powerpoint presentation Archives

Why ‘Planning Analog’ is Better than ‘Going Digital?’

business presentation

planning analog

Powerpoint

powerpoint presentation

Presentations

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jun 29, 2016

There are two basic steps to planning: conceptualizing, and organizing your ideas. These steps determine your presentation’s core message. After all, you won’t be able to discover what points would work and what wouldn’t without careful planning. This involves in-depth research and freewriting before you can come up with the best ideas that you can focus on.But where do most presenters begin when planning for their pitch and deck? In some cases, most of them go digital to start the process. They use presentation software programs like PowerPoint to identify and structure their discussion points.Alternatively, some still prefer writing down and outlining rough ideas using the analog approach. They use this method to allow their thoughts to flow naturally without the distraction of any digital devices.You might be asking, between these two methods, where do you begin planning your business presentation? Should you think digital, or plan analog?In this post, we’ll cover how planning analog is more effective than the digital method. But before we proceed, let’s look at how each approach varies to find out which fits your purposes.

The Downside of ‘Planning Digital’

Nothing’s wrong with going digital when you start throwing in all your presentation ideas. It actually helps you do straight edits and modifications on your slides, making your work easier.While others may view this approach as helpful, some may not agree with putting their ideas straight to the deck. Just by doing it often might negatively affect the deck’s overall quality.PowerPoint offers support to your performance, but it can also distract the crowd when your edits result in a cluttered slide deck. Outlining your thoughts this way limits your ideas from flowing naturally since you’re editing on the fly.Giving in to what PowerPoint can provide makes you stay within your comfort zone. With a digital device on hand, planning won’t be smooth sailing compared to an idea generated with a pen and paper.

The Benefits of ‘Planning Analog’

The analog technique uses brainstorming as a mind-mapping strategy to dig up brilliant ideas.It enables speakers to generate ideas on a paper, sticky note, or whiteboard, helping you to flesh out more important points for your topic.Here are more good reasons why you should opt for this approach during the planning stage:

a. Provides Clearer Objectives

Listing down your ideas helps you determine what you want your audience to understand, even if this list was made on a simple sticky note. This involves bringing together your key points and highlighting your presentation’s main message. Also, it gives you an idea in identifying what objectives will successfully execute your plans.In this way, you can think of effective strategies that will not only generate audience interest, but will also guide you in creating an outline that compresses your thoughts.Focus on your goals to develop cohesive content that emphasizes your core objective.

b. Reinforces Creativity

Structuring your pitch using a pen and a paper allows you to come up with better ideas to improve your visuals. Choosing these traditional drawing tools helps you produce different concepts relevant to your subject.Dumping your thoughts straight to PowerPoint can make your deck’s structure look haphazard since content weren’t arranged systematically beforehand.When planning, consider going to other places where you can discover new ideas that can build up your pitch. Squeeze out your creative juices by creating a storyboard using traditional tools. This lets you sort out and prioritize your points first.

c. Saves Time

It doesn’t only unleash your creative side, but it also saves you time when creating a perfectly-designed deck. Planning analog gives you more time to categorize and specify each idea that you’ve gathered and thought of.According to sales trainer Jerson James, arranging your ideas using a computer will only distract you with other things. These distractions include email alerts and even other office tasks, which only draw attention away from your main priority.Time yourself when organizing your thoughts. Even something as simple as taking a five to ten-minute breather to sort out your ideas can help you arrange everything afterwards.

Let’s Go Analog!

Whether you prefer to do it on your laptop, or on a piece of paper, planning is important to deliver your message effectively. Choosing between planning digital and analog isn’t a problem. Skipping the stage can only make things worse. However, using the analog approach is more advisable since it opens a doorway of great and clearer ideas, as James wrote in his article.Remove any barriers when planning for a visually-appealing presentation. Concentrate on drafting your pitch to produce clearer objectives that’ll help you achieve your main goal.Use traditional tools to reinforce creativity that offers fresh, new perspectives that’ll entice the audience. Plan analog to save time and keep you from any distractions that’ll put the entire presentation at stake. Once you’re done, then you can open your PowerPoint and execute your plans to craft a winning deck.Need a well-designed PowerPoint presentation? Contact the SlideGenius team now to get a free quote!

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https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/why-planning-analog-is-better-than-going-digital

Reference

James, Jerson. “Preparing for a Presentation? Think Analog.” LinkedIn. July 13, 2014. Accessed October 19, 2015. www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140713181747-35264839-preparing-for-a-presentation-think-analog

Back to Basics: Making the Most of PowerPoint Gradients

gradient tool

PowerPoint Design

PowerPoint gradients

powerpoint presentation

Powerpoint tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jun 27, 2016

Gradients are one of PowerPoint’s most versatile design tools, allowing you to create a smooth transition between colors to give your presentation a polished, modern look. When used effectively, gradients can add depth, visual interest, and professionalism to your slides. However, it’s essential to use them carefully to avoid overwhelming your audience with overly complex designs.In this guide, we’ll take you back to the basics of PowerPoint gradients and explore how to use them to enhance your presentations without distracting from your message.

What is a Gradient in PowerPoint?

A gradient is a gradual transition between two or more colors. In PowerPoint, gradients can be applied to backgrounds, shapes, text, and other slide elements. PowerPoint allows you to customize the direction, angle, and intensity of the gradient, making it a powerful tool for creating dynamic visuals.

