Category: Rick Enrico Blog

The End: Tips for Concluding Presentations

concluding your presentations

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 24, 2014

In movies, beginnings are spent introducing the lead character. During this time, viewers get to connect with the story as it starts to unfold.In the same way, the beginning of a presentation allows the audience to make an initial connection. A powerful beginning can hook an audience, urging them to ask more questions about the topic at hand.Despite this, beginnings can’t fully account for the outcome of your presentation. There’s more to a successful outcome than an eye-catching title slide and a humorous icebreaker. Presentations also need to end on a distinct and powerful note. You can’t just thank the audience and be done with it. Your conclusion should ring true long after the audience leaves the venue.[sg-blog-modules module=one]In other words, endings should create as much impact as beginnings do. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when concluding presentations:

Reiterate your main points

After a lengthy discussion, offer a refresher by reviewing the most important points of your discussion. Repeat all your main points using short and quick sentences. Don’t try to explain everything again. Just echo all the sound bites you’ve been repeating throughout your presentation. For full effect, you can make a list and display it on a slide.

Resolve the story

We’ve made a strong case for storytelling in the past. Stories can improve your presentations by allowing your audience to connect with the message you’re delivering.Following your narrative structure, close your presentation by discussing the resolution of your story. Show the audience how the conflict you introduced is eventually worked out and put to rest.

Challenge the audience

It’s important to pose a challenge to your audience. Leave them with a thought-provoking question that will encourage them to reflect on what you’ve shared. If you do it right, your challenging questions will help keep discussions about your presentation alive.

Offer a concrete Call to Action statement

Similarly, you can also end with a Call to Action statement. Give your audience a concrete plan to consider and execute. While the previous method might work for seminars and lectures, a Call to Action statement leaves no room for doubt. If you’re pitching to investors or proposing a new project to executives, you want to make sure that your message is received loud and clear. A Call to Action statement will definitely help with that.–Much like beginnings, endings hold a lot of weight. For presentations, a strong conclusion will ensure that your message sticks with the audience. Keep these tips in mind when concluding presentations and get your intended outcome.[sg-blog-modules module=two]Featured Image: Andrew Hurley via Flickr

Troubleshooting Your PowerPoint Display Issues

powerpoint display issues

troubleshooter

Oct 22, 2014

Technical issues during a presentation can quickly derail even the most well-prepared presenter. PowerPoint display problems, such as incorrect resolutions, missing images, or misaligned slides, are common challenges, especially when switching between different devices or setups. Knowing how to troubleshoot and fix these issues quickly can save your presentation and ensure everything runs smoothly.Here’s how to troubleshoot some of the most common PowerPoint display issues:

1. Display Resolution Mismatch

When presenting on an external display or projector, the resolution on your PowerPoint slides might not match the display’s resolution, resulting in stretched or misaligned images and text.How to Fix It:

  • Check Display Settings: On your computer, go to Settings > System > Display, and make sure your display resolution matches the projector or external monitor’s resolution. Most projectors work best at a resolution of 1920×1080 or 1280×720.
  • Adjust PowerPoint Slide Size: Go to Design > Slide Size in PowerPoint and select the appropriate slide size for your display (Standard 4:3 or Widescreen 16:9).
  • Mirror or Extend Display: If you’re using an external display, ensure that your display settings are either set to Extend (for dual-screen setups) or Duplicate (to mirror your display on the external screen).

Example: When presenting on a widescreen projector, make sure your PowerPoint slides are set to 16:9 aspect ratio to avoid any stretching or black bars on the screen.

2. Missing Fonts or Incorrect Formatting

When transferring your PowerPoint presentation between computers, you may find that certain fonts are missing, or formatting has changed. This is often due to custom fonts or settings not being installed on the presentation device.How to Fix It:

  • Embed Fonts: Before transferring your PowerPoint, go to File > Options > Save and check the box for Embed fonts in the file. This ensures your custom fonts remain intact across devices.
  • Avoid Custom Fonts: Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) to avoid any issues when presenting on a device that doesn’t have your custom fonts installed.
  • Check Compatibility: If using a Mac to create your PowerPoint but presenting on a Windows device (or vice versa), check your presentation on the target device beforehand to ensure everything displays correctly.

Example: If your presentation relies on a custom font for branding purposes, make sure to embed the font before transferring the file to another device to avoid any last-minute font changes.

3. Images Not Displaying Properly

Sometimes, images in PowerPoint may not display correctly on the presentation screen. This could be due to missing image files, unsupported formats, or broken links if images were inserted from an external source.How to Fix It:

  • Embed Images: Always embed images directly into your PowerPoint file rather than linking to external sources. Go to Insert > Pictures and choose This Device to ensure the images are embedded.
  • Check Image Format: Ensure all images are in supported formats such as JPEG or PNG. Avoid using image formats like TIFF or BMP, which may not display properly on all devices.
  • Reinsert Missing Images: If you notice an image isn’t displaying, try reinserting it into the slide from your local files. Make sure the file is still available on your device if you’re working from a USB drive.

