A Presentation Design Blog
By SlideXpress
How to Stand Out in Presentation Services

How to Stand Out in Presentation Services

A compelling blend of creativity, strategic planning, and an understanding of your audience will help you to stand out in the realm of presentation services. Some key elements that can help an organization stand out are: Make excellent, error-free, and good-looking...

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A glass apart!

A glass apart!

And no - that's not a typo! Glassmorphism began as a hugely popular UI design trend in 2021. By 2022 it was embraced by those in the business of designing presentation decks. Before we explain why, let's have a look at what it is: Glassmorphism is a term used to...

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Local differences for (better) global presentations

Local differences for (better) global presentations

Did you know that American audiences generally prefer to have the conclusions first, and German audiences the background? Did you know that in Japan - the busier the slide, the better? Or that there could be color taboos in some cultures? When preparing presentations...

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Project Management: the best software

Project Management: the best software

In line with this week's focus on things connected with the management of assets like presentations rather than their creation (which our entire blog is devoted to!) - this post looks at 'project management'. What does the term mean? Simply, an efficient way of...

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Presentation Management: the way to go

Presentation Management: the way to go

This week, we want to shift from the art of making best-in-class presentations, and direct your attention to an overlooked aspect of corporate presentations - “presentation management”. What does the term mean? The way we understand it:it’s the centralized...

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RULES, NO-RULES

RULES, NO-RULES

"Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are." Franklin D. Roosevelt This quote strikes us this morning as we try and understand how one can find a balance between being stuck and breaking free. And no, we're not thinking of that great project called life, simply...

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UN-BULLET, ON-POINT

UN-BULLET, ON-POINT

Sometimes, organizing material is simply re-organizing material! This illumination from an earlier post on sequencing presentations comes back to us on this Wednesday with new light. Asking us to consider: what can we do with those lists that sometimes seem to be the...

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“Is data the new oil – or the new soil?”

“Is data the new oil – or the new soil?”

To close this week's shares of enriching TED Talks that speak directly to those who are in the daily business of creating presentations, here's a wonderful talk by data journalist David McCandless, delivered with characteristic British humour. Not only does he explain...

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“Why should you care?”

“Why should you care?”

About the '3 Magic Ingredients' of successful presentations? Of course you care - that is, if you believe, as we do, that "in through one ear, out through the other" is not the desired outcome of any presentation - be it internal or external, a fund-raiser or a...

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“Follow the white spot!”

“Follow the white spot!”

And to know what we mean, listen to this relevant (and irreverent) TED Talk on how to "Avoid death by PowerPoint"! Perfect dose of neural reactivation when it comes to avoiding the same-old same-old.... Watch it for laughs, for smarts, and for how to make those "short...

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Word to PowerPoint? Here’s how!

Word to PowerPoint? Here’s how!

Has it ever happened that you've spent hours putting down your flow of thought in a Word document, only to realise that it would be much easier to present if you had had done it in PPT to begin with? If it has - it might be reassuring to learn that not only are you...

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Have you used the right hook?

Have you used the right hook?

"When you advertise fire-extinguishers, open with the fire," says advertising executive David Ogilvy. You have only 30 seconds in a TV commercial to grab viewers' attention. The same applies to a presentation. Knowing how to hook your audience in the first 30 seconds...

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Expectations and Assumptions

Expectations and Assumptions

When creating a presentation there are two levels to consider: the presenter's and the recipient's. Some presentations fail to deliver the desired outcome because they haven't accounted for the audience's expectations. How can one factor this in? We believe asking...

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Thinking out of the box

Thinking out of the box

Wednesday always makes us want to ... break the pattern, disrupt the routine, and yes: think out of the box. This phrase, which is so intrinsic to design thinking and any form of strategic/creative strategizing, made us want to investigate its origins. Where did it...

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Music for motion graphics – or how to make sound choices

Music for motion graphics – or how to make sound choices

In our last post, we defined and demonstrated what motion graphics are. In today's post, we're picking up where we left off. With music. Or rather, with how to make sound choices when picking audio clips from the vast repository of free sounds available online. Here's...

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Design Thinking – the ideation behind the idea

Design Thinking – the ideation behind the idea

Design thinking is more than a buzzword - it's a strategy that makes sense not only for designers of product and experience, but also for business presentations. Does that mean that presenters have to be designers? Not necessarily. The implications of applying "design...

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Because the pros know all the cons

Because the pros know all the cons

You'll forgive us the word-play, once you read on! In our last post we mentioned three scenarios where expressive doesn't necessarily equate to effective ... unless the verbal-visual spiel is perfectly balanced. And while there are as many strategies to presenting as...

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When does expressive equate effective?

When does expressive equate effective?

Does 'expressive' already suggest 'effective'? Not necessarily. After all, there are different kinds of "expressive" and expressiveness converts into effectiveness only when what you say/show connects directly with the target audience (TA) - resulting in the desired...

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When in doubt … consult!

When in doubt … consult!

Ever wondered: What's the difference between a presentation and a deck?Is a "slide deck" the same as a "pitch deck"??Aren't Slide Deck and PPT synonymous??? If your answer is a (hesitant) "yes", don't worry, you're not alone. Others have obviously wondered along the...

