create impactful presentations

How to Make Effective Impactful Presentations (Tips & Tools)

Learn how to make a good presentation great - step-by-step with examples. Learn the principles, guidelines & qualities needed to prepare captivating slides.

Dominika Krukowska

12 minute read

Short answer

Short answer: how to make a good presentation.

Start with a surprising statement, a bold promise, or a mystery

Provide context with a bit of background information

Structure your presentation within a story framework

Make every word count, and use as few as possible

Use visuals only to support your presentation text

Use interactive design to make your audience active participants

End by telling your audience what they can do with what they’ve learned

Boring presentations are instantly forgotten. How’s yours?

Lifeless presentations can spell doom for your message, leaving your audience disengaged and your goals unreached.

The price of a mediocre presentation is steep; missed opportunities, unimpressed prospects, and a bad rep.

In a world where everyone has grown to expect a good story, a boring presentation will be instantly forgotten. Like a drop in the ocean.

But not all is lost.

This post will teach you how presentation pros create compelling narratives and leverage the latest tech tools to command attention, drive a powerful message, and get shared like gossip.

Let’s get started!

How to prepare a presentation?

The successful presenter understands the value of small details and thorough preparation like the seasoned chef knows the importance of quality ingredients and careful technique for serving a 5 star dish

But where do you start?

Step-by-step guide for preparing a presentation:

1. Define your objective

Every presentation needs a clear goal. Are you looking to persuade, educate, or motivate? Perhaps you aim to showcase a product, or share insights about a recent project.

Defining your objective early on will guide your content creation process, helping you to focus your message and structure your presentation effectively. Think of your objective as the North Star guiding your presentation journey.

2. Analyze your audience

Next up, who are you talking to? Your audience should shape your presentation as much as your objective does. Understanding their needs, interests, and background will enable you to tailor your message to resonate with them.

Are they experts in your field, or are they novices looking for an introduction? What questions might they have? The more you know about your audience, the more compelling your presentation will be.

3. Research your topic

Once you've defined your objective and analyzed your audience, it's time to delve deep into your topic. Comprehensive research lays the groundwork for a robust, credible presentation.

Don't just scratch the surface – explore different perspectives, recent developments, and key statistics. This will not only enhance your understanding but also equip you with a wealth of information to answer any questions your audience might have.

4. Choose the right delivery format

Finally, consider the best format to deliver your message.

The right format can make all the difference in how your message is received, so choose wisely!

PowerPoint presentations are classic and easy to work with. But PowerPoint and Google slides are not so versatile in terms of their content experience. They're static, packed with information, and all look alike.

Our own presentation maker offers interactive, personalized, and multimedia content experience.

Data from our research of over 100K presentation sessions shows that audiences engage with Storydoc presentations 103% better than PowerPoint.

How to create an effective presentation?

There’s part art and part science in creating high-engagement high-impact presentations.

An effective presentation is the painstaking result of well-organized content, visuals that support and elevate your message, simplifying complex information, and personalizing wherever possible.

I wrote this post to teach you how to do all these, and a few things more.

Ready to learn? Let's dive in!

How to organize your presentation content?

Crafting a compelling presentation is like writing a page-turner.

You need to captivate your audience, maintain their interest, and guide them effortlessly through your narrative.

But how do you transform a heap of information into a well-structured presentation you can’t stop reading? There’s a structure you can follow.

3-step process for organizing a magnetic presentation:

1. Prioritize content

Your presentation should immediately capture interest and demonstrate relevance before moving on to establish understanding .

A) Build interest:

Begin with a strong hook that grabs your audience's attention. This could be an intriguing statistic, a powerful image , or an engaging question. It should stir curiosity and make your audience eager to hear more.

B) Establish relevance:

Once you have their attention it's time to establish why your presentation matters to your audience.

Address your audience's main concerns. Make sure your content directly speaks to these pain points, and address them in order of importance.

2. Build anticipation

A great presentation is like getting a new car – it builds anticipation, takes you on a thrilling ride, and ends with you wanting to share the experience with all your friends.

Start with a compelling problem your audience relates to and follow up with a promise of an amazing way they can solve it. This problem-solution dynamic creates a suspense that keeps your audience glued to your presentation.

3. Use a story framework

Finally, use a story framework to give your presentation structure and flow.

Begin with a big idea that underpins your presentation. Then delve into the problem, showcasing why it needs attention. Present your solution, painting a vision of a better future for your audience.

Weave in concrete examples of how your solution changes lives.

Tell the story of WHO you helped, WHAT the situation was before and after your solution, WHERE and WHEN it happened, WHY it worked and HOW it made them feel.

If you’re writing a business presentation you should follow this with an execution plan that outlines how the solution will be implemented.

Finally, close with clear next steps, guiding your audience on what they should do after the presentation to bring meaningful change into their lives.

Our recommended story framework:

How to design your presentation?

A good presentation is more than just making it look pretty ; it's about communicating your message effectively and creating a lasting impression.

Good presentation design grabs attention, and leads it to where it’s needed most. It takes your hand and leads you through the easiest and most pleasant path to understanding.

Good presentation design supports your message rather than steals the spotlight. Good design is narrated design.

What is narrated design (Scrollytelling)?

Scrollytelling, where "scroll" meets "storytelling", is an interactive content experience that guides readers through a narrative journey with a simple scroll. It connects text, images, videos, and animations into integrated “scenes” where content is both shown and narrated.

Scrollytelling breaks complex content into digestible chunks and gives the reader control over pace. It has been scientifically shown to enhance engagement, understandability and memorability.

Scrollytelling came up as a central thing when Itai Amoza, our Founder and CEO was building the foundations for Storydoc.

He partnered with one of the world’s leading visualization scientists , prof. Steven Franconeri , to help him bring to Storydoc the means to reduce the complexity, friction, and information overload so characteristic of business presentations.

Scrollytelling is part of the solutions that came up, which led to specialized storytelling slides like our narrator slide (in the example below).

An example of Storydoc scrollytelling:

How to design presentation visuals to support your story

Presentation visuals can be unsung heroes or sloppy distractions.

Visuals can bring your message to life, make complex concepts easy to understand, and engage your audience in ways that words alone cannot. Or… they can sit there looking all pretty and distract you from what’s really going on.

4 elements of great presentation visuals:

Support your message: Your visuals should support your text, highlight your main message, and align with your objective. They should reinforce your points and help your audience understand your message.

Represent your audience: The best visuals are relatable. They should resonate with your target audience and reflect their world of associations. Use images and graphics that your audience can identify with – this can enhance their engagement and make your presentation more memorable. Equally important is using clean images - an effective way to do this is by using tools that allow you to remove your image backgrounds . By eliminating distractions and focusing on your subject, you create images that are more impactful and, therefore, can potentially increase audience engagement.

Introduce your product, outcomes, and clients: Wherever possible, use visuals to demonstrate your product, illustrate outcomes, and represent your clients. This can remove doubt and misunderstanding by letting your audience see (and make obvious) what words sometimes struggle to describe.

Follow your branding guidelines: Your presentation is an extension of your brand, so your visuals should conform to your branding guidelines. Consistent use of colors, fonts, and styles not only enhances brand recognition but also creates a cohesive, professional look.

Here’s an example of a well-designed presentation:

How to communicate complex information?

Did you ever have to read a presentation where you felt like you're lost in a maze of jargon, data, and complex concepts?

Are you giving others this same experience?

Communicating complex information is a common challenge in presentations. But there are ways you can simplify your presentation and reengage your audience.

Here’s how you can get complex information across:

1. Use interactive content

Interactive content is your best friend when it comes to simplifying complex information and getting deeply engaged with your content.

It gets the readers more involved in your presentation by letting them play an active part; like choosing the content route they wish to take and controlling the pace.

It keeps your presentation textually lean - giving readers the choice to expand more details on demand (in tabs, live graphs, sliders, accordions, and calculators).

Beyond that, live graphs can illustrate trends, animations can demonstrate processes, and videos can bring concepts to life.

Calculators, questionnaires, and chatbots provide personalized and specific answers to readers as part of your presentation, without them having to get in touch with you or your team.

Elavating your presentations from static to interactive has been tied to increasing the number of people who read your presentation in full by 41% !

Making interactive used to be hard, but now you can just use Storydoc. Go make your first interactive presentation. It’s easy as pie.

2. Show don’t tell

A picture is worth a thousand words. Because no one will read a presentation with a thousand words, do everyone a favor and use images.

Images can be super effective at communicating complex information and save you a lot of needless text.

In fact, visual representation of data and concepts can often convey what words cannot. Use diagrams, infographics, and images to illustrate your points and simplify the complex.

The goal is to create a visual narrative that complements your verbal one.

3. Narrate your content

Storytelling is another powerful tool for communicating complex concepts.

Whether it's through text to speech AI, video bubbles, or a scrollytelling narrator slide, narrating your content can help guide your audience through the complexity.

By giving your information a narrative structure, you can make it more digestible, engaging, and memorable.

According to Sales Hacker’s data, people remember up to 10% of numbers and 25% of images they see. When you center your presentation around a story, this rises to 60-70% .

4. Use examples and allegories

Examples and allegories help unravel the complexity of ideas.

They scaffold your message with concepts we already know and understand, and can easily imagine in our mind. This makes them less new and intimidating and more familiar.

Critically, the real secret lies in selecting examples that are not just familiar but also deeply relevant—those are the ones that will truly ring with your listeners.

If you tailor the allegory to your audience's world, it is guaranteed to lead to an “aha” moment.

5. Open a line of communication

Finally, invite dialogue. This could be through a chatbot or an option to book a meeting for further discussion. This not only helps clarify any confusion but also encourages engagement and deepens understanding.

For example, finishing your presentation with an interactive calendar to book a meeting instead of a generic “Thank you” slide has proven to boost conversion rate by 27% !

How to personalize your presentation?

Imagine attending a party where the host doesn't remember your name or anything about you. Not a great experience, right? The same holds true for presentations.

In a sea of generic content, personalization can be a lifeline that connects you to your audience on a deeper level. It’s also the single most important predictor of success, getting 68% more people to read your presentation in full .

But how do you add that personal touch?

1. Address reader by name

Just as you wouldn't start a conversation without a greeting, don't start your presentation without acknowledging your audience.

Using your audience's name can make your presentation feel like a personal conversation rather than a generic monologue. It's a simple yet powerful way to engage your audience from the get-go.

2. Use their company logo

Including your audience's company logo in your presentation can make them feel seen and valued. It shows that you've taken the time to tailor your presentation to them, enhancing its relevance and appeal.

Plus, it's a subtle way to reinforce that your message is specifically designed to address their needs and challenges.

3. Add a personal message (video or text)

A personal message can go a long way in building a connection with your audience.

It could be a video message from you, expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to present to them, or a text message highlighting why the presentation matters to them.

This personal touch can make your audience feel special and more invested in your presentation.

4. Personalize your Call-to-Action

Finally, cap off your presentation with a call to action that speaks directly to your audience.

Swap out the generic 'Contact us' with something that gets to the heart of their needs, something like, 'Let's roll up our sleeves and tackle your [specific issue] at [their company].'

By tailoring your call to action, you show your audience you've truly got their back, that you're not just here to talk, but to make a real, positive impact on their world.

Here’s an example of a personalized slide:

How to measure the effectiveness of your presentation

Imagine if you could peek into your audience's mind, understand what resonated, what fell flat, and what drove them to action?

Presentation analytics is essential in order to guide you on how to fine-tune it for maximum impact.

But how do you get your hands on presentation analytics?

Any presentation you create with Storydoc comes with an out-of-the-box analytics suite , ready to track and provide insights.

We give you 100% visibility into how people engage with your presentations and send you real-time engagement alerts.

Here’s a video explaining how you can track performance with our analytics panel:

4 critical presentation engagement metrics to keep track of

1. Reading time

Storydoc gives you the precise time prospects spend reading your presentation so you can quickly figure out what's hitting the target and what's not.

