Tag: Powerpoint

Frank Sinatra: Make Your PowerPoint Presentations Sing

Frank Sinatra

performance skills

Powerpoint

presentation tips

public speaking skills

Rick Enrico Blog

May 12, 2015

You don’t have to be a singer to make your PowerPoint presentations sing. Just hone your public speaking skills to go with your deck, and you’re set for a winning performance. Emulating famous artists can teach you how to better influence people.In one of his articles, public speaking guru Garr Reynolds cites Frank Sinatra, one of the greatest entertainers of the twentieth century, as an example of somebody we can learn from for pitching techniques.[sg-blog-modules module=three]When asked in The Playboy Interview: Music Men what his secret towards successful performances was, Sinatra says, “I think it’s because I get an audience involved, personally involved in a song—because I’m involved myself.” Sinatra believed that getting an audience requires reaching out with total honesty, humility, and adaptability to changes, and he put it into action in his performances.Let’s dig more into these virtues and how you can use them to enhance your sales pitch.

Present with Genuine Honesty

According to Reynolds, Sinatra’s authenticity attributed his success to the music industry.Frank Sinatra’s simpatico image is his key for developing rapport with his listeners. When he performs, he sings with his heart—his emotions genuinely reflecting the song’s meaning.We can’t build relationships without honesty. As a speaker, establish credibility to capture your audience’s attention. A truthful and authentic presentation approach moves your audience and lets them savor your message’s every nuance.

Deliver with Unassuming Humility

It’s important to depict confidence while presenting, but humility also goes a long way. This doesn’t require you to sound clever. It only takes a few humble acts to suggest maturity and professionalism.In Frank Sinatra’s case, he kept himself collected and confident without going overboard. In his live performances, he used simple movements and natural body language to amuse his audience. Notice his cool reactions when his friends tried to mock him offstage. Now that’s humility.Body language exudes confidence and project an image that your audience can relate to.

Adapt to Changing Times

Another factor that made Sinatra a remarkable artist was his ability to successfully adapt his music to changing times.Despite the post-war changes brought by World War I and World War II, he was able to create music that remained relevant to the times. He even changed his singing style to keep up with the changing world of music.This same principle applies in today’s business, specifically when it comes to giving presentations. You have to adapt to technological advancements and newest trends to satisfy your audience’s needs. Since majority of people now are visual learners, giving them eye-catching visuals like infographics and videos is a great way to make information more digestible.–If you need a model for getting involved with your audience, look no further.Let Frank Sinatra’s authentically honest and humble performance skills guide you while you craft your PowerPoint presentation and deck.Involving yourself and your audience with your speech is a good start to building trust. Express yourself with authenticity and honesty to establish an emotional and intellectual rapport. Maintain humility and keep confidence in perspective to constantly impress people. Keep up with the world’s many changes to make your content fit your audience.Follow these tips and you’re sure to get presentations that’ll have your audience singing praises.[sg-blog-modules module=two]

References:

“Communication lessons from Frank Sinatra, 1963.” Presentation Zen. October 2, 2014. Accessed May 8, 2015.Enrico, Rick. “Go Visual: Use Infographics to Give Your Business Pitch Maximum Impact.” Piktochart Infographics. October 1, 2015. Accessed May 8, 2015.”Longform Reprints: Playboy Interview: Frank Sinatra by Joe Hyams.” Longform. Accessed May 8, 2015.Sinatra Live You Make Me Feel So Young. YouTube. Accessed May 8, 2015.

Featured Image: “The Frank Sinatra Show” from Wikipedia

Making Your PowerPoint Accessible for the Visually Impaired

Power Point Tips

Powerpoint

visual impaired

May 01, 2015

Ensuring that your PowerPoint presentations are accessible to everyone, including individuals with visual impairments, is critical for creating inclusive content. By following best practices for accessibility, you can make your presentations more usable for a wider audience, improving their overall impact. Here are some key strategies for making your PowerPoint accessible to the visually impaired.

1. Use High Contrast Colors

One of the easiest ways to improve accessibility is by using high-contrast colors for text and background elements. This ensures that people with low vision or color blindness can easily read the content.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Readability: High contrast makes text easier to read for people with visual impairments.
  • Enhances Visual Clarity: Clear distinctions between text and background colors help improve comprehension.