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Why “Effective Animation” Makes Sense

Why “Effective Animation” Makes Sense

While we're on the topic of animation, for this week, and because we love sharing, here are some insightful pointers on why animation adds impact and appeal to PPT presentations when done effectively! 1/ Effective Animation shows how things work Use animation and...

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Entrances and Exits

Entrances and Exits

And no - we're not talking about a stage career here - simply about how to add a dramatic touch to your next PowerPoint Presentation - with a little hands-on animation. Here are two of our top reasons why animation makes sense: i) When you're presenting, marking the...

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Presentation Videos

Presentation Videos

And no, we're not talking about video explainers - that's a whole different ball game, where designing and presenting a video can indeed save the day! In this post, we will direct your attention to a video on "how-to-save-your-PPT-presentation-as-a-video"! As you will...

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Document Checks

Document Checks

And no - we're not talking about passport control! We're talking about ensuring that you do a thorough check of your PowerPoint presentation prior to sharing with colleagues and clients. First: fact-check In data-heavy presentations, it always pays to double-check all...

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Managing knowledge – the key to better communication

Managing knowledge – the key to better communication

Just as people-knowledge makes better presenters - especially in external communication - knowledge management (KM) is increasingly being acknowledged as a key for better internal communication. As we all know, PPT slides are a tried and tested medium for collating,...

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People-knowledge – the key to better presentations

People-knowledge – the key to better presentations

Did you know that people absorb more in 20-minute chunks than in one uninterrupted session of 60 minutes? Or that if you have too many visual distractions - e.g. videos/graphics - then multi-channel engagement does not deliver 100%? If you didn't know - or simply...

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Where angels fear to tread?

Where angels fear to tread?

Remember that old saying - "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"? And wasn't it Heraclitus who said, "You can't step into the same river twice?" Well, there's truth in both: because the river is always changing as it flows; and because investors are nobody's...

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Do’s and Don’ts of Investor Pitch Decks

Do’s and Don’ts of Investor Pitch Decks

So you've got a billion-dollar idea for a startup. Only hitch is that you need a billion dollars to get it up and running! Enter the fundraising pitchdeck - which could make or break your bid for the best. That's when we pitch in - not only by creating those kickass...

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How hyperlinks help

How hyperlinks help

Have you noticed that the traditional way of presenting is invariably linear? On this blog, we've thought about organizing principles that play with chronological sequence and beyond. One often overlooked aspect of PPT presentations is the way in which hyperlinks can...

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Seriously speaking…

Seriously speaking…

Have you thought about the things that should be actively avoided when making presentations? As a follow-up to our previous post on which business presentation phrases sound professional, here's a fab round-up on which phrases are best avoided!

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Have you prepped properly?

Have you prepped properly?

Every industry has its own jargon, all the catch phrases, short forms and technical terms that are clear as crystal to the insiders but could very well seem like double-dutch to those not in the know! Overburdening any presentation with industry-specific jargon can be...

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The design is in the process

The design is in the process

As professionals, we tend to take process as a given. Years of practice, application and successful output makes process so internalized and intuitive that sometimes it can be difficult to even articulate what those stages are. Luckily for all of us - established and...

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Pivotal moments

Pivotal moments

From creating PivotTables for corporate presentations to tabling pivotal moments in corporate strategy - that's where our thought-flow has taken us today. (Because, the way we see it, the business of designing successful presentations is linked with the process of...

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How to pivot your presentation

How to pivot your presentation

For some the middle of the week feels like a bump, a slump... For us, Wednesday is the pivotal day! The turning point to the week, with the satisfaction of well-begun is half-done, and the motivation of "let's max the moment" (so that there's no chance of a wasted...

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Ideas with impact

Ideas with impact

Good morning, newness! Getting off to a fresh start often means brushing up on things we think we know... Here's a read on how presenters can - indeed must - find their own key to unlocking their best potential by understanding not just the "what" but also the who,...

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Closing remarks – question or clincher?

Closing remarks – question or clincher?

On the last day of this year, we naturally think about closure. In the context of presentations, what's the role of that closing slide? Is it to say: "Thank you!"? (how often have YOU groaned when you saw this?)Is it to ask: "Any questions?" (how often did this lead...

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The journey or the destination – which matters more?

The journey or the destination – which matters more?

This is a question that might be top of mind - especially when so many of us have had travel plans turned upside down, and the only flights we might take without any stress are flights of imagination! We thought we'd turn this pause into an opportunity for learning...

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Taking stock – should you or shouldn’t you?

Taking stock – should you or shouldn’t you?

It's that time of the year, when we all take stock - what were the highs and lows, what goals did we set, which ones were met, and so on and so forth! Today's post, though, is about the ifs and buts of using "stock footage" for business presentations and explainer...

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Be convincing, not coercive!

Be convincing, not coercive!

In other words, gone are the days of the iron hand in the velvet glove! You can't bully anyone into paying attention to your presentation - nor can you wheedle, cajole or bribe them into believing what you say... Then how do you pull them in? Could it be the gentle...

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Can growth be a mindset?

Can growth be a mindset?

We think so! And so do thinkers on this topic - right here, a brain-pick for you this Monday! Relevant for all of us - in every field! Happy reading.

