Why PowerPoint Is Important? (The Benefits Explained)
Presentations can be a great way to share ideas and information, but they can also be overwhelming and dull if not done correctly.
Fortunately, PowerPoint offers a number of features to help you create compelling presentations that can engage your audience and effectively deliver even the most complex concepts.
In this article, we will explore the basics of PowerPoint and why it is important, as well as the many benefits it can offer.
We will discuss how PowerPoint can help improve presentations, the role visuals can play, and the various features available to make the most of your presentations.
By the end of this article, you will be well-equipped to create and deliver powerful and engaging presentations with PowerPoint.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Powerpoint is an important tool for presenting information in a visual and organized manner.
It allows people to present complex information in an easy to understand and engaging way.
It also enables the presenter to highlight the most important points and helps to keep the audience focused.
Powerpoint is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to present their ideas effectively.
The Basics of PowerPoint
PowerPoint is an important tool for businesses, as it can help to create professional-looking presentations.
It is a presentation software program developed and distributed by Microsoft, and it is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
With PowerPoint, users can create slides with text, graphics, animations, and other elements.
It also has features such as the ability to embed audio and video, as well as the ability to animate objects.
Additionally, PowerPoint allows users to easily create attractive visuals and engaging presentations.
PowerPoint also has a number of features that make it easier to organize and deliver complex concepts in an understandable manner.
For instance, it offers a variety of slide layouts to help users structure their presentations in an organized way.
It also provides a range of tools to help create visuals that can help audiences to better retain information.
Furthermore, PowerPoint has a range of animation and transition effects that can be used to make presentations more dynamic and engaging.
In addition, PowerPoint supports the use of templates and themes, which can help to give presentations a more professional look.
It also allows users to easily collaborate and share their presentations with others.
This makes it easier for businesses to collaborate on projects and ensure that all stakeholders have access to the same information.
Finally, PowerPoint offers a number of features that can help to improve presentations, such as the ability to add notes and comments, as well as the ability to insert charts and graphs.
The Benefits of Using PowerPoint
PowerPoint is an incredibly useful tool for businesses, as it provides a range of benefits when it comes to creating presentations.
Firstly, PowerPoint helps users to easily create professional-looking slides with text, graphics and animations.
This makes it easier to create a visually appealing presentation, which can help to engage audiences and make it easier to retain information.
Furthermore, PowerPoint allows users to organize and deliver complex concepts in an understandable manner.
This means that it is easy to break down complex topics into more manageable chunks, making it easier for audiences to understand the concepts being presented.
Additionally, PowerPoint’s features make it easier to create compelling visuals that can help to keep viewers engaged.
Another benefit of using PowerPoint is its ability to help businesses save time.
Presenters can easily create presentations with PowerPoint’s templates and features, allowing them to quickly and efficiently create presentations that are both informative and visually appealing.
This saves businesses time and money, as they dont have to spend time and resources on creating presentations from scratch.
Finally, PowerPoint can be used in a variety of different ways.
It can be used to create presentations for meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops and more.
This makes it a great tool for businesses that need to create presentations for different types of events.
Additionally, PowerPoint can be used to create digital presentations that can be shared online, making it easier to reach a wider audience.
Overall, PowerPoint provides businesses with a range of benefits that make it an essential tool for creating effective and engaging presentations.
With its easy-to-use features, businesses can quickly and easily create visually appealing presentations that are both informative and visually appealing, helping to engage audiences and make it easier to retain information.
Additionally, PowerPoint’s features make it easier to organize and deliver complex concepts in an understandable manner.
Finally, it can be used in a variety of different ways, making it a great tool for businesses that need to create presentations for different types of events.
How PowerPoint Helps Improve Presentations
PowerPoint is an essential tool for businesses, as it helps to make presentations more effective and engaging.
It makes it easy to create professional-looking slides with text, graphics, animations, and other visuals.
This helps to keep audiences engaged and ensure that they are able to retain the information better.
PowerPoint also helps to organize complex concepts and deliver them in an understandable manner.
With its powerful features, businesses can create compelling presentations that are both informative and visually appealing.
This allows them to present their ideas in an organized and easy-to-understand format.
Moreover, the wide range of features that PowerPoint offers makes it easier to create presentations that are both visually appealing and easy to understand.
This includes features such as backgrounds, transitions, images, and animations.
These features can help to add depth and interest to presentations, making them more engaging and memorable.