Are they soaking up every word or just quickly skimming through? This can help you shape your content to hit the bullseye.

NOTE: Keep in mind that reading time alone might not show you a full picture. A better way is to use a smart engagement score that brings together different metrics like time spent and depth of reading. You can get this kind of total score in Storydoc.

2. Reading completion

Another basic metric we track is how many people read your content from start to finish.

This metric is a strong sign of the prospect’s interest and your content quality. It shows you if they're finding the information relevant, but also worth sticking with till the end.

3. Next step conversion rate

This one tracks how many people take the next step after they check out your presentation. This could be filling out a form, setting up a meeting, or downloading more files.

For business presentations, measuring this can show how well your presentation is pushing people further down the sales funnel.

At the top of your analytics dashboard, you can find a tab that shows you how many people clicked on your CTA divided by presentation, date, and location. If you scroll down to the list of readers, next to each person you can also see whether they clicked on the CTA or not.

Here's what it looks like:

4. Number of shares

This metric is particularly important for B2B sales teams . As more people are getting involved in buying decisions, this measure helps you see if and when your content is being passed around inside your prospect’s company.

On the analytics dashboard, under each presentation version, you can find detailed information on how many people read it. So, the higher the number, the more your presentation has been shared internally.

We'll notify you when your presentation has been shared, and who opened it, so you can time your follow-up perfectly to your buyer’s readiness to advance further.

Here's where you can find this information:

Best tool for making an effective presentation

In the realm of presentation tools, classics like Google Slides and PowerPoint offer simplicity and ease, while Canva and Pitch add a dash of design flair and collaboration.

If you're seeking to elevate your presentations to new heights you’ll need to do better than simple PowerPoints or flashy Canvas. Next-gen AI presentation tools like Storydoc are your game-changer.

They break free from the static concept of slides and offer the creation of interactive, immersive content experiences that sweep us along like a good story.

Grab a template - create your best presentation to date

Ever wished for a secret recipe to whip up a killer presentation? We've got something even better! Our interactive presentation templates are your shortcut to success.

Say goodbye to hours of formatting and hello to captivating, interactive presentations, all with a few clicks.

Grab a template and turn presentation woes into wows!

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How To Create Impactful Presentation Slides

Proven tips and strategies for slide success. Tailor your presentation for any audience.

Impactful Presentations Depend on Slides that Make Impact

Creating high-impact presentation slides requires an understanding of core design principles and communication techniques. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the framework for developing memorable slides that captivate viewers and convert them to your message.

You’ll learn proven tips and strategies to blueprint slide success, leverage aesthetics for maximum effect, craft concise and powerful narratives, and tailor your presentation for any audience . Whether you’re an experienced presenter or just starting out, follow this guide to gain the knowledge and tools to design presentation slides that motivate and influence .

Let’s begin the journey towards developing the skills and resources to create presentation slides that leave a lasting impact on your audience. 

The Anatomy of Impactful Presentation Slides

Crafting presentation slides that captivate audiences starts with understanding a few key elements that set impactful slides apart.

Blueprinting Slide Success

The foundation is setting clear objectives for each slide. Define specific purposes upfront – is the goal to educate, inspire, persuade or prompt action? With defined objectives, you can shape content and visuals precisely tailored to achieve maximum impact.

Be brief but brilliant. Impactful slides artfully distil the core message using succinct titles, captions and bullet points. Avoid overloading slides with walls of text or complex charts.

Sequencing your slides to progressively build on each other boosts engagement and impact . Numbering creates intuitive wayfinding. And grab attention from the start with an opening slide that encapsulates your central message .

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Captivating from the First Click

Make your opening slide shine by summarising the key message in a bold, succinct title with ample white space.

Then, introduce your topic with a high-quality visual – perhaps an infographic, photo or illustration – selected to resonate with your specific audience.

For virtual presentations, include identifying details like your name, presentation title, organisation and date. This provides context if slides are viewed later.

An impactful opening slide paves the way, mapping out key information ahead.

The Art and Science of Slide Aesthetics

Colour and contrast – the dynamic duo.

Thoughtful colour choices directly impact the look, feel and effectiveness of your slides. Vibrant accent colours like orange, green and blue attract the viewer’s eye, highlighting key text or graphical elements. Yet it’s wise to limit your palette to just 2-3 colours total to maintain overall visual clarity and focus.

Ensure high contrast between text colours and background colours for maximum readability and impact. Dark-coloured text on light backgrounds provides the clearest contrast and is easiest to read. Maintain a single muted background colour like beige, grey or white throughout all slides to provide visual cohesion. Avoid loud, distracting backgrounds.

Typography That Talks

Font style and size have a big influence on the tone and clarity of your message. For slide titles, use large, bold sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana set in 44 points or higher to grab attention.

For body text, standard sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri or Helvetica remain crisp and readable even on screens. Use a minimum font size of 30 points for easy viewing by audience members. Allow ample white space around text blocks to reduce crowding and increase emphasis.

Visuals with a Vision

Relevant images, infographics, and illustrations make your presentation slides much more visually impactful while also conveying or emphasising key information. High-quality stock photos should look authentic , not staged or generic. Infographics neatly synthesise data, statistics, relationships, processes or concepts into an easy-to-digest graphical format. Only use custom illustrations if they meaningfully contribute to your narrative – avoid bland clipart.

If you are looking for In-House Presentation Skills Training for a group or teams, please see our

Crafting Your Slide’s Story

Brevity with brilliance.

Being concise is vital when crafting your slide content. Carefully curate information to only the 3-5 most essential facts, statistics and concise statements that advance your central theme. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or blocks of text that will quickly overwhelm your audience.

The wise 10/20/30 rule provides helpful constraints to distil your story down to its very essence – no more than 10 slides total, 20 minutes maximum length, and minimum 30-point font size used consistently throughout. Remove any non-critical information.

Narrating with Numbers

Leverage the power of visuals to efficiently communicate vital supporting data and statistics. Well-designed charts, graphs and tables allow audiences to absorb key information and relationships at a glance.

Keep visuals as simple and clean as possible for maximum clarity – use no more than 3-5 readable data sets. Include clear, descriptive labels and legends. Only use elaborate chart designs if you know your target viewers can easily decipher them.

Crafting Action-Driving Closures

Conclude by succinctly crystallising your core message takeaway in 1-2 sentences. Then, issue a clear call-to-action, directing your audience to relevant contact details, further resources or explicit next-step instructions. This energises and equips them to act based on your presentation. A strong close ties together key elements into a cohesive, memorable package. Send them away educated and motivated.

Tailored Design for Targeted Delivery

Designing for the digital divide.

Your audience’s location will determine the optimal design for your impactful presentation slides. For in-person events, use sufficiently large text and visual elements that the entire room can see clearly. Attendees in the back need legibility too. Sans-serif fonts at 30pt and higher work well.

But for virtual presentations, even larger components are essential. On screens, go for bold sans-serif fonts sized 45pt or greater with generous whitespace. This ensures clarity even on small laptop screens. High-contrast colours also help digitally.

Shorter virtual talks, about 15-20 minutes max, tend to hold attention best. Break detailed info into bitesize chunks over more slides. Actively engage remote viewers through discussions, polls and chat interactions. Keep them focused.

Global Appeal in Slide Design

When presenting to international audiences , research any cultural references or idioms that may be inappropriate or confusing across geographic borders. Avoid locale-specific metaphors and terminology.

Instead, rely more heavily on visuals, statistics and data to transcend language barriers. Icons and images can convey universal concepts. But even colours can have different cultural meanings.

Careful customisation results in presentation slides that resonate with audiences worldwide. Do your homework to get it right.

Mastering the Slide Lifecycle

Implementing standardised templates and curating an extensive library of reusable assets can greatly amplify efficiency and consistency in the slide design process. Let’s do a deeper dive into systemising your slide creation.

Tools of the Trade: Slide Creation Simplified

Leverage time-saving capabilities built into leading presentation tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides , and Prezi . Take the time to learn keyboard shortcuts for efficiently duplicating, rearranging, and formatting slide content, images, and text boxes. This keeps you focused on content rather than mechanics.

Take full advantage of the suite of professionally designed themes and layout templates included in the software to effortlessly apply polished, branded colour schemes, font packages, and master slide frameworks. Consistent templated formatting reinforces brand identity and amplifies your core message.

The Reusable Slide Arsenal

Maintaining an extensive, well-organized library of impactful presentation slides, section templates, icons, logos, imagery, and graphs allows seamless reuse of compliant, high-quality assets across presentations.

Tag each asset with multiple descriptive keywords based on usage scenarios like “Title Slides,” “Agenda,” “Infographics,” “Company History,” or “Statistics” for easy search and retrieval later. Routinely review and add fresh material to your slide bank to keep content engaging for repeat audiences over time.

Elevate Your Presentation Skills With Impact Factory

Now that you’re armed with strategies for delivering high-impact presentations , it’s time to put these into practice. 

Impact Factory offers personalised coaching, interactive workshops and corporate training programs tailored to the specific needs of each presenter and organisation. Our experienced coaches help unlock your full potential as an impactful, engaging speaker .

Start by exploring their website for free presentation resources. Articles and tips from industry veterans provide insights on captivating storytelling techniques , enhancing your stage presence, building confidence in front of audiences and more.

When you’re ready for in-depth skill building, reach out to Impact Factory’s team via email or phone. Our experts will listen closely and devise a custom training plan suited to your individual goals as a presenter . Private coaching provides the personalised attention required to hone advanced techniques. Or gather your whole team for an immersive workshop or tailored corporate training program.

Invest in developing your presentation abilities for maximum impact. With the right training and dedication, you can inspire audiences and achieve presentation greatness .

What makes an impactful presentation?

An impactful presentation is all about telling a compelling story that educates, inspires, and persuades your audience . It requires clearly defined objectives, strategic use of visuals, concise and vivid messaging, customisation for the specific audience, and smooth delivery . When all these core elements come together, you get a presentation that motivates and sticks with viewers long after it ends.

How do you start an impactful slide presentation?

Grab their attention immediately by opening with a slide that captures interest right away. Minimise text, use high-impact visuals, and have a bold but succinct title that summarises your core message. Establish the relevance to this particular audience. Set the stage for an engaging narrative to unfold. Those critical opening moments set the tone for your entire impactful presentation.

How do you give praise for a good presentation?

If someone has delivered an especially polished, engaging presentation, there are a few ways to express praise:

• “Your presentation was so well organised and professional.”
• “You made the information easy to absorb – nice work!”
• “Your slides perfectly supported your talk without being distracting.”
• “You kept me engaged from start to finish. Great job!”

A bit of authentic praise goes a long way.

What is the 5/5/5 rule for presentations?

The 5/5/5 rule provides guidance for slide text:

• No more than 5 words per line of text
• No more than 5 lines of text per slide
• No more than 5 text-heavy slides in a row without visuals

This improves readability and audience engagement.

What is the 10/20/30 rule for presentations?

The handy 10/20/30 rule recommends 10 slides maximum, 20-minute duration, and 30 points minimum font size. This keeps presentations focused, impactful, and easy to digest. The large 30-point text ensures readability.

Related Articles:

Would you like to learn more about growing your presentation skills? Here are resources that could help you along your journey:

• PowerPoint Presentation Course – This course is perfect for those who are ready to perfect their slides and learn how to craft a compelling story. Find out what you can expect from the course and how we can help you.
• Writing PowerPoint Presentations – Preparing your slides isn’t only about making them look pretty. You also need to think about your message and how to deliver it in the most impactful way possible.
• PowerPoint Presentation Tips And Tricks – Are you looking for immediate advice? Here are tips and tricks you can include in your next PowerPoint presentation.

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How to Start a Presentation with Impact + 12 Examples!