Example: If images disappear when switching between devices, ensure they are embedded in the PowerPoint file rather than linked to an external location.

4. PowerPoint Crashes During Presentation

A PowerPoint presentation crashing mid-presentation can be a nightmare, especially if it’s due to large files, complex animations, or corrupted slides.How to Fix It:

  • Reduce File Size: Compress large images or videos in your presentation. Go to File > Compress Pictures to reduce the overall file size.
  • Simplify Animations: If your PowerPoint is animation-heavy, try simplifying or reducing the number of animations to reduce the load on your system.
  • Update PowerPoint: Ensure you’re using the latest version of PowerPoint, as crashes can often result from outdated software. Check for updates through File > Account > Update Options.
  • Use Safe Mode: If PowerPoint keeps crashing, try opening it in Safe Mode by holding Ctrl while launching PowerPoint. This disables any add-ins or settings that may be causing issues.

Example: Before presenting, test your file by running through the entire presentation to ensure there are no performance issues or crashes due to large video files or animations.

5. Presenter View Not Working

Presenter View is a powerful feature that allows you to see your notes and upcoming slides while your audience sees only the current slide. However, sometimes Presenter View may not display correctly, or you may not be able to access it on an external display.How to Fix It:

  • Enable Presenter View: Go to Slide Show > Use Presenter View and ensure this option is checked. Also, ensure your external monitor or projector is properly connected and set as the extended display.
  • Adjust Display Settings: If Presenter View doesn’t appear on your screen, go to your computer’s Display Settings and select Extend display mode instead of Duplicate. This allows PowerPoint to use one screen for Presenter View and another for the audience.
  • Switch Displays: In Presenter View, click on the Display Settings menu and choose Swap Displays if Presenter View appears on the wrong screen.

Example: If Presenter View is showing on the projector instead of your laptop screen, use the “Swap Displays” option to switch the view and show only your slides to the audience.

Final Thoughts

PowerPoint display issues can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting techniques, you can resolve these problems quickly and ensure your presentation runs smoothly. By adjusting display settings, embedding fonts and images, compressing large files, and testing your presentation in advance, you can minimize the risk of technical difficulties and deliver a flawless presentation.

Body Language: Signify Intent with Movement

body language

presentation delivery

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 21, 2014

Nonverbal cues are just as important as the slides you’re presenting. The way you stand and move across the stage can have significant impact on the message you’re delivering. Improve your presentations and increase your influence by learning more about the art of body language.

Body language is a powerful weapon

In a previous blog post, we discussed how body language plays an important role in forming positive impressions. Your first few seconds on stage is particularly crucial. In that short span of time, the audience can gather enough information to form their own opinions about you. As Mark Bowden, author of Winning Body Language, points out,

“In the first few seconds of meeting someone, they will determine whether you are friend or predator, and the rest of the time their brains will be gathering information to support that.”

A recent study conducted by Dr. Alex Pentland takes this one step further. As quoted by Susanne Garguilo of CNN, research concludes that “body language can predict the outcome of interactions such as job interviews, dating, negotiations, etc., with an average accuracy of 80%.”

As such, we can’t possibly ignore the power body language has to significantly improve presentation delivery. If you want to connect with the audience, you need to show them that you’re trustworthy and reliable. You need to form a presence that commands their attention.

How body language adds to your presentation

Contrary to popular belief, body language isn’t similar to the way we express ourselves through speech. A certain movement doesn’t necessarily correspond to a specific word or feeling. There’s no such thing as a body language handbook or dictionary that will help you crack the hidden meaning behind particular gestures. As Forbes contributor Nick Morgan writes,

“Gestures are ambiguous. They can mean many things. If I cross my arms, I may be signaling my defensiveness, but I may also be cold, or simply tired and propping myself up with my arms – or just getting comfortable. And I could be signaling all those things at once. It’s possible to be simultaneously cold, tired, defensive, and desirous of comfort.”

When we’re unconscious of our movements, body language is pretty good at signifying our emotional intent.

“…research shows that whatever we’re feeling first shows up in our body, and only later (nanoseconds later) in our conscious minds. So, if we’re hungry, or impatient, or angry, or happy, our bodies know first, and they will pretty reliably signal those feelings. Learning to read body language, then, is a matter of learning to understand other people’s intents, not their specific conscious thoughts.”