How to Do It:

  • Choose a light background with dark text, or a dark background with light text.
  • Use PowerPoint’s built-in Accessibility Checker to identify areas where contrast may need improvement.

2. Provide Alt Text for Images

Adding alternative (alt) text to images allows screen readers to describe visual elements to visually impaired users. This is essential for ensuring that your images and graphs are accessible.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Understanding: Alt text gives visually impaired users context for the images they cannot see.
  • Complies with Accessibility Standards: Providing alt text ensures that your presentation meets basic accessibility guidelines.

How to Do It:

  • Right-click on an image, select Edit Alt Text, and provide a concise description of the image.
  • Ensure that alt text conveys the meaning of the image, not just a literal description (e.g., “A chart showing sales growth” instead of “Chart”).

3. Use Descriptive Hyperlinks

Hyperlinks are often used to link to external resources, but vague text like “click here” can be confusing for screen readers. Descriptive hyperlinks provide more context and clarity for all users.Why It’s Important:

  • Provides Clarity: Descriptive hyperlinks help visually impaired users understand where a link will take them.
  • Improves Navigation: Clear hyperlink text helps screen reader users navigate more easily through the content.

How to Do It:

  • Instead of using generic phrases like “click here,” use descriptive text such as “Download the full report.”
  • Right-click the hyperlink, choose Edit Link, and modify the text to make it more descriptive.

4. Use Large, Readable Fonts

Choosing fonts that are easy to read is crucial for accessibility. Avoid decorative fonts, and make sure your text is large enough to be legible to those with low vision.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Readability: Large, clear fonts help ensure that people with visual impairments can read the content.
  • Increases Accessibility: Readable fonts make your presentation more accessible to a wider audience.

How to Do It:

  • Use sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana, which are easier to read on screens.
  • Keep the font size at least 18pt for body text and 24pt for headings to ensure readability.

5. Avoid Using Only Color to Convey Information

Relying solely on color to communicate meaning can be problematic for individuals with color blindness. Instead, use patterns, text labels, or icons in addition to color to convey important information.Why It’s Important:

  • Ensures Information is Clear: People with color blindness may not be able to distinguish between certain colors, so using other visual cues ensures they can understand the content.
  • Improves Data Accessibility: Adding text labels or patterns to charts and graphs ensures that all users can interpret the information.

How to Do It:

  • Use text labels on charts and graphs to describe data points.
  • Consider adding patterns or textures to differentiate between elements in diagrams or graphs.

6. Make Content Navigable with a Keyboard

Some visually impaired users may rely on keyboards, rather than a mouse, to navigate through presentations. Ensuring that your PowerPoint is fully navigable via keyboard improves accessibility.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Usability: Keyboard navigation is essential for users who may not be able to use a mouse.
  • Meets Accessibility Standards: Supporting keyboard shortcuts makes your presentation more inclusive and compliant with accessibility guidelines.

How to Do It:

  • Test your presentation by navigating using only the keyboard (e.g., using the Tab key to move between elements).
  • Ensure that key features like buttons, hyperlinks, and text boxes are accessible without a mouse.

7. Use Accessible Templates

PowerPoint offers a range of templates, but not all of them are designed with accessibility in mind. Choosing an accessible template ensures that your presentation is easy to navigate and understand.Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies Accessibility: Using a template that’s designed for accessibility reduces the amount of manual work required to meet accessibility standards.
  • Improves Layout Consistency: Accessible templates help maintain a clean, organized structure, making your presentation easier to follow.

How to Do It:

  • When creating a new presentation, select an accessible template from PowerPoint’s library.
  • Ensure that the template includes high contrast, large fonts, and simple layouts.

Final Thoughts

Making your PowerPoint presentations accessible to visually impaired users is essential for creating an inclusive and effective communication tool. By using high contrast colors, providing alt text for images, and ensuring keyboard navigation, you can make your presentations accessible to a broader audience. Remember, accessibility isn’t just a requirement—it’s an opportunity to make your message more impactful for everyone.