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STILL TRENDING

STILL TRENDING

Way back in January, we listed our picks of favorite design trends for 2021. As we head towards the wrap of this year, we thought we'd take a look at how some of those translated into concepts that are here to stay. The ones that we've been able to actualize and the...

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Signpost language: the road to clearer presentations

Signpost language: the road to clearer presentations

Have you ever been at the receiving end of presentations where the speaker hems and haws, erms and uhs? Nothing underlines uneasiness and hesitation more than these awkward "fillers", these bumpy transitions from point to point or slide to slide. Which is why, today,...

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Be a better presenter: 10 best practices

Be a better presenter: 10 best practices

Today, we thought we'd share an illuminating guide on how to be a better virtual presenter. It's from way back in 2016, but it's still spot-on in 2021... and we love it for the way it distills the essentials into 10 memorable reminders to the self.

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The 1-2-3 of Successful Presentations

The 1-2-3 of Successful Presentations

Could successful presentations be as easy as 1-2-3? We believe so - if you know just which 3 steps you need to take! Read on as we outline them, each with a couple of suggestions: CAPTIVATE ATTENTION a) By telling a story This is a time-tested tactic - and these...

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ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT

There is no getting away from the fact that online meetings are here to stay - and how! While we have spoken before about how best to maximize screen presence and presentation, for today's post we turn to other experts for inspiration and guidance - because hey, even...

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The Temptation of Templates

The Temptation of Templates

Are you the kind who sees the word "template" and runs screaming in the opposite direction? The kind who believes that everything must be invented from scratch to be brilliant? Our reaction to both these positions/questions is this: i) Some templates are indeed...

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Organizing Principles: going beyond chronology

Organizing Principles: going beyond chronology

In our last post we spoke of various ways of organizing presentation material within a chronological paradigm. Today, we look at some other modes of organization which answer 3 essential questions:: What's it all about? What's the difference?  Where's the evidence? ...

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Organizing Principles: how to play with sequence

Organizing Principles: how to play with sequence

As humans, we are programmed to doing things sequentially. A series of actions, carried out in the right sequence, is how we navigate our waking moments, our work and our leisure. Lists are one of our favorite means of organizing our lives. Organizing material for a...

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Audience preparedness: some hints and helps

Audience preparedness: some hints and helps

In our last post we mentioned how professional presenters (especially speakers) are great at adapting their ready-made presentations to suit the audience they find themselves facing. But what happens if you are just beginning, and are depending almost entirely on your...

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Audience understanding: some types and tips

Audience understanding: some types and tips

When talking about presentations and impressing your audience with a well-designed and effective set of slides, we often speak of the audience as if it were a monolith. Far from it. There are audiences and there are audiences. We've spoken on this blog about knowing...

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Audience engagement: some tricks and tools

Audience engagement: some tricks and tools

With interactivity becoming the staple of our online lives, it seems only natural that we should give a thought to how interactivity can be enhanced while making a PowerPoint presentation. Conferences in the brick-and-mortar world made it easier to involve the...

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Slide decks for social media

Slide decks for social media

As we noted in our last post, social media slide decks are predicted to be one of the top trends of 2021. How different is the process behind a successful social media deck? Let's find out! Firstly, the fact that it's on social media does not indicate that the slide...

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Design trends for 2021

Design trends for 2021

2020 changed our vision of the way we do business, the way we live, the way we work, and yes, the way we make presentations! You only have to take a look at some of our posts from the year gone by to know how fluid and dynamic the demands and responses have been....

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Video explainers explained

  Video explainers have never been more in demand. Be it for business presentations, company websites or internal training and communication...

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Pitching it right

Pitching it right

Today we're thinking about the difference between pitches and presentations... In other words, we're also thinking: how does one pitch a presentation and present a pitch? And yes, we know some of you might be thinking: what's the difference? And - what difference does...

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To factor in online fatigue is to overcome it!

To factor in online fatigue is to overcome it!

These days, preparing for a meeting is both simpler and more complex than before. Avoiding tiring commutes was one reason to rejoice in WFH! However, if you're wondering why working from home leaves you more tired than it should - and what you could do to alleviate...

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the future of presentations is here

the future of presentations is here

Even as recently as 2018, the future of presentations was being discussed as something yet to happen. Virtual platforms, enhanced audience interaction, and the use of "hi-tech" holograms (to mention one feature) as a way of zapping audiences in almost-cinematic sci-fi...

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(some) tips on typography

(some) tips on typography

There's no two ways about it. Typography can make or break a slide. We've spoken before on this blog of the importance of getting the visuals right but don't forget that visualizing text - i.e. thinking typographically, is just as crucial. Here are a few tips that may...

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(some of) the superpowers of powerpoint

(some of) the superpowers of powerpoint

There are times when one is so focused on just getting the basic PowerPoint slides in place that getting the presentation to fly becomes secondary. Sometimes, there just aren’t enough hours in a day (or even minutes in an hour) to get the end-result you would ideally...

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going live is going strong

going live is going strong

Who would have imagined that going live on a social media platform could be such a powerful new tool for business presentations and brand communication! While webinars come across as the more "formal and business-like" option for corporate communication and...