Types of Gradients in PowerPoint:

Linear Gradient: A smooth transition between colors in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal).
Radial Gradient: Colors radiate from the center, creating a circular or elliptical color transition.
Rectangular Gradient: Colors spread outward from the center of a shape in a rectangular pattern.
Path Gradient: Colors follow the path of the object, often used for complex shapes.

How to Apply Gradients in PowerPoint

Step 1: Select the Object

You can apply gradients to various elements such as text, shapes, or backgrounds. First, select the object you want to apply the gradient to:

Background: Click on the slide background.
Shape: Select the shape or object on the slide.
Text: Highlight the text.

Step 2: Open the Format Pane

Right-click on the selected object.
Choose “Format Shape” or “Format Text Effects” depending on what you’re formatting.

Step 3: Apply a Gradient

In the Format Shape pane, go to Fill (for shapes and backgrounds) or Text Options (for text).
Select Gradient Fill.
PowerPoint will automatically apply a basic gradient, but you can customize it to suit your needs.

Step 4: Customize the Gradient

a) Choose Gradient Colors

You can use a preset gradient or create a custom gradient.
To add or change colors:
- Under Gradient Stops, click on each stop (markers on the gradient line) and choose a color.
- You can add more stops by clicking on the gradient line or remove stops by dragging them off.

b) Adjust the Gradient Type

Choose between Linear, Radial, Rectangular, or Path gradients, depending on the design.
- Linear Gradients are great for backgrounds or transitions between sections of a slide.
- Radial Gradients work well for spotlight effects.

c) Direction and Angle

Direction: Set the direction of the gradient transition, such as left to right, top to bottom, or diagonally.
Angle: Adjust the angle of the gradient, which is particularly useful for linear gradients.

d) Transparency and Brightness

Transparency: Adjust the transparency of each gradient stop to create smoother transitions or highlight certain areas.
Brightness: Modify the brightness of each stop to make your gradient appear lighter or darker.

Step 5: Apply the Gradient

Once you’re satisfied with your customization, apply the gradient by clicking outside the Format Shape pane. Your gradient will now be visible on the selected object.

Best Practices for Using Gradients in PowerPoint

While gradients can enhance the visual appeal of your presentation, it’s important to use them thoughtfully to avoid overwhelming or distracting your audience. Here are some best practices for using gradients effectively:

1. Use Subtle Transitions

Gradients work best when they are subtle and not overly complex. Stick to transitions between two or three colors that blend smoothly. Overly complex gradients with too many colors can become distracting and reduce readability.

Tip:

Use gradients to create soft backgrounds that make your text or key points stand out. For example, a gradient from light gray to white can create a clean, modern background without overpowering the content.

2. Stick to Brand Colors

When applying gradients, stay within your brand’s color palette to ensure consistency and professionalism. You can create gradients by transitioning between different shades of your brand’s primary color or blending your primary and secondary brand colors.

Tip:

If your brand colors are blue and green, create a gradient from a light blue to a darker blue or from blue to green to maintain brand identity.

3. Enhance Key Elements

Use gradients to draw attention to specific slide elements like headings, charts, or important data points. Applying a gradient to a shape or background behind a key point can help emphasize that information without overwhelming the design.

Tip:

Create a radial gradient behind key statistics or product images to give them a “spotlight” effect, drawing the audience’s eye toward the center.

4. Be Mindful of Text Legibility

When using gradients as backgrounds, ensure that your text is still easily readable. Avoid high-contrast gradients that make it difficult to read the text over the background. Instead, opt for softer transitions and pair them with high-contrast text (e.g., dark text on light backgrounds or vice versa).

Tip:

If you’re using a light-to-dark gradient, place white or light-colored text on the darker section of the gradient for better legibility.

5. Use Gradients for Modern Design Elements

Gradients are a hallmark of modern design. You can use them in modern, minimalistic slide designs to create depth and movement. Avoid using gradients in every element, but selectively apply them to backgrounds, shapes, and icons to create a sleek, contemporary look.

Tip:

Incorporate gradients into section dividers, slide headers, or as accent colors in graphs and charts to create a visually appealing and cohesive design.

6. Keep it Consistent Across Slides

Consistency is key when using gradients in your presentation. If you decide to use gradients, maintain a consistent color scheme and gradient style throughout your slides. This ensures that your presentation looks professional and cohesive.

Tip:

Use the Slide Master feature in PowerPoint to apply the same gradient background or design element across multiple slides, maintaining a uniform look and feel.

Final Thoughts

Gradients can transform your PowerPoint slides from basic to visually stunning, adding a layer of sophistication and professionalism to your presentation. By following these basic steps and best practices, you can create gradients that enhance your design without overwhelming your message.Whether you’re using them as subtle backgrounds, attention-grabbing highlights, or modern design elements, gradients are a powerful tool in PowerPoint that can help elevate your presentations and keep your audience engaged. As with any design element, balance and simplicity are key—gradients should enhance, not detract from, your content.

