How to Make Presentations Interesting and Fun
7 minutes read
When you take the stage for a presentation, the last thing you want to be is forgotten. If your presentation is boring, your content simply won’t reach the audience.
If you want to make a presentation more interesting, our network of experts is here to help. We’ve surveyed leading presentation pros to get their perspectives. Here are ten tips that any presenter can use while learning how to make a boring presentation interesting.
1. Less Slide Content, More Speaking Points
One common trap that rookie presenters fall into is loading their presentation slides with too much content. To learn how to make a presentation interesting, it might be more effective to remove slide content.
Presentation expert Miriam Plotinsky emphasizes balancing slides with speaking points:
“When the presenter has practiced and is confident, an overwhelming amount of information does not need to go on the slides; instead, the best content is elevated for the presentation itself.”
To determine if you’ve added too much content to your slides, consider Plotinsky’s advice:
“All slides should really be speaking points… My overall thought is that people pack slides with too much text (and then proceed to read directly from the slide, which disengages their audience) because they are not prepared to present.”
Remember, you are the presentation. The slides are there to support your message. Start by writing your presentation content before creating slides that reiterate those points.
2. Use Animation for Effect
The use of animation in presentations can be controversial. Some believe animations can be distracting, while others find them powerful.
Animations can create motion on your presentation slides, such as revealing text as a punchline or illustrating data in real-time. Suzannah Baum, an experienced presentation coach, advises:
“As a presenter, you want to add a brief moment of visual interest, but then get the audience’s attention back to YOU and your message.”
Use animations as a complement to your presentation, not as the focal point. However, be cautious:
“Too many moving, spinning, pulsating or bouncing objects flying in and out of your presentation is overkill. If you overuse them, you risk distracting your audience from your message.”
A careful application of animation can make your presentation more engaging, but moderation is key.
For tips on using animations effectively in PowerPoint, check out our tutorial:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Quickly Add Good Animations to Your PowerPoint PPT Presentations
Andrew Childress 02 Apr 2024
3. Make the Most of Your Screen Real Estate
Imagine attending a presentation where the content doesn’t fill the entire display. This mismatch can be frustrating for your audience.
To avoid this, ensure your presentation settings are correct so that your slides fill the screen. Learn how to set the proper screen dimensions with this tutorial.
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
What Are the Right Dimensions (Size) for Your PowerPoint PPT Slides? (+ Video)
Andrew Childress 21 Sep 2023
4. Invest The Majority Of Your Time in Writing Great Content
Preparing a presentation involves several steps, and how you allocate your time among them is crucial. Here are the basic steps:
- Research & ideation: Begin formulating the plan for your presentation. Identify the core ideas you want to communicate.
- Writing: Develop detailed speaking points that support your presentation.
- Presentation design: Wait until you have your content prepared before designing your slides.
- Rehearsal and practice: Allocate time to rehearse your delivery after finishing your slide deck.
Expert speechwriter Anthony Trendl advises:
“Often, speakers get lazy with the writing. ‘I know this stuff. I’ll just speak from the heart.’ This can lead to shapeless rambling. Do this and you’ll miss an opportunity to control your presentation strategically… You are the distinction. Your presentation should work without the slide deck.”
To enhance your writing skills for presentations, explore these tutorials:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Write a Professional PowerPoint Presentation (Discover the Writing Process)
Brad Smith 19 Jun 2023
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Write Powerful PowerPoint Presentations Fast With Outlines
Andrew Childress 30 Oct 2022
Nailing the writing stage is essential for making your presentation interesting, as it all starts with the content.
5. Energize the Audience
Energy is a crucial aspect of maintaining audience attention. Upbeat speakers instill confidence in their content. Robert Kennedy III emphasizes the importance of bringing energy to your presentation by connecting with your audience early:
“Greet some of the participants and give them a subtle preview of who you are. This way, when you come on stage, you already have some ‘allies’ in the audience.”
By engaging with audience members beforehand, you’ll have supporters who match your energy during your presentation.
6. Leave Presentation Design to the Professionals
When time is limited, consider using professionally designed templates instead of spending hours learning slide design. Professional presentation templates from Envato Elements can save you time while enhancing your presentation’s visual appeal.
Envato Elements offers thousands of presentation templates for a flat rate, including options for Keynote, Google Slides, and PowerPoint.
Explore some popular templates to see how they can elevate your presentation:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
35 Modern Keynote Templates to Create Beautiful Presentation Designs 2024
Dacia Egurrola 14 Apr 2023
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
The Best PowerPoint Slide Templates of 2024 (Amazing Presentation Slide Designs)
Dacia Egurrola 25 Sep 2023
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
25 Best Professional Google Slides Templates for 2024 (+ Video)
Brenda Barron 08 Jan 2023
Outsourcing design can significantly improve the outcome of your presentation.
7. Collaborate With Others
Instead of viewing your project as a solo effort, consider collaborating with others. Even if you’re the sole presenter, seeking feedback from colleagues can enhance your content. Remember Steve Jobs’ words:
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”
Here are some tutorials on collaboration tools:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Share and Collaborate as a Team on Keynote Presentations
Andrew Childress 25 Feb 2020
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Track Changes in Your PowerPoint PPT Presentations (Effectively)
Andrew Childress 26 Aug 2022
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Use Google Slides Presentation Collaboration Tools Online
Laura Spencer 02 Jan 2018
Ask collaborators for feedback on your presentation to help identify areas that may need improvement.
8. Match Your Design to the Topic
While professional PowerPoint templates can enhance your presentation, ensure that the design fits the occasion. For example, a marketing template will differ from an educational template.
Explore specialized templates on Envato Tuts+ that are purpose-driven:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
30 Best PowerPoint Pitch Deck Templates PPT: For Business Plan Presentations
Sean Hodge 08 Jan 2024
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
Free Education PowerPoint PPT Templates Download 2024 (+ Premium)
Dacia Egurrola 09 Aug 2023
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
18+ Free Social Media Marketing PowerPoint Templates (Top Business Marketing PPTs)
Andrew Childress 10 Jun 2023
Choose designs that align with your topic to make your presentation stand out.
9. Share Follow-up Information After the Presentation
Your presentation can be a springboard for further engagement with your audience. To facilitate this, share your contact information and provide follow-up materials without leaving attendees scrambling to take notes.
Miriam Plotinsky suggests:
“A best practice with reducing slide content is to not just practice the presentation and only include brief bullets on the slides, but also to take all of the information being shared and make sure the audience has access to it in a packet, an e-mail, or similar.”
To enhance your conclusion, consider ending with a call to action. Here’s a tutorial on how to create an impactful final slide:
-
{.roundup-block__content-link}
How to Make a Great “Any Questions” Final PowerPoint Slide (PPT)
Andrew Childress 14 Oct 2020
10. Be Authentic, Be You
Finally, one of the most valuable tips is to embrace authenticity. Presenting your content in a way that feels true to yourself is essential.
To incorporate authenticity, coach Sandra Zimmer advises:
“Tell stories from your personal life or professional career that help listeners understand what you are talking about. Use your stories to help make your points so they get a gut-level experience.”
Authentic presenters find ways to make their delivery unique, providing a memorable experience for the audience.
You Just Learned How to Make a Boring Presentation Interesting
Presentations may not come naturally to everyone, but developing these skills is vital for success in business and your career. Thanks to the expert tips shared here, you now have techniques to transform a boring presentation into an engaging one. Embrace these strategies, and approach your next presentation with confidence.