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Q & A made Quick & Easy!

Q & A made Quick & Easy!

For those who have the Monday morning blues, thinking about the week's demands, we thought we'd share two resources that cut through the clutter and cut to the chase, in answer to 2 simple questions: Q: Designing presentations for the web? A: Here's a how-to that can...

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knowledge shared is knowledge multiplied

knowledge shared is knowledge multiplied

As the lines between work and play get blurred, so do the lines between roles as individuals have to toggle between team leader, presenter, content-creator, editor, and - who would have thought - technician. It's truly a brave new world! In these DIY days, sometimes...

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optimizing screen-sharing in 4 easy steps

optimizing screen-sharing in 4 easy steps

Reading Time: 2 minutes Online meetings have made screen-sharing a must. And while most of us are just happy to press ‘Share Screen’ – here are a few things that any able professional should keep in mind.

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two videos on visual thinking

two videos on visual thinking

Thinking visually, experts say, is ideal for this digital age. And yet, it's an old and very powerful source of game-changing ideas, as this video shows us. While, in earlier posts, we've enjoyed thinking about the important role of images and the importance of...

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fitting big ideas on small screens

fitting big ideas on small screens

With business presentations being made in virtual meeting rooms, a whole new design aspect needs to be considered: the size of the screen… PowerPoint presentations would conventionally be projected on a large screen in a real conference room, with light and sound...

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how ad(d)ing the right words adds up

how ad(d)ing the right words adds up

Last week, we suggested thinking of each slide not as a mini-brochure jam-packed with text but rather as an ad – or even a billboard. This, we argued, would ease the burden of communication, which has been made so much more difficult by having to do most of it online....

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(re)thinking and (re)imagining your next online presentation

(re)thinking and (re)imagining your next online presentation

Presenting online presents a new set of challenges. And a new set of opportunities. One of the biggest challenges, is how to keep the audience with you – despite technical glitches and other interruptions of the virtual kind (see last week’s post)… When you lose the...

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face-to-face vs facelessness (or how to avoid the void)

face-to-face vs facelessness (or how to avoid the void)

Hello and welcome to our ongoing series on “things to remember when presenting online”. Last week’s post (about getting technicalities right) ended with the possibility of having to turn off your video while making an online presentation, and the fear of talking into...

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let’s get (a bit) technical

let’s get (a bit) technical

Welcome back. Today we begin our series on “things to remember when presenting online”. As we mentioned in last week's post – impact, effectiveness and clarity are even more critical in today’s brave new world of business presentations. In a pre-pandemic scenario, you...

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the more (some) things change, the more they remain the same

the more (some) things change, the more they remain the same

Why webinars make sense and what role slide decks have in this brave new world This blog-post is being written from home. The current pandemic has collapsed the borders between “work” and “home” for so many of us. What had felt new only a couple of months ago is now...

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THE ROLE OF IMAGES

THE ROLE OF IMAGES

Everyone knows the importance of images. Be it one’s one self-image or the image one projects in different environments based on role-playing and need. In presentations, images are often used without clearly understanding the role they play and the need they fulfill....

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KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

When you think about the audience for your presentation, you’re most likely thinking of a mass. An amorphous entity, a row of nameless faces. This is not very conducive to hitting the right note, because as we all know, it’s easier to talk to a single person than to a...

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Learning never stops!

Learning never stops!

When you're feeling that Friday-fatigue, and are wondering how to tackle the next big presentation, don't despair. There is a wealth of tutorials and how-to's online that will make your life easier, and help you stay on top of the situation. And to make your life...

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QUESTION TIME

QUESTION TIME

One hallmark of a confident presenter is how you handle questions. In today’s post, we will look at how not just answering questions but asking questions during your presentation can be a powerful strategy. For example, the usual approach would be to directly dive...

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H is for Handouts

H is for Handouts

In a working environment where soft copies are in, and hard copies passé (not to mention frowned upon for being a waste of paper) – what relevance can handouts continue to have? That’s the topic we’d like to address in this post. The first question that comes to mind...

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JAZZ UP YOUR PRESENTATION IN A GIFFY!

JAZZ UP YOUR PRESENTATION IN A GIFFY!

Continuing the thread on multi-media, one of the easiest and most effective ways of adding a dynamic element to your presentation is to add in gifs. Having said that, it’s important to choose wisely and well. When you’re spoilt for choice, it helps to have a few handy...

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M is for Multimedia

M is for Multimedia

In our post The A-Z of PPT, M was for both memorability and multimedia. The way we look at it, a great way to make a presentation memorable is to design it as a multimedia presentation. And if that seems complicated, relax. All it means is that your presentation...

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THINKING THEMATIC: TAKE FOUR

THINKING THEMATIC: TAKE FOUR

Reading Time: 2 minutes In an earlier post we had written about the importance of thinking thematically. Theme as a creative structuring principle for your presentations, a way of making all the pieces of the puzzle fit together with clarity and impact. Today, we’ll look at theme in a slightly different way…

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EXPLORE THESE EXCITING ADD-INS

EXPLORE THESE EXCITING ADD-INS

Reading Time: < 1 minutes On the verge of a new year, we thought we’d look at some new ways in which you can enhance your PowerPoint presentations – for free!

