Best 11 Tricks You Need to Know to Make Professional PowerPoint Presentations

Recently, PowerPoint made an unexpected comeback, with PowerPoint templates becoming bestsellers in most digital asset marketplaces.

This resurgence means that sooner or later, you’ll likely be tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation for a report or public speaking engagement. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for guidance on how to create an effective PowerPoint presentation. Don’t worry – I’ve been in your shoes, and I’m here to share the tips I’ve gathered and successfully implemented to create engaging presentations.

1. Your Presentation Shouldn’t be Boring

There’s nothing worse than a boring presentation. Having attended a few such presentations myself, I can tell you what to avoid at all costs. The cardinal rule: never read directly from a sheet of paper! You’re not a university professor giving a lecture on the reproduction of Drosophila flies. You’re speaking publicly, making a bold statement, and proving to your listeners that you’re an expert in your field.

2. Your Slides Shouldn’t be Wordy

Avoid the temptation to fit your entire speech into your slides. Some people create text blocks and simply copy-paste their speech into the presentation. This is a major mistake. Consider the size of the projection screen – typically about 3 by 4 meters. Slides filled with text will look cluttered and overwhelming.

Instead, focus on key phrases and arrange them as concise bullet points in the center of the slide. If you have an image on the left side of the slide, you can wrap text around it on the right. As a general rule, the text on each slide should occupy no more than 1/5 of the slide’s area.

3. Don’t Overuse Memes

While memes can be entertaining, it’s crucial not to overuse them in your presentation. Limit yourself to no more than one meme per presentation. Using multiple memes can make you appear unprofessional and significantly reduce the credibility of your speech.

4. Get Prepared

Preparation is key to a successful presentation. If you’re staring at a blank page, unsure where to start, try this approach: Set aside your laptop and take out a sheet of paper. Write the title of your presentation at the top and start sketching out ideas related to your topic. Once you have enough material, you can move on to organizing your thoughts.

If you’re struggling to arrange your ideas into a cohesive presentation, consider using PowerPoint templates. These are designed specifically to help structure your content effectively.

5. Write Your Story

Your presentation should not be a collection of dry, unemotional facts. People love listening to stories, so incorporate storytelling techniques into your presentation. Divide your speech into three parts, just like a classic story structure:

1. Introduction: State the problem or challenge.
2. Middle: Present solutions or developments.
3. Conclusion: Summarize key points and takeaways.

Even if your presentation covers a technical subject, there’s always room for storytelling. For inspiration, visit the TEDx website to see how experts present on various topics.

6. Choose Your Color Palette Wisely

The color scheme of your presentation is crucial for its visual appeal. Avoid using overly bright or clashing colors that might distract from your content. If your presentation is for internal use, consider using your company’s corporate colors. Refer to your company’s style guide for specific color codes.

7. Select Appropriate Fonts

When it comes to fonts, there are two main types: serif and sans-serif. For on-screen presentations, sans-serif fonts are generally recommended because they remain clear and legible when projected. Serif fonts may become blurry or lose detail on a projection screen.

Consider using fonts like Gill Sans or PT Sans for your presentation. These were designed for optimal screen display.

Note: Never use Comic Sans in a professional presentation.

8. Use High-Quality Photos

Visual elements can greatly enhance your presentation. For free, high-quality photos on various topics, check out Unsplash and Pexels. These resources offer a wide range of professional images to complement your content.

9. Don’t Make Them Seasick

While PowerPoint offers many transition and animation effects, it’s best to use them sparingly. In 2024, audiences are generally tired of excessive micro-animations, blurs, and hover effects. Keep your PowerPoint presentation simple and clean by minimizing unnecessary animations.

10. Use Charts, Graphs, and Infographics

People love information presented in easily digestible visual formats. Incorporate charts, graphs, and infographics to illustrate your points effectively. If you’re not confident in creating your own, you can adapt existing examples to fit your needs. Check out Boredpanda charts for inspiration.

11. Follow the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint

Finally, consider following Guy Kawasaki’s 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint. This rule suggests:

• 10 slides
• 20 minutes
• 30-point font minimum

This guideline helps keep your presentation concise, engaging, and visually accessible.

Over to You!

Now that you’re armed with these PowerPoint tips, you’re ready to create your own successful presentation. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to revise and refine your slides as you go. Good luck with your presentation!