Historical Alternatives: Remembering Life Before PowerPoint

life before ppt

powerpoint presentation

presentation tool

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

visual aid

May 16, 2016

PowerPoint has been around since the 90s. It may sound like recent history to us, but not many people can imagine life without PowerPoint anymore.The program has dominated everything presentation-related in its short life—from sales pitches to classroom speeches. However, there has been a time when PowerPoint wasn’t around. What did people use before the iconic presentation program, and what can we learn from these historical PowerPoint alternatives?Find out here:

Oratory Prowess

Before any form of visual aid, great speeches were delivered with good old-fashioned oration. It was either you memorized your speech or you went with an outline you could share impromptu. The downside to this was that people didn’t have the visual cue of a presentation like what PowerPoint does. They either missed some points, hoping it was nothing major, or stumbled through their own thoughts.Some of the most powerful speeches of all time were simply oratory prowess. These speakers commanded attention by appealing to people’s emotions and letting them see things from their perspective.Adapt one of these methods in your own pitch to develop your public speaking and persuasive skills. You may be backed up with a winning deck, but that doesn’t mean you should slack on your actual spiel.

Storytelling

In relation to emotional appeal, life before PowerPoint meant keeping your audience’s interest without an occasional powerful image to fix their gaze. How did presenters attract their listeners before visual presentation became a big thing?Captivating performances were related through the power of a good narrative. These were common experiences that everybody could relate to—stories of their ancestors and their own lives that others may have also gone through before. It was through these stories that people connected to each other and expanded their connections.Similarly, tap into storytelling by crafting your pitch around a narrative. Don’t just give your data straight to your audience. Be creative and add a human side to your presentation.Develop a concrete beginning, middle, and end everyone can relate to.

Personal Network

Speakers who weren’t particularly persuasive counted on their personal networks to draw attention to themselves, even outside the stage. They made use of influential people during their time to endorse them.This still happens today when businesses pitch to influencers who can give them a positive review through word of mouth among their followers. Take your pitch beyond the stage and make use of other avenues to deliver your core message to a larger audience.Technological advancement makes it possible to reach out to people all over the world without necessarily having to move from where you are. Utilize digital media and different online social platforms to expand your circle. Bring your pitch online since it’s become easier to upload your deck to the Web for everyone to see.Presenting live is the ideal, but if you want to penetrate your target market at once, consider options outside your actual presentation.–People were already pitching long before PowerPoint. Learn some things from these historical alternatives.Use emotional appeal the way people used the raw power of their oration to charm large groups of people. Tell a story everybody wants to hear and captivate them with your pitch. Take your presentation outside the slide and into personal networks that will grow and expand.When you’ve got your public speaking skills down to a T, contact a presentation expert for the perfect deck to match.Featured Image: “IMG_3235.jpg” by Michael on flickr.comhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/helloturkeytoe/4762288052/

How to Add Narration to PowerPoint 2013

PowerPoint narration

powerpoint presentation

powerpoint tutorial

Rick Enrico

slide timings

SlideGenius

voice narration

May 11, 2016

Adding narration to your PowerPoint presentation is an excellent way to enhance its impact, especially when you can’t be present to deliver it live. Narration can help clarify key points, provide additional insights, and guide your audience through your slides. In PowerPoint 2013, adding narration is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you add voice narration to your PowerPoint presentation.

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Before you begin adding narration, ensure that you have the necessary equipment:

Microphone: Use a good-quality external or built-in microphone for clear sound recording.
Quiet Environment: Record in a quiet space to minimize background noise and distractions.

Step 2: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

Open PowerPoint 2013 and load the presentation to which you want to add narration.
Go to the slide where you want to begin recording your narration. You can start at the first slide or anywhere within the presentation.

Step 3: Record Narration

Recording Audio for the Entire Presentation

To record narration for the entire presentation, follow these steps:

Go to the “Slide Show” Tab: Navigate to the top toolbar and click on the “Slide Show” tab.
Click “Record Slide Show”: Under the Slide Show tab, you will see the “Record Slide Show” button. When you click on it, a drop-down menu will appear. You will have two options:
- Start Recording from Beginning: Choose this if you want to record narration for the entire presentation, starting from the first slide.
- Start Recording from Current Slide: Choose this if you want to start recording narration from the slide you’re currently on.
Select Recording Options: Once you choose either option, a dialog box will pop up asking what you want to record:
- Slide and Animation Timings: This option records the timing for slide transitions and animations.
- Narrations, Ink, and Laser Pointer: This option records your voice and any laser pointer movements or annotations you make during the presentation.
Make sure to check both options if you want to record your narration along with the slide timings.
Begin Recording: After selecting your recording preferences, click “Start Recording.” PowerPoint will begin recording immediately. Speak clearly and naturally as you move through the presentation. To advance to the next slide, click or use the right arrow key on your keyboard.
Pause or Stop the Recording: If you need to take a break, you can pause the recording by clicking the pause button on the top-left corner of the screen. When you’re done, click “End Show” to stop the recording.

Recording Audio for Specific Slides

If you only need to record narration for specific slides, follow these steps:

Select the specific slide where you want to add narration.
Follow the same process as above: Slide Show → Record Slide Show → Start Recording from Current Slide.
Record narration for only that slide or a sequence of slides, and end the recording when you’re done.

Step 4: Review Your Recorded Narration

After you’ve recorded the narration, it’s important to review it to make sure everything sounds right. Here’s how to do it:

Play Your Presentation: Go to the “Slide Show” tab and click “From Beginning” or “From Current Slide” to watch and listen to your narrated presentation.
Check Audio Icons: After recording narration, you’ll notice a small speaker icon appears on each slide where you’ve recorded audio. You can click the speaker icon to play the narration for that specific slide.

If any part of the narration needs re-recording, you can easily go back and replace it.