Tutorial: How to Use PowerPoint as a Photo Editor

photo editing

photo editor

Powerpoint

PowerPoint Design

Powerpoint tips

powerpoint tutorial

Feb 03, 2015

PowerPoint is more than just a presentation tool—it also offers basic photo editing features that allow you to enhance, crop, and customize images directly on your slides. Whether you want to adjust an image’s brightness, apply artistic effects, or remove the background, PowerPoint’s photo editing tools can help you create more visually appealing presentations without the need for external software.Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use PowerPoint as a photo editor:

1. Insert Your Image

Before you can start editing, you’ll need to insert the image you want to work with.How to Do It:

  • Open PowerPoint and go to the slide where you want to place the image.
  • Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon.
  • Select Pictures, then choose either This Device or Online Pictures to find your image.

2. Adjust Image Brightness and Contrast

PowerPoint allows you to easily adjust the brightness and contrast of your images to make them stand out or blend in with your slide design.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Visibility: Adjusting brightness and contrast ensures that your images are clear and visible, even in different lighting conditions.
  • Enhances Visual Appeal: You can make images more vibrant or muted depending on the tone you want to convey.

How to Do It:

  • Select your image and go to the Picture Format tab.
  • Click on Corrections and choose from the available brightness and contrast adjustments.
  • You can also manually adjust the brightness and contrast by selecting Picture Corrections Options and using the sliders.

3. Crop Your Image

Cropping helps remove unwanted parts of an image and allows you to focus on the most important elements.Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies the Image: Cropping unnecessary areas draws attention to the main subject of the image.
  • Optimizes Space: By cropping an image, you can fit it more neatly into your slide design.

How to Do It:

  • Select the image, then go to the Picture Format tab.
  • Click Crop, and drag the black crop handles to remove the portions of the image you don’t want.
  • Press Enter to apply the crop.

Example: If you have a wide image but only want to show a specific part of it, crop out the unnecessary background to focus on the subject.

4. Remove Image Backgrounds

PowerPoint has a built-in tool for removing the background from images, which can be useful for isolating subjects or creating transparent backgrounds.Why It’s Important:

  • Creates Cleaner Visuals: Removing a distracting background can help focus attention on the main subject of your image.
  • Allows Layering: A transparent background makes it easier to layer the image over other design elements or images.

How to Do It:

  • Select the image and go to the Picture Format tab.
  • Click Remove Background. PowerPoint will automatically attempt to detect and remove the background.
  • Use the Mark Areas to Keep or Mark Areas to Remove tools to fine-tune the selection.
  • Once you’re satisfied, click Keep Changes to apply the background removal.

5. Apply Artistic Effects

You can use PowerPoint’s artistic effects to give your images a unique, stylized look. These effects can transform an image into a sketch, painting, or other creative form.Why It’s Important:

  • Adds Creativity: Artistic effects can give your images a custom look that fits the theme of your presentation.
  • Enhances Design: Using effects can make your images stand out and contribute to a more visually interesting slide.

How to Do It:

  • Select your image and go to the Picture Format tab.
  • Click Artistic Effects and choose from a variety of effects such as Pencil Sketch, Blur, Glow, or Photocopy.
  • Hover over each effect to preview it, then click to apply the effect.

6. Adjust Image Color and Saturation

You can adjust the color tone and saturation of your images to match your slide’s color scheme or create a specific mood.Why It’s Important:

  • Creates Consistency: Matching the colors of your images to your presentation’s theme creates a cohesive look.
  • Sets the Mood: Adjusting saturation or applying color filters can help evoke the desired emotional response.

How to Do It:

  • Select the image, go to the Picture Format tab, and click Color.
  • Choose from preset color options like Grayscale, Sepia, or Washout, or manually adjust the saturation and temperature using the More Variations option.

Example: Apply a sepia tone to create a vintage effect or use grayscale for a professional, clean look.

7. Add Picture Borders or Effects

PowerPoint allows you to add borders, shadows, and other visual effects to your images, helping them stand out on your slides.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Focus: Adding borders or shadows can help your image pop and grab the audience’s attention.
  • Adds Depth: Effects like reflection or glow add dimension to your images, making them more visually appealing.