If this is the case, how does body language add to presentation delivery? It works by highlighting the points and arguments you’re making. In other words, conscious adjustment of your posture, gestures, and expression will emphasize and underscore whatever your saying.–In this way, body language allows you to add an emotional dimension to your presentations. Even if your good posture doesn’t necessarily correspond to a specific meaning, it nonetheless shows the audience something positive and welcoming.Allow body language to add intent and dimension to your presentation by reading more tips:

[sg-blog-modules module=two]Featured Image: -5m via Flickr

Go With the Flow: 5 Tips for Structuring Your PowerPoint Deck

PowerPoint Design

Powerpoint tips

presentation structure

Oct 20, 2014

A well-structured PowerPoint deck is crucial to delivering a presentation that flows smoothly and effectively communicates your message. Proper structuring ensures that your audience stays engaged, understands your points clearly, and can follow along effortlessly from start to finish. Whether you’re preparing for a business pitch, a team meeting, or a client presentation, following these five essential tips will help you craft a PowerPoint deck that flows seamlessly.

1. Start with a Strong Introduction

First impressions matter. Your opening slides set the tone for the entire presentation and should immediately grab your audience’s attention while laying the foundation for what’s to come. A clear, concise introduction will help establish your key message and ensure that your audience is prepared for the main content.

How to Do It:

  • Title Slide: Include the title of your presentation, your name, and the date. Make sure it reflects your presentation’s purpose.
  • Agenda Slide: Use an agenda slide to outline the key points or sections you’ll cover. This gives your audience a roadmap of what to expect and helps them follow the flow.
  • Opening Hook: Start with a statistic, quote, or story that draws your audience in and highlights the relevance of your topic.

Example:

For a sales pitch, start with a title slide followed by a powerful statistic that addresses a common industry challenge. Then, introduce an agenda slide that outlines the key areas you’ll cover: Problem, Solution, Benefits, and Call to Action.

2. Organize Content into Clear Sections

Dividing your content into clear, distinct sections makes your presentation easier to follow and digest. Each section should focus on a single theme or idea, and the flow between sections should be logical and smooth.

How to Do It:

  • Create Section Headers: Use clear headers or divider slides to mark the start of a new section. This helps signal to the audience that you’re transitioning to a new topic.
  • Follow the “Rule of Three”: Group your content into three key sections or takeaways. This approach is psychologically appealing and easier for the audience to remember.
  • Maintain a Logical Sequence: Arrange your sections in a logical order, whether it’s chronological (for timelines) or hierarchical (from high-level ideas to detailed explanations).

Example:

For a project update presentation, organize your slides into three sections: Project Overview, Key Milestones, and Next Steps. Each section should have a clear header slide that transitions smoothly into the next topic.

3. Simplify the Visuals

Cluttered slides can overwhelm and confuse your audience. Keep your visuals simple and focused on supporting your narrative, not distracting from it. The best PowerPoint slides enhance your message rather than overload it with unnecessary details.

How to Do It:

  • Limit Text: Avoid long paragraphs or too much text on your slides. Stick to bullet points or key phrases, and elaborate verbally during your presentation.
  • Use High-Quality Visuals: Incorporate relevant images, charts, or infographics that reinforce your message and make your content more engaging.
  • Follow the “One Idea per Slide” Rule: Each slide should focus on a single point or concept. This keeps the presentation clear and easy to follow.

Example:

Instead of listing multiple data points on a single slide, create a series of slides where each one presents a single data point, supported by a visual graph or image. This makes the information easier to process.

4. Use Transitions to Guide the Flow

Transitions help guide your audience from one point to the next, creating a natural flow that maintains their engagement. Well-placed transitions provide visual cues that you’re moving to a new idea or section, helping to keep the presentation cohesive.

How to Do It:

  • Use Consistent Transitions: Stick to simple, consistent transitions between slides. Avoid flashy or distracting effects that can take away from your message.
  • Signpost Major Changes: Use transitions to clearly signal when you’re shifting from one topic to the next. For example, you might introduce a summary slide or a question to mark the end of one section and the beginning of another.
  • Fade or Zoom: Subtle fade or zoom transitions can be effective for maintaining a smooth, professional flow without being disruptive.

Example:

In a presentation about business growth strategies, use a fade transition between your discussion of challenges and solutions. This signals to the audience that you’re moving from problem identification to problem-solving.

5. End with a Strong Conclusion and Call to Action

The way you end your presentation is just as important as how you begin it. A strong conclusion reinforces your key points and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. A clear call to action (CTA) helps guide them on what to do next, whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a service, or approving a proposal.

How to Do It:

  • Summarize Key Points: Recap your main takeaways in a concise manner. Use bullet points or a simple slide that reminds your audience of what you’ve covered.
  • Use a Call to Action: Include a CTA slide that specifies the next steps you want your audience to take, such as contacting you, visiting a website, or making a decision.
  • Finish with Impact: End with a memorable closing slide, such as a powerful quote, an inspiring image, or a final statistic that resonates with your key message.