The use of PowerPoint also makes it possible to quickly and easily update presentations.
This is especially useful for businesses that need to make changes to their presentations on a regular basis.
With PowerPoint, they can make changes in a matter of minutes, without having to start from scratch.
Finally, PowerPoint is a great tool for businesses to share their presentations with the world.
With its easy-to-use sharing options, businesses can easily share their presentations with other people, whether they are in the same office or halfway across the globe.
This helps to ensure that everyone involved in the presentation is able to access it and understand it.
In conclusion, PowerPoint is an invaluable tool for businesses that want to create effective and engaging presentations.
Its features make it easy to create professional-looking slides, organize complex concepts, and quickly and easily update presentations.
Furthermore, PowerPoint provides businesses with the ability to easily share their presentations with a large audience.
All in all, PowerPoint is an important tool for businesses, as it helps to improve presentations in a number of ways.
PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful visual tool that can help businesses craft compelling presentations.
With its simple yet powerful graphical features, it allows users to easily create stunning visuals that are sure to pique viewers interest.
PowerPoints visuals can be used to include text, graphics, animations, and even video clips to clearly illustrate complex concepts in a visually appealing manner.
This not only helps to engage the audience, but also helps viewers to better understand and retain the information.
PowerPoint also offers its users a range of different tools to customize their visuals.
From basic shapes and text boxes to more complex objects like charts and diagrams, there is an endless array of possibilities.
Furthermore, users have the ability to add animation and transitions to their visuals, making them more dynamic and engaging.
The ability to make use of PowerPoints powerful visuals can help businesses create a presentation that will be sure to stand out from the rest.
Organizing and Delivering Complex Concepts
PowerPoint is a great tool for organizing and delivering complex concepts.
Its powerful features make it easy to create visually appealing slides with text, graphics, and animations.
This makes it easier for audiences to understand and retain information more effectively.
For example, you can use PowerPoint to create diagrams to illustrate a concept, or to create an interactive presentation that allows the audience to learn at their own pace.
You can also use different colors and fonts to highlight important information or to draw attention to specific points.
Additionally, PowerPoint allows you to easily and quickly create professional-looking presentations, even with limited design skills.
This makes it a great tool for businesses to use when presenting complex concepts to their audiences.
Additionally, PowerPoint provides tools to help you keep your presentations organized, such as a built-in outline feature and the ability to add notes to slides.
This makes it easy to quickly review your presentation and ensure that you have included all the necessary information.
Finally, PowerPoint allows you to easily share your presentations with others, either online or as a printed document.
This makes it easy for businesses to collaborate and share ideas with colleagues and clients.
Making the Most of PowerPoint’s Features
PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful presentation tool, with a wide array of features and capabilities that make it perfect for creating engaging and informative presentations.
It allows users to easily create professional-looking slides with text, graphics, and animations, as well as a range of tools for organizing and delivering complex concepts.
One of PowerPoint’s most useful features is its ability to create effective visuals that can engage audiences and help them to retain information better.
By using transitions, animations, and other effects, the presenter can create captivating visuals that will help to keep their audience engaged.
Furthermore, users can also make use of the wide selection of templates available to create visually appealing slides in no time.
PowerPoint also offers a range of tools for organizing and formatting presentations.
By using tables, charts, and diagrams, users can easily present complex information in an understandable manner.
Additionally, the Outline View feature allows users to quickly create and organize their presentations, while the Notes and Comments features can help to provide more detailed explanations of the content.
Finally, PowerPoint also includes a range of tools for sharing and collaborating on presentations.
Users can easily share presentations with colleagues, and the SharePoint feature allows for real-time editing of documents.
This makes it easy to collaborate on presentations and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
In short, PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful tool for creating engaging and informative presentations.
Its wide selection of features make it easy to create visually appealing and complex visuals, as well as organize and share presentations with ease.
By making use of its powerful features, businesses can ensure that their presentations are both informative and visually appealing, helping to engage audiences and ensure that they retain information better.
Creating Compelling Presentations with PowerPoint
PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful presentation tool that can help businesses create compelling presentations that engage their audiences and effectively communicate complex concepts.
By combining text, graphics, animations, and other visuals, PowerPoint enables users to easily create attractive presentations that are both informative and visually appealing.
PowerPoint’s features also make it easier to organize and deliver complex concepts in an understandable manner.