From the 11 exciting add-ins listed here, we’ve highlighted the ones we think might be most useful

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COLOR COUNTS

COLOR COUNTS

In an early post on design, we wrote about the importance of color coordination when designing your slides. If you already have a design template to work within (as is the case with corporate presentations) the color options and grids are already decided for you,...

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THINKING ABOUT THE “PRE-” OF PRESENTATIONS

THINKING ABOUT THE “PRE-” OF PRESENTATIONS

Reading Time: 2 minutes In this post we’d like to think about the pre- of presentations. Sometimes, we’re so focused on the after (i.e. the end result, which is the presentation itself) that we may forget to think clearly and carefully about the before…

Here are some basic pointers…

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LEFT-BRAIN RIGHT-BRAIN BALANCE

LEFT-BRAIN RIGHT-BRAIN BALANCE

Everyone knows that the left-brain functions logically and objectively, and the right-brain intuitively and creatively. And while certain personality types may have one side dominant over the other, in general, it is best to assume that the average individual reacts...

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FIVE FANTASTIC FREE FONTS

FIVE FANTASTIC FREE FONTS

The best thing about the world wide web is how it enhances connectivity. One of the readers of our blog reached out to us, with a wonderfully proactive suggestion regarding free fonts on the web. Many available fonts are free only for personal use, not professional....

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TIMING IS EVERYTHING

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Reading Time: 2 minutes This applies not just in life – and on the field – but also to PowerPoint Presentations. Here are some timely suggestions on how to make sure your presentation doesn’t drag, and to make the most of your precious time with the client.

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HOW TO LIGHTEN UP A DATA-HEAVY PRESENTATION

HOW TO LIGHTEN UP A DATA-HEAVY PRESENTATION

Reading Time: < 1 minutes How can you lighten up data-heavy presentations without making the presentation feel light-weight? There are a few tried and tested ideas that go a long way to making data-heavy presentations easier to digest. And all of them have one thing in common…

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 A PICTURE IS WORTH…

 A PICTURE IS WORTH…

Reading Time: 3 minutes Having acknowledged the importance of words and improving the word-power of your PowerPoint presentation over the last few posts, today we will acknowledge the wisdom of the well-known saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words”… However – and this is something we sometimes forget – that’s true only if the picture is chosen with great care. Here are some things we’ve learnt about how to make the image click!

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The A to Z of PPT

The A to Z of PPT

Reading Time: < 1 minutes Lists are a way of making life easier. And there’s nothing quite like seeing all the points on your job-list ticked off by the end of the day!

Today, we thought we’d generate a list of words – an A-Z of PPT ranging from the technical to the inspirational – that can become your daily dictionary.

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KEY WORDS UNLOCK CONTENT

KEY WORDS UNLOCK CONTENT

Reading Time: 2 minutes Words are a kind of magic. The “Open Sesame!” into the treasure trove of ideas. And what is a presentation if not a treasure trove of ideas? In this post, we will look at how to identify the words that are key to your presentation, and will help notch-up its impact.

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MORE POWER TO YOUR INNER STORYTELLER

MORE POWER TO YOUR INNER STORYTELLER

Reading Time: 3 minutes In our two previous posts we spoke of the power of storytelling and the power of storyboarding, sharing handy how-tos and simple yet vivid examples. If every presentation is a potential story, it follows that every presenter is a potential storyteller. What are some of the ways in which one can make the transition from being a regular run-of-the-mill “presenter” to being an impactful and memorable “storyteller”?

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THE POWER OF STORYBOARDING

THE POWER OF STORYBOARDING

Reading Time: 2 minutes In our last post we shared some suggestions on how you can start building up your storytelling skills. One way to make this easier is to think visually before you plunge ahead. In other words to storyboard your story. Do you need advanced drawing skills for this? Read on to find out…

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THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

Reading Time: 3 minutes One of the most exciting ways in which corporate presentations have evolved over the years has to do with storytelling. The power of storytelling is increasingly being acknowledged and leveraged to boost the impact and effectiveness of traditional presentations. So how does one go about it?

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CRACKING THE 2.4.8 RULE

CRACKING THE 2.4.8 RULE

Reading Time: 4 minutes Experts emphasize – and practitioners know – the 2.4.8 rule: 2 minutes per slide / 4 bullet points per slide / 8 words per bullet point. But how often do we actually follow it? And how easy is it?

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CUTTING CLUTTER

CUTTING CLUTTER

Reading Time: 3 minutes Everyone knows what de-cluttering is: bestsellers have been written on it, pros tell you how to de-clutter your home, your brain, your life. Our question for today is a lot simpler – how does one de-clutter a PowerPoint Presentation?

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WHY UNCERTAINTY IS UNCOOL – AND HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME IT

WHY UNCERTAINTY IS UNCOOL – AND HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME IT

Reading Time: 3 minutes Behind every successful presentation is a successful presenter. In our last post, we spoke of uncertainty being one of the factors that could damage a presentation that on paper – and on screen – looks impressive. In this post we look at some ways in which uncertainty can be handled, avoided and overcome.