Step 5: Edit or Re-Record Narration

If you’re not satisfied with a portion of the narration, you can re-record it. Follow these steps:

Go to the Slide: Navigate to the specific slide where you want to change the narration.
Re-Record for That Slide: Click “Record Slide Show” in the “Slide Show” tab, and select “Start Recording from Current Slide.” PowerPoint will overwrite the existing narration for that slide.

If you want to delete the narration entirely, simply:

Select the audio icon (speaker) on the slide.
Press Delete on your keyboard to remove it.

Step 6: Save the Presentation with Narration

Once you’re happy with your narrated presentation, make sure to save your work:

Click “File” in the top-left corner.
Select “Save As” and choose a location to save your presentation.
If you plan to share the presentation with others, it’s a good idea to save it as a PowerPoint Show (.ppsx). This ensures that the presentation will open in full-screen mode with narration ready to play.

Step 7: Export as a Video (Optional)

If you want to share your presentation as a video, PowerPoint 2013 allows you to export it with the narration included:

Click “File” → “Export” → “Create a Video.”
Under “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations,” select “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations” to ensure your audio is included in the video.
Click “Create Video,” choose your desired video quality, and save the video to your preferred location.

Tips for a Great Narration

Use a Script: While you don’t need to read word-for-word, having a script or outline can help you stay on track and ensure you don’t miss key points.
Speak Clearly: Enunciate your words clearly and avoid speaking too quickly. Your audience needs to understand you easily.
Avoid Filler Words: Words like “um,” “uh,” and “you know” can be distracting. Practice avoiding these fillers in your narration.
Test Your Equipment: Ensure your microphone is functioning properly, and test the audio quality before recording the entire presentation.

Conclusion

Adding narration to your PowerPoint 2013 presentation is a simple yet effective way to elevate your slides and make your presentation more engaging. By following the steps outlined above, you can confidently add narration to enhance your storytelling, explain key concepts, and guide your audience through your presentation. With a little preparation and practice, your narrated presentation will leave a lasting impression!

10 PowerPoint Design Tips to Revive Your Slides

PowerPoint Design

powerpoint design tips

powerpoint presentation

Powerpoint tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

slides

May 09, 2016

Have your presentations been lackluster lately? Do you also find an impressive deck taking too much time and effort to make?We’ve compiled a list to make it easier for you to achieve your desired deck. All you have to do is apply these simple changes to bring it back to life:

1. Keep Text to a Minimum

There’s absolutely no need to swamp your audience with text. They’ll only get ahead of you if you make all your talking points available for them to read. It also makes them tune out once they’ve read and understood everything.Write down key points and save the details for your speech. Less text means you don’t have to keep going back to your slides to make corrections. It also means you have more room.

2. Connect with a Narrative

The most natural way of engaging in a conversation is with a story. If you’re struggling to turn your presentation into a narrative, follow a simple structure with a beginning, middle, and end.Failing to meet one of these three conditions weakens the structure of your presentation. If you fail to reach a conclusion, the listener won’t know what to do with the information provided. The middle contains the meat of your presentation and not giving it enough attention is like skimming through your main points. Finally, because it provides context, skipping an introduction will make you hard to follow. Create a seamless pitch with a narrative structure for a powerful story format.

3. Hit Up PowerPoint Last

Prioritize content. Plan your speech outline and rehearse all your talking points. You’re the center of the presentation, and the program is only there to support you. Don’t make the mistake of becoming an accessory to your slides.Take a break from crafting your deck to focus on rehearsing your speech. An engaging enough story and message might not need the support of an elaborate PowerPoint.

4. Storyboard Your Presentation

Before you even think of touching PowerPoint, build the structure of your story visually. Don’t jump ahead to slide creation without a plan of action. You’ll waste a lot of effort editing out slides that don’t fit your message. Lay out your ideas on paper so you can move them around freely.

5. Support Your Message Visually

Your image shouldn’t just be relatable to your topic. Since our first point emphasized text reduction, this point will emphasize balancing text with imagery. Hit two birds with one stone by choosing a high-quality stock image that looks good and visually supports your message.For example, the stock image in the previous section, obtained freely from Kaboompics, is meant to depict the act of storyboarding ideas. This reflects the message of that section, which talks about storyboarding.Although some sources provide images are free, always give credit where it’s due.

6. Cut Back on Animation Transitions

It’s better to stick to a simple but memorable presentation than be remembered for a convoluted one. Use simple slide transitions like cut, fade, and wipe since these are the least distracting of the bunch. These have been used for years in film editing. Your deck can benefit from these techniques as well. The cut transition is the most subtle, often over in a blink of an eye. Alternately, direct your viewer’s gaze specifically with the fade and wipe transitions.These simple transitions are effective enough to deliver your points without becoming a distraction.

7. Limit Bullet Points

Use bullet points judiciously. They’re a simple and effective way to list down your key points.In the example above, the list on the left is much easier to remember and understand than the one on the right since the points are kept to the essentials.Format your list for consistency of style and content to avoid confusing your audience. Create a logical flow of ideas when using bullet points and keep each key point short.Your audience can only remember a few key points during your presentation, so don’t add too much to the mix.