Example:

For a product launch presentation, end by summarizing the product’s benefits, followed by a CTA encouraging the audience to pre-order or visit the product website. Use an impactful final slide with the company’s tagline or a customer testimonial to leave a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts

Structuring your PowerPoint deck effectively is crucial to delivering a smooth, engaging, and successful presentation. By starting with a strong introduction, organizing your content into clear sections, simplifying your visuals, using transitions to guide the flow, and ending with a strong conclusion and CTA, you ensure that your message is conveyed with clarity and impact.Remember, the goal is to keep your audience engaged from start to finish, so focus on delivering content in a logical, well-paced manner that aligns with your objectives. When your PowerPoint deck flows smoothly, your presentation will leave a positive and lasting impression on your audience.

Themes: Customizing a Prezi That’s Unique to Your Presentation

custom themes

presentation design

Prezi Feature of the Week

prezi themes

prezi tutorial

Oct 16, 2014

One of the strengths of Prezi is the ability to create presentations that are highly customized and visually unique. While Prezi offers a range of themes, customizing these themes to fit your specific needs and branding is what will truly set your presentation apart.Here’s how to customize a Prezi theme to make it unique to your presentation:

1. Choose a Base Theme

Prezi offers a variety of base themes that serve as the foundation for your design. While you can start with any theme, the real customization comes from adapting it to your needs and preferences.Why It’s Important:

  • Sets the Tone: The base theme provides a visual framework, such as colors and fonts, which sets the tone for your entire presentation.
  • Gives You a Head Start: Starting with a theme allows you to focus on customizing details instead of building a design from scratch.

How to Do It:

  • Browse the Prezi theme gallery and choose a theme that matches the tone and style of your presentation.
  • Once selected, begin customizing the theme to fit your needs.

Example: If you’re creating a presentation for a creative pitch, choose a theme with bold colors and dynamic layouts. For a corporate presentation, opt for a more subdued, professional theme.

2. Customize Colors to Match Your Brand

One of the easiest ways to make your Prezi unique is by customizing the colors to match your brand. Prezi allows you to adjust the color scheme, which will be applied to backgrounds, text, and other design elements.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Brand Recognition: Customizing colors to match your brand makes your presentation instantly recognizable and consistent with other marketing materials.
  • Improves Visual Cohesion: A well-chosen color palette ensures that your presentation looks cohesive and professional.

How to Do It:

  • In Prezi, click on the Theme button to access the color options.
  • Choose colors that reflect your brand or the mood of your presentation. For example, you can use your company’s official colors for backgrounds, headings, and key elements.

Example: If your company’s colors are blue and orange, customize the theme’s color scheme to apply those colors to key elements like backgrounds, text, and lines.

3. Adjust Fonts for Readability and Branding

Fonts are another key element of customization. Prezi allows you to change fonts for headings, subheadings, and body text, ensuring that your presentation is both readable and aligned with your brand’s typography.Why It’s Important:

  • Reinforces Brand Identity: Using your brand’s fonts ensures consistency with your other branded materials, reinforcing your brand’s identity.
  • Improves Readability: Choosing the right font size and style makes your content easier to read, especially when viewed on large screens.

How to Do It:

  • In the Theme settings, adjust the fonts for titles, headings, and body text.
  • Choose fonts that reflect your brand’s personality and ensure they are legible at all zoom levels.

Example: If your brand uses a modern, sans-serif font like Roboto, apply this font to your Prezi headings and body text to maintain a consistent look.

4. Customize Backgrounds

The background of your Prezi sets the overall tone of your presentation. Whether you choose a subtle texture, a bold image, or a simple color, customizing the background helps create a unique and immersive experience for your audience.Why It’s Important:

  • Creates Visual Impact: The background plays a significant role in shaping the audience’s first impression of your presentation.
  • Enhances Storytelling: A well-chosen background can support your narrative and create a more engaging visual experience.

How to Do It:

  • In the Theme settings, choose Customize Background.
  • Upload your own image, choose from Prezi’s library of backgrounds, or select a solid color or gradient that aligns with your message.

Example: For a travel-themed presentation, use a high-quality image of a famous destination as your background. For a more minimalist look, stick to a clean, white background with subtle texture.

5. Use Frames and Layouts Creatively

Frames in Prezi act as containers for your content. While Prezi templates come with predefined frames, you can adjust their shapes, sizes, and positions to fit your unique design vision.Why It’s Important:

  • Adds Personalization: Customizing frames allows you to better control the flow and structure of your presentation.
  • Enhances Visual Interest: Creative use of frames helps make your Prezi more dynamic and visually engaging.

How to Do It:

  • Edit or add new frames to your Prezi by clicking on the Frames menu.
  • Customize the shape and size of frames to suit your content. For example, use circular frames to highlight key statistics or rectangular frames for step-by-step processes.