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KILLER PRESENTATIONS vs PRESENTATION-KILLERS

KILLER PRESENTATIONS vs PRESENTATION-KILLERS

Reading Time: 2 minutes There are killer presentations. And there are presentation-killers. To make the first a reality, you need to know the second. Sometimes in the heat of getting things done, the most-made-mistakes may escape your attention. Which is why we’re listing our top 5 no-nos.

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DESIGN IS NOT A BAD WORD

DESIGN IS NOT A BAD WORD

Reading Time: 3 minutes When we say design, we mean design. A visual look that is as thought-through, balanced, and appropriate as the content you have.

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THINK THEMATIC

THINK THEMATIC

Reading Time: 3 minutes The theme is the thread that you hold on to as you guide the client through the labyrinth of data, insights and infographics.

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Team Presentations

Team Presentations

Teamwork always gives the best results, in most cases. Often for a meeting, you may be required to present along with your colleague, or in groups. These team presentations are crucial when you pitch your point across, as they would decide the fate of the deal or...

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How to Overcome Audience Resistance

How to Overcome Audience Resistance

When you walk into a room as a presenter, it’s easy to feel as if you’re the central figure, however in reality, your audience is. It’s in their power to embrace or reject your ideas. You’re presenting because you need them to change their beliefs or behavior in some...

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10-20-30 Rule of Powerpoint

10-20-30 Rule of Powerpoint

If you are not familiar with the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint created way back in 2005 here’s how it goes: The most effective PowerPoint presentations should contain no more than 10 slides, last no longer than 20 minutes, and feature font no smaller than 30 points....

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What To Do If you Lose your Presentation

What To Do If you Lose your Presentation

Imagine, you burnt the midnight oil and clocked countless hours working on a very important PowerPoint Presentation. You exit out of your presentation, grab a snack and after you return to your PC, you discover that your PowerPoint file is missing! Of course, the...

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5 Alternatives to PowerPoint

A Presentation software is an important piece of presenter's arsenal. Having the right software allows you to create an easy presentation to understand for you and your audience. Just because PowerPoint has always been used, it doesn't mean it is very effective. Here...

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Tips to Nail your Next Presentation

Tips to Nail your Next Presentation

PowerPoint presentations can help you convey your message to your audience in the right way. However, while making a presentation you need to ensure that your presentation and information on the slides is to the point and concise. Hence, to help you nail your next...

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Hints to select Great Pictures for your Presentation

Hints to select Great Pictures for your Presentation

Pictures in presentations is a powerful tool to help elevate your presentation design and keep your audience engaged. However, for a certain topic there are various pictures available and often you might get confused as to which picture to select. To help you with...

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Handouts during Presentations

Handouts during Presentations

A handout can be defined as a piece of printed information that is provided, free of charge, especially to accompany a lecture or advertise something. Handouts are often considered a vital part in the corporate setting to tell more about your work to your client. Here...

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Adding GIFs to Your Presentations

Adding GIFs to Your Presentations

GIFs are the happy medium between images and videos. A few years ago, using GIFs in presentations would have seemed quite unprofessional. However, with the emerging social media trends and the advancements in technology, using a GIF in your presentation is almost a...

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The Best Ways to Use Speaker Notes in your Presentation

The Best Ways to Use Speaker Notes in your Presentation

Speaker Notes in PowerPoint help you remember important points such as key messages, stats or figures while you give your presentation. The speaker note section is generally at the bottom of your screen. You could use the speaker notes to add more information or...

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Simple Ways to Make Mobile Friendly Presentations

Simple Ways to Make Mobile Friendly Presentations

Today’s generation is the internet generation. We live in a mobile- based culture where everyone from drivers to vegetable vendors now a days have mobiles. Various audience, for the sake of convenience prefer to have their presentations on their mobile devices. Having...

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The Best Way to Use Stories in Presentations

The Best Way to Use Stories in Presentations

It is said that stories engage seven parts of the brain whereas facts and figures engage only two. However, these days for presentations, most people rely on facts and figures and do not involve stories. Maybe because facts and figures are to build more credibility....

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Add Charts In Your Presentations Like An Expert

Add Charts In Your Presentations Like An Expert

If expert data presentation is the game, tables and charts are the game. Charts are what you use to add life to your numbers, show comparisons effectively and make the presentation make sense to even laypeople. Charts are of different types, and each type serves a...

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Less Is More: Ways To Reduce Text From Your Powerpoint Slides

Less Is More: Ways To Reduce Text From Your Powerpoint Slides

Whether we do or don’t know too much about Powerpoint slides, one thing that people know universally is that the amount of text should be kept to a minimum. Gone are those slides with paragraphs and paragraphs of information, leaving the reader darting between...

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Few of the Many Reasons to Outsource Your Presentation Design!

Few of the Many Reasons to Outsource Your Presentation Design!

Powerpoint presentations – the new language of ideas. Moving on from an age where ideas were communicated in small groups to people who knew the same language, had the same background and thought the same things, we are now in an age where ideas are communicated to...

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The Relevance of SmartArt in your Presentations

The Relevance of SmartArt in your Presentations

In this generation, learning how to make presentations has been a journey. In going from paragraphs of text to images and text in bullet points, to learning how to use only the important text in presentations, and it all gets exciting the day you discover Smart Art....