How to Do It:

  • Select the image and go to the Picture Format tab.
  • Click Picture Border to add a colored border, or use the Picture Effects dropdown to apply shadow, reflection, or glow effects.

8. Compress Images to Reduce File Size

Large images can make your PowerPoint file difficult to share or slow to load. Compressing images reduces the file size without compromising too much on quality.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Performance: Compressing images helps keep your presentation file size manageable, making it easier to share and load.
  • Saves Storage: Reducing image file sizes is useful if you’re working with a lot of high-resolution images.

How to Do It:

  • Select the image, go to the Picture Format tab, and click Compress Pictures.
  • Choose your compression settings based on whether your presentation will be used for printing or sharing online.

Final Thoughts

PowerPoint’s photo editing tools allow you to quickly and easily enhance your images without needing specialized software. From adjusting brightness and color to removing backgrounds and applying artistic effects, these features can help you create more visually compelling presentations. Experiment with these tools to transform basic images into polished, professional visuals.

5 PowerPoint Pitch Deck Tips For SEO-Friendly Slides

online presentations

pitch deck

Powerpoint

powerpoint slides

Presentations

SEO

slideshare

Jan 29, 2015

There are plenty of great benefits in creating a solid content marketing strategy.As we’ve discussed before, we found that it’s an easy way to connect and engage with consumers. By sharing content that is relevant to them, you help them create an emotional connection with your brand.[sg-blog-modules module=one]Of course, gaining leads through this method isn’t always easy. Sure, sharing your PowerPoint slides on the Internet does introduce your brand to a wider audience. The problem is that it might take them a while to find your content, even if you’ve created slides that are relevant and useful for them.To nudge these potential consumers in your direction, let your slides stand out. The way to do that is by making your PowerPoint and pitch deck presentations SEO-friendly.BrightEdge CEO Jim Yu stresses that unlike its earlier stages, SEO content no longer means stuffing your work with random keywords, but incorporating them into meaningful and well-researched content.So how can you optimize your PowerPoint’s searchability? Follow our five tips:

Optimize your title slide

The title slide is an important part of your presentation, especially if you’re sharing it online. It’s the first thing that people will see when they’re browsing and come across your PowerPoint deck on SlideShare or any other site.It’s also the title slide that will help them decide if your content is relevant to their interests. As such, optimize your title slide.Take the time to craft the perfect title for your presentation, which needs to contain the keyword you’re optimizing for. The keyword should flow naturally with the single phrase you come up with.Also have visuals that match your creative and SEO-friendly title. While the keyword helps search engines decide that your content is a match, it’s the visuals that will capture your target audience’s attention.

Use long tail keywords in the content

Using keywords shouldn’t stop at the title slide. The long tail keywords you choose should also be incorporated to the content of your slides.For SEO beginners, that means you should incorporate keywords that are quite specific to the topic you’re discussing and optimizing for. This way, your content doesn’t get buried under millions of results for a general search term.HubSpot contributor, Corey Wainwright, explains the use of long tail keywords. Such keywords flow naturally with the rest of your writing. Doing otherwise might end up alienating your audience.

Provide an accurate description

Aside from content, you also have to provide an accurate and thought-provoking meta description of your presentation.Focus on the core message of your presentation and make sure that stands out in what you write.A good description isn’t too long. A few, quick sentences will do. This will serve as the space where you can include information about your company, like links to your website and social media profiles.

Carefully tag your pitch deck presentation

Another crucial step to SEO-friendly slides are the tags. Sites like SlideShare allows up to 20 for your presentation.Tags are keywords that will make it easier to categorize and find your content. Make sure you use those that are relevant to your content and your brand.Tagging random keywords might damage you in the long run by marking you as spam. Always relate your tags to what your presentation is actually about.