8. Choose Your Fonts Wisely

Your font choice plays a big role in PowerPoint design. Instead of plunging deep into the meaning and history behind every font type, we’ve narrowed it all down so you can choose the perfect font in five minutes or less. The fonts we recommend are already in your Microsoft or Apple computer so there’s no need to download anything.For example, Bodoni is an elegant font that’s suitable for both headers and subheaders. Speed up the process further by plugging in your text and headline in Font Pair to view your text combination immediately.

9. Customize Templates with Slide Master

The Slide Master is your friend. It looks like a complicated feature, but if you have a clear brand identity and message, it’s simpler to use since it applies your formatting changes to your entire presentation.Fonts and even color schemes can be standardized to give your deck a more consistent look. This makes it more comfortable for clients to view. This tool further customizes your deck. For example, you can append your company logo to all of your slides using Slide Master, and your logo will appear automatically on every slide.

10. Pick the Appropriate Chart

Complex data is difficult to translate visually. How do you know which chart to use for your presentation?Dr. Andrew Abela, a professor of marketing and renowned presentation design consultant, developed the Chart Chooser for your convenience. Chart Chooser is a flowchart that guides you on how to present with the appropriate chart. Use your judgement to present your data appropriately and attractively.

Conclusion

These PowerPoint Design tips cover vital aspects of your presentation design with a heavy focus on keeping things clear and simple.Draft your speech outline first before embarking on the design process of your slides. Manage the appearance of your slides later so that you won’t compromise your content by giving it the short end of the stick. Choose which elements go well in your slides. Every part of your slide must contribute to your entire message. Don’t use distracting animation, inappropriate bullet points, or the wrong chart to present your data.

References

Abela, Andrew. “Choosing a Good Chart.” The Extreme Presentation(tm) Method. September 6, 2006. www.extremepresentation.typepad.com/blog/2006/09/choosing_a_good.htmlReynolds, Garr. “10 Slide Design Tips for Producing Powerful and Effective Presentations.” TechRepublic. September 19, 2006. www.techrepublic.com/article/10-slide-design-tips-for-producing-powerful-and-effective-presentations/6117178Teti, Gianluca. “Bodoni: A Typeface for (almost) Any Occasion.” Gianluca Teti – Web Graphic Designer. July 30, 2014. www.gianlucateti.com/bodoni-a-typeface-for-almost-any-occasion Featured Image: by Jeremy Goldberg on unsplash.com

Protect Your Slides in PowerPoint 2013

powerpoint 2013

powerpoint presentation

PowerPoint tip

Protect PowerPoint file

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

May 04, 2016

Protecting your PowerPoint slides is essential, especially if you are sharing your presentation with colleagues, clients, or collaborators and want to prevent unauthorized changes, edits, or access. PowerPoint 2013 offers several methods to protect your presentation, from basic password protection to restricting editing permissions.Here are some methods to protect your slides in PowerPoint 2013:

1. Password-Protect Your Presentation

One of the most secure ways to protect your PowerPoint file is by adding a password to prevent unauthorized users from opening or editing it. PowerPoint allows you to set different passwords for viewing and editing the presentation.How to Do It:

Open your PowerPoint presentation.
Click on the File tab and select Info.
Click on Protect Presentation and choose Encrypt with Password.
Enter a password for the file and confirm it. Once applied, users will need to enter this password to open the presentation.

Example: For confidential corporate presentations, use a password to restrict access and ensure that only authorized personnel can view or edit the slides.

2. Mark Your Presentation as Final

If you want to prevent further edits to your presentation, you can mark the file as final. This action informs others that the presentation is complete and shouldn’t be edited. Although this method doesn’t provide full security, it discourages changes.How to Do It:

Open the presentation and click on the File tab.
Select Info, then click on Protect Presentation.
Choose Mark as Final. PowerPoint will display a notification that the presentation is marked as final, and editing will be restricted.

Example: Use this feature after completing your final version of a pitch deck to indicate that no further changes should be made.

3. Restrict Editing

You can restrict users from editing specific aspects of your presentation, such as preventing changes to the text or design. This is useful when sharing presentations with collaborators who should only review the content, not modify it.How to Do It:

Click on File > Info.
Under Protect Presentation, select Restrict Access.
Choose from the available options to restrict formatting, design, or editing changes while allowing the presentation to be viewed.

Example: Restrict editing for a presentation you’re sharing with a client, allowing them to review the content without making modifications to the design.

4. Save the Presentation as a PDF

If you only need the recipient to view the presentation without making any changes, consider saving the file as a PDF. This format is secure, as it prevents edits to the content while maintaining the visual layout of the slides.How to Do It:

Open your presentation and click File > Save As.
Choose PDF from the list of formats and save the file. The PDF will retain the design and content but will not allow for editing.

Example: When sharing a finalized presentation with external clients, save the file as a PDF to maintain design integrity and prevent alterations.

5. Use Digital Signatures

PowerPoint 2013 supports the use of digital signatures, which can certify the authenticity of a presentation and verify the identity of the author. This feature is ideal for presentations that require a higher level of security and authenticity.How to Do It:

Click on File > Info.
Select Protect Presentation and choose Add a Digital Signature.
Follow the steps to create and attach your digital signature, which will indicate that the file has not been tampered with since the signature was added.

Example: Add a digital signature to presentations that are legally binding or require proof of authorship, such as financial reports or formal business proposals.

6. Remove Personal Information

If you’re sharing a PowerPoint presentation with others, it’s a good idea to remove any personal information, such as author details or editing history, to protect your privacy.How to Do It:

Click on File > Info.
Select Check for Issues and click on Inspect Document.
In the Document Inspector window, check for personal information, and remove it before sharing the file.

