to the point that the audience can repeat and memorize.The core message is the anchor that keeps your presentation from floating off. In other words, it keeps your presentation set on a single premise. Everything you present—from the data you share to the slides you show—should contribute in driving home this key idea. When you first sit down to prepare your presentation, it should be the first thing you have in mind. What do you want the audience to take away from your discussion? What’s the outcome you’re aiming for? The answer to these 2 questions is the first step towards an effective core message. After that, you’ll need to fine-tune your message to make sure it’s easy to repeat, recognize, and remember.Spend some time scribbling down your ideas. Keep revising your core message to meet the following criteria:

1. Is it specific and straight to the point?

As we’ve already mentioned, the core message will be the center of your presentation. If you want to keep the discussion on the right track, your core message needs to focus on the particulars of your message. The topic of your presentation gives the audience an overview of what you might talk about, but the core message is specific and straight to the point. Determine the purpose of your presentation and make sure it’s evident in your message.

2. Is it short and conversational?

If you want the audience to remember your message, you have to make sure that it stands out. Try to write your core message in a more conversational style. As you know, there are distinct differences between the way we write and speak. Craft your presentation as you would a conversation. If you want your message to stick, keep it short and cut back on jargon and industry talk.

3. Is it relevant to your audience?

Maintain the audience’s interest by placing them at the center of your presentation. Make sure your message is relevant to their interest by keeping in mind their point of view. Do this by addressing your message directly to them. Try to answer these four questions to learn more about your audience. Featured Image: Horia Varlan via Flickr

Why Your Presentations Need Better Slide Headlines

presentation content

presentation tips

presentation writing

slide headlines

Nov 04, 2014

Slide headlines play a crucial role in guiding your audience through your presentation. They not only introduce the content but also highlight key messages, helping your audience quickly grasp the main points. However, many presentations suffer from vague or ineffective slide headlines, which can confuse or disengage the audience. Improving your slide headlines can make your presentation more impactful and ensure that your key messages are clearly communicated.Here’s why your presentations need better slide headlines and how to craft them:

1. Headlines Summarize the Key Point

The headline of a slide should act as a summary of the most important point on that slide. Instead of using a generic headline like “Introduction” or “Sales Figures,” use the headline to convey the key message directly.Why It’s Important:

  • Clarifies the Main Idea: A clear, descriptive headline helps the audience understand the core message of the slide without having to read all the content.
  • Keeps Your Audience Engaged: Well-written headlines allow the audience to follow the narrative of your presentation easily, keeping them engaged and focused.

How to Do It:

  • Think of your slide headlines as “mini conclusions” that answer the “so what?” question.
  • Be specific and actionable—use headlines that tell the audience what they should take away from the slide.

Example: Instead of using a generic headline like “Company Growth,” use “Our Market Share Increased by 20% in Q3” to clearly communicate the key takeaway.

2. Headlines Provide a Visual Hierarchy

Effective slide headlines create a visual hierarchy that helps your audience navigate through your presentation. When used correctly, they guide the audience’s attention and emphasize the most important information.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Readability: A strong visual hierarchy ensures that your audience can easily identify the most important information on each slide.
  • Guides the Flow of the Presentation: Headlines act as markers that signal transitions between sections or ideas, helping the audience follow your train of thought.

How to Do It:

  • Use larger, bolder fonts for your headlines to make them stand out from the body text.
  • Keep your headlines concise, aiming for no more than one or two lines.

Example: Create a clear distinction between your slide headlines and body text by using a different font size or color for the headline.

3. Headlines Reinforce Your Message

Slide headlines can reinforce your overall message by repeatedly communicating your key points. Each headline should contribute to the overall narrative of your presentation, leading your audience toward the final conclusion or call to action.Why It’s Important:

  • Strengthens Message Retention: Repeating key ideas through headlines helps reinforce your message, making it easier for the audience to remember important points.
  • Keeps the Narrative Cohesive: Well-crafted headlines create a seamless narrative flow that ties your slides together, ensuring that your presentation feels cohesive and logical.