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How to Add Icons to Your Powerpoint Slides Like A Designer

How to Add Icons to Your Powerpoint Slides Like A Designer

If you’ve seen a designer’s report or presentation, you must have noticed one feature that sets them apart – iconography. Iconography is the use of visual images and symbols and interpretation of those. In reports and presentations, iconography is used to supplement...

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Design Element 5: Shape

Design Element 5: Shape

Lines evolve into space. Shape is a two-dimensional area confined by an actual line or implied line (an edge for example). In drawing shapes are created when the ends of lines are joined to enclose areas. There are two primary types of shapes we can use – Geometric...

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Design Element 4: Space

Design Element 4: Space

Going further from Colour, Type and Lines, we come to Space as the fourth element of design. Spaces is important in most places. It helps create music, it helps in relationships and it even helps in public spaces. Lack of space creates noise. The same is true...

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Design Element 3: Lines

Design Element 3: Lines

Now that we are moving forward with a base in colour and type, we focus on the next element of design that is lines. Lines are the simplest design tool with a lot of usefulness. • Lines help convey feelings, moods and can add strength to the presentation / artwork....

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Design Element 2: Type

Design Element 2: Type

The second element of note in our “Design Elements” series is Type. Type design is something that can be intimidating to many, with complicated terminology like kerning, ascender, tail, baseline, leading, etc. to accompany it. Don’t worry, we’ll get there but first we...

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Design Element 1: Colour

Design Element 1: Colour

Color is one of the most powerful and obvious elements we have at our disposal to produce good design. Here is a base to understand colour definitions: Hue – the descriptive name of the color. eg. Red, Green, Orange, Pink are all Hues. Primary Color – Red, Yellow and...

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What is the two-sentence takeaway for your presentation?

What is the two-sentence takeaway for your presentation?

There is a common experience people face – you hear someone tell a long story, or say you are in a meeting and someone is on a long rant – and the minute it ends you have just one reaction. “So?” It’s that moment of bewilderment where your mind scrambles to understand...

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Best Design Blogs to Follow to Refine your Aesthetic sense

Best Design Blogs to Follow to Refine your Aesthetic sense

As a designer or a design enthusiast, one of the most important aspects of the process of creation is to reference and to be inspired. For this inspiration, it is always a struggle to find a ever-flowing stream of content. Therefore, we bring to you a list of some of...

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How to Get Rid of Filler Words

How to Get Rid of Filler Words

Clarity in speech is something we all aim for. Everybody wants to sound like a great orator when they speak, not just on stage but also to each other. Clear speech makes one sound refined, strong and pedigreed. One aspect of clear speech is not having filler words....

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How to convert a PDF to PowerPoint

How to convert a PDF to PowerPoint

Every so often we have to send and edit files in different formats than the one we have. Therefore, we need to be able to convert files from one to another. Here is a step by step guide for PDF to PPT:   Open a file in Acrobat. Click on the Export PDF tool in the...

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How to convert PowerPoint to google slides

How to convert PowerPoint to google slides

Google Slides can readily convert presentations in other formats to a Google Slides presentation format. That means that if you are asked to change or update a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, for example, you can do it using Google Slides. Here is a step by step...

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Best practices in design

Best practices in design

Making a good ppt is an art, and the principles of good design can be used to make your ppt look like a work of art. For this, we draw from Dieter Ram’s Ten Principles of “Good Design” 1. Good Design Is Innovative Don’t believe anybody who tells you the possibility...

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How long should your presentation be?

How long should your presentation be?

The first question to answer here is to think about what information you want to convey. One should know that the presentation is what is important, and what you intend to convey. The slideshow is just one part of this equation, the focus should be on the information...

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The 10 step guide on how to speak during your presentation

The 10 step guide on how to speak during your presentation

Try these 10 tips to get over your nervousness and to develop confidence while speaking. Be prepared Know that even experienced speakers get nervous, so expect nervousness before your presentation. Don’t force your jitters away. Accept them and turn them into energy...

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Your guide to various mediums to use in presentations

Your guide to various mediums to use in presentations

There are various kinds of mediums that can be utilised when one makes presentations, but each come with certain benefits and ill-effects that we should account for to ensure the best possible presentation experience for our audience. 1. Lap visuals Pros of using lap...

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Key tips to deliver an outstanding presentation

Key tips to deliver an outstanding presentation

To deliver an unforgettable and remarkable presentation, there are 3 skills that need to be acquired. You need to get CONFIDENCE, CONVICTION and ENTHUSIASM. These qualities will help your audience to engage with you during your presentation. Confidence The best way to...

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How to tackle questions during your presentation

How to tackle questions during your presentation

Most speakers panic when asked questions and distastefully try their level best to avoid them. Unfortunately these tactics are often seen through by the audience and the speaker’s credibility is scrutinised and seen as an incapable presenter. These are obvious tactics...

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Why you need to incorporate big text in your presentation

Why you need to incorporate big text in your presentation

No one complains when your presentation lettering information is too big but they will, and should if it is too small. Legibility is a big part of presentations. As the speaker, you are not expected to read out word-by-word every sentence in a paragraph- the audience...