Share presentation on social media

Finally, it’s time to share your presentation on social media platforms. When you upload your PowerPoint deck, you don’t have to sit around and wait for the audience to appear.Do the heavy lifting and take your presentation to them. Share links to your newly-uploaded PowerPoint pitch deck presentation on your social media profiles. This will give your followers a heads up.In turn, they can share it on their own profiles or websites. Search engines prioritize results that have plenty of back links. The more you share your pitch deck presentation, the larger your reach will become.–Sharing your presentations online can help you reach out to a wider audience. Do it right by making sure your PowerPoint slides have SEO advantage. Take note of these tips and do your best to connect and engage with consumers through the large world of the Internet.[sg-blog-modules module=two]

References:

“Content Marketing Lesson: Presentations Create More Impact.” SlideGenius, Inc. July 13, 2014. Accessed January 29, 2015.Wainwright, Corey. “The Ultimate Guide for Mastering Long Tail Search” HubSpot. Accessed January 29, 2015.”Perfecting Your Presentation Title Slide.” SlideGenius, Inc.. October 16, 2014. Accessed January 29, 2015.Yu, Jim. “5 Steps To An Integrated Approach To SEO-Friendly Content Marketing.” Marketing Land. March 11, 2014. Accessed January 29, 2015. Featured Image: Picjumbo.com

Why Simplicity Wins When it Comes to PowerPoint Slides

Powerpoint

powerpoint slides

presentation science

presentation tips

Jan 08, 2015

Simplicity wins when it comes to PowerPoint slides because it enhances clarity, engagement, and retention. Overloading slides with too much information, complex visuals, or lengthy text can overwhelm and disengage your audience. Here’s why a simpler approach works best:

1. Clarity of Message

  • Why it works: Simplicity ensures your audience understands your core message without distractions. Slides filled with text, graphs, or unrelated visuals make it hard for the audience to focus on the key points.
  • Supporting research: Studies show that people retain more information when the message is clear and concise. Garr Reynolds, a presentation expert, argues that simplicity in design helps remove “noise,” allowing the message to stand out .

2. Better Audience Engagement

  • Why it works: Simplified slides create space for the presenter’s voice to shine. When slides are minimalist, the focus shifts to what you’re saying, encouraging the audience to engage with you, rather than reading paragraphs of text.
  • Example: Steve Jobs’ keynote presentations are often cited for their simple yet impactful slides. His use of bold imagery and minimal text allowed him to engage the audience effectively .

3. Improved Information Retention

  • Why it works: Cognitive load theory suggests that the human brain can only process a limited amount of information at once. Simplified slides help reduce cognitive overload, making it easier for the audience to digest and remember key information.
  • Supporting research: John Medina, in his book Brain Rules, explains that people retain 65% of visual information three days later, compared to only 10% of written information . Minimalist slides with clear visuals reinforce the message and aid memory retention.

4. Professional and Polished Aesthetic

  • Why it works: Simplicity leads to a more polished and professional look. Clean designs, well-spaced text, and consistent visuals reflect professionalism and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
  • Example: The most effective business presentations, including sales pitches and investor decks, often use clean layouts with limited text and high-quality visuals, giving them a sleek, polished look that resonates with stakeholders .

5. Reduces Distractions

  • Why it works: Cluttered slides with excessive text, animations, or mixed fonts can distract from the core message. Simplicity helps remove unnecessary elements, allowing the audience to focus solely on the key points.
  • Supporting research: Nielsen Norman Group emphasizes that too many distractions, such as complex backgrounds or irrelevant visuals, can confuse the audience and reduce the effectiveness of the presentation .

Conclusion

By embracing simplicity in PowerPoint design, you ensure that your presentation is focused, engaging, and memorable. A clear, minimalist approach allows your audience to grasp and retain the message while enhancing your professional credibility.

Sources:

  1. Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen
  2. Steve Jobs keynote presentations
  3. John Medina, Brain Rules
  4. Investor and sales deck best practices
  5. Nielsen Norman Group, user experience studies

PowerPoint Karaoke: Have Fun and Improve Your Presentation Skills

Powerpoint

powerpoint karaoke

presentation delivery

presentation skills

Oct 03, 2014

I’m sure you’ve tried karaoke to wind down with colleagues after a long day of work. But have you ever thought to give PowerPoint Karaoke a try?In PowerPoint Karaoke, participants are challenged to take the stage and deliver a presentation based on slides they’ve never seen before. The rules are pretty simple. Instead of singing power ballads, participants will need to make sense of random slides, and connect it to an assigned theme. They will also be restricted by a time limit. The results are usually pretty crazy and absurd. To give you a clue, here are some slides from a PowerPoint Karaoke event held in Seattle last 2012:

As you can probably imagine, PowerPoint Karaoke can lead to some pretty hilarious situations. The best speakers are those who are willing to step out of their comfort zone, ready to have fun while practicing their improvisation skills. It’s the perfect game for anyone looking to deliver better and more engaging presentations.