December 1, 2023

In the world of snooze-worthy presentations, your opening is your moment of truth. Knowing how to start a presentation—be it a sales presentation, an investor pitch, a conference keynote, or an internal team update—sets the tone for everything that follows. The best way to open your presentation? Forget about overly complicated introductions, because you’ll want to use your initial seconds to pique genuine curiosity and capture attention. 

Whether it's through a thought-provoking quote, a stunning visual, a brief yet impactful video, an engaging question, or an interactive poll, the goal is to make your audience sit up and take notice, avoiding the common pitfall of starting with an 'about me' narrative. Remember, in these moments, your story is less about you and more about resonating with your audience. Wondering how you can craft an opening that not only grabs attention but also holds it? Here’s how to make sure your message sticks the landing.

How to Start Your Sales Presentation with Impact

The opening of a sales presentation is crucial in setting the stage for what you're offering. It’s your chance to grab the audience's attention and make them eager to hear more about your product or service. We might specialize in PowerPoint design services, but we’re also suckers for punchy openings and clever wordsmithing. Here are five dynamic ways to start your sales presentation to engage your audience effectively. After all, who’s going to buy from you if your presentation isn’t engaging?

Interesting Statistics

Begin your presentation with a statistic that highlights a problem or opportunity relevant to your audience. For instance, if you’re selling a cybersecurity solution, you might start with, "Did you know that cyber attacks are increasing at an alarming rate of 30% per year?" This kind of opening not only grabs attention but also establishes the importance of your product or service. The more attention-grabbing, the better!

Compelling Questions

Asking a thought-provoking question can immediately engage your audience. It encourages them to think and become active participants. For example, "Have you ever considered how much time we waste on inefficient processes?" This approach works well in highlighting the pain points that your product or service can address.

Presentation Storytelling

Stories are powerful tools for connection, no doubt. Start with a short, relatable story that illustrates the need for your product or service. A narrative about a common challenge and how your product provided a solution can be very effective. For instance, "Let me tell you about a client who was struggling with..."

Visual Impact

Using a striking visual can be a great way to start a sales presentation. A compelling image or a brief video that gets your message across can make a strong impression. This could be as simple as a before-and-after scenario, showcasing the effectiveness of your product.

Bold Statements

Kick off with a bold, intriguing statement that makes the audience sit up and take notice. It should be directly related to the benefits of your product or service. For example, "We're not just changing the game–we're redefining it." This kind of opening sets a confident tone for the rest of your presentation.

How to Start Your Investor Pitch Presentation

Presenting to investors is a unique challenge. You need to quickly establish credibility and capture their interest. Here are five effective strategies for opening your investor presentation to ensure you make a lasting impression.

Visionary Opening

Begin with a powerful vision statement that encapsulates the essence and ambition of your business. This could be a glimpse into the future that your company is striving to create. For example, "At the heart of our company lies a vision to revolutionize sustainable energy for generations to come." This approach instantly sets a high-level tone and shows investors the potential impact of your business.

Compelling Problem Statement

Start with a clear and compelling description of the problem your business aims to solve. This not only highlights the need for your solution but also demonstrates your understanding of the market. For instance, "In a world where over 30% of produced food is wasted, our solution offers an innovative way to reduce this drastically."

Success Story

Share a brief story of a significant milestone or success that your company has achieved. This could be about landing a major client, a breakthrough in your technology, or a notable growth milestone. This kind of opening underlines your company's potential and track record.

Surprising Fact or Stat

Kick off with a surprising fact related to your industry that sets the stage for your presentation. This should be something that highlights the market opportunity or the need for your solution. For instance, "In the $2.2 trillion food industry, a shocking 30% of produce goes to waste. Our solution tackles this inefficiency head-on."

Personal Journey

Starting with a brief narrative about why you founded the company can be a powerful way to connect with investors on a more personal level. It adds a human element to your presentation, allowing investors to understand your passion and commitment. For example, "My journey to founding this company began five years ago when I encountered..."

How to Start a Keynote Presentation

Keynote talks are an opportunity to inspire, influence, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. The opening of your talk is critical in setting the stage for your message. These are our favorite ways to hook your audience from the get-go.

Inspirational Quote

Open with a quote that resonates with the theme of your talk. Choose a saying from a well known person that gets the basic idea of your message across. For instance, "As Nelson Mandela once said, 'It always seems impossible until it’s done.' Today, we explore the 'impossible'." This approach connects your audience to something that feels familiar and sets a reflective tone for the rest of the presentation.

Intriguing Question

Pose an intriguing question to your audience that provokes thought and relates directly to your topic. This could be a rhetorical question or one that challenges common perceptions. For example, "Have you ever wondered what truly drives innovation in our fast-paced world?" This strategy engages your audience’s curiosity right from the start.

Personal Anecdote

Sharing a personal story that relates to your keynote theme can create an immediate emotional connection with your audience. It adds a personal touch and makes your message more relatable. Begin with, "Let me share a personal experience that profoundly changed my perspective on..." Remember to avoid going on about yourself, and instead focus on how the experience relates to the rest of your presentation.

These are all effective ways to make presentation storytelling lots more engaging. You can also use the previous suggestions of beginning the presentation with a visual hook or surprising fact to hook your audience from the start.

How to Start Your Internal Team Meeting Presentation

Nobody wants their internal updates to prompt “couldn’t this be an email?” comments from their colleagues. For internal updates, the approach should be distinctively different, focusing on team engagement, shared goals, and collective progress. Here’s what we suggest for your presentation to ensure your team is attentive and motivated.

Celebratory Kick-Off

Begin with a celebration of a recent achievement or milestone. This could be team-centric, like reaching a project goal, or company-wide, such as a notable business success. For example, "I am thrilled to start today by celebrating our team's achievement in surpassing our quarterly targets."

Progress Highlight

Start by highlighting progress on key projects or initiatives. This could be a brief overview of where things stand or a specific success story. It’s a great way to show the team that their efforts are leading to tangible results. For instance, "Let's kick off by looking at the incredible progress we've made on the X project in the last month."

Team Member Spotlight

Open by spotlighting a team member's contribution or achievement. This not only recognizes individual efforts but also fosters a culture of appreciation and motivation. For example, "I want to begin today's meeting by highlighting James' outstanding contribution to our client project last week."

Industry News or Trends

Start with a brief discussion on relevant industry news or trends that might impact your team or company. This keeps the team informed and can start discussions on how these developments might affect your work. For example, "Let's start with some interesting developments in our industry that could present new opportunities for us."

Each of these approaches is designed to create an engaging and inclusive atmosphere for internal updates. The focus is on building team morale, encouraging participation, and keeping everyone aligned with the company’s goals and achievements.

Recap: 12 Examples for Starting Your Presentation with Impact

To wrap up, let's compile three actionable examples for each type of presentation we've discussed. These examples are designed to be directly applicable, giving you a practical blueprint for engaging your audience right from the beginning of your presentation.

Sales Presentations

Statistic-based .

"Every year, businesses lose approximately $1.7 trillion due to inefficiencies in communication. Today, we introduce a solution that turns this challenge into an opportunity."

Question-Based

 "How many of you have experienced frustration due to delayed flights? Our app is here to change your travel experience forever."

"Last year, a small business owner faced a daunting challenge with their supply chain. Our software transformed their process, resulting in a 40% increase in efficiency."

Investor Presentations

Vision statement.

"We envision a future where renewable energy is not a luxury, but a norm for every household. Our technology is the key to this future."

Problem Statement

"In a world where online privacy is constantly under threat, our platform provides an unbreachable shield, safeguarding digital identities."

"Just six months ago, our prototype caught the attention of industry giants, leading to a groundbreaking partnership that sets us on a path to revolutionize our field."

Keynote Talks

"Margaret Mead famously said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.' This idea is at the core of our discussion today."

"What if I told you that the biggest barrier to innovation is not a lack of ideas, but a lack of action? Let’s explore this further."

Visual Display

"This image [showing a powerful photograph] represents the drastic change our industry has undergone in the last decade. Let's dive into what this means for us."

Internal Updates

"I'm excited to announce that thanks to our team's efforts, customer satisfaction has hit an all-time high this quarter!"

Interactive Element

"To get us started, I'd like everyone to share one word that describes their current project experience."

Industry News

"Recent developments in AI technology have opened new avenues for our projects. Let's discuss how we can integrate these into our workflow."

These examples offer a versatile range of strategies to effectively start your presentations, tailored to the specific context and audience of your talk. Whether it’s a sales presentation, an investor pitch, a conference keynote, or an internal team update, using these examples as a guide can help you grab your audience's attention and keep them engaged throughout. Presenting is not easy, but a good opening will give you the confidence boost that can help you throughout your talk. Here’s to less-boring presentations!

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19 Ideas for More Compelling and Effective Presentations

Presentations play an important role in marketing and business development. Whether speaking at a conference, making a new business pitch, meeting with a client, or hosting a webinar, presentations can be a true differentiator — for better or worse.

But as important as presentations are, they can often be treated as an afterthought. And many marketers and business leaders settle for mediocre presentations at best and dreadful presentations at worst. The fact is, even though we’re not all capable of making inspiring presentations like Steve Jobs, most presentations could be  better ! So here are some simple ideas to help you create more compelling and effective presentations.

1 Consider the setting upfront

A critical factor to consider before developing a presentation is to take into account the setting of the presentation. Is it in-person or virtual? A keynote address or a breakout session? Small room or large room? Casual environment or formal? Whatever the setting, your approach to developing and giving the presentation should factor in the unique setting and respond with an appropriate approach.

2 Spend time developing great content

This should go without saying, but content is the core of your presentation. While all the other ideas below will help to make your content more impactful, a great presentation starts and ends with great content. So don’t shortchange your audience by shortchanging the effort you spend on developing compelling content. You’ll need to invest many hours researching, writing and brainstorming if you aim to create a presentation that your audience will appreciate.

3 Start with an outline

Don’t start with PowerPoint or Keynote! Many people start their presentations by getting right to creating slides.  But you need to remember that your presentation is not your slides; your slides only support your presentation. So it’s best to start by creating a simple outline of the main points you want to make in each act and go from there.

The key is to get your main ideas on paper and organize your thoughts before you start creating slides. You’ll gain a better understanding of the flow of your presentation and what content needs to be added, omitted or reordered.

4 Follow the 3-act structure

While not every presentation can easily fit into the 3-act structure, it’s generally a good method to follow.

Act 1  – The first act is the introduction, the setup of your presentation. This is where you grab the audience’s attention early on, giving them an expectation of what they are going to get out of it and a reason to keep listening. A compelling story or illustration can serve as a powerful opener.

Additional thoughts on the opening: You’ve got mere seconds to hook your audience, so open with a bang! Absolutely, positively, DO NOT be salesy or self-deprecating in your opening (or at any point in your presentation for that matter). And unless you want to lose the audience’s attention and respect out of the gate, don’t open with those token and boring slides that talk about you, your firm and all those accolades. Jump right into the real content!

Act 2  – The middle act is where you sustain their interest. Typically you are detailing a problem and offering a solution, while educating and informing along the way. It’s here where you really build your case and sell the benefits. This is where you’ll want to provide compelling examples, data, statistics, etc. to support your points.

Act 3  – The final act is where you resolve the problem, recap and remind the audience of the high points of your presentation. Then leave the audience with a call-to-action. What is the audience supposed to take away from your presentation? That should be clearly defined in your closing act. Also, a final story or illustration and questions from the audience are a great way to draw the presentation to a close.

5 Have one main point for each slide

It’s best to make only one main point for each slide. Be concise and coherent and don’t try to cover too much ground on a single slide. Instead, keep your slide (and your words) focused on hammering home the main point. But always use brevity; once you have made your point, move on. You don’t want to lose the audience by belaboring a point once it has been made.

6 Avoid using bullets

Nothing gets abused in presentations more than bullets. A slide full of bullets will undoubtedly ensure that your audience will stop listening to you and instead read what’s on the slide. The fact is, they can read faster than you can make your points. So remember, they are there to listen to you, not to read your slides. Bullets might be helpful as notes, but there’s little reason to include them on your slides.