Example: Before sending your presentation to clients or external parties, remove personal metadata to maintain professionalism and protect sensitive information.

Final Thoughts

PowerPoint 2013 offers several ways to protect your slides, from adding passwords to restricting editing and converting your presentation to a PDF. By applying these protection methods, you can safeguard your work, prevent unauthorized modifications, and ensure that your presentation is shared securely.

We’re in Strong Defense of PowerPoint and So Should You

boring presentations

powerpoint deck

powerpoint presentation

powerpoint tutorial

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

May 02, 2016

Let’s put a lid on Death by PowerPoint once and for all.One program can’t be responsible for the millions of boring presentations being delivered out there, yet the blame always goes to PowerPoint. Learning a craft takes a lot of time and dedication. The lack of time invested in learning the program and designing visual content are the roadblocks that most users can’t overcome in order to create a deck.It’s too often that people blame PowerPoint for poor presentations, but the program can only make do with what the user puts into it. After all, it’s still only a visual aid. The rest of the presentation’s development rests on your shoulders.

Plan Out and Plot Your Points

The power to do anything with PowerPoint might be what puts off people from the program. Everyone starts with an empty slide, which can understandably be intimidating to stare at and fill with text. Avoid the pressure it places on you by preparing your outline now and creating a PowerPoint later.Research your topic first. You’ll be ending up with a lot of information. Narrow it all down and create an outline next to trim down data that’s not supporting your message. Facilitate the flow of information for your audience by providing a structure and outlining your ideas before creating a deck.

Familiarize Yourself with PowerPoint

Lack of technical PowerPoint know-how will make it difficult for you to embody your vision on the slide. Familiarize yourself with the basic functions of the program and empower yourself with creation.Invest time in learning PowerPoint. Look up a tutorial in a search engine, and the results are right there for your convenience. However, here’s another problem: design isn’t something we can come up with on the fly.Your brand identity depends on your chosen design. The color scheme you pick determines the character of your brand, so pick one that best suits your needs. For example, blue is often seen as a professional color. Try to give it a bit of contrast by pairing it with orange and balance these colors by deciding which color you want to give more prominence.Learning both the program and design is a multidisciplinary task that you can’t rush yourself into.

Practice, Practice, Practice

PowerPoint can be your ally or your enemy, but you can always count on yourself first.Invest in your own abilities and hone your speaking skills. Record yourself and point out areas in your speech that gave you trouble and make sure to get it right on the next take. Keep doing so until you can get your entire pitch right in one take. Practice your delivery so that you know your pitch like the back of your hand.You’re the center of the presentation, and PowerPoint is just there to aid you. Don’t pour all your effort and resources on your deck. Make sure to spend the same amount on yourself.

PowerPoint, Your Partner for the Perfect Pitch

As with most things in life, you can only get out what you put in when it comes to PowerPoint. Resist the temptation to cram your entire research in a few slides. Structure your slides in a way that will make it easier for your audience to follow what you’re saying.Miscommunication down the line can be avoided if we make the effort to learn the language that machines speak: they wait for us to input a command, then they execute it.In defense of PowerPoint, it has clear limitations. For one, it can’t customize your pitch according to your vision. You have to provide the input that the program can work with.Maximize its potential before dismissing the capabilities of this presentation tool. Ask a team of experts to help you get the most out of your pitch.

Reference

Kaptereve, Alexei. “Death by PowerPoint.” SlideShare, July 31, 2007. www.slideshare.net/thecroaker/death-by-powerpoint

Displaying Slide Presentations Using Large Screens

powerpoint presentation

presentation tips

Presentations

Rick Enrico

slide presentations

SlideGenius

Apr 25, 2016

Large screens, such as projectors, LED displays, or even interactive whiteboards, can transform the delivery of your slide presentation by creating an immersive and dynamic viewing experience. However, maximizing the potential of large screens requires careful planning and thoughtful design choices. Here’s a guide to effectively displaying your slide presentations using large screens.

1. Optimize Your Slide Design for Large Screens

When using large screens, your slides should be designed to be visually impactful from any distance. Small text or overly detailed visuals can be hard to read on large displays, especially for viewers sitting farther away.Why It’s Important:

Enhances Readability: Larger fonts and simple layouts ensure that everyone in the audience can read the content, regardless of their position in the room.
Improves Visual Impact: Large screens amplify visual elements, so bold and clear design choices will create a stronger impression.

How to Do It:

Use larger font sizes (minimum 30pt for headings and 20pt for body text).
Limit the amount of text on each slide. Opt for one key point per slide with supporting visuals.
Use high-quality images and vector graphics that won’t pixelate or blur when scaled up on a large screen.

2. Adjust Aspect Ratios and Resolutions

When presenting on large screens, the aspect ratio and resolution of your slides must match the display to avoid distortion or poor image quality. Many modern large screens and projectors use widescreen formats (16:9), so ensure your slides are set up correctly.Why It’s Important:

Avoids Distortion: Ensuring the correct aspect ratio prevents your slides from appearing stretched or squashed.
Maintains Clarity: High-resolution slides provide clear visuals, essential for large displays where every detail is magnified.

How to Do It:

Set your slides to the correct aspect ratio. Go to the Design tab in PowerPoint, click Slide Size, and select 16:9 (Widescreen) for most modern displays.
Ensure your presentation resolution matches the screen’s resolution. Opt for at least 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher if the screen supports 4K.