The ability to add multiple slides and easily rearrange them allows users to structure their presentation in a logical order that is easy to follow.
Presenters can also use PowerPoint to create animations, transitions, and other visuals that make the presentation more engaging and help audiences retain the information they see more effectively.
Furthermore, PowerPoint allows users to add multimedia content to their presentations.
This can include video clips, audio clips, images and other visuals.
With these features, businesses can create presentations that are more dynamic and engaging, and can further help audiences retain the information.
Overall, PowerPoint is an essential tool for every business, and its features make it easy to create compelling presentations that engage audiences and help them to better retain the information.
By combining text, graphics, animations, and multimedia content, businesses can make use of its powerful features to create engaging presentations that are both informative and visually appealing.
Final Thoughts
PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to create visually appealing and engaging presentations.
It gives users the ability to easily organize and deliver complex concepts in a way that is understandable and memorable.
By taking advantage of its many features, businesses can make use of PowerPoint to create compelling presentations that can help them to reach their goals.
With the right approach, PowerPoint can help you make a lasting impression on your audiences.
James Wilson
James Wilson has extensive knowledge in the information technology industry.His second love, besides dealing with computers, is smart home technology. He is continually updating information to better comprehend this problem and has a deep understanding of the apartment’s support system.
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What is PowerPoint and what it is used for
PowerPoint is a presentation software developed by Microsoft, which allows users to create, edit, and deliver visually engaging slideshows, whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious, explore the power of Microsoft PowerPoint and learn how you can create impactful presentations effortlessly.
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According to Glassdoor , a PowerPoint designer's average salary in the UK is about £37,811 annually. Who knew there was big money in presentations alone? In this blog, you will learn What PowerPoint is, its key features, its benefits, and how to use it, as well as learn some tips for creating effective presentations.
Table of contents
1) What is PowerPoint?
2) Understanding the PowerPoint interface
3) Key features of PowerPoint
4) How to use PowerPoint to create a presentation?
5) Benefits of PowerPoint
6) Tips for creating effective PowerPoint Presentations
7) Alternatives to PowerPoint
What is PowerPoint?
PowerPoint is an essential multifunctional tool for making presentations which had been created by MS. As a part of the Microsoft Office Suite, it offers a toolbox to organise the presentation by using different tools and features to make it visually pleasant and attractive. MS PowerPoint gives the opportunity for the text, graphics, multimedia objects, and animation elements to be combined in one place to allow the users to present information in a more effective way.
Evolution of PowerPoint
In the course of time, PowerPoint has become a very functional tool to produce high-quality presentations Moreover, a secure system would be established to manage risks of data leakage or theft. First released in 1987 for Apple computers, it defies to the competition with its easy Graphical User Interface (GUIGUI)) and its large range of functions. With every new release, MS PowerPoint offered new functionality and boasted significant improvements, staying the wonder of the world of presentations.
Understanding the PowerPoint interface
The PowerPoint Program provides the presenter with an easy-to-use interface for designing and updating the presentation. It is important to master its main functions in order to conduct operations using this software with a level of proficiency.Here's a breakdown of the MS PowerPoint interface:
1) Ribbon: The Ribbon is located at the top of the MS PowerPoint window and has several tabs which include Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, etc.
2) Slides pane: Slide pane which is positioned to the far left of the window, is the PowerPoint window. You will see there a collection of your slides examples (thumbnails) which enables you to adjust and customize them with greater ease. The floating pane of the editor lets you not only add, delete, duplicate, but also hide slides from there.
3) Notes pane : The Notes pane is located below the Slides pane. It provides space for adding speaker notes or additional information related to each slide.
4) Slide area : The Slide area occupies the central part of the PowerPoint window. It displays the selected slide, where you can add and arrange content such as text, images, charts, and multimedia elements .
5) Task panes : Task panes are additional panels on the PowerPoint window's right side. They offer various functionalities such as formatting options, slide layouts, animations, etc. Task panes can be opened or closed based on your specific needs.
Understanding the MS PowerPoint interface will help you navigate the software effectively and make the most of its features. Whether you are creating slides, adding content, or applying formatting, having a good grasp of the interface ensures a smooth and productive experience .
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Key Features of PowerPoint
When it comes to creating captivating and professional presentations, MS PowerPoint stands out as versatile and feature-rich software. Its array of tools and functionalities enables users to bring their imagination and ideas to life. Moreover, it also helps engage their audience effectively .