7 Less is more

Keep in mind, your slides are there to support your presentation, not BE your presentation. So it’s best to always keep things as simple as they can be, because your slides are slides, not Word documents! Many presenters have entirely too much text on a slide and include way too many visuals, leaving audience members dizzy wondering what they’re looking at. And don’t design your PowerPoint presentation to be a leave behind. If you want to give your audience a substantive leave-behind, that should be treated as an entirely different document altogether.

8 Use large text

Since you are simplifying your slides, avoiding the use of bullets and only making one major point for each slide, amplify your points by using large text. Using a larger font size will not only make it easier for your audience to read the slide, it will also help them retain the information. And depending on the screen and room, your audience is probably going to have a hard time reading the text if you use a font size any smaller than 24pt. Ideally, each slide will only contain a few words that underscore your point.

9 Include captivating visuals

It’s been documented that messages accompanied by pictures are retained at a much more significant rate than words alone. This is called the “picture superiority effect” and studies indicate that including powerful visuals can increase information retention by 55% – 65% or more. Avoid using cheesy clip art or overly generic stock art. And absolutely, positively don’t use watermarked or copyrighted images that you found online! Similar to including one main point on each slide, one large and powerful photo is preferred over several smaller photos. The key is to choose images or graphics that convey the message you’re trying to make, in the most compelling way possible.

10 Utilize data wisely

Data can be a good thing or a bad thing in a presentation, depending on how wisely it’s used. Try to avoid the use of excel charts and graphs, as these are nearly impossible to make sense of on a screen and will surely distract your audience from listening to you. If you’re going to use complex data, try to find a way to simplify the numbers, using more of an infographic style than a typical Excel chart style.

Also, while statistics can certainly add to your presentation, be sure you always source your stats and find the most recent information possible. Using a 10-year-old statistic or quoting statistics without a source will detract from your credibility.

11 Have a solid, professionally designed slide deck

Regardless of how great the quality of your content may be, a poor slide deck design can be distracting and erode credibility — even if your firm is not in a “creative” industry. Design still matters and can help or hurt your presentation, so your slide deck design should be professional.

The template you use should be custom (don’t use the templates included with PowerPoint or Keynote), branded (but not over branded), and have a clean and organized layout. Avoid the temptation to overuse animation for transitions.

If your firm doesn’t have design capabilities, consider hiring someone to design a custom presentation and establish a design system for the various components of your presentation.

12 Don’t read it

If you don’t use bullets and have only one major point on each slide, you aren’t going to be able to turn around and read the slides like many often do during a typical presentation. But if you use notes, be sure you know the presentation well enough to avoid being glued to them. Not only is listening to someone read their way through a presentation boring, it gives the impression that you aren’t as knowledgeable on the subject as you should be.  Instead, use your notes for cues, not as the narrative for your presentation.

13 Engage with the audience

If you want to make a connection with your audience and have them pay attention to what you are telling them, you need to be engaging.  Here are some tips:

• Do you best to be and stay relaxed
• Show your personality, passion and enthusiasm about the topic
• Make eye contact with specific members of the audience, even in virtual meetings
• Project your voice; a notch more than you think you should
• Move around the stage and interact with the audience
• Don’t talk too fast, but don’t talk too slow either
• Take a brief pause after making a substantial statement

Following these tips will help you appear confident and comfortable to the audience, making you seem more knowledgeable.

14 Treat it like a conversation

Nothing is more annoying (and boring) than a presenter that simply recites facts and information in a pontificating way. You don’t want to talk down to your audience, but you don’t want to treat the presentation like a 9th grade oral book report either. Instead,  act like you are having a conversation with your audience .

The best presentations I’ve ever sat through are the ones that made me feel like the presenter was talking with me and to me, not at  me. So try to speak as though you are speaking to only one person at a time. A good way to set the right conversational tone is by starting with open-ended questions to engage the audience at the beginning.

15 Tell compelling stories

The best presenters in the world are also incredible storytellers.  One of the best ways to engage an audience and make a lasting impression is to use stories and illustrations as a way to bring context and clarity to your points. Stories are usually much more engaging than raw information.  So look for stories, examples, illustrations, case studies, etc. to help bring your points to life.

16 Make them laugh (a little)

Not surprisingly, the best presenters, in addition to being great storytellers, are also generally funny people.  So look for ways to inject some (clean and safe) humor into your presentation. Making your audience occasionally laugh will keep them alert, entertained and more likely to keep listening to your message.

Now I’m not in any way insinuating that you should be a part-time stand-up comedian.  But at the same time, in addition to educating your audience, it’s always good to make them laugh every once in a while.

17 Don’t under OR over prepare

Don’t go into a presentation under-prepared! You should know your topic backwards and forwards and be able to present without an over dependence on notes.  Similarly, don’t over-prepare either. Remember, you are having a conversation with the audience, not reciting a speech.

So while you should spend a lot of time in preparation, don’t rehearse too much or memorize what you are going to say. You want your presentation to sound natural and organic, not like a canned political speech.

18 Get the technology right

All the hard work that goes into a creating a great presentation can be derailed by technological glitches. Don’t let yourself be a victim! Here are some things to consider:

• Bring your own laptop to run the presentation
• Come with every possible adapter/cable you may need for A/V
• Invest in a quality remote and frequently change batteries
• Have a spare power cord and/or extension cord handy
• Avoid overusing animations, audio and video
• Don’t depend on web-based content; embed directly from your laptop
• Get there early, click through your deck and test the microphone

19 Adapt to the virtual environment (when required)

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has ushered in a new era of virtual meetings , conferences, workshops and interviews. Virtual presentations are a completely different dynamic and require a different strategy, approach, pace and delivery. Here are some of the things you need to think about:

• Slide deck – Keep in mind that your slides will be seen on much smaller screens than what you typically find at in-person presentations.
• Equipment and technology – Be sure you have a high-quality camera and microphone, as well as sufficient internet bandwidth to stream the presentation.
• On-camera appearance – Being on camera means your audience is going to get a much more “up close and personal” view of you. Be sure to look directly into the camera and position yourself so that only your upper chest and face are visible. Make sure the room is well lit and eliminate any background distractions.
• Energy and Enthusiasm – Just like on-screen personalities exude energy and enthusiasm, it’s important for you to as well. Amp it up a bit more than normal and remember to keep up the enthusiasm until you’ve logged off.
• Engagement – The virtual audience is much more difficult to read and keep attentive. While the specifics will depend on your particular situation, building in engagement activities such as live polling, interactive Q&A, and audience input can be helpful for engagement.

Don’t wing it!

There are many other ways to create more compelling presentations and we’ve only scratched the surface with these 19. But the takeaway is, don’t treat presentations like an afterthought. Instead, adequately prepare and follow these simple tips to make your presentations more impactful.

Related Insights & Content

12 Tips for Hosting a Successful B2B Webinar

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For Successful Presentations, Treat Them More Like Conversations

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

The secret structure of great talks

The beauty of data visualization

TED's secret to great public speaking

How to speak so that people want to listen

How great leaders inspire action

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Online Presentation Maker to Create Engaging Presentations

Easily create a professionally-looking business presentation, keynote, sales pitch, product update, and onboarding or webinar deck with free presentation templates.

Professionals worldwide create presentations with Piktochart

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Easily Create Stunning Presentations

Piktochart’s online presentation maker is so simple that you can immediately use it without training. All you need is an internet connection. Start with a free pre-made template designed by experts. From there, you can quickly create professional presentations that will help you engage with your audience and drive the results you are looking for. Moreover, collaboration features are included for all accounts, even the Free plan, to work with your team in real-time.

Presentation slides at your fingertips

Present Online or Download in .ppt

Presenting your slide deck during a video call or a virtual conference is easy. Switch to presentation mode within Piktochart, and you can present directly in just a few clicks. You can also download your new presentation in a .ppt or .pdf format and share it on social media or offline with your stakeholders. It’s up to you how you want to use your own presentation.

Fully Customize Slides for a Branded Presentation

Create professional presentations and pitch decks in minutes that match your brand’s guidelines. Simply drag company logos or a screenshot of your website to extract the brand colors. Then, upload your fonts and create a custom color palette to use when creating your own presentation. With Piktochart, it’s easy to work on an engaging presentation fast, with no need to search for illustrations or icons. Piktochart’s integrated library of high-quality graphics, designs components, and presentation templates means presentation design is easier than ever. Just drag and drop the design elements into the editor, add images, choose your color scheme, and create a presentation. Or upload your own photos and add them to the asset library. Making beautiful presentations has never been so easy for non-designers.

Storytelling and presentation design

Translate Complex Data Into a Visual Story

With Piktochart’s charts and maps tool, you can quickly visualize information and translate data into a visual story that will grasp the attention of your audience. In our free presentation maker, link up an Excel or Google Sheets file to create graphs that automatically update when your data does. Add interactive maps to highlight your main points. Just choose from the pre made templates to save time and make all the changes you want.

People like you use Piktochart’s presentation software to:

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1. select a presentation template.

Edit one of the free presentation templates by Piktochart and add your text, change the fonts, drag-and-drop elements or free images, and create an engaging presentation. For more information, learn how to structure a presentation in this article.

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Add in your company logo and your own images or pick from a wide range of design elements. The possibilities are endless with our free online presentation maker. Nail your brand presentation by editing fully customizable slides with Piktochart.

3. Present or download

Either use our built-in presentation mode or download your slides in the .ppt format from Microsoft PowerPoint. Or simply share the link with your team.

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Types of Presentations

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Business Presentation

Create professional presentations in a web browser that look like they were made by a graphic designer. Choose from hundreds of free templates and customize them to complete your own business presentation. Here are 25 report presentations to get inspired by.

Sales Presentation

Working in sales? Save time in creating assets by using Piktochart’s presentation free online presentation maker. Select a pre-made template, edit de slides, change the design, and use your slides to win customers. Ask your team for feedback with the collaboration features, which allow you to share and comment.

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6 Ways to Make the Perfect and Impactful PowerPoint Presentations

Creating a PowerPoint presentation might seem easy. Learning the nuances of sharing content through this medium can reinforce your message correctly. PowerPoint Presentations are a mode of communication where you can share information regarding your company, USPs, Mission, Vision, etc. You need to be careful with minute details, as even something like a wrong color scheme can make the whole thing can go south. A professional PowerPoint presentation can help you put your message across the table clearly and effectively. Check out six presentation secrets that will help place your audience’s trust in you. These small secrets go a long way!

• Less Is Always More
• Design Influence
• Creativity Is Everything
• Master The Basics
• Explore The In-Built Features
• Visualize Your Presentation

1. Less Is Always More

Customer Journey

Source: Customer Journey Template by SlideUpLift

A PowerPoint presentation is a mixture of text, images, and graphs. However, using too much text and highlighting the features through bullet points might fade the essence of the presentation. The textual content makes the audience lose interest and makes the presentation seem boring. On the other hand, graphs and images will help you communicate better and keep the focus on what you want to share. Remember, content is the key. If you do not highlight the right content in a presentation, you may be unable to anchor the audience’s focus, interest, and time.

2. Design Influence

30 60 90 Day Template

Source: 30 60 90 Day Template by SlideUpLift

PowerPoint designs speak for themselves. Choose a font that is easily readable by your audience. When choosing a designer font, pick a classic one the audience can relate to. The PowerPoint will leave its mark only when the size of the slides is of appropriate length. Remember, you do not want your design to have content that looks too small or too big. For headers, you can use 20pt; for the body text, it should be around 18 pt. This content size is acceptable for phones, TVs, banners, and laptops. And classic fonts are fortunately available on every desktop and laptop. Also, the color contrast matters; if there is text on the picture, ensure to use either shadow or highlight it by putting it inside a border.