Example: For a presentation about innovation, use a spiral path with circular frames to create a visually engaging flow that mirrors the iterative process of innovation.

6. Add Your Logo

To reinforce your brand and create a fully customized Prezi, consider adding your company logo to the presentation. This helps maintain brand consistency and professionalism.Why It’s Important:

  • Boosts Brand Visibility: Including your logo ensures that your presentation is clearly associated with your brand.
  • Enhances Professionalism: A logo adds a polished, professional touch to your Prezi design.

How to Do It:

  • Drag and drop your logo into the Prezi workspace, then resize and position it where appropriate.
  • Keep the logo small and unobtrusive but visible enough to reinforce your brand throughout the presentation.

Example: Place your logo in the corner of your title and closing slides or use it as a subtle watermark on key frames to maintain brand presence.

Final Thoughts

Customizing a Prezi theme allows you to create a unique, branded presentation that stands out. By adjusting colors, fonts, backgrounds, frames, and adding your logo, you can ensure that your Prezi aligns with your message, brand, and audience expectations. With these customization tips, you can create a presentation that not only looks great but also communicates your content effectively and memorably.

The Creative Process: 4 Steps to Presentation Success

creative process

creativity

presentation preparation

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 15, 2014

Creating a compelling presentation is both an art and a science. Whether you’re pitching a new idea, delivering a keynote, or simply sharing information, the creative process behind a successful presentation can be broken down into four essential steps. These steps will help you craft a narrative that captivates your audience and delivers your message effectively.**Step 1: Ideation**The first step in the creative process is ideation. This is where you brainstorm and generate ideas for your presentation. Start by identifying the core message you want to convey. What is the main takeaway for your audience? Once you have a clear understanding of your message, you can begin to explore different ways to present it.Consider using mind maps, lists, or even sketches to organize your thoughts. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas. The goal at this stage is to generate as many ideas as possible without judging them. Quantity over quality is key during ideation.**Step 2: Structuring**Once you have a pool of ideas, the next step is to structure your presentation. This involves organizing your ideas into a coherent and logical flow. Start by creating an outline that includes an introduction, main points, and a conclusion.Your introduction should grab the audience’s attention and set the stage for what’s to come. The main points should be organized in a way that builds on each other, leading to a natural progression of ideas. Finally, your conclusion should reinforce your core message and leave a lasting impression.Consider using storytelling techniques to make your presentation more engaging. Stories have a way of connecting with people on an emotional level, making your message more memorable.**Step 3: Design**With a solid structure in place, it’s time to focus on the design of your presentation. This step involves creating visual aids that complement your message and enhance the overall experience for your audience.Choose a consistent color scheme, font style, and layout that align with your brand or the theme of your presentation. Use high-quality images, graphics, and charts to illustrate your points. Remember, less is more when it comes to design. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text or too many visuals.Pay attention to the flow of your slides. Each slide should transition smoothly to the next, creating a seamless narrative. Practice good design principles such as alignment, contrast, and balance to create a visually appealing presentation.**Step 4: Rehearsal**The final step in the creative process is rehearsal. This is where you bring everything together and practice delivering your presentation. Rehearsing helps you become more familiar with your content, refine your delivery, and identify any areas that need improvement.Start by practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and pacing. Make sure you are speaking clearly and confidently. Next, practice in front of a small audience, such as friends or colleagues, and ask for feedback.Rehearsing also helps you manage your time effectively. Make sure your presentation fits within the allotted time frame and adjust as needed. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become.In conclusion, the creative process behind a successful presentation involves four key steps: ideation, structuring, design, and rehearsal. By following these steps, you can create a presentation that not only conveys your message effectively but also captivates and engages your audience. Remember, a great presentation is not just about the content; it’s about how you deliver it. So take the time to prepare, practice, and perfect your presentation, and you’ll be well on your way to success.”

How to Deliver Small-Scale Presentations

Powerpoint tips

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius Blog

small-scale presentations

Oct 14, 2014

When we think of presentations, we often imagine standing in front of a large audience. But as JD Schramm points out in his article for Harvard Business Review, plenty of meetings and presentations involve a much smaller crowd.Often, you won’t find yourself addressing an auditorium full of people. In truth, most presentation meetings involve less than 10 participants. Most of the time, presentations happen with you and the audience interacting closely with one another.While you may think this is an easier scenario to handle, small-scale presentations can also have a few challenges.

What do you do with your slides?

In small-scale presentations, you won’t need to project your slides. But this doesn’t mean that visuals aren’t necessary. Even with a smaller group, your presentation will still need to connect and engage. As you would with any presentation, highlight your main points with powerful visuals.So how do you share your slides then? You can prepare a printed deck. Build your slides as you usually would, but skip the animation and huge pictures. Instead, opt for interesting color schemes and eye-catching illustrations. As always, keep your content precise and concise. Another option is to make an iPad or tablet PowerPoint presentation.[sg-blog-modules module=three]

Should you sit or stand?