Getting started:

If you’re ready to throw your own PowerPoint Karaoke party, here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Build your PowerPoint decks beforehand. Be creative and go for slides that will challenge the participants. If you want, you can find presentations online and edit them for your use. Five to seven slides per deck will do.
  • At the event, let the participants draw for their speaking order and assigned theme. This will give everyone an even playing field, and prevent people settling for topics they’re familiar with.
  • You can decide whether you want speakers to control their own deck, or have the slides auto advance.
  • Set a time limit that’s no more than 5 minutes.
  • Decide on a winner by letting the audience vote. You can prepare forms, or just ask them to choose their favorites by show of hands.
PowerPoint Karaoke is a great activity to try with your colleagues. Gather a small group in a room and start having fun. Urge everyone to test their improvisation abilities and improve their presentation skills.

Featured Image: Simon Law via Flickr

GIFDeck: Turn Your SlideShare Presentation into a GIF Animation

online tools

Powerpoint

presentation tools

Presentations

Sep 22, 2014

As we know, presentations can make great content marketing materials. And thanks to SlideShare, you can easily upload your decks online and gain a wider audience.However, if you’ve been a longtime SlideShare user, you may have run into a small problem. While it’s easy to embed your entire presentation into a blog post or a web page, it’s harder to share them through Twitter or email without losing its visual quality. If you want to send an interesting SlideShare presentation to your friend via email, you’ll have to copy the link and they’ll have to open it themselves.That’s why it’s important to translate your deck into a GIF, where it can self-present to an audience that doesn’t have your physical presence to get information from. Here’s how you can create a presentation GIF:

This is where GIFDeck Comes in.

This new Internet tool allows you to turn any SlideShare presentation into a GIF animation. You can attach your GIF to emails, or post it directly on Twitter. Best of all, the website is pretty straightforward. You don’t have to go through several complicated steps in order to achieve the results you want.To do this, simply paste the SlideShare URL of your choice and hit Submit.Here’s one of the presentations on our SlideShare profile converted into GIF:Looks cool? Visit GIFDeck and give it a try!

Some Helpful Tips

  • Click on the icon beside the Submit button to customize your GIF. But be wary that any adjustments you make can affect the size and quality of your animation.
  • For more readable slides, change the interval at around 2000 milliseconds or more. Again, keep in mind that doing this will give you a larger GIF file size. Try to find the perfect balance between readability and an optimal file size for sharing.
  • If your presentation is particularly long, convert only the first 10 or so slides. Use it as a little “teaser” to encourage readers to click and visit your link.

Conclusion

A program like GIFDeck can prove efficient when you don’t have the time to present your PowerPoint to your audience. However, this can also be a test of how well you can create a compact, self-presenting deck. At the same time, remember that a GIF may not always be the best vessel for  your presentation.Your deck isn’t there to speak for you, but when the occasion calls for it, you may need a deck that presents your key points without need for further explanation.Need the guidance of a professional in the field to help you out? Our SlideGenius experts are ready to cater to your presentation dilemma.Contact us today for a free quote!

How to Use the PowerPoint Presenter View

Powerpoint

Presenter View

Sep 01, 2014

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is a valuable tool that allows you to see your speaker notes, upcoming slides, and a timer, all while your audience only sees the full-screen slideshow. This feature is especially useful for staying organized and keeping track of your presentation without disrupting the flow.Here’s how to use PowerPoint’s Presenter View to enhance your presentation:

1. Enable Presenter View

Before you can use Presenter View, you need to enable it in PowerPoint.Why It’s Important:

  • Gives You Control: Presenter View allows you to navigate through your presentation more effectively by showing you what’s coming next and keeping track of time.
  • Helps You Stay Organized: You can see your speaker notes, helping you stay on point without relying on printed cue cards.

