Professional PowerPoint Presentations

Find the shortcut to creating a top-notch presentation. In this guide, learn how to make a professional PowerPoint (PPT) presentation with a premium template that includes excellent starting layouts and slide design inspiration.

Introduction

Are you anxious about preparing for an upcoming presentation? You need to present something professionally to gain your audience’s trust. Maybe you’re using it for a breakthrough in your career.

If you’re short on time, this tutorial is the perfect way to get going. I’ll share some tried-and-true professional PowerPoint tips that will guide you in creating presentations. Then, we’ll walk through building one together using a professional PPT theme.

Remember: presentations are a skill, and skills can be built.

Inspiring speakers practice and learn their craft. A big part of this is having a professional PowerPoint theme design. A professional design helps you feel confident about your content.

Premium PowerPoint Templates

For a good starting point, check out these professional PowerPoint templates that can significantly enhance your presentation:

• 32+ Top Professional PPT Templates and Business Presentation Examples (2024) {.roundup-block__content-link}

  Dacia Egurrola
  24 May 2023

Free eBook Guide to Presentations

Before we dive deeper, be sure to grab our free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It will help you master the presentation process from the initial idea through writing, design, and delivering it with impact.

Now, let’s jump into a few quick techniques that will enhance your presentation results, followed by a step-by-step process of building a professional PowerPoint presentation quickly using a template.

Creating Professional PowerPoint Presentations with Templates

Quick Learning Video

Are you ready to start learning how to create a professional PowerPoint using a template? Watch this quick video to find out what you need to know to get started on creating your own professional PowerPoint:

Utilizing Professional PowerPoint Templates

In this tutorial, you’re going to learn the secret to professional presentations: you don’t have to do all the work. Instead of starting from scratch, leverage a professional presentation template.

Your ticket to creating a professional presentation is to join Envato Elements. It includes the best professional presentation templates. The flat-rate subscription unlocks unlimited assets, including top designs for professional presentations. It’s a shortcut to learning how to make a business presentation on PowerPoint.

Instead of purchasing a single PowerPoint theme, subscribe to Elements. Choose from thousands of PPT template designs, web themes, professional graphics, and more. Download as many as you want for one low price.

Now, let’s walk through building a professional PowerPoint presentation from a PPT template.

Steps to Create a Professional Presentation in PowerPoint

You don’t have to be an expert to create an impressive professional presentation. Using a template from Envato Elements allows you to customize your presentation in just five quick steps.

For this mini-tutorial, we’ll use the Professional PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements.

This versatile and modern template saves you time and effort. Download it and follow along with our tutorial. Let’s get started:

1. Select Your Slides

A professional presentation template includes dozens of slides. You may not need to use every single one. In PowerPoint, go to the View tab and click on Slide Sorter.

Here, you can click and drag slide thumbnails to rearrange their sequence or right-click on them to choose Delete Slide to remove unwanted layouts. When you’re finished, click Normal on the View tab to start editing.

2. Customize Text

To customize the text in this template, click into any text box. Press Ctrl + A (Cmd + A on Mac) to select all the text inside.

Then, start typing your own content. The placeholder text will disappear, replaced by your words. Repeat this process throughout your slide deck to create a professional presentation efficiently.

3. Insert Images

No professional presentation is complete without images. To insert images, find a slide with an image placeholder.

Then, browse to an image file stored on your computer. Drag it over the placeholder and drop it into place. PowerPoint will import the image onto the slide, already sized and scaled perfectly.

As an Envato Elements member, you’ll have access to millions of stunning stock photos at no extra cost.

4. Build Infographics

Infographics help illustrate ideas effectively. They not only enhance visual appeal but also engage a professional audience. Templates like this make adding infographics to your presentation quick and easy.

Infographics function like any other slide; just replace the text and numbers with your own, move objects around, and you’re set. This approach ensures a successful presentation.

5. Change Shape Colors

A pre-built template has its own default color palette, but you can easily modify individual colors. With a shape selected, find the Shape Format tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon.

Click on the Shape Fill dropdown to choose from the color options available, including gradients. Click on any color to apply it to your shape.

Tips for Professional Presentations

Let’s review five of my favorite professional PowerPoint presentation tips. These reminders are beneficial when preparing to speak.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

Practice is crucial for success. A well-rehearsed presentation helps you appear confident and resonate with your audience. Here are some effective practice tips:

• If possible, rehearse in the same room where you plan to present for familiarity.
• Use speaker notes in PowerPoint to keep your key talking points visible while presenting.
• Record your presentation with a cell phone to understand how you appear to your audience.

2. Focus on One Big Idea

Avoid overwhelming your audience with data and details. Stick to the key idea you want to communicate. This clarity helps ensure your audience retains the most critical points.

• How to Write a Professional PowerPoint Presentation (Discover the Writing Process) {.roundup-block__content-link}

3. Implement the BLUF Principle

The BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) principle emphasizes presenting your key idea at the beginning. This approach engages your audience early and keeps them focused.

4. Use Graphics and Charts

In professional presentations, audiences often prefer visual data representation. Use graphics, charts, and graphs to convey your points effectively.

5. Utilize Presenter View

Enabling Presenter View allows you to see your speaker notes, a preview of the next slide, and a timer, which helps you stay on track.

Conclusion

Even if you know exactly what you want to say, building the supporting PowerPoint slide designs can be a significant effort. Avoid starting with blank slides; instead, use professional PowerPoint templates to create your presentation quickly.

• The Best New Presentation Template Designs for 2024 (Top PowerPoint PPTs & More) {.roundup-block__content-link}

The real value of these pro PPT templates lies in the slide design ideas they include. They serve as a source of inspiration for how to present your content effectively.

For more examples and options, be sure to explore additional professional presentation templates available on platforms like Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.