Tag: slide

4 Factors for Creating Info-Heavy PowerPoint Slide Designs

powerpoint designs

PowerPoint Slide Designs

powerpoint slides

powerpoint template

Powerpoint tips

presentation designer

presentation templates

presentation tips

slide

slide design

Aug 20, 2015

Making arguments without providing evidence to back up your stand is a bad move in presentations. It is useless, however, to bombard your slides with unnecessary information. Designing your deck haphazardly only muddles the information-sharing process and confuses your audience.To improve your deck for your next pitch, here are four important things to keep in mind when creating info-heavy PowerPoint slide designs:

Accuracy

Facts, data, and other information presented in your slides should be correct, current, and relevant. When citing from the internet, make sure to properly fact-check and source your information. Avoid directly citing Wikipedia. Follow the citations if you want to refer to something you find interesting in wikis. Maintaining accuracy is important not only for the sake of your slides, but for your credibility as well.You want to present data to inform and convince—not to misinform and deceive.

Clarity

It’s not enough to have accurate information. Your content should be displayed in a clear and organized manner that makes all the facts and numbers easier to understand. Cut down all the content to the bare minimum that you need to get your point across. Reducing them to the most pertinent and logical manner allows for easier transfer of information.According to presentation trainer, Nancy Duarte, there are a number of ways to arrange your slides so they pass the glance test, or the audience’s first scan through your deck. Among these are keeping your layout simple, maximizing white space, using proper fonts, and emphasizing the important points structure your deck into something that’s easily digestible.

Meaningful

Correct and well-ordered figures aren’t enough. An important key is to inject some significance that relates to your audience. To best connect with your audience, it’s vital to do some advanced research and determine their interests, needs, and concerns. Knowing these will assist you in adjusting to optimize your presentation to their needs.Presenting your slides as a story or in a narrative structure best engages your listeners. This is due to how we’ve come to recall memories and enjoy our entertainment: as a series of episodes with a chronological structure and thematic background.

Memorable

The best presentations are those that remain with the audience. Executing a memorable presentation requires getting on your listeners’ good will. It’s important to improve your credibility by looking enthusiastic, genuine, and creative.Effectively communicating your own excitement regarding your topic also adds to your power to persuade. This assures your listeners that your topic is worth their time. Inserting a slice of yourself through a personal anecdote also increases your audience’s perception of you as a genuine person.Lastly, a creative approach using a funny or poignant beginning and/or ending, or through a unique execution of your presentation, also makes your slides more memorable.

Conclusion

Being new at presenting or not having enough time is never an excuse to show up with lazily-made slides.Always design your PowerPoint slides like a professional to get the best out of your message, and maximize the impact on your audience. 

References

“3 Secrets to Make Numbers Interesting in Sales Presentations.” SlideGenius, Inc. May 13, 2015. Accessed August 20, 2015.Duarte, Nancy. “Do Your Slides Pass the Glance Test?” Harvard Business Review. October 22, 2012. Accessed August 20, 2015.”Five Ways to Transform Your Overloaded Text Slides.” Think Outside The Slide. September 14, 2012. Accessed August 20, 2015.

Why Sales Presentations Turn Into Failures of Epic Proportions

mistakes

prospects

sales presentation

slide

Jun 02, 2014

After countless cold calls and follow-ups, you’re finally given an opportunity to visit a prospect and do a sales presentation in person.But as luck would have it, you flubbed and the presentation was unsuccessful. When sales presentations fail, it’s likely that the presenter committed one of these mistakes:

Sharing too much information

Why it’s a mistake: We now live in a society where almost everyone is compelled to share what’s on their mind (through tweets and status updates). In spite of that, it still pays to show some restraint. When doing a presentation, sales people tend to share so much information in hopes of creating rapport with the audience.That’s a valid point, sure. Prospective customers, however, are more interested in learning about the benefit of using your product than its history or the materials used to assemble it. This means that your solution slide should clearly how you intend to solve your market’s particular problem.What you should do: List three value propositions that appeal to your prospects and relevant to your solution. Emphasize the unique value of your solution.From your slides, your audience should be able to understand that your company alone can deliver the best (perhaps, only) solution. Remember to use simple texts and visual examples.[sg-blog-modules module=one]

Failing to set yourself apart from the competition

Why it’s a mistake: Choosing between brands can be hard. If you fail to differentiate yourself from your competitors, you are missing the opportunity to make things easier for your prospects. The goal of your presentation is to make people decide in your favor – not to confuse them even further.What you should do: Design a slide that summarizes the things that you do better than your rivals. Point out the problems that only you can solve. You may support your claim by using testimonials that focus on how your solution works.

Using the wrong point of view

Why it’s a mistake: By WRONG point of view, we mean YOURS. Don’t make the presentation all about you or your business. No matter how long you’ve been in business or how many office locations you have around the world, the only thing that your prospects have in mind is, “What’s in it for ME?What you should do: Put yourself in your audience’s shoes. Present from their point of view by being aware of their needs and wants.This would involve doing a bit of research about their background and interests, which, we assume, you’ve already done during the planning stage.

Making a sales presentation can be very challenging. Not a few stories have been told about presentation disasters and dejected presenters. Mistakes could happen, but this doesn’t mean they are impossible to overcome. Knowing these mistakes is half the battle.