As you may have guessed, standing is a powerful nonverbal cue. When you stand while others remain in their seats, you show that you’re in a position of power and authority. This is important at the start of a presentation, and why you should stand as you begin your presentation. If the presentation meeting is more formal in nature, you can opt to remain standing as you delve into the main presentation and only take a seat when it’s time to answer questions. For meetings that are more casual, you can deliver the entirety of your presentation seated.The seat you take is another crucial factor in small-scale presentations. As the presenter, you should be seated in a place that allows you to see everyone in the table. It’s important that you’re in a place where you can easily make eye contact with the group. If you’re delivering a pitch, you should sit close to the primary decision maker.

How should you speak? How should you move?

Even as you sit with the audience, it’s important to be mindful of your voice and gestures. As always, speak with a voice that’s loud and clear. A strong voice comes from the diaphragm, so maintain proper posture once you’re seated. Keep your back straight and your feet firmly on the ground. When you’re talking, you can lean forward slightly to show the audience that you’re engaging in a conversation with them. As you would in any presentation, maintain eye contact throughout. When taking questions, Schramm suggests that you can lean back into your chair to seem more approachable.

Conclusion

Regardless of the size of your audience, the goal of your presentation remains the same. You want to be able to communicate your ideas in the most efficient way possible.When facing a small group, always be mindful of how you present yourself. You can still command authority and create an engaging atmosphere without the usual presentation set up.[sg-blog-modules module=one]

Reference

Schramm, JD. “How to Present to a Small Audience.” Harvard Business Review. August 20, 2014. Accessed October 14, 2014. Featured Image: Sebastiaan ter Burg via flickr.com

Coming Up with a Presentation Design Concept

design concept

design resources

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

Oct 13, 2014

Designing an effective PowerPoint deck involves plenty of preparation. There’s obviously more to it than choosing a random template and then putting together a bunch of slides. Each color, picture, and font type you choose should be governed by a plan. In other words, every single element that goes into your slide should correspond to a specific concept.

This concept will direct all your design choices, leading you to a PowerPoint deck that elevates your core message. Think of it this way: If great design is the destination, a design concept is the map you’ll need to get there.

Conceptualizing Design

According to Vanseo Design, we can think of design concept in two different ways. The first is the verbal concept, where you let a particular message dictate your aesthetic. For example, you might want your PowerPoint deck to exude innovation and professionalism to match the software you’re pitching. This gives you a more abstract starting point nbut allows you to focus more clearly on the message of your presentation.

The next is the visual concept, where you start with a specific image or “look” in mind. For example, you might want to work around the different shades of blue or feature geometrical shapes prominently. While it may give you a concrete picture of your design, it might also be incoherent with the presentation you’re about to deliver. To be effective, a visual concept needs to be grounded by a specific message. It needs to be enhanced by a verbal concept to become a cohesive design plan.

With that in mind, take note of the following tips to come up with a full-bodied presentation design concept:

1. Determine the purpose of your presentation

Before you start sketching away, figure out the main purpose and message of your presentation. Why were you asked to deliver this presentation in the first place? What do you hope to accomplish? What’s the one thing you want your audience to remember? All these questions will help you draft the main message or “take away” of your presentation—a crucial element in the verbal aspect of your design concept.

2. Turn to your brand for inspiration

As you know, your brand is representative of your company identity. It gives clients and consumers insight on your story and experience, as well as the goals you want to achieve in the future. But aside from that, it can also reveal how you can go about your design concept. Look to your brand story to inspire the verbal component of your concept, and then use your logo to sort out the visuals.

3. Do your research

Of course, you can also branch out and look for inspiration elsewhere. Do your research and read as much as you can about design. It doesn’t have to be particularly related to presentations. Try to read about the basic design principles, or look through graphic design tips. You can even browse through some infographics to see best practices on condensing  and illustrating data. Immerse yourself in the world of design by exploring different blogs and websites. Here are our top picks to help  you get you started:

4. Think of what your audience might want to see

It’s also important to consider the audience. After all, it’s them that you will need to impress. Try to think about what they might want to see during your presentation. The more you consider their point of view, the more you can be sure to create an engaging and memorable experience. Like you would when working on content, use these four questions to guide your presentation design concept.

Conclusion

Your presentation can thrive if you have powerful visuals that help highlight the core message. A design concept is a way to do that. In order to come up with an effective PowerPoint deck, you’ll need a concrete plan to follow.These 4 steps are a crucial part of presentation preparation. Don’t forget to develop a complete design concept before you start working on your slides.