3. Creativity Is Everything

Lamp Business Strategy Template

Source: Business Strategy Template by SlideUpLift

Undoubtedly, creativity is the foundation of exceptional PowerPoint presentation design. No one likes boring presentations, especially with more content and fewer images to convey the message. A plethora of designers up their game of creativity by learning and trying something new each day. Color schemes can be a tricky thing in presentation. Therefore, look for presentations that are approved by others. Maybe the same layout and color palette will work for you. Also, you can use the Moodboard template mechanism at Slideuplift to create a draft of how your presentation will look after putting in all the relevant information.

4. Master The Basics

16 Piece Puzzle PowerPoint

Source: 16 Piece Puzzle PowerPoint by SlideUpLift

In the designing field, it is paramount to master the basics of creativity. Your PowerPoint templates will stand out once you conquer the nuances of designing. Remember, advanced designing only helps when the basics are cleared. Mastering alignment, adjustment, and arrangement can make or break your PowerPoint presentation. Another important aspect of paying attention to while preparing a presentation is the apt usage of negative space.

5. Explore The In-Built Features

The best part of PowerPoint Presentations is that you do not require any special software or buy new features to make your presentations look spectacular. PowerPoint is easily available in the market and is loaded with a plethora of game-changers features compared to any basic design software. Explore the shortcut tool so you do not have to go back and forth. However, it is the hardware you need to invest in. If you are working on a laptop, you need to buy a good quality external mouse as the detailing may not be easy to manage with the touchpad. So, if you wish to invest less time and create a presentation that speaks for itself, this is a must.

6. Visualize Your Presentation

Project Kickoff

Source: Project KickOff by SlideUpLift

Before investing time in creating a mind-blowing presentation, you need to visualize its look. From basic color combinations that appeal to the eyes to simplifying the tables and using the doughnut graphs appropriately, all are a part of the visualization. Just putting in content is not enough, and you need to know how and where to put it. Google Slides Templates can create presentations that communicate the message loud and clear. Also, Google Slides Templates are compatible with PowerPoint presentations, so you do not need a separate tool.

To sum it up

Creating a PowerPoint presentation masterpiece is all about knowing skills, practice, and patience. However, if you feel you are short on time and lack those skills, it’s best left to experts, Slideuplift has it all covered. We will add a creative tinge to your PPT presentations and help you deliver the right message in the right way.

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How to Make an Impactful Presentation

The old adage, “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it,” matters more than ever. here are some tips on creating a noteworthy presentation..

We’ve partnered with CARE International to offer tips on how to create a stand-out presentation.

Just a few years ago, presentations were more often than not done in the same room. In addition to a slide deck, people could also use body language, read the room, and pivot based on audience needs. 

Flash forward to now: Many people are primarily logging in from home offices . A presentation deck may be passed around to stakeholders who aren’t at a live presentation. 

These changes in the nature of work mean that it’s critical to create a presentation that flows clearly for everyone—whether someone is listening to it in person, on screen, or reading it on their own time.

Beyond the challenges of working remotely, women may feel as though their presentations are under additional scrutiny . This Women’s History Month , we want to take some time to help everyone—and women in particular—overcome obstacles and create more impactful presentations that showcase their work.

So, how can anyone create a slide deck that’s impactful? And, are there specific tips to help women give incredible presentations?

Following these guidelines just might make a big difference.

Understand Your Intent

Before you even begin writing your slide copy, think about what you want your presentation to do. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the one thing you want your audience to remember?
• How do you want people to feel at the end? 
• Is there a specific action you want them to take after you’re done? 

Write down these buzzwords in a document. They won’t be part of your presentation, but they can help you create an information roadmap. These initial ideas will be helpful guideposts to return to as you further craft your presentation. They may even help undertake one of the hardest tasks of all: getting started .

Decide on the Look and Feel

After arming yourself with the overall mission of your presentation, you’ll be able to begin initial design research . At this stage, we suggest all people putting together a presentation: 

• Pull photos that inspire. 
• Decide on colors or themes. 
• Keep diversity and inclusion in mind as photos catch your eye. 

Incorporating these ideas into a mood board or inspiration folder can make it easier to narrow down selections to match the information you want to present. 

Studies have found that pictures in presentations influence people more than words. When people are shown emotionally charged images, they might change their behavior, even if they’re not aware of it. Meanwhile, emotionally charged words do not have the same effect. 

All this is to say that, while sometimes people wait until the last minute to add images to their slide deck, it’s better for the speaker to work on a presentation’s look and feel early.

You’ll later create a stronger message as you add specific information to your slides.

Edit Within an Outline

Once you have your big picture in mind, and you have a working mood board of images and graphics, it’s time to dive into the meat of the presentation. 

Start an outline with all the content you want to cover. The biggest lift is likely going to be editing down your points. Guy Kawasaki, a marketing specialist and author of over fifteen books on marketing and creativity, suggests what he outlines in a blog post as a 10/20/30 Rule :

• Create 10 slides. 
• Plan for a 20-minute talk.
• Include a font that’s 30 points or larger. 

These guidelines mean that crafting your presentation relies on good editing. Having plenty of time earmarked for quality content editing ensures that you give only the most salient points the attention they deserve. 

Work with the 5/5/5 Rule in Mind

Another popular presentation guideline to incorporate into your plans is the 5/5/5 Rule . This means that slides should include: 

• No more than 5 words per line of text. 
• No more than 5 lines of text per slide. 
• Text-heavy slides should be capped at 5 per entire presentation. 

This rule also helps presenters carefully consider each slide’s contents individually. It will even reflect well on your audience, and show that you’re considering their needs to follow along.

Summarize Data When Possible

A data-heavy presentation can be challenging to unpack. It can be tempting to make data look as “official” as possible by placing every relevant table within the presentation. Instead, summarize your key findings, with a hyperlink toward your full data set. 

If you’re including graphs and statistics, make sure that any relevant data can’t be misinterpreted by the way you present it. Lean on helpful resources, such as the American Psychological Association , which offers insights into how to effectively present graphs.

Practice to Build Confidence

Talking through your presentation will help you feel confident in your material . In fact, some experts recommend rehearsing as many as ten times in order to build this confidence. 

You should write a few notes—if you’d like—to keep you on track. Studies have shown that writing speaker notes by hand helps presenters remember things more easily, as opposed to when typing them out.

It’s also helpful to run an AV test of your slide deck. If possible, do a quick run-through on any equipment you may use during the presentation.

If presenting remotely: 

• Log on early. 
• Sign out of any applications that may interrupt you mid-presentation. 
• Make sure you’re working from an area with minimal interruptions, strong WiFi, and good lighting. 

After all, now that you’ve created and practiced your perfect presentation, avoiding all technical difficulties will be the cherry on top of your success.

Cover image via miniwide x2 .

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25 Tools for Creating and Delivering Amazing Presentations

Updated: August 10, 2022

Published: November 10, 2020

If you're in business, you need to know how to create captivating presentations. Whether you're trying to convince your boss to support a new campaign, talking with a prospect to close a deal, or building a new piece of marketing collateral, you need to know how craft a presentation that won't put people to sleep.

The best (and easiest) way to do that? Use the right tools to create and deliver your presentation.

If you're not sure which tools to use, look no further than this blog post. We’ve compiled our list of the top presentation tools for sales and marketing professionals. They’re listed below, in no particular order. But first ...

Why You Should Use Business Presentation Templates

10 Free PowerPoint Templates

Download ten free PowerPoint templates for a better presentation.

• Creative templates.
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• Professional templates.

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Best Presentation Tools

Canva makes design easy -- even for marketers and salespeople who feel like they're design-challenged. The platform gives you a bunch of presentation templates to use right away, and it's very easy to customize them to your organization and presentation objective. Plus, a variety of apps that integrate with Google Drive, Instagram, and YouTube, to name a few.

Pricing : Free; Pro, $12.95/month for up to five people; Enterprise, $30/month per person

Often, being different is what attracts prospects, and Powtoon can help you do that in your presentations. Powtoon’s animation software lets you easily create videos with props, characters, and more -- which can help you differentiate your company when talking with prospects.

Pricing : Pro, $19/month; Pro+ $49/month; Agency, $89/month

3. PowerPoint

For years, PowerPoint has been the standard in presentation software, but it hasn’t remained static. PowerPoint is full of features to make sales and marketing presentations dynamic and engaging. ( Here are just a few ways you can do that .)

Pricing : Business Basic, $5/user/month; Business Standard, $12.50/user/month; Business Premium, $20/user/month

4. Slidesgo

Slidesgo is your creative companion in the world of presentation design. This website specializes in crafting visually stunning Google Slides and PowerPoint templates that breathe life into your ideas, making them shine on any screen. With a wide variety of templates ranging from business and marketing to medicine and education, Slidesgo empowers presenters of all backgrounds to engage, educate, and inspire their audiences.

Pricing: Free plan, $0; Premium, $4.99; Education, $2.99

A PowerPoint add-in, Oomfo helps sales and marketing pros create those oh-so-important interactive charts for presentations. Specialized charts, live charts from multiple files, data from cloud applications, interactive options, one-click conversions -- it’s all possible, and more, with Oomfo.

Pricing: Free

Apple’s Keynote allows users to work between their Mac and iOS devices, as well as with people who use Microsoft PowerPoint. With easy-to-use visual tools, drag and drop functionality, interactive charts, and more, Keynote is a popular choice among sales and marketing professionals.

Pricing : Free

7. SlideModel

SlideModel contains thousands of ready-made and 100% editable presentation templates to help any presenter save time creating engaging and aesthetically pleasing presentations. Their collection of presentation templates covers a variety of business purposes and even gets updated periodically to add new business and education templates. You can find a collection of visually appealing slides on the site including dashboards, creative infographics, editable Maps, funnels, timelines, mindmaps, and presentation slides depending on the need of your presentation. Their slides templates are easy to edit and are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Pricing :  Free plan, $0; One-Day Access, $24.50; Annual Unlimited, $199.90/year

8. Beautiful.ai

Create beautiful slides, pitches, and proposals without a team of designers. AI applies design rules in real time, and a library of free photos and icons are at your fingertips.

Pricing : Basic, $0; Pro, $12/month; Team, $38/user/month

9. Haiku Deck

Available for the web or iPad, Haiku Deck has become a favorite of sales and marketing pros. With Haiku Deck, professionals can quickly create presentations that can be "easily projected, shared, posted, embedded on a website or blog, or viewed on any web-enabled device." Though it's another tool that helps you create presentations from scratch, its ease-of-use sets it apart from the rest.

Pricing : Pro, $9.99 - $19.99/month; Premium, $29.99/month

Vyond is an online animation software that allows you to create animated videos for marketing campaigns, sales enablement, or even human resources. Use their library of customizable templates or create your own from scratch.

Pricing : Essential, $229/year; Premium, $649/year; Professional, $999/user/year; Enterprise, contact for pricing

11. Storydoc

With templates for all the most popular business use cases, Storydoc is an interactive presentation maker built to help sales teams and marketing professionals engage more prospects and boost conversion rates. 

You can create amazing and engaging decks where you can embed video and social media content to tell your story the right way. Then, integrate your CRM into Storydoc decks, as well as calendars, sign-up forms, and other solutions that will make your presentation. Additionally, you have access to Storydoc's tracking analytics which shows who viewed your presentation and which components they interacted with the most. 

Pricing :  Free trial 14 days); Starter Plan, $40/month

Busy sales and marketing pros choose emaze because it makes creating amazing presentations quick and easy. The options abound with emaze: Choose a professionally designed template and then create a slideshow, video presentation , or 3D presentation.

Pricing : Business Plan, contact for pricing; Executive Plan, $40/month; Pro Plan, $13/month

13. Camtasia

TechSmith’s Camtasia is an amazing tool that helps you create professional videos. You can record screen movements, import HD video from another source, customize and edit the video, and then share the completed video presentation on practically any device. 