How to Do It:

  • Ensure that each headline ties back to your core message or theme.
  • Use headlines to emphasize key points that align with your presentation’s goals, such as driving sales or persuading an audience.

Example: If your presentation is focused on driving customer engagement, each headline should reinforce how your product or strategy achieves that goal, such as “Our App Increased Customer Retention by 35%.”

4. Headlines Make the Content Easier to Scan

Audiences often skim through presentation slides, especially when there’s a lot of information to process. Effective headlines make it easier for your audience to scan and understand the key points, even if they’re not reading the entire slide.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Comprehension: Clear and concise headlines help the audience grasp the main idea of each slide, even if they don’t read every detail.
  • Improves Audience Focus: Headlines draw the audience’s attention to the most important information, ensuring that your key messages are not missed.

How to Do It:

  • Use short, punchy headlines that communicate the essence of the slide in just a few words.
  • Avoid vague or overly complex language—keep your headlines simple and direct.

Example: Instead of “Marketing Performance Review,” a more effective headline might be “Q2 Marketing Campaign Delivered 50% ROI.”

5. Headlines Help You Stay Focused

Clear slide headlines also benefit you as the presenter by helping you stay focused on your key messages. If your headlines are clear and well-defined, it’s easier to maintain a logical flow throughout your presentation.Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps Your Presentation Organized: Well-written headlines act as a roadmap for your presentation, ensuring that each slide supports your overall narrative.
  • Helps with Timing: Clear headlines keep you on track, preventing you from getting sidetracked or spending too much time on less important points.

How to Do It:

  • Review your slide deck to ensure that every headline aligns with your core message and moves the narrative forward.
  • Use your headlines as cues to remind yourself of the key points you need to cover on each slide.

Example: If you’re presenting a proposal, headlines like “Next Steps for Implementation” or “Expected Outcomes by Q4” can help you stay focused on actionable points.

Final Thoughts

Better slide headlines make your presentation clearer, more engaging, and easier for the audience to follow. By summarizing the main point, reinforcing your message, and providing a visual hierarchy, well-crafted headlines can transform your presentation from average to outstanding. Take the time to review and refine your slide headlines to ensure they convey the right message and guide your audience through your presentation with ease.

3 More Ways to Memorize Presentations Easily

memorization

memorize presentations

presentation delivery

presentation preparation

Nov 03, 2014

In the past, we discussed a classic technique that you could use to memorize presentations. Heavily featured in the BBC show “Sherlock,” the memory palace technique allows you to use a mental image of any space or location to remember key points in your speech. It’s very effective, often used by memory athletes to memorize a random names or cards in under a few seconds.Of course, the memory palace technique will take longer for newbies who are looking to memorize presentations. If you find it a bit challenging to focus on building your own mind space, there are other methods to help improve your memory and reduce your use of note cards. You’ll never have to worry about mental blocks with these 3 additional ways to memorize presentations.

1. Rehearse your presentation out loud

It’s not enough to just read your presentation again and again. If you really want to memorize presentations, you have to make time for a few rehearsals. According to a study published in 2010, memory can improve by more than 10 percent if information is spoken and repeated out loud.So give yourself time to rehearse your presentation for more than just a few times. You can also make things easier by recording your sessions. Hearing yourself speak will help in internalizing your presentation. It will also help you pinpoint which parts might need more improvement.

2. Keep your rehearsals within the 20-20-20 rule

While repeated rehearsals are important, experts also recommend to keep sessions within the 20-20-20 rule. According to this rule, it will be easier to memorize presentations by reviewing your material for 20 minutes and then repeating the information twice for 20 minutes each. If you’re dealing with longer presentations, you can break up your speech into manageable parts and work piece by piece.

3. Make a mind map of your presentation

It will also help if you can visualize how your ideas and arguments relate to one another. Through a mind map, you can see the logical progression of your presentation. The shape or image you come up with will make it easier to remember how one point connects to the next, as opposed to simply having a list or outline as reference. To make sure your mind map works effectively,  use different colors for each “branch”. You can also add drawings that illustrate your points.