Reference

Bradley, Steven. “Thoughts on Developing A Design Concept.” Vanseo Design. December 23, 2010. Accessed October 13, 2014. Featured Image: Cultura de Red via Flickr

The Path to a Perfect Prezi Story

non-linear transitions

path tool

presentation design

Presentations

prezi

Prezi Feature of the Week

Prezi Path Tool

Oct 09, 2014

Creating a compelling and engaging story in a Prezi presentation can make a world of difference when it comes to captivating your audience. Prezi’s dynamic, non-linear format is perfect for storytelling, as it allows you to present information in a more visually stimulating and fluid way than traditional slide-based presentations. However, constructing a powerful narrative with Prezi requires careful planning and strategic design choices to ensure your story flows seamlessly and resonates with your audience.Here’s the path to creating the perfect Prezi story:

1. Define Your Core Message

Every great story starts with a clear and impactful core message. Before diving into the design of your Prezi, ask yourself: What is the one thing I want my audience to remember after this presentation? Defining your core message early on helps shape the rest of your content and ensures that your presentation stays focused.Why It’s Important:

  • Sets the Direction: A well-defined core message acts as the foundation of your story, guiding your narrative and helping you stay on track.
  • Enhances Clarity: A clear message makes it easier for your audience to understand and retain the information you’re presenting.

How to Do It:

  • Write down the single key idea you want your audience to take away from the presentation.
  • Keep your core message simple and concise, so it’s easy to convey and remember.

Example: If you’re presenting a new product, your core message could be: “This product will revolutionize the way we work by simplifying complex tasks.”

2. Outline Your Story Structure

Once you’ve defined your core message, outline the structure of your story. Think of your Prezi as a narrative journey, with a beginning, middle, and end. Organizing your content into a logical flow helps your audience follow along and keeps them engaged throughout.Why It’s Important:

  • Creates Flow: A clear structure ensures that your story progresses logically, preventing confusion and maintaining engagement.
  • Helps the Audience Navigate: Structuring your Prezi in a way that is easy to follow helps your audience absorb information without feeling overwhelmed.

How to Do It:

  • Break your story into three parts: the introduction (set the stage), the body (present the main content), and the conclusion (wrap up and reinforce the key message).
  • Ensure each section flows naturally into the next, using Prezi’s zooming and panning features to create smooth transitions.

Example: In a presentation on business growth, start by introducing the challenge, move into key strategies for overcoming it, and end with a success story or projection for the future.

3. Leverage Prezi’s Non-Linear Format

One of Prezi’s unique advantages is its non-linear format, which allows you to present information in a more dynamic, flexible way than traditional linear slide presentations. Take advantage of this feature by structuring your story in a way that moves around key ideas, zooming in and out of details, rather than moving slide-by-slide.Why It’s Important:

  • Engages the Audience: A non-linear flow keeps the audience interested and engaged, offering a break from the predictable slide transitions of PowerPoint.
  • Emphasizes Key Points: Zooming in and out of key content highlights important information and reinforces your story.

How to Do It:

  • Use Prezi’s zooming feature to transition between big-picture ideas and detailed explanations, giving your audience a sense of movement and depth.
  • Arrange content elements spatially to create visual relationships between different parts of your story.

Example: For a product launch presentation, you could start with a zoomed-out view of the market landscape, then zoom in on specific customer pain points, and finally zoom in further to show how your product addresses those needs.

4. Make Use of Visual Metaphors

Visual metaphors are an effective way to enhance your Prezi story by making complex ideas more relatable and easier to understand. Prezi’s dynamic canvas allows you to represent abstract concepts using metaphors like pathways, trees, or mountains, adding depth and creativity to your narrative.Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies Complex Ideas: Visual metaphors break down complex information into easily digestible and relatable concepts.
  • Creates Memorable Visuals: Metaphors leave a lasting impression, helping your audience remember key points long after the presentation is over.

How to Do It:

  • Choose a metaphor that aligns with your core message. For example, a roadmap can symbolize a journey to success, while a tree can represent growth and branching out.
  • Integrate your metaphor into the overall layout of your Prezi, using the zooming feature to navigate through different parts of the metaphor.

Example: For a project timeline presentation, use a road or pathway as the central visual metaphor, with different milestones marked along the way. Zoom in on each milestone to provide more detail.

5. Use Storytelling Techniques

Crafting a compelling Prezi story goes beyond just organizing your content—it’s about creating an emotional connection with your audience. Use traditional storytelling techniques such as conflict, resolution, and a call to action to make your presentation more engaging and persuasive.Why It’s Important:

  • Builds Emotional Engagement: Storytelling techniques tap into emotions, making your presentation more memorable and impactful.
  • Encourages Action: A well-told story not only informs but also inspires action, motivating your audience to take the next step.

How to Do It:

  • Introduce a problem or conflict early on to grab the audience’s attention.
  • Present your solution or idea as the resolution to the conflict.
  • End with a clear call to action, encouraging your audience to act on the information you’ve provided.