Pricing : Individual, $249.99/user/year; Business $249.99/user/year; Education, $169.99/user/year; Government and Non-Profit, $223.99/user/year

14. SlideShare

SlideShare is a popular choice for sales and marketing professionals looking for a way to share their content publicly. Because it already has a built-in audience, you can easily distribute your presentation out to lots of people -- and those people can embed your SlideShares on websites and blogs, or share them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

15. SlideDog

Sometimes, sales and marketing professionals need to be able to move between presentation tools, but it’s not always possible because of their technical limitations. SlideDog is the solution, as it enables users to switch between PowerPoint, Prezi, PDF, web pages and others.

Pricing : Free; Pro, $99/year; Pro Event, $49 for one-time payment

16. Presentation Assistant

Presentation Assistant lives up to its name: It assists professionals by enabling them to annotate, zoom, and more during a presentation. Sales and marketing professionals can clarify and emphasize points more clearly to their audience with Presentation Assistant.

Pricing : Presentation Pointer, $29.95; Presentation Screen Master, $29.95

17. authorSTREAM

Sales and marketing pros choose authorSTREAM to make their presentations dynamic and engaging. authorSTREAM allows users to share their PowerPoint presentations publicly or privately, broadcast them, convert them to video, communicate and collaborate about them, and more.

Pricing: Free or paid plans start at $4.20/month

18. Zentation

With Zentation, salespeople and marketers combine video and slides into a simulated live experience. Presentations created with Zentation become webinars, webcasts, and virtual events for prospects and customers -- all great collateral for marketing and sales.

Pricing : Free; Premium, $10 - $45/month; White-Label, contact for pricing

Sales and marketing professionals love Prezi because it is cloud-based. Prezi makes creating, editing, and presenting from your browser, desktop, iPad, or iPhone possible anywhere, any time.

Pricing : Standard, $5/month; Plus, $15/month; Premium, $59/month

20. Brainshark

Sales reps and marketers often choose Brainshark, a cloud-based presentation tool, because it allows them to create and deliver presentations live or on-demand (even using their iPad or iPhone), use on-demand video content, polls, or surveys for increased engagement, and embed presentations in websites and blogs.

Pricing : Contact for pricing

Vcasmo is a unique presentation tool -- it's a multimedia solution that enables users to synchronize a video and slideshow, side by side. Sales and marketing pros love Vcasmo because it supports playback in three forms: browser, mobile, and iPad. 

Pricing : Free; Standard, $10.99/month; Professional, $16.99/month

22. ViewletBuilder

ViewletBuilder is a different presentation tool; it captures critical screen updates and cursor position changes so sales and marketing pros can create presentations detailing how their product or sites work. With a plethora of features, ViewletBuilder allows for editing and enhancing and includes a variety of publishing and sharing options, too.

Pricing : Pro, $399; Enterprise, $599

23. Zoho Show

Zoho Show is a top pick for sales and marketing pros because it lives online, making it possible to create, access, present, and more from anywhere, any time. The simple, intuitive interface and collaboration features are just two of its beloved benefits.

24. AhaSlides

Pricing : Free; Essential, $4.95/month; Pro, $15.95/month; Annual, Monthly & One-time plans available.

Visme is an all-in-one content creation platform with a vast library of professionally designed presentation templates, each tailored to your industry and specific proposal needs. Its beginner-friendly design platform allows you to drag and drop elements into place, use dynamic fields to update all your content in one place instantaneously and integrate your tools like Hubspot or Salesforce, and more to personalize each presentation.

Pricing: Free, Starter: $12.25/month, billed yearly, Pro: $30/month, billed yearly, Visme for Teams & Enterprises.

What are you waiting for? Pick a tool and start creating. Your prospects are waiting.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in October 2014 and has been updated for freshness and comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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How to create compelling and impactful presentations

Research Retold

Do you have to create and give presentations in your line of work? Are you wondering how to create compelling and impactful presentations? Do you struggle when preparing?

These are some of the ideas addressed at the event “Master the art of communicating: A virtual online conference” organised by Apolitical for public servants and policymakers.

Our founder Mihaela Gruia was invited as a speaker for the Presentations session, along with Doug Hattaway, founder of Hattaway Communications . This organisation helps leaders use the power of strategy, science, and storytelling to achieve their goals

Here are the key ideas on how to make the narrative compelling and tips to create impactful visual presentations shared during the session.

How to create a compelling narrative?

First of all, set clear objectives of what you want to accomplish with your presentation . What do you need your audience to know, feel and do? The mind and the heart of your audience must synchronise in order to follow your discourse. Also, think about what do you want them to do as a result of listening to you. Do you want to change their mind? Do you want them to take other actions or steps?

Think in narratives

Since humans developed language, we have learned about the world around us through stories. Thus, it is very natural to think in narratives. Think about your presentation as a narrative with a human story as the centre. If the audiences can reflect themselves in the protagonists it is more likely that they will connect with your message.

Bear in mind that the first thing you say about your topic will shape the perception of your message. So, prepare the stage for your key messages in a way that your audience can see the full picture and get a sense of coherence from your presentation.

Storytelling

Now, moving on to how to deliver your presentation, define the key messages you want your audience to take away from your presentation. This narrative framework will also help you to remember the complete message and to situate yourself when delivering the presentation. It can be particularly useful when you have a time limit.

Make sure you are telling a strategic story with specific examples that can bring your message to life. Think about specific people (remember the human story factor?) in specific contexts. It is especially useful to mention three elements:

• the goals that person wants to achieve
• the challenges or problems
• the solutions to overcome them

In this way, your audience can know the full story and engage with your message.

*Diagram by Hattaway Communications

Creating impactful visual materials

Visual aids are crucial to create effective presentations. They can be very useful to emphasise key ideas and to make your presentation memorable. But, how can you create impactful visuals? How to find the right balance of content?

Since you have already thought about your strategy, goals and audience while creating the narrative, consider this: what will make my audience want to listen? What will they react to?

Create a structure or skeleton of your presentation based on your objective and your audiences. You can do a quick sketch on a piece of paper or a word document. Do it before you start putting the visual materials together. This will help you organise your content and avoid overcrowding your presentation. Remember, you can always give a handout or a follow-up link.

After carefully thinking about the content, it is time to get down to work. Here are three principles to create visual and impactful presentations.

1) Use a consistent colour scheme

Many organisations and institutions have branding guidelines. You can use these to your advantage to create a congruent image.

2) Include high-quality images

If you want your presentations to look more professional make sure you include high-quality images that convey your narrative and message more easily. There are many resources with copyright-free high-quality images, for example, Unsplash .

3) Position elements on the slides using a 3×3 grid

A very practical tip to create slides that are pleasing to the eye is to use the images in such a way that they take up 1 or 2 thirds of the available space. You can also use the same rule for text. Divide it into blocks of three. This will give the information a structure that is easy to follow. See examples in the images below:

Tips when including data in your presentations

Remember that presenting is an opportunity to change people’s minds. The way you present your information can sway their opinion and understanding. Always aim to tell the truth in a clear and understandable way. It is very easy to be misleading with visual materials when you want to emphasise something. Here are some tips to avoid creating deceiving material.

Use proper scaling

When comparing the size of two objects, make sure they are seen on a proper scale. In this example, follow the ‘regular scaling’ guidance.

Use the complete scale

A trend can be seen as very stark if the scale is truncated, creating a false impression. It is better to use a complete depiction of the scale. Alternatively, you can use percentages or statistical errors.

Use all datapoints

When omitting data, you can mislead your audience into thinking certain trends are there, which can be much more complex in reality. Offer the full picture, not just the one that suits your story.

Use active chart titles

By changing the titles of charts you can help your audience understand your message quicker. This will save them “thinking time” and allow them to focus on your narrative.

Use colour for emphasis

Using contrasting colours to draw attention to key ideas.

Avoid 3D graphics

These can be hard to process and also misleading due to scale and perspective.

Accessibility

Finally, make your presentations for people with disabilities. For example, there are tools that allow you to test if your work is accessible for blind-colour people, such as Colbindor . 

We hope you find these tips on how to create compelling and impactful presentations useful. Do you have more ideas? Share them in the comments section!

Many thanks to our Research Communicator, Phebe Bonilla, for writing this blog post.

If you are interested in creating impactful visual material for your presentations contact us! Shoot an email to [email protected] .

Smart Meetings

7 Tips to Make the Most Impactful PowerPoint Presentation

by Tess Dunn

March 28, 2018

It’s almost the day of your big presentation. You’ve prepared heavily —you’ve practiced your speech, consulted with outside sources and chosen what you’re going to wear. The one thing left to do is create your PowerPoint presentation.

PowerPoints have potential to be an incredible addition to your presentation when done correctly. But irrelevant infographics, a hard-to-read font or pictures scattered throughout in odd places will make your slideshow more distracting than helpful. A PowerPoint should not be the leading source of information—you should be, and the presentation should be an aide. So, how can you put together your best PowerPoint yet? We’ve compiled a list of tips that will keep your audience engaged and intrigued .

1. Use a template.

There’s a reason you’re offered templates before you begin—they’re clean, they work and they all tie into one another. Choose the best template that will fit your presentation, be it filled with colors or subtle and sleek.

2. Mention key points.

You want to expand on the information in your PowerPoint, not read directly from it. This will also demonstrate that you know what you’re talking about and that your PowerPoint is not a crutch.

3. Choose specific infographics that support your proposal.

It might be tempting to find infographics that are semi-relevant to your pitch in order to convince your audience that your idea is fully thought out. But these may also distract your audience from your main point. Choose infographics carefully. Want to go a step further? Do your research and create your own infographic that is 100% directed toward your pitch.

4. Find graphics that are high quality.

Finding pictures is fun, and visual aides are always a plus. But make sure you choose graphics that are high quality. Fuzzy pictures take away from the cleanliness of your presentation.

5. Choose a legible font.

You don’t want anybody squinting to read cursive, but you also don’t want to choose a font that is boring. Stick with something easy to read from far away that still has some professionalism. (Consider Cambria, Georgia or the classic Times New Roman.)

6. Show some personality.

While this may not be appropriate for every pitch, people generally like a break from the statistics and lecturing. Inject a sense of humor or add a persuasive (but not pushy) one-liner at the end to truly bring home why your idea is a good one.

7. Engage your audience.

While it is a pitch, you can still encourage input. Ask members what they think a particular statistic is or what they think the percentage rate of success for an idea is. It will keep them alert.

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How to create a successful pitch presentation

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera December 18, 2023

When it comes to startups and entrepreneurs, getting that first big deal can be tricky. It can be hard to put your business idea forward in a way that’s going to convince potential investors or partners. This is where pitch deck presentations come in handy as they are often short and precise. The goal is to explain your idea in a way that gets straight to the point and is easy to understand. These quick, punchy presentations are critical for those looking to make a strong first impression and secure funding for their business venture. Let’s talk about what a pitch presentation is and how you can create one with the help of Prezi. 

What is a pitch presentation? 

To get a better understanding of what a pitch presentation really is, let’s look at some of the important elements that make one: 

Conciseness: It’s typically short, usually 10-20 slides. This fast pace enables the presenter to captivate the audience and maintain attention. 

Clarity: The aim is to keep the content clear and straightforward, avoiding complicated jargon so that the message is understood. 

Powerful storytelling: It will often tell an interesting story about the problem being solved, the solution offered, and the potential market opportunity. 

Key information: Because of its fast-paced nature, it will often be packed with vital information like the business model, financial projections, and the unique value proposition of the product or service being pitched. 

Appealing visuals: Like other styles of presentation, having visuals that can draw in the audience is a must. Pitch deck presentations will often use graphics and minimal text to convey information better. 

To get a visual understanding of what a pitch presentation is, explore the following pitch presentation:

The evolution of pitch presentations: a look back and ahead

Ever wondered how pitch presentations became such a big deal? They started as simple PowerPoint slides but have evolved into something much more dynamic. This journey reflects changes in business, technology, and what investors look for. In the early days, pitch decks were pretty straightforward – just a few slides outlining a business idea. But as technology advanced, so did the expectations. Now, we see pitch presentations with interactive elements, attractive visuals, and even storytelling elements. This evolution shows how we’ve learned to communicate complex ideas more effectively. Understanding this history helps us understand how pitch decks have evolved into what they are today. 