From slide templates to multimedia integration, there are various Features of PowerPoint ; let's discuss some of them below.
1) Slide Templates : PowerPoint provides a collection of pre-designed templates that make it easy to create visually appealing slides.
2) Slide Master : The Slide Master feature allows users to define the overall layout, font styles, and colour scheme for the entire presentation .
3) Animations and transitions : PowerPoint offers various animation effects and slide transitions to add visual interest and captivate the audience .
4) Multimedia integration : Users can embed images, videos, and audio files directly into their presentations, enhancing the overall impact .
5) Collaboration tools : MS PowerPoint allows multiple users to work on a presentation simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects and remote collaboration .
6) Presenter View : The Presenter View feature gives presenters access to speaker notes, a timer, and a preview of upcoming slides, enabling a seamless presentation experience .
These features collectively contribute to PowerPoint's versatility and make it a powerful tool for developing engaging and impactful presentations.
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How to use PowerPoint to create a presentation?
Creating a presentation in PowerPoint is a straightforward process. Whether it's simple animations or explainer videos learning H ow to use PowerPoint is an extremely valuable skill. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a presentation:
1) Launch PowerPoint and choose a template or start with a blank slide.
2) Add slides by clicking "New Slide" or using the shortcut key (Ctrl + M).
3) Customise slide content by entering text and inserting visuals.
4) Rearrange slides for a logical flow by dragging them in the slide navigation pane.
5) Apply slide transitions for visual effects in the "Transitions" tab.
6) Add animations to objects in the "Animations" tab.
7) Preview your presentation by clicking "Slide Show".
8) Save your presentation and choose a format (.pptx or .pdf).
9) Share your presentation via email, cloud storage, or collaboration tools.
By following these steps, you can create a well-structured and visually appealing presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint. Remember to keep your content concise, use engaging visuals, and practice your presentation skills to deliver an impactful presentation .
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Benefits of PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a very popular presentation software and for a good reason. It offers numerous benefits for users, from easy collaboration to ease of use. These are some of the key benefits of PowerPoint.
1) Visual appeal : Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to create visually appealing presentations with its wide range of design tools and features. You can use templates, themes, and customisable layouts to make your slides visually engaging and professional .
2) Easy to use : PowerPoint has a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all levels. The intuitive tools and straightforward navigation make it easy to create, edit, and deliver presentations efficiently .
3) Flexibility : PowerPoint provides flexibility in terms of content creation. You can include various types of content, such as text, images, charts, graphs, videos, and audio files, to enhance your message and engage your audience effectively.
4) Organisation and structure : PowerPoint offers features to help you organise and structure your content. You can create multiple slides, use slide masters for consistent formatting, and arrange the sequence of slides to create a logical flow .
5) Presenter tools : PowerPoint includes built-in presenter tools that aid in delivering presentations smoothly. You can use presenter view to see your notes and upcoming slides while your audience sees only the presentation. Additionally, features like slide transitions and animations add visual interest and help you control the flow of information .
Land the job with ease! Learn how to ace your PowerPoint interview with tips to create slides that leave a lasting impression!
6) Collaboration and sharing : PowerPoint allows for easy collaboration and sharing of presentations. Several users can simultaneously work on the same presentation, making it convenient for team projects. You can also share your presentations via email, cloud storage, or online platforms, ensuring easy access for viewers .
7) Integration with other tools : PowerPoint can seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and Excel. You can import data and charts from Excel or copy and paste content between different Office applications, saving time and effort .
8) Presenter-audience interaction : PowerPoint provides features that facilitate interaction between the presenter and the audience. You can include interactive elements like hyperlinks, buttons, and quizzes to engage your audience and make your presentations more dynamic.
9) Portable and accessible : PowerPoint presentations can be saved in various formats, such as .pptx or .pdf, making them easily accessible on different devices. This portability allows you to deliver presentations on laptops, tablets, or even projectors without compatibility issues .
10) Time and effort savings : PowerPoint simplifies the process of creating presentations, saving you time and effort. The pre-designed templates, slide layouts, and formatting options enable you to create professional-looking presentations efficiently .
Keynote vs. PowerPoint : Discover which tool is best for your presentations! Click to compare features and make the right choice!
Tips for Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations
PowerPoint presentations can be powerful tools for communicating information and engaging an audience. Consider the following PowerPoint Tips to create effective presentations .