Example: If you’re pitching a new marketing strategy, start by outlining the current challenges your company faces, then present your strategy as the solution. Conclude with a call to action, such as implementing the new strategy.

6. Keep It Visually Engaging

While storytelling is important, the visuals you use in Prezi are equally crucial to maintaining audience attention. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much text or clutter. Instead, rely on visuals like images, icons, and videos to support your narrative.Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps the Audience Focused: Visuals are more engaging than text-heavy slides and help keep the audience focused on the key points.
  • Simplifies Complex Data: Charts, graphs, and images can help simplify complex information, making it easier for the audience to understand.

How to Do It:

  • Use high-quality images and icons to illustrate your story without overcrowding the presentation.
  • Break up large blocks of text with visuals that support the key points, such as data visualizations or case studies.

Example: In a presentation on company performance, replace text-heavy slides with charts that visually represent growth metrics, and use icons to represent key performance indicators (KPIs).

7. End with a Powerful Conclusion

The conclusion of your Prezi should bring your story full circle, reinforcing your core message and leaving the audience with a clear takeaway. It’s your final opportunity to make an impact and inspire action.Why It’s Important:

  • Reinforces the Main Idea: A strong conclusion ensures that your audience leaves with a clear understanding of your core message.
  • Calls the Audience to Action: Ending with a call to action encourages your audience to engage with your message beyond the presentation.

How to Do It:

  • Summarize the key points of your presentation, tying them back to your core message.
  • End with a clear call to action, whether it’s adopting a new idea, investing in your product, or taking the next step in a project.

Example: Conclude your presentation with a zoomed-out view of your entire Prezi, summarizing the journey you’ve taken the audience on, and finish with a call to action like “Let’s take the next step together.”

Final Thoughts

Creating a perfect Prezi story is about combining dynamic visuals, non-linear navigation, and classic storytelling techniques to craft a presentation that captivates and inspires your audience. By defining your core message, organizing your content, leveraging visual metaphors, and using Prezi’s unique features effectively, you can build a presentation that is both engaging and memorable. Follow this path, and you’ll be well on your way to delivering a powerful Prezi story that leaves a lasting impact.

The 4 Fundamental Qualities of Presentation Content

presentation content

presentation tips

presentation writing

Presentations

Oct 07, 2014

Most people tend to focus all their energy on creating effective PowerPoint designs. It’s true that well-designed slides can help engage audiences even more. Visuals allow people to remember crucial details, given that vision trumps all other senses when it comes to processing information. Still, those who prefer to start by building slides on PowerPoint are missing a crucial detail. They forget that presentation content is the real focus.Building a presentation is a lot like building a house. Before painting the walls and decorating with furniture, you will need a strong foundation. You will need to build thick walls and sturdy floors. You will need pillars to hold everything in shape. In presentations, that foundation is your content.So what does it take to create the best content possible? How do you ensure that your foundation is solid and consistent? These are the four fundamental qualities found in effective presentation content:

1.) Has clear and specific message

Your presentation content needs to have a clear and specific message. This will be the core of your presentation, where all your other points revolve. Every argument you make throughout will be to prove the value of your statement. Determine the purpose of your presentation and define the goals you want to achieve. Are you talking to sales prospects? Are you pitching to potential investors? Do you want the audience to see the advantage of your product over competing brands? Craft a single message that encompasses your objectives. Keep it short, powerful, and descriptive.

2.) Streamlined and simplified

In presentations, less is always more. You can easily lose the attention of your audience if you stray too much from your main point. Even if you have plenty of ideas to share, the only thing that’s relevant to your audience will be those that help your message move forward. Streamline your presentation content with some brainstorming techniques. Once you’ve let your ideas run wild, you can choose the points that are most relevant and compelling. If you’re working with data or complex concepts, simplify your discussion by using analogies and metaphors.

3.) Supported by facts and data

To add credibility to your presentation content, you will need to support your points by citing appropriate sources. Make sure you have the necessary data to show that your arguments are valid and accurate. Look for research papers that can help authenticate your ideas. If you’ve done your own research, include the data from your results. You can also include testimonials or interviews.

4.) Compelling and memorable

Overall, your presentation content needs to attract the attention of your audience and keep them interested throughout. You can do that by crafting your content in the form of a story. According to research conducted by Dr. Paul Zak, the most effective content follows the structure of classical Greek dramas. Presentations with the pattern of exposition – rising action – climax – falling action – resolution are more likely to elicit emotional response from the audience.

All in all, your presentation content needs to have information that is specific, useful, accurate, and memorable. Take note of these key characteristics to find the best way to share the message you want to deliver.

 

Reference

“Dr. Paul Zak: Empathy, Neurochemistry, and the Dramatic Arc.” Future of Storytelling. 2014. Accessed October 07, 2014. Featured Image: Grant Hollingworth via Flickr