Is a pitch deck the right presentation style for me? 

A pitch deck is perfect if you’re looking to present a business idea, especially if you’re aiming to attract investors or partners. It’s designed to be concise yet impactful, focusing on the key aspects of your business or project. Think of it as showcasing your business- you’ve got a limited amount of time to make a strong impression. So, if you’re in the early stages of a startup, seeking funding, or trying to win over some stakeholders with a clear, compelling story about your business or idea, a pitch presentation could be just what you need.

People who might also benefit from pitch presentations 

Pitch presentations are a versatile tool that can greatly benefit a wide range of individuals and organizations. We’ve discussed the role of pitch decks for startups and entrepreneurs, so let’s look at some other instances where these presentations might be particularly useful: 

• Business executives: Established business owners can use pitch decks to propose new projects or strategies to stakeholders, boards, and investors. 
• Sales and marketing professionals: To pitch products or services to potential clients or partners, highlighting their unique selling points.
• Non-profit organizations: For presenting their mission, impact, and funding needs to donors, sponsors, or grant agencies.
• Researchers and academics: To secure funding or collaboration for research projects, especially when presenting to funding bodies or at academic conferences.
• Inventors and innovators: To attract investors, partners, or attention to their new inventions or innovations. 
• Freelancers and consultants: To pitch their services and unique value proposition to potential clients or agencies.

What makes a good pitch deck presentation?

When we talk about pitch presentations, it’s important to compare the differences between a great pitch deck and the ones that just don’t hit the mark. 

What a pitch deck should look like 

A successful pitch deck should have a clean, uncluttered design . This way your audience can take in the information without being distracted by over complicated slides. Any images used should be of high quality, and be relevant to the text. A pitch presentation should flow logically , so the information provided tells a story about what you’re aiming to achieve. 

The colors used should match that of your brand, often logos and fonts will correspond with the theme of the brand, organization, or company. This is a great way to reinforce who you are and what you stand for. A good pitch presentation will captivate the audience by using each slide to convey a single key point, this way, the message is concise and easily absorbed. 

Pitfalls to avoid 

Now, let’s talk about what a pitch presentation shouldn’t look like. If you want to entice your audience, don’t cram too much information onto your slides . This is going to overwhelm your audience and make their attention span drop. Don’t stray away from key points by including irrelevant information. You want your pitch deck to persuade people to take action and have faith in you and your product, so don’t go off on a tandem.

Use a language tone that’s relatable to everyone – don’t use overly technical terms or industry-specific jargon. This can be off-putting for potential investors who don’t work in your field. One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to be inconsistent with your theme, color, and fonts. Remember, the idea is to appear professional, and inconsistency screams amateur. 

Things to consider when preparing to create your pitch presentation

Although it might be appealing to dive straight into making your presentation, there are certain points you should consider to get the best out of your pitch. Here are some things to think about when planning: 

Know your audience

Consider who you’re presenting to and include criteria that are going to be appealing to them. For instance, what resonates with venture capitalists may be different from what appeals to potential partners or customers. 

Engaging storyline

You want to hold your audience’s attention throughout the whole presentation, so tell your story in a way that builds anticipation and makes them want more. 

Keep each slide simple. Your audience will respond better to clear, concise content that’s not too busy and complicated. Keep text easily readable and appropriate for all levels of knowledge. 

Key messages

Plan out the purpose of each slide beforehand, that way you can be sure the key messages come across well. 

You can include things like graphs or charts to simplify complex data, but do this in a way that doesn’t overcrowd the slides. Remember to stay consistent with colors and fonts to reinforce clarity. 

Data and validation

Do your research when preparing to make your pitch presentation. It’s crucial to back up your claims, such as market research, growth projections, or case studies. Using real-world examples is a good way to back up your credibility. 

Business model

Think about how you’re going to explain your business model in a way that comes across clearly. Always be honest about your revenue streams, pricing strategies, and your position in the market. 

Investors often invest in people as much as they do ideas, so think about how you can highlight the strengths of yourself and your team. 

You need to clearly state what you’re asking for. Whether it’s funding, support, or a partnership, make sure your audience knows what you need from them. 

Practice your pitch so that it flows well and fits with the time constraints. Rehearsals are great for realizing flaws, which means you can rectify where needed to ensure the best possible pitch on the day. Be prepared to answer questions and address potential concerns- you can do this by listing some possible queries and preparing an adequate answer. 

Beginning and ending

How can you draw the audience in from the minute you start speaking? A successful pitch presentation often starts with a bang, such as a powerful punch line, a vibrant image, or a brain teaser. When it comes to ending your pitch, summarize the main points and offer a chance for discussion. 

Discover other crucial and noteworthy tips on creating and delivering pitch presentations by watching the following video:

Presenting your pitch deck presentation

Your presenting skills must be just as effective as the pitch presentation you’ve created. Imagine spending all that time and effort on making each slide perfect, to go and blow your opportunity by poorly presenting it. Here are some tips to help you own the stage for your pitch: 

Body language

• Posture: Stand tall and proud. A good posture reflects confidence and keeps you physically engaged. 
• Gestures: Gestures should be natural and purposeful. For example, you might use hand gestures to emphasize important points. Avoid being overly dramatic with gestures as this can be distracting. 
•  Movement: Moving can add energy to your presentation, but be careful not to pace around the stage, as this can make you appear nervous. A simple step forward when you’re reaching the punchline of your story can elevate impact. Similarly, turning your body to face different sections of the audience can make everyone feel included. 

Facial expressions

• Eye contact: Make eye contact with your audience, and maintain it. Don’t just focus on one area, move your gaze around the room to add a personal element to your presentation. This is going to help you build a connection and keep them engaged. 
• Smiling: Smile where appropriate. This is going to make you seem approachable and passionate about your subject. However, you don’t want to unnerve your audience by wearing a forced smile throughout the whole presentation. 
• Expressiveness: Your facial expressions should match the tone of what you’re saying. They can be a powerful way of transporting emotions from the screen onto the audience. 

Voice control

• Volume: You want everyone in the room to hear you, so speak loudly, but avoid shouting. 
• Pace: Remember that your audience needs to clearly hear every word for maximum impact, you can do this by keeping a moderate pace throughout. Speaking too fast can be hard to keep up with, and talking too slowly can become boring. 
• Tone: Use a varied tone to maintain interest, as monotone speech can be disengaging. For instance, you could change the pitch and intensity of your tone when discussing something positive or exciting. 
• Duration: Stick to the allotted time for your pitch presentation. Running too long can lose your audience’s interest, while cutting it too short may not deliver enough information. 
• Pauses: Pauses are handy for creating suspense, or allowing key points to sink in. They can also be helpful for a smooth transformation from one topic to another. 

Dealing with nerves

• Practice: The more familiar you are with your content, the less nervous you’re going to be. Practice your body language cues, speaking clearly, and using the right facial expressions. 
• Visualization: Envision a successful pitch presentation. It’s when we worry about the things that could go wrong that causes anxiety to kick in. 
• Relaxation techniques: Before taking the stage, simple techniques can help with nerves, such as mindfulness practices and progressive muscle relaxation. 
• Deep breathing: Practice deep breathing to control nerves and keep a steady voice. This helps in delivering a calm and confident pitch. 

If you’re struggling with nerves, watch the following video on how to not be nervous for a presentation:

Audience interaction

• Question prompts: To make your pitch presentation more interactive, encourage audience participation and questions. 
• Read the room: Always be aware of the audience’s reactions and adjust accordingly. If they seem disinterested, you might need to change your approach or pace.

As a pitch deck presenter, your role is to deliver your content in a way that makes an impact. Mastery of body language, voice, and timing all play a crucial role in yielding the results you want. 

Prezi: Your tool for creating pitch presentation

If you’re aiming to create a pitch presentation that sets you apart from competitors, Prezi is the tool for you. Here’s why: 

Unique presentation style

Unlike traditional slide-by-slide presentations, Prezi allows you to create a more fluid and dynamic pitch deck. You can move freely around the canvas, zooming in on details and out to the bigger picture. This helps in structuring your pitch presentation in a way that best suits your story, making it more engaging for your audience.

Zooming user interface

This is one of Prezi’s signature features. You can zoom in to focus on specific details and zoom out to show the overall context of your idea. Since pitch presentations are all about emphasizing key points, this feature is essential. 

Visual storytelling

The best way to tell a story through your pitch presentation is to turn complicated information into digestible parts. With Prezi, you can use appealing visuals to simplify ideas and make data easier to interpret. Prezi supports images, visuals, graphics, and animations, so you can create a pitch that captivates your audience. 

Experience visual storytelling in action in a Prezi presentation:

Templates and customization 

Prezi offers a variety of templates , which can be a great starting point for your pitch presentation. These templates are fully customizable, meaning you can align the design with your brand’s look and feel. 

As an example, take a look at this product launch template by Prezi. This would be a solid choice for a pitch deck presentation, particularly if you’re about to launch a new product or service. It provides a structured layout that guides you through the essential elements of a pitch. If you’re hoping to make a good impression, the design of this template looks clean and professional while focusing on key points. It allows you to highlight what sets your product apart in a compelling way. 

Like most Prezi templates, it offers customization options. You can tweak colors, add your images, and moderate the content to align with your brand and product. These are all essential elements for creating a personalized and relevant pitch. 

Collaboration tools

Prezi’s collaboration features come in handy when you’re working with a team. Multiple people can work on the pitch presentation at the same time, offering valuable inputs and different ideas. This way, your pitch deck presentation can reach its full potential. If you like to delegate tasks and give each team member a role in the creation, this feature is great for coordinating efforts. 

Prezi Video

For remote pitching, Prezi Video is the perfect solution as it allows you to add a video of yourself presenting alongside your content. This enables you to make your pitch just as personal as it would be in person. 

To explore how Prezi Video works, watch the following video:

Path tool for story flow

To help create a natural flow for your story, Prezi lets you set paths to move between topics. This easily guides your audience through your presentation in a logical way, which is crucial when it comes to pitch decks. 

Prezi is keeping up with the AI revolution by bringing you a set of AI presentation tools: AI text editing and layout features. These features give you text and layout suggestions, so you don’t need to stress about finding the right words or structure. It can adjust to your writing style, keeping your pitch personal to you but with added clarity and relevance. Discover more about Prezi AI features here .

Successful business pitch presentation examples

Many well-known companies famously used pitch decks in their early stages to secure funding and partnerships. Here’s some you may know: 

Back in 2008, Airbnb was just starting out and needed funding, so they created a pitch deck. This wasn’t just any pitch deck—it was really clear and straightforward, showing off their business model and what they hoped to achieve. They ended up raising $600k from an angel investment round. Their pitch presentation was so successful that people still talk about it today. It’s a classic example of how a good pitch can really set a company on the path to success.

Did you know about Uber’s beginnings? On their ninth anniversary, Garrett Camp, one of the co-founders, shared their first pitch deck. It was a 25-slide presentation that they used way back when they were just starting out. This pitch presentation was a major part of their strategy and really helped in the company’s early growth and evolution. It’s pretty impressive to think how those early slides contributed to making Uber the giant it is today. 

We all know how significant Facebook is when it comes to social media platforms, but it’s all down to their original pitch presentation back in 2004 that propelled them into such success. The pitch deck contained mix-and-match slides for summarizing Facebook’s value proposition, key metrics, and audience demographics. Shortly after the launch of facebook.com, Eduardo Saverin, who was 21 at the time, took their presentation to New York. He was there to pitch Facebook’s Ad platform to potential clients. Now, fast forward to today, Facebook for Business has grown massively. It’s the second biggest digital advertising platform, just behind Google, and holds more than 25% of the market share.