 

Reference

“Conducting Market Research.” Entrepreneur. 2010. Accessed June 02, 2014.[sg-blog-modules module=three]Featured image by Steve Snodgrass from flickr.com

Create a Captivating Presentation with Bright PowerPoint Backgrounds

bright background

powerpoint background

presentation

slide

May 23, 2014

Choosing the right background can make or break a PowerPoint presentation. A bright, vibrant background can energize your slides and capture your audience’s attention, but it needs to be used thoughtfully to avoid overwhelming your message. When done correctly, bright backgrounds add visual interest and create a positive, engaging atmosphere that keeps viewers focused on your content.Here are some tips for creating a captivating presentation using bright PowerPoint backgrounds:

1. Choose a Complementary Color Palette

While bright backgrounds can make your presentation more lively, it’s essential to select a color palette that works well together. Too many clashing colors can make your slides look chaotic, while a harmonious color scheme creates a cohesive and professional look.How to Choose a Color Palette:

  • Use a Limited Palette: Stick to 2–3 bright colors that complement each other. You can use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to create color combinations that work well together.
  • Pair Bright Colors with Neutrals: To avoid overwhelming the audience, balance bright colors with neutral tones (white, black, or gray). This allows the bright elements to stand out without overpowering the slide.
  • Brand Colors: If you’re creating a presentation for your company, try incorporating your brand’s color palette into the background for a cohesive look.

Example: For a tech startup presentation, you could use a bright blue background with white text and accents of yellow for contrast.

2. Use Gradient Backgrounds for Depth

A gradient background is a subtle yet powerful way to add depth and dimension to your slides. Instead of using a flat, solid color, a gradient shifts gradually from one color to another, creating a more dynamic and visually interesting backdrop.How to Create a Gradient Background:

  1. Right-click on the Slide Background: Choose Format Background from the dropdown menu.
  2. Select “Gradient Fill”: In the Format Background pane, choose Gradient Fill.
  3. Choose Your Colors: Select two or more colors that will transition smoothly into each other. For bright presentations, consider vibrant colors like orange fading into yellow or pink fading into purple.
  4. Adjust the Gradient Stops: You can customize the direction, angle, and smoothness of the gradient for your desired effect.

Example: For a creative industry presentation, a bright pink-to-purple gradient can create a visually appealing and energetic background that adds excitement to the slides.

3. Use Bright Backgrounds Sparingly

While bright backgrounds can be attention-grabbing, it’s important to use them strategically. Too many bright slides can fatigue the eyes, making it harder for your audience to focus on the content. Instead, alternate between bright and neutral backgrounds to keep the presentation balanced.How to Use Bright Backgrounds Effectively:

  • Reserve Bright Colors for Key Slides: Use bright backgrounds for important slides, such as title slides, section dividers, or key points, to draw attention to them.
  • Mix with White Space: Pair bright backgrounds with slides that have more white or neutral space. This contrast gives the eyes a break and helps maintain focus.
  • Use Bright Colors as Accents: Instead of making every slide background bright, use bright colors in key design elements (such as shapes or icons) to add vibrancy without overwhelming the entire slide.

Example: For a marketing strategy presentation, use bright backgrounds for section headers, while keeping the body slides more neutral with bright accent colors for emphasis.

4. Choose the Right Fonts for Bright Backgrounds

When using bright backgrounds, it’s essential to choose fonts that are legible and provide sufficient contrast. The wrong font choice or insufficient contrast can make text difficult to read, undermining the effectiveness of your presentation.How to Choose Fonts:

  • Use Bold Fonts: For bright backgrounds, opt for bold, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. These fonts are clean, modern, and easy to read against vibrant colors.
  • Ensure Contrast: Always test your text color against the background to ensure there is enough contrast. White or black text typically works best on bright backgrounds.
  • Avoid Overly Thin Fonts: Thin or script fonts can be hard to read against bright backgrounds. Stick to simple, bold text that stands out clearly.

Example: For a slide with a bright yellow background, use bold black or dark gray text for maximum readability.

5. Incorporate Visuals with Bright Backgrounds

Bright backgrounds work well when paired with clean visuals. However, you need to ensure that your images or graphics don’t get lost or clash with the background.How to Use Visuals with Bright Backgrounds:

  • Use High-Contrast Images: If you’re using a bright background, select images that stand out against the background colors. Ensure that the subject of the image is clear and doesn’t blend into the background.
  • Add Borders or Shadows: If your visuals don’t contrast enough with the bright background, add a white or black border or a subtle shadow to make them pop.
  • Match Visual Style to Background: If your background is playful and bright, choose visuals that match the tone, such as illustrations or icons with similar color schemes.

Example: For a slide with a bright blue background, use high-contrast visuals like white icons or images with vibrant colors that stand out clearly.

Final Thoughts

Bright backgrounds can bring energy and excitement to your PowerPoint presentations, but they need to be used strategically. By choosing complementary colors, incorporating gradients, balancing bright slides with neutral ones, and selecting the right fonts and visuals, you can create a captivating presentation that keeps your audience engaged. With the right approach, bright backgrounds will enhance your slides and help you deliver your message effectively.