Tag: information retention

Information Retention: Remembering PowerPoint Presentations

clear and concise

information retention

PowerPoint Experts

presentation design

print collateral

slide content

Jul 04, 2018

Given the amount of information you cram into your presentation, getting people to remember all of it is a feat in itself.

This is why people have different ways of presenting. Some like to build an emotional bond with their audience while others provide hard data and analytics.

It doesn’t matter which type of presenter you are if the audience doesn’t remember anything about it. You have to give them something that will stick for as long as they will keep remembering your brand.

If you’re hiring presentation specialists, expect to receive a deck that is nothing short of impressive. This makes it easier for your audience to remember the information you’re feeding them.

Retention Rates

People retain information in various ways and while there isn’t a manual on what works best for everyone, adults retain approximately 10% of what they see; 30%–40% of what they see and hear; and 90% of what they see, hear, and experience—this, according to the National Highway Institute’s “Principle of Adult Learning & Instructional Systems Design.”

The way your audience retains information is vital in presentation design because the more effective and engaging it is, the more people will remember it at the end of the week.

It’s worrying if you’re eyeing for a favorable business decision and you end up giving a mediocre presentation. This results in investors having already forgotten what you’ve said a week later, and likely that your information won’t be considered when they need to reach a decision.

The phrase, “Content is King,” may be overused, but it stays true, even for presentations. Make sure they remember a catchy headline, powerful quote, or striking image.

How exactly can you make your presentation more memorable?

Visual Impact

Instead of using bullet points, use images that resonate with the audience. This inspires them to act, making it easier for them to retain information for much longer.

Visuals shouldn’t distract the audience, but rather, reel them in and help them become engaged in the discussion.

Print Collateral

Brochures, flipbooks, executive summaries—if you want to provide more information without taking much of your audience’s time, have handouts ready by the end of your presentation. That, or you can provide downloadable versions of your PowerPoint so they can look over it and check if they’ve missed anything. These provide notable facts and figures essential for business decisions that might have to be made in the future.

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Stop filling your slides with fluff and instead, make your message clear and concise. Have your key points ready and focus on what you want to get across, and be prepared for whatever they might throw your way at the end of the presentation.

Make sure your PowerPoint presentation contains memorable features that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. If you want to make sure that it’s effective and engaging, rehearse, and apply whatever feedback you receive from peers.

Typography, Is It Really Important?

information retention

PowerPoint Experts

powerpoint presentation design

powerpoint presentation fonts

sales pitch

typography

May 23, 2018

Typography is one of the most overlooked aspects of presentation design, yet it plays a critical role in how your message is received. The typefaces you choose, the spacing, and the overall presentation of your text can make a significant difference in readability, professionalism, and the effectiveness of your slides. Good typography ensures that your content is both legible and visually appealing, while poor typography can distract from your message.

Here’s why typography is important in presentations and how to use it effectively:

1. Enhances Readability

The most fundamental role of typography is to make your text easy to read. If your audience can’t read your slides easily, they’ll miss out on key information. The right choice of font, size, and spacing ensures that your message is accessible and clear.

How It Helps:

  • Font Choice: Use fonts that are easy to read at a distance. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica are generally more readable on screens than serif fonts.
  • Font Size: Ensure your font size is large enough to be legible for everyone in the room. A minimum size of 24pt is recommended for most presentation text.
  • Line Spacing: Adjust the spacing between lines to avoid overcrowded text. Proper spacing makes your slides easier to read and digest.

Example: A corporate presentation on a large screen should use a sans-serif font like Calibri, with text size at least 28pt for body text and 36pt for headings.

2. Conveys Tone and Personality

Typography can communicate more than just words—it can also convey the tone and personality of your presentation. Different fonts and styles evoke different emotions and set the tone for your message.

How It Helps:

  • Formal vs. Informal: Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia convey a more traditional, formal tone, while sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica feel more modern and casual.
  • Consistency: Using consistent typography throughout your presentation creates a cohesive look, which enhances the professional feel of your presentation.

Example: If you’re giving a formal financial report, using a classic serif font for headings paired with a clean sans-serif font for body text can strike the right balance between professionalism and readability.

3. Draws Attention to Key Points

Typography can be used strategically to emphasize important points or guide the viewer’s attention to critical elements of your presentation. Bold fonts, contrasting colors, or larger text sizes can highlight key messages.

How It Helps:

  • Hierarchy: Use different font sizes and styles to create a hierarchy on your slides. Titles should be the largest, followed by subtitles, and then body text. This structure helps guide the audience’s eyes to the most important information.
  • Contrast: Use contrasting font styles or weights (bold vs. regular) to differentiate between points and draw attention to critical information.

Example: In a marketing pitch, bold the key takeaway in a larger font size to make it stand out from the rest of the slide.

4. Improves Aesthetic Appeal

Well-chosen typography can make your presentation look polished and professional, while poor typography can make it look cluttered or amateurish. A clean, visually appealing layout helps engage your audience and makes your presentation more enjoyable to follow.

How It Helps:

  • Visual Harmony: Consistent fonts, spacing, and alignment create visual harmony in your slides. Avoid mixing too many font styles, which can make your presentation feel chaotic.
  • White Space: Good typography often goes hand-in-hand with the effective use of white space. Plenty of space around text improves readability and gives your slides a cleaner, more modern look.

Example: Choose one or two fonts to use throughout your presentation—one for headings and another for body text—and make sure they complement each other for a unified look.

5. Supports Branding

Typography plays a crucial role in reinforcing your brand’s identity. Consistent use of brand fonts helps your presentation align with your company’s overall visual style, making it more memorable and professional.

How It Helps:

  • Brand Consistency: If your company has specific fonts for branding, use them in your presentations to maintain consistency with other marketing materials.
  • Builds Recognition: Over time, using the same typography across all company presentations helps reinforce brand recognition and trust.

Example: If your company’s website and marketing materials use a specific font, ensure that same font is used in your presentations to create a consistent brand experience.

6. Reduces Cognitive Load

When typography is used effectively, it reduces cognitive load for your audience. Clear, well-structured text helps the brain process information more efficiently, allowing your audience to focus on the content rather than struggling to decipher the text.

How It Helps:

  • Minimizes Distraction: Poor typography, such as overly decorative fonts or inconsistent text alignment, distracts the audience. Well-chosen typography ensures the focus stays on the message.
  • Enhances Focus: Clear, clean typography helps your audience process and retain the information more easily, enhancing the overall impact of your presentation.

Example: Avoid using overly decorative or script fonts for body text, as these can be hard to read and may distract from your core message.

Final Thoughts

Typography is a powerful yet often underestimated tool in presentations. It not only enhances readability but also sets the tone, emphasizes key points, and supports your brand. By using clean, consistent typography, you can improve the aesthetic appeal and effectiveness of your presentation, ensuring that your audience stays engaged and understands your message.