These examples are not only inspirational but show just how important pitch presentations are. A strong pitch is critical for making a good first impression, forming business relations, and opening up opportunities for scaling your business. 

Final thoughts on pitch deck presentations

To wrap up, pitch decks are more than just presentations; they’re your chance to make an impact. They’re vital for anyone looking to get their idea off the ground, especially in the startup world. So when you’re putting one together, keep it straightforward, focus on your key points, and make sure it reflects what you and your business are all about. A well-crafted pitch presentation can open doors, attract investment, and set the stage for your future success. Remember, simplicity and clarity are your best tools. Good luck, and here’s to making your ideas shine!

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How to Create Impactful PowerPoint Presentations

Creating a PowerPoint presentation is as important as presenting it in front of your target audience. The slides should not only be clear and concise but also narrate a story. Effective use of colors, images, graphics, theme, animations, etc. can keep your audience engaged!

To know more about the dos and don’ts of creating impressive PowerPoint presentations, click here .

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The Pickit Guide to Impactful Presentations

Read our guide about maximizing your presentations with better messaging, slide design, and delivery.

Our award-winning apps for Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides are built to save significant time sourcing presentation images and creating new decks, but that's only part of the presentation-making process.

Often users ask if we can share other tips, tricks, and best practices for presenters, so we put together a guide for impactful presentations. It covers everything from Messaging to Slide Design to Delivery.

Here are a few of the sections: 

• 5 Easy Presentation Rules
• 5 Things to Try in PowerPoint
• 10 Presentation Dos and Don'ts 

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Impactful Presentations

Why do presentations often fail to have the impact we desire? One reason is that information alone will never move people. In this course, you’ll go beyond presenting just the facts and figures to craft compelling presentations that will motivate others, inspire action, and enable buy-in. By surfacing what matters to your audience, you’ll learn to create presentations that are both meaningful and memorable. Gain the confidence and skills it takes to shift the way people think, feel, and behave.

Note: While this course is not focused on the visual design of presentations, it does cover a few quick tips to get you started.

Course Outcomes

• Deliver presentations that spark a shift in beliefs, behaviors, and mindsets.
• Sequence and convey your information in a way that will create a meaningful journey for your audience.
• Open hearts and minds by developing a trusted relationship with your audience.
• Apply techniques to help people pay attention and remember the information you share.
• Practice with unique presentation methods in order to create an engaging experience for your audience.

Part of Certificate Programs

• Communicating for Impact Certificate
• Collaborative Leadership Certificate

Skills You’ll Gain

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Go Deeper with Certificate Programs

Impactful Presentations is part of two certificate programs:

What You'll Learn

Week 1: introduction - move your audience, 2 video lessons.

• Messages That Spark Change—It’s not what you say, but how you say it
• Mentor Moment—Try something new

1 Assignment

Choose Your Presentation—Choose the 10-15 minute presentation you’ll be workshopping throughout the course. Use an existing presentation or choose from one of our sample presentation prompts. Identify your audience, your starting assumptions for what you must do or include in this presentation, and the skills you most want to grow.

Note: For course assignments, you’ll need access to either Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint. There will be multiple opportunities to get feedback on your drafts along the way, though you are not required to give your presentation live to the class.

Week 2: Plan the Journey

4 video lessons.

• What’s the Point?—Identify the goal of your presentation
• It’s Not About You—Empathize with your audience
• Shape Your Story—Build emotional appeal and interest
• Mentor Moment—Start with emotion

Crafting Story Arcs—Identify the beats, or key moments, of your presentation. Build four potential sequences to determine the strongest organization of your content. Use your learnings from this exercise to iterate your Big Idea and the shift you want the audience to make.

Week 3: Become the Guide

3 video lessons.

• Create a Connection—Bridge the divide between you and the audience
• Establish Your Credibility—Inspire trust and belief
• Keep It Human—Present as your authentic self

Design for Connection, Credibility, and Authenticity—Select different methods for building a connection, establishing credibility, and presenting authentically, and brainstorm how you might bring them to life. Think through the details of implementing these methods by experimenting.

Week 4: Make it Memorable

• Best Intentions; Bad Presentations—Avoid common presentation mistakes
• Make Patterns—Encourage understanding and retention
• Break Patterns—Shake things up to capture their attention
• Mentor Moment—Find the medium that fits your message

2 Assignments

Create Pattern Breaks—Brainstorm ways to break patterns using physical space, the senses, and audience interactivity. Build experiments to further explore your ideas.

Build a Storyboard—Use the feedback and insights from the first three assignments to create a storyboard for your presentation. Identify opportunities to engage, or re-engage, the audience, and consider the holistic journey through your content. Start a visual mood board to guide design decisions.

Week 5: Conclusion - Look Ahead

• Bringing It All Together—A Presentation Case Study
• Mentor Moment—Encouragement to explore
• The End Is The Beginning—Evolve your story and yourself

Presentation Finale—Design a meaningful ending and evolve the structure and flow of your presentation using insights from the feedback you’ve received. Craft a full second draft, diving more deeply into visual decisions and scripting key moments. Reflect on your experience over these five weeks to understand the skills and techniques you’ve gained and areas to continue growing.

Meet Your Instructors

Former Director of Health & Well-Being at IDEO

Ann is a design researcher with roots in anthropology and journalism. Prior to IDEO, she made documentaries for public television. Filmmaking taught her how to visually tell stories as well as how to find, edit, and shape them. At IDEO, she does the same thing, taking the raw materials—interviews, data, observations—and crafting them into stories that inspire.

Ann is a design researcher with roots in anthropology and journalism. Her portfolio spans the design of HIV prevention products, digital tools to help kids build emotional strength, and the re-design of the US digital immigration experience. Prior to IDEO, she worked for over a decade as a filmmaker and journalist; her latest documentary, “Lovesick,” is about matchmaking for HIV+ singles in India. Filmmaking taught her how to visually tell stories as well as how to find, edit, and shape them. At IDEO, she does the same thing, taking the raw materials—interviews, data, observations—and crafting them into stories that inspire.

From 2016 to 2017, she served as the Chief Design Officer for U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Ann holds a joint degree in Anthropology and the Study of Religion from Harvard College. She’s a board member of Noora Health and the Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship, and a past fellow of the Sundance Institute. Ann is an avid traveler, with the Okavango Delta and Tibet among her favorite spots, and an obsessive photographer.

Alex Gallafent

Senior design director at ideo.

Alex is a designer, theater artist, and journalist. Throughout his career, Alex has been figuring out the things audiences need and how best to bring them to life. He’s presented stories on theater stages in London and New York, in broadcast journalism for the BBC, and across the world with IDEO.

Alex currently leads the New York wing of IDEO’s Design for Food studio. He’s worked with major clients in hospitality, media, government, financial services, and beyond. He’s also taught design thinking, storytelling, and research at New York University, The School of Visual Arts, and The New School. A former correspondent for US public radio and the BBC World Service, he’s a past Fellow at the International Reporting Project at Johns Hopkins. Alex studied philosophy at Oxford University and trained in classical acting at LAMDA. He’s performed Shakespeare in Tokyo and written music for plays in London’s West End. In New York, Alex performs improv, plays drums for the city's only improvised rock'n'roll storytelling band, and hosts as many dinner parties as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do ideo u cohort courses work does my time zone matter.

We offer three types of courses: self-paced courses, cohort courses, and certificate programs. Cohort courses run on a set calendar, with fixed start and end dates. Course learning is self-paced within those dates and requires approximately 4-5 hours per week over 5 weeks. Courses consist of videos, activities, assignments, access to course teaching teams, and feedback from a global community of learners. There are also optional 1-hour video Community Conversations, held weekly by the teaching team. 

All of our cohort courses are fully online, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world. With our cohort course experience , while you'll be learning alongside other learners, you'll still have the flexibility to work at the pace that fits your own schedule. There aren’t mandatory live components, so you don't have to worry about having to log in at a specific time. At the same time, you'll have access to a teaching team, which is composed of experts in the field who are there to provide you feedback, and there are also plenty of options to connect with your fellow learners.

What is the role of the instructor and teaching team? Will learners be able to get feedback?

Course instructors have a strong presence in the courses through the course videos, but they're not actively providing feedback or holding direct conversations with our learners. We have a teaching team to ensure that you have the feedback, guidance, and support you need to learn successfully in your course. Our teaching team members are design practitioners that have experience applying course methods and mindsets in a wide variety of contexts around the world.

Our teaching team consists of teaching leads and teaching assistants, who are experts in their fields. Many of them have been with IDEO U for many years, and we have selected those who have direct experience with applying the course methods and mindsets in all sorts of contexts around the world. They all go through multiple training sessions by our instructional designers on not only on the subject matter, but also on how to create safe and collaborative learning experiences and environments.

What are Community Conversations, and how are they related to the course material?

Community Conversations are one-hour live video conversations hosted by the teaching team on Zoom. These happen once per week, with each one having two to three time options to accommodate different time zones. Each week focuses on the lesson that you’ve just gone through, so the output and the content depend on the specific lessons. You'll have the opportunity if you work together with your peers on the tools and mindsets from the course, reflect on what you’ve learned, and also address any challenges that you might be going through.

What will I have access to during and after my course?

All course materials, including videos, activities, and assignments will be available while you are enrolled in a course. During the 5 weeks of the course, you will have full access to our learning platform and can refer back to it any time. You will only have access to the course materials while you are enrolled. 

Assignments must be submitted during the 5-week course duration in order for you to receive a certificate of completion.

Can I take the course with my team?

Absolutely! We have had many teams go through our courses together. For those taking our courses as a team, we provide a number of additional benefits:

1. A Team Learning Guide, developed to provide your team with resources to facilitate offline discussions that complement the in-course experience.

2. A Manage Learners function, which provides visibility into your team's progress within the course.

3. The ability to create a private Learning Circle, which is a closed space for discussion on the learning platform specifically for your team.

For more information, visit our Team Learning page.

Do you offer discounts?

We offer a discount when you enroll in multiple courses at the same time through some of our certificate programs, including Foundations in Design Thinking , Business Innovation , Human-Centered Strategy , and Communicating for Impact . 

You can also enter your email address at the bottom of this page in order to receive updates on future offers or possible discounts. 

Will I get a certificate after completing a course?

After completing a cohort course, you will be able to add it to your “licenses and certifications” on LinkedIn.

We also have certificate programs that consist of multiple courses. After completing a certificate, you will receive a certificate of completion via email as a downloadable PDF within 1-2 weeks of completing the final required course. Certificates are configured for uploading and sharing on LinkedIn.

How do I purchase a cohort course?

You can purchase a course on our website using a credit card, PayPal, or Shop Pay. For US customers, we also offer installment plans at checkout if you use the Shop Pay method of payment.

We typically are not able to accommodate bank transfer or invoicing. However, if your order includes 10 seats or more, please contact [email protected] and our team will be happy to review your request. 

Collaborate with a Global Community

Work with expert coaches.

Our teaching team has extensive applied industry knowledge. They'll help deepen your understanding and application of the course content by facilitating written discussions, live video moments, and assignment feedback.

Expand Your Network

Join virtual live discussion groups for deeper conversation, reflection, and connection led by teaching team members and available multiple times a week across time zones.

Receive Feedback

Gain tips, techniques, and a downloadable feedback guide; and share and receive feedback on assignments from peers.

What Others Are Saying

“I've been delivering presentations my whole career, this course is game-changing for everything I knew. This course made me realize there are more creative ways to deliver a message.”

“I had an aha moment when I realized that you need to focus on the shift you want your audience to make versus the content you want to say.”

“Wonderful course on key elements that anyone should use to have a more memorable presentation prepared!”

“Having spent my career presenting to varied audiences, there is no doubt that most presentations are too data-heavy and the audience is lost early on. There is no one better than IDEO colleagues Ann and Alex to provide novel and impactful skills to those who present for a living….or for anyone who just wants to get better at presentation. Not only will you learn great new skills, but you will have fun doing so!”

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