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5 steps to rehearse for your presentation

5 steps to rehearse for your presentation

Before big presentations, a great way to build confidence and practice lines is rehearsing several times. It may be time consuming and tedious but it is a great way to build confidence, smooth out any imperfections in your presentation and find mistakes. Step 1  Try...

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Tips to use humour effectively in a PPT

Tips to use humour effectively in a PPT

- A great way to cover feelings of nervousness is to use humour. Letting your audience know you are nervous may not necessarily create a bad impression, it could endear you to them. - Humorous anecdotes and sharing personal experiences could help support your...

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Presentation Problems and Solutions: Setting up

Presentation Problems and Solutions: Setting up

Imagine you are about to deliver a key piece of information during your presentation and suddenly the screen behind you goes blank- A speaker’s worst nightmare. To prevent this (including other mishaps like tripping over wires or losing audio) you should set up...

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How to build your presentation

How to build your presentation

Your structure of your PowerPoint is important. It should have a flow of ideas and a narrative your audience can follow. Often, when creating PowerPoints you can get caught up in creating details and specifics for a slide which does not need it. While creating a...

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Why silence is an unexpectedly useful tool in presentations

Why silence is an unexpectedly useful tool in presentations

Silence doesn’t always have to be uncomfortable or awkward. Use it to your advantage to create a strong impression. Overloading the audience with information and speaking fast may quicken the time spent on the presentation but it could affect the way information is...

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5 essentials to keep in mind while presenting your PowerPoint

5 essentials to keep in mind while presenting your PowerPoint

Familiarise yourself with your presentation and practice multiple times beforehand. This way you will be prepared for questions and will be able to answer them calmly. Arrive before your audience and take your time to set up. Make sure you do a screen test, sound...

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5 essentials to keep in mind while creating visuals

5 essentials to keep in mind while creating visuals

Simplify and do not complicate your designs. Remove unnecessary footnotes and chart sources. Ensure your information presented on screen or in your presentation is legible to the people sitting furthest away from you. Do not use colour for decorative purposes as it...

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Tips on how to handle long presentations

Tips on how to handle long presentations

‘How long is this going to take?’ - a question that races through the audiences mind before the actual presentation starts.                                                                                                                                                 ...

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How to ensure your PowerPoint is valid and worthwhile

How to ensure your PowerPoint is valid and worthwhile

The reason for putting together a PowerPoint presentation is to influence and make your audience believe in an idea that you have confidence in. Most people dislike sitting through PowerPoint presentations and may feel it’s a waste of time so you must give them an...

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How to treat your audience when giving a presentation

How to treat your audience when giving a presentation

Respect your audience It is important to check your tone before speaking to a fellow audience member. It is unadvisable to speak down (or even up!) to a fellow audience member. Speaking respectfully to your audience builds relations and ultimately the presentations...

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PowerPoint animations: An ally or distraction?

PowerPoint animations: An ally or distraction?

The most important thing to remember when using animations in PowerPoint is to keep it simple. While PowerPoint provides a lot of options for animating pictures, shapes, slides and more, over-using them can distract your audience and make your presentations look...

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Bold text and why PowerPoint presentations need it

Bold text and why PowerPoint presentations need it

Bold text is trending and here’s why you need to dump the tiny text Using larger and bolder fonts emphasise content over aesthetic Simple looking and legible text is eye catching and appreciated by the audience Increases legibility Bold fonts encourage the audience to...

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Why it’s better to stick with simple fonts

Why it’s better to stick with simple fonts

Stick with the classics… here’s why you need to. With the surplus of new extravagant fonts and flashy images, animations and videos people tend to forget that less is more. Using over the top decorations and multimedia could distract your audience and you from the...

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The Ultimate Battle: Powerpoint vs. Keynote

The Ultimate Battle: Powerpoint vs. Keynote

Learn the Pros and Cons of Microsoft’s biggest competitor. PowerPoint: This software is synonymous with ‘presentations.’ and is part of Microsoft's office suite. It is used widely by professionals all over the world. Pros PowerPoint’s best feature is its usability....

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8 ways to make your presentation easier to understand

8 ways to make your presentation easier to understand

Thoroughly research your point If you understand your material well then it will be easier to explain it to others. This way, answering doubts or queries will be much easier. Use humour Include relatable stories and jokes to explain points. It is often more effective...

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Who is your audience and how do you convince them

Who is your audience and how do you convince them

After forming your objective it is imperative to know who your audience will be and then, according to your analysis, thinking of ways to get your information across. ‘There is no such thing as a dumb audience. If they don’t understand it’s because you can’t...

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How to ensure your PowerPoint is valid and worthwhile

How to ensure your PowerPoint is valid and worthwhile

The reason for putting together a PowerPoint presentation is to influence and make your audience believe in an idea that you have confidence in. Most people dislike sitting through PowerPoint presentations and may feel it’s a waste of time so you must give them an...

read more
Your essentials for a great PowerPoint

Your essentials for a great PowerPoint

5 essentials to keep in mind while creating visuals 1. Simplify and do not complicate your designs. Remove unnecessary footnotes and chart sources. 2. Ensure your information presented on screen or in your presentation is legible to the people sitting furthest away...

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