3. Use Contrasting Colors for Better Visibility

Large screens can sometimes wash out colors, making it difficult to see details, especially in brightly lit rooms. Choosing high-contrast color schemes ensures that your content remains visible and easy to read, no matter the lighting conditions.Why It’s Important:

Increases Visibility: High contrast makes text and visuals stand out, even in bright environments.
Prevents Eye Strain: Clear, well-contrasted slides are easier for the audience to focus on and read.

How to Do It:

Use dark backgrounds with light text (or vice versa) for maximum contrast. For example, a dark navy background with white text works well in most lighting conditions.
Avoid using colors that blend together or are too similar in tone (e.g., light blue on white).
Test your slides on a large screen before the presentation to ensure the colors are legible in various lighting settings.

4. Focus on Simple Animations and Transitions

While animations and transitions can add dynamism to a presentation, on large screens, excessive animations can become distracting or overwhelming. Keep animations minimal and purposeful.Why It’s Important:

Maintains Focus: Simple, subtle animations direct attention without overwhelming the viewer.
Ensures Smooth Performance: Large screens require more processing power for complex animations, so simple effects reduce the risk of technical issues.

How to Do It:

Stick to basic transitions, like fades or wipes, to avoid abrupt visual distractions.
Use animations sparingly, such as highlighting key points or transitioning between major sections of your presentation.
Test your animations on the large screen beforehand to ensure they run smoothly without lag.

5. Manage Audio and Video Content for Large Screens

Large screens often come with integrated audio-visual capabilities, making them ideal for multimedia presentations. However, it’s essential to ensure that video and audio files are high-quality and compatible with the display system.Why It’s Important:

Enhances Engagement: Incorporating videos or sound can make your presentation more dynamic, but poor-quality media will detract from the overall experience.
Prevents Technical Glitches: Ensuring media compatibility avoids playback issues during your presentation.

How to Do It:

Use high-resolution videos (at least 1080p) to maintain clarity on large screens.
Ensure that your audio is clear and at an appropriate volume. If the room is large, consider using external speakers to amplify sound.
Test videos on the large screen to check for smooth playback and synchronized audio.

6. Practice Managing Your Presentation

Handling large screens can be more complex than presenting on a regular monitor. You need to familiarize yourself with the technology and adjust your presentation style accordingly, especially if you’re using multiple screens or interactive features.Why It’s Important:

Increases Confidence: Familiarity with the equipment ensures you’re prepared for any technical issues and can smoothly manage transitions and multimedia.
Engages the Audience: Practicing with the large screen helps you use its features to your advantage, such as knowing when to move around the stage or engage with visuals.

How to Do It:

Practice your presentation in the room where it will be displayed, using the actual screen to get a sense of how your slides look and feel.
If using interactive features like laser pointers or clickers, ensure that they work well with the large display.
Familiarize yourself with the screen controls (e.g., switching between screens or managing volume) before the presentation starts.

7. Leverage Multiple Screens

For larger venues or events, you might have access to multiple large screens. This setup allows you to show different types of content simultaneously or ensure that everyone in the audience has a clear view of the slides.Why It’s Important:

Improves Accessibility: Multiple screens ensure that even those sitting far from the main screen can still see your presentation clearly.
Enhances Engagement: You can display supporting content on additional screens, such as live polls, social media feeds, or complementary visuals.

How to Do It:

Plan your content accordingly, deciding what should be shown on the primary screen versus any additional screens.
Coordinate with your AV team to ensure that all screens are synchronized and displaying the correct content throughout the presentation.

Final Thoughts

Displaying slide presentations on large screens offers an opportunity to create a more immersive, engaging experience for your audience. By optimizing your slide design, using high-quality media, managing transitions and animations, and practicing with the equipment, you can ensure that your presentation shines on the big screen. Whether in a boardroom or conference hall, these strategies will help you maximize the impact of your slides.

How You Might Be Missing the Point in PowerPoint

powerpoint presentation

PowerPoint tip

Presentations

Rick Enrico

slide deck

SlideGenius

Apr 11, 2016

PowerPoint’s a must in the field of presentation. However, critics have raised several points against it, one of the most notorious being “Death by PowerPoint.”Under its premise, this phenomenon is when a presenter bores a reader with their lengthy and rather clunky slide deck. However, is it really the presentation tool’s fault, or does the speaker have a hand in the mishap?Find out how you might be misusing your slides:

It’s Not Your Crutch

Don’t fall into the trap of using your slide deck as a safety blanket.It’s still necessary to practice your public speaking skills even if you have a winning deck. Reading from your slides will only cut off the personal connection you need to establish between yourself and your audience. Be more natural in your presentation and drop the script. Rehearse your pitch in front of a mirror and try to incorporate things that will further engage the audience, like your body language and posture. Make sure to maintain eye contact as you speak to people so that you appear both conversational and professional in your delivery.

You Have Too Many Slides

This well-known phenomenon, “Death by PowerPoint,” occurs when an inexperienced presenter drowns the audience with a barrage of slides and innumerable bullet points.Remember that people can only process so much information at once, so it’s important to keep your presentation as short as possible. Leave out things from your slide that aren’t direct key points. Covering too many topics means you’ll be adding more slides to list them in. Business expert Guy Kawasaki formulated the 10-20-30 rule as a guide for presenters. Stick to 10 slides in 20 minutes, and don’t go below a 30-point font size. Your audience will only remember the highlights of your presentation, so don’t bombard them with too many slides that can distract their memory.