How to Do It:

  • Open PowerPoint and go to the Slide Show tab.
  • Check the box next to Use Presenter View.
  • Make sure your computer is connected to a second screen or projector for Presenter View to work properly.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Layout

The Presenter View screen is divided into several sections, each designed to give you key information during your presentation.Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps You Informed: Knowing what each section does ensures you’re fully equipped to navigate your presentation smoothly.

How to Do It:

  • Current Slide: The main portion of the screen shows the current slide that the audience is viewing.
  • Next Slide Preview: On the right, you’ll see a preview of the next slide so you can anticipate transitions.
  • Speaker Notes: Below the current slide, you’ll find your speaker notes, which you can refer to as you speak.
  • Timer and Clock: The timer at the top helps you keep track of how long you’ve been presenting.

3. Navigate Between Slides

Presenter View offers different ways to move between slides, allowing you to control the pace of your presentation.Why It’s Important:

  • Allows Flexibility: You can move forward or backward through slides without disrupting the flow or confusing your audience.

How to Do It:

  • Use the forward and backward arrow buttons at the bottom of the screen to move between slides.
  • If you need to jump to a specific slide, use the Slide Navigator in the bottom-left corner to see a thumbnail preview of all slides and select the one you need.

4. Use Speaker Notes to Stay on Track

Presenter View displays your speaker notes below the current slide, allowing you to keep track of your key points without having to memorize everything.Why It’s Important:

  • Helps You Stay Focused: Speaker notes allow you to glance at your talking points without breaking eye contact with the audience for long.

How to Do It:

  • Add your speaker notes by selecting the Notes section below each slide during the editing phase of your presentation.
  • During the presentation, refer to these notes in Presenter View to help guide your speech.

5. Monitor the Timer

The built-in timer helps you manage your time effectively, ensuring that you don’t run over or rush through your presentation.Why It’s Important:

  • Ensures You Stay on Time: Knowing how long you’ve been speaking helps you pace your presentation and stick to your time limits.

How to Do It:

  • Check the timer in the top-left corner of Presenter View to see how much time has passed.
  • Adjust your pacing as needed based on how much time is left in your presentation.

6. Pause or Black Out the Screen

If you need to pause the presentation or take a break without showing the audience your desktop or notes, you can use the Black Screen feature.Why It’s Important:

  • Avoids Distractions: Blanking the screen lets you take a break or pause the presentation without displaying irrelevant information.

How to Do It:

  • In Presenter View, click the Black Screen button at the bottom of the screen to hide the current slide from view.
  • Click the same button again to resume the presentation.

Final Thoughts

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is an invaluable tool for delivering polished, organized, and professional presentations. By utilizing speaker notes, monitoring the timer, and navigating seamlessly between slides, you can ensure a smooth and engaging presentation experience for both you and your audience.

The Case for Videos in Presentations

Powerpoint

videos in presentations

Aug 20, 2014

Incorporating videos in presentations can significantly enhance audience engagement, retention, and understanding. Here’s the case for why videos are a powerful tool for presentations:

1. Increased Engagement and Attention

  • Why it matters: Videos have the ability to capture and hold the audience’s attention more effectively than static text or slides alone. The combination of visuals, sound, and motion stimulates multiple senses, making it easier for the audience to stay engaged throughout the presentation.
  • Supporting evidence: According to research, people are 55% more likely to pay attention to presentations that include visual and auditory stimuli like video, compared to text-based content alone .

2. Simplifying Complex Concepts

  • Why it matters: Videos can explain complicated ideas or processes more clearly than words or static images. This is especially useful in technical presentations, product demonstrations, or educational settings where seeing a process in action is more effective than reading about it.
  • Example: In a product demo, instead of explaining how a product works with bullet points, a short video can show the product in action, highlighting its features and benefits in a more engaging and understandable way.

3. Enhanced Emotional Impact

  • Why it matters: Videos have the power to evoke emotions, making your message more compelling. When used effectively, they can create an emotional connection with the audience, which can be crucial for persuasive presentations like sales pitches, fundraising efforts, or motivational talks.
  • Supporting evidence: Studies suggest that people are more likely to remember information when it’s tied to an emotional experience. A well-crafted video can evoke emotion and help make your message more memorable .

