It's time to put together a presentation that seals the deal. If your content is ready, design is all that's left. Whether you're using PowerPoint, Keynote, or any other tool, apply these 10 tips to get your message across in style.
Stock slides are for uninspired, droning presentations — overused and a signal that you had better things to do. No design chops? Go with simplicity, use your company colours, and make sure any graphics support your ideas rather than distract. Include matching icons or easy-to-read infographics.
When it comes to verbiage, less is more. Don't expect an audience to digest a slide with more than six lines of text. Too much information detracts from your message — you don't want people reading while you explain the key details.
Don't rely on bullet points to convey important details. They're fine to introduce a list, but an audience won't remember them. Break bullets into succinct slides with a bit of backing information so the information sticks.
The font can make or break your presentation as easily as any other design choice. Keep body text legible and clean — you can get a little more creative with headings.
Whether you're in a small conference room or an expansive convention centre, your text needs to be readable by every audience member. You may design on a home or office screen, but it must reach the person at the very back of the room.
Got a perfect background image and a great font, but the colours clash? Use contrast effectively. White text on a grey image is hard to read — a semi-transparent black box behind the text makes it legible while letting your image shine.
One colour is too bland; too many is too busy. Your scheme should be varied enough to stay interesting but not so much it distracts. There are plenty of free complementary-colour tools out there to help.
Rather than packing in as many images as you can, a single large, high-quality image that speaks to your topic adds a visual complement to your slide without being too busy.
Facts and statistics are great for perspective and backing up your talking points. Complementing important statistics with a relevant image makes an even greater impact.
Transitions are easy to throw in and can lull you into a false sense of dynamism. Don't lean on them to prop up a weak presentation — let the information do the convincing and keep distracting effects to a minimum.