Your Design Might Need Tweaking

Some design choices can be detrimental to your overall slide deck. Since PowerPoint is primarily a visual tool, the way its aesthetics contribute to your core message affect people’s reception of it.Take a step back and reconsider your deck’s design. Tap into its different aspects, like color and layout. Different colors evoke different emotions in people, so use the appropriate hues for your deck to get the right attention. Make use of white space to draw attention to important elements on your slides and let your audience’s eyes relax at the same time.

Conclusion

As the presenter, make sure that it’s not your own design choices that are holding you back from delivering a good pitch and presenting a well-made deck.A deck isn’t an excuse to slack on your speech, so make sure to treat it only as a visual aid reserved for your key points. Cut back on the amount of slides you have and leave room for you to expound and explain each part of your presentation. Tweak your design to evoke the right response from people.If you want a deck ready for your brand to use without the added hassle, contact our SlideGenius experts today for a free quote!

References

Hedges, Kristi. “Six Ways to Avoid Death by PowerPoint.” Forbes. November 14, 2014. www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2014/11/14/six-ways-to-avoid-death-by-powerpointKawasaki, Guy. “The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint.” Guy Kawasaki. December 30, 2005. http://guykawasaki.com/the_102030_rule”Understanding Information Overload.” Infogineering. www.infogineering.net/understanding-information-overload.htm Featured Image: “Confused” by CollegeDegrees360 on flickr.com

The Best Presentations Use PowerPoint for Business

powerpoint for business

powerpoint presentation

Powerpoint tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Apr 06, 2016

It’s a bold claim to make, but with our growing list of happy clients, it’s safe to say that our professional presentations have made them satisfied partners indeed.To get your pitch off the ground, you’ll most likely need maybe one or two investors to help you. Chances are, they’re going to see your pitch through PowerPoint.

Hire Experts to Maximize Your Pitch

The program was developed to give speakers control over their design decisions. These days, however, no one has that kind of time on their hands. This is why hiring professional presentation designers can save you time and money. Excellent visuals and layouts will give your slides a more professional look, maximizing audience engagement.PowerPoint experts specialize in crafting a customized pitch, allowing you to have more time to focus on your delivery instead. You can dedicate your time rehearsing for your speech to help you prepare for your presentation.With so much time and effort spent in making sure you and your PowerPoint are in top condition, the program itself is a vital part of maximizing your pitch.

PowerPoint with Personality

You’re not just there to read off a bunch of slides whenever you pitch. You stand before the audience to tell your story in an engaging and effective manner so that they know why they should invest their time and money on you.Jack Morton’s team, a global marketing agency, noted that people responded to work that appeals to basic human emotions like fun and excitement. Depending on your branding strategy, you can combine this with a more conversational tone in delivering your pitch to communicate your brand as authentic and trustworthy.Instead of just listing out the figures and facts, simplify your pitch to show what this information means for your audience. Then highlight the core values of your brand, be it providing quality products or building relationships with its customers.

Standard Compatibility Reaches More Prospects

Other presentation programs are available, such as Prezi and Keynote, but you can reach out to more people with PowerPoint simply because more people use it. To cite another figure, PowerPoint’s share of the presentation software market is a whopping 95% according to a 2012 Bloomberg report. You might end up inconveniencing someone when your file format requires the addition of a different program to view your file.Don’t stand out the wrong way by not following the standard. Stand out the right way by conducting your business professionally with PowerPoint. It’s a matter of refining design and content to get your brand’s identity and values across.

You Deserve Only the Best

The biggest, most widely used professional software for creating presentations has been, and still is, PowerPoint. Any business will benefit from creating their pitch in this program tested by time. You can get more done by having a team of PowerPoint experts create your deck for you. Invest time in yourself and your PowerPoint to reap the full benefits of an excellent pitch.Business is all about collaboration. We make professional decks using the standard software practices, so you can devote more time to yourself and your business.Consult with a team that will understand your brand to develop your pitch. A professionally made deck will help you find your brand’s voice. Your story deserves to be heard.

References

Morton, Jack. “Cannes Guide to Buzzwords.” Jack Morton. July 15, 2015. www.jackmorton.com/blog/cannes-guide-to-buzzwords-8-newbies-on-whats-real-and-what-matters-to-brand-experienceParker, Ian. “Absolute PowerPoint.” The New Yorker. May 28, 2001. www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/05/28/absolute-powerpointParks, Bob. “Death to PowerPoint!” Bloomberg. August 30, 2012. www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2012-08-30/death-to-powerpointVellanikaran, Jojo Joseph. “PowerPoint.” JO3 STUDY NOTES. March 6, 2009. jo3studynotes.blogspot.com/2009/03/final-yr-zool-students.html”Are We Wasting $250 Million per Day Due to Bad PowerPoint?” Think Outside The Slide. September 11, 2012. www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/are-we-wasting-250-million-per-day-due-to-bad-powerpointComputer Application in Management. 1st ed. Erzincan: Ersincan University, 2015. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. www.erzincan.edu.tr/userfiles/bkurt/duyuru/files/computer-application-in-management(1).pdf Featured Image: “White laptop, female hand, note, pen, phone, desk” on kaboompics.com