4. Improved Retention of Information

  • Why it matters: People tend to remember more of what they see and hear. Videos can help reinforce the key points of your presentation, increasing retention and recall after the presentation has ended.
  • Supporting evidence: The visual storytelling aspect of video content taps into how the human brain processes information, with research showing that 80% of people can recall a video they watched up to 30 days later, compared to only 20% retention from reading text .

5. Breaking Up Monotony

  • Why it matters: A long presentation filled with text-heavy slides can lose the audience’s attention. Incorporating video clips provides a break from the monotony, re-engaging the audience and providing variety in the way information is delivered.
  • Example: In a 30-minute presentation, a brief, relevant video clip halfway through can reset audience attention and refresh focus, making the overall presentation more engaging.

6. Showcase Real-Life Examples or Case Studies

  • Why it matters: Videos are an excellent medium for showcasing testimonials, case studies, or real-world applications of your product or service. By showing real people or scenarios, you can build trust and add credibility to your presentation.
  • Example: In a business presentation, sharing a video testimonial from a satisfied client can be far more convincing than simply reading their testimonial.

Conclusion

Using videos in presentations can greatly enhance the audience’s experience by making complex information more digestible, emotionally engaging, and memorable. Videos help break up dense content, provide variety, and ultimately make your presentation more dynamic and impactful. To maximize their effectiveness, ensure that videos are relevant, concise, and high-quality.

Presentation Software Showdown: PowerPoint vs. Prezi

Powerpoint

powerpoint alternatives

PowerPoint vs Prezi

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Jul 02, 2014

There are plenty of presentation software to choose from, but PowerPoint remains to be the top choice for most people. (Including you!) It’s been around since the 90s, and you’ve grown familiar with its classic and user-friendly interface. Still, you feel like trying something new for your next presentation, and you heard that Prezi is a great alternative.Like PowerPoint, Prezi is a presentation software that allows you to create and design slideshows. But instead of the all-too-familiar templates and linear slide layouts, it gives you nifty animations and non-linear slide transitions.You know that good presentation design can make a positive impact on audience participation. So, do you make the full transition to Prezi from PowerPoint? Before you decide, we’ve gone through some things you should know about these two presentation programs.

The Defending Presentation Software Champion: PowerPoint

PowerPoint vs PreziYou might have come across the term “Death by PowerPoint”. You might have even experienced it yourself when you had to sit through a PowerPoint presentation that seemed to last for hours. But as we’ve made clear previously, this isn’t the fault of the software program.If you learn the many tools and functions of PowerPoint, you’ll see why 500 million users patronize it. PowerPoint offers plenty of opportunity for you to be creative with your presentation design. You can customize templates, edit images, and use SmartArt graphics to easily present data.

The Presentation Software Underdog: Prezi

PowerPoint vs PreziWhen it comes to managing the content of your presentation, Prezi isn’t all that different from PowerPoint. You can easily add text, images, videos, and animations. What truly attracts users to this presentation software is the zooming animation.Instead of asking you to work on a progression of slides, Prezi gives you a big canvas where you can layout different ideas. When viewing the finished product, your audience seamlessly flows from the bigger picture into the specifics of your presentation. This zooming action adds an interesting visual dimension.Another upside to using Prezi is the fact that it’s a cloud-based program. You can make presentations as long as you have an internet connection.

The Verdict

Effective and engaging presentations are made by people, not the presentation software they choose to use. Whether you decide to use PowerPoint or Prezi depends on your content and who your audience is.When Does PowerPoint win?Make use of PowerPoint if you’re presenting a simple and linear story. It’s also useful if you’re going to add a lot of quantitative data in your presentations. Because of its more classic feel, it will work best for presentations in more formal settings, such as business meetings and academic lectures.When Does Prezi Win?Prezi is perfect for presentations that need to be visually engaging. Utilize its zooming animation to show how parts of your presentation correlate, and if you want to move freely from one part to another. Because its design is non-traditional, using Prezi is perfect for presentations in casual settings. However, you should also consider the fact that it makes use of animations that may cause motion sickness to some people.Whatever you decide to choose between these 2 presentation software, just keep in mind that effective presentation design is up to you.Featured Image: Angelo DeSantis via Flickr