Creating Great PowerPoint Presentations

5 minutes read

@ tutsplus.com

If you create PowerPoint presentations at all, you’ll find this article useful in improving your presentation skills.

Learn some effective techniques and discover inspiring PowerPoint presentation examples that can guide your own work.

Creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation is essential in today’s business environment. Statistically, over 150,000 companies utilize Microsoft PowerPoint, highlighting the demand for engaging presentations. However, not everyone knows how to craft a good presentation.

In this tutorial, you’ll explore the steps to making impressive PowerPoint presentations. While these steps are applicable to any presentation format, they are particularly relevant to Microsoft PowerPoint. In addition, you’ll receive tips on utilizing PowerPoint templates effectively and learn from excellent SlideShare examples.

Steps to Create Great PowerPoint Presentations: Planning, Design, and Delivery

Whether you’re preparing for a live speech or sharing your presentation online, it’s vital to create a standout PowerPoint presentation. Here are seven steps to help you develop an effective PPT presentation:

Note: While these techniques are specifically tailored to PowerPoint, they can also apply to other presentation tools such as Keynote and Google Slides.

1. Know Your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is crucial for a successful presentation. Your audience varies based on your company’s goals, and what resonates with one group may not with another.

Conducting research about your audience should be your first step in creating any marketing or informational material, including PowerPoint presentations. The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor your presentation to meet their needs.

For insights on defining your target audience, check out this tutorial:

2. Tailor Your Presentation Content

Once you know who your audience is, customize your presentation for them. Choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to your audience, and consider their existing knowledge level.

Avoid using complex jargon if your audience may not understand it, and ensure the content is engaging for experts without being overly simplistic.

3. Start With an Outline

After identifying your audience and topic, create an outline for your presentation. An outline makes it easier to structure your slides and ensures a logical flow of information.

Use a conversational tone appropriate for your audience and limit the amount of text on each slide to avoid clutter. Cluttered slides can distract your audience and detract from your message.

For more guidance on writing speeches, explore these tutorials:

4. Use a Professional PowerPoint Template

A visually appealing PowerPoint presentation often begins with a professional template. Consider using premium templates from resources like Envato Elements or GraphicRiver.

These templates provide hundreds of creative design options that can help you create a polished presentation with ease.

You can explore more creative PowerPoint templates in this article:

5. Keep Slides Concise

Your slide deck should highlight the main points of your presentation without overwhelming your audience. Aim to keep slides short and focused to maintain engagement and interest.

6. Practice Your Presentation

Great presentations require practice. If you’ll be presenting live, set aside time to rehearse your delivery. Practicing with a friend or family member can provide valuable feedback, but practicing alone is also beneficial.

Consider using this checklist for practicing your speech:

7. Stay Focused During Your Presentation

While presenting, maintain focus on your topic to avoid losing your audience’s attention. If you’re delivering in person, consider asking audience members to hold questions until the end. This helps you stay on track and ensures your main points are communicated clearly.

For online presentations, reviewing your content beforehand is crucial to ensure it aligns with your audience’s interests and your presentation goals.

8. Analyze Great PowerPoint Presentation Examples

Studying successful PowerPoint presentations can serve as inspiration for your own work. By analyzing how they are structured and designed, you can pick up valuable techniques to incorporate into your presentations.

Inspiring SlideShare Examples

To further inspire you, here are five remarkable SlideShare presentations that have garnered over a million views each:

1. Work Rules - Visual Presentation Example

Laszlo Bock, former SVP of People Operations at Google, delivers a clear message about corporate culture with engaging visuals and a cohesive color scheme.

2. Pixar’s 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling

Gavin McMahon’s presentation highlights storytelling principles inspired by Pixar, using bold colors to captivate viewers.

3. 25 Mission Statements From the World’s Most Valuable Brands

Palo Alto Software provides insights into effective mission statements, addressing potential gaps in audience knowledge.

4. Congratulations Graduate! Eleven Reasons Why I Will Never Hire You

Mark O’Toole engages graduates with a bold introduction and impactful visuals, ensuring his message resonates.

5. Thirst - Compelling Design Example

Jeff Brenman’s presentation confronts the global water shortage issue using striking imagery and urgent facts.

For further presentation examples, check these articles:

Tips for Using PowerPoint Presentation Design Templates

When using PowerPoint templates, consider these tips to maximize their effectiveness:

1. Avoid Free Templates

Free PowerPoint templates may seem appealing but often lack support, uniqueness, and varied designs. Invest in reputable templates for better results.

2. Choose a Reputable Template Provider

Opt for established providers like Envato Elements or GraphicRiver, which offer thousands of high-quality templates by professional designers.

3. Incorporate Creative Elements

Don’t hesitate to use creative elements from templates, such as infographics or timelines, to enhance your presentation visually.

4. Select Templates That Match Your Topic

Choose templates that align with your presentation’s theme to simplify customization and enhance relevance.

5. Experiment With Slide Layouts

Utilize various layout options provided in templates to create a visually dynamic and engaging presentation.

Conclusion

You now have the tools and knowledge to create great PowerPoint presentations. By following the outlined steps and utilizing professional templates, you can enhance your presentation design significantly. Start by selecting a suitable template from resources like Envato Elements or GraphicRiver, and begin crafting your impactful presentation today!

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