Other helpful tips:

  • Avoid distractions.  It will be hard to focus when you have to periodically answer emails and text messages. Always rid your practice sessions of any distraction. Step away from your computer and turn off notifications for your phone for a while. Keep your attention on the task at hand.
  • Make time for short breaks. Even as you work hard to deliver a great presentation, don’t forget to reward yourself with short breaks. Give yourself time to relax in between each rehearsal to keep your creativity flowing.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep is also a crucial ingredient in memory improvement. According to several studies, there’s a strong relationship between sleep and memory. As an article on Psychology Today points out, “There is no longer any doubt. Sleep does improve the gelling or consolidation of memory for recently encoded information.” Make sure you get enough rest on the days leading up to your presentation.

As you know, preparing for a big presentation involves a lot of effort. Aside from perfecting your slides and content, you also need to make sure that you remember everything you have to say. Memorize presentations by setting time to rehearse and visualize your materials. You can breeze through your time on stage and never have to worry about your note cards again. Featured Image: Brian Hillegas via Flickr

Visual Storytelling: How Stories are Told in Pictures

Marketing

presentation design

visual storytelling

Oct 28, 2014

Are pictures really worth a thousand words? Let’s take a look at some facts.According to a whitepaper published by NewCred and Getty Images, the following statistics are proof:

  • 40% of people will respond better to information presented visually
  • 83% of human learning is visual
  • 44% of users are more likely to engage with brands on social platforms if they post pictures
  • Articles and blog posts that contain images get 94% more views than those without

Aside from all that, there’s also proof in the way our mind works. The human brain can process visuals 60,000 times faster than information presented through text. In fact, we’re all highly attuned to our sense of sight. According to Dr. John Medina, vision trumps all of our other senses.With these facts laid out, it’s easy to see why images are important to presentations and marketing materials. Through visual storytelling, you can use pictures to create stronger emotional impact. Pictures can tell a story that immediately allows your audience to connect with the message you’re sharing.So whether you’re delivering a presentation or revamping your social media profiles, visual storytelling is the best way to go. When selecting pictures to use, try to keep in mind the four key characteristics of visual storytelling:

Authentic

The best stories come from candid moments. It’s why photo sharing has become so prevalent in the age of social media. Replacing the super-polished stock photos are snapshots that allow others to see the world through a more personal perspective. Take, for example, Dove’s Real Beauty campaign. Instead of featuring models that are photoshopped to perfection, Dove featured everyday women and challenged today’s absurd beauty standards.To find images that are more authentic to your story, focus on what your brand stands for. Look for images that convey your identity and experiences as a brand. Next, look for something that will resonate with your audience. Think about the people you’re addressing and what might be authentic for them.

Relevant

Visual storytelling should also take into account what’s happening in the world. After all, your message doesn’t exist in a bubble. It’s contextualized in a milieu—a world where billions of individuals are discovering new things every single day. Make sure your visual stories are relatable and relevant to the audience you want to target. Consider what Oreo did to make the most out of a blackout that interrupted the Super Bowl. For your own visual story, choose images that evoke a sense of time and culture.

Sensory

The only thing better than a picture is the real thing. But since you can’t have real situations on a PowerPoint slide, you’re going to have to settle for the next best thing. Visual storytelling thrives on imagery that can heighten emotions and senses.Close-up and macro shots are great for showing textures that audiences can almost touch. On the other hand, a long shot can also take your audience into a particular scene, allowing them to experience it through a wider perspective.

Archetypal

Lastly, the best of visual storytelling alludes to narratives that are practically as old as time. If you think about it, you’ll notice that all your favorite stories are tied together by recurring themes and archetypes. These are universal symbols—called such because they can be found across many different countries and cultures. For your visual stories to be a success, you need to take these symbols and turn it into your own.Find an archetype that relates to your brand and make it your own. Get to know your own new character and find images that correspond to this new version of a well-loved symbol.Visual storytelling is great technique to use in presentations and marketing efforts.  By weaving imagery together, you can create a story that speaks volumes about your core message.READ MORE: The Power of Visual Storytelling – NewsCred + Getty Images (Whitepaper) Featured Image: Ravinder M A via Flickr