1) Simplicity is key : Keep your slides clean and uncluttered. Use concise bullet points and simple visuals to convey your message effectively .
2) Visuals matter : Incorporate relevant, high-quality visuals such as images, charts, and diagrams to enhance understanding and engagement .
3) Limit text : Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive text on slides. Use brief phrases or keywords to communicate key points .
4) Choose legible fonts : Opt for clear and readable fonts that are easy to read, even from a distance. Maintain consistency in font styles throughout your presentation .
5) Consistent design : Maintain a consistent design theme, including colours, fonts, and layout, to create a visually appealing and professional presentation.
6) Emphasise important points : Use visual hierarchy techniques, such as font size, colour, and formatting, to draw attention to essential information .
7) Use transitions and animations sparingly : Incorporate slide transitions and animations thoughtfully, focusing on enhancing content and transitions without distracting the audience .
8) S lide notes for guidance : Utilise the slide notes feature to include additional details, explanations, or reminders for a well-prepared and confident presentation.
9) Practice and time yourself : Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery and stay within the allocated time. Practice helps you refine your content and delivery.
10) Engage the audience : Encourage audience participation through interactive elements, questions, or discussions to foster engagement and make your presentation more memorable.
By implementing these tips, you can create effective MS PowerPoint presentations that capture attention, communicate information clearly, and engage your audience effectively.
Google Slides vs. PowerPoint : Which is best for you? Click to compare features and choose the right tool for your next presentation!
Alternatives to PowerPoint
Most of you are used to using PowerPoint for your presentation needs since it was the first option available to us through our academics. However, if you wish to check out alternative options to Powerpoint know if they work better for you, here are ten options that is worth a short:
5) Slidebean
6) Zoho Show
7) Google Slide
9) Beautiful.ai
10) Microsoft Sway
Conclusion
This blog walked you through What is PowerPoint and how it can aid you in curating compelling visual representations of the message you wish to get across. We discussed it features and the process of how you can create presentations on PowerPoint. Now take what you know and run with it explore your options with your templates and building new ones, let your creativity take its course.
Learn how to create customised slide shows in MS PowerPoint with our Microsoft PowerPoint MO300 Training .
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, making a presentation can be tricky business. Here are some of the common mistakes people make:
1) Adding too much text! The presentation needs to have brief and simple points you elaborate on in person.
2) Bad colour schemes for template and font colour. Sometimes the clash of colour may make the text illegible.
3) Too many elements! Crowding of elements may lose your audience’s attention.
Yes, you most definitely can! You can use PowerPoint online with a Microsoft Office 360 plug in that allows you to use all Microsoft applications on your browser.
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13 Things to Include in Your Next PowerPoint Presentation
Maximize the impact of your visual presentations with these tips.
Table of Contents
A visual component is essential when you’re crafting a presentation for a big meeting. A well-designed PowerPoint presentation helps drive home crucial concepts with text, images, graphs, tables and other multimedia. A clear, organized slide deck is a valuable presentation anchor and a tool to keep your audience engaged. It can boost your confidence as a presenter, especially if public speaking isn’t your strength.
Developing an effective PowerPoint presentation requires careful planning. You must decide on the structure, design the navigation, and address the technical details. We’ll highlight 13 essential elements to include in your next PowerPoint presentation, along with key do’s and don’ts to ensure your presentation goes off without a hitch.
What to include in your PowerPoint presentation
A strong, effective PowerPoint presentation should include the following components.
1. Who you are
When you’re presenting to an unfamiliar audience — for example, if you’re speaking at an academic conference or presenting your idea to investors — it’s vital to introduce yourself. Establish credibility and trust by briefly discussing your line of work, past accomplishments or related projects.
2. Your logo
Although you may have included your logo on the introductory slide, you should also place it on each slide to reinforce brand recognition. This repetition helps your brand “stick” in the audience’s mind and is particularly effective when you’re presenting on behalf of your company.
3. An agenda
Next, write an agenda slide. This helps to set the audience’s expectations, guide the flow of the presentation, and keep you on track while drafting and presenting your information.
4. A clear road map
Include a clear road map for your presentation. This is especially important for longer PowerPoints with multiple sections. A presentation outline helps to break down complex content and allows you to return to the road map as needed to help your audience follow along more easily.
5. Information not on your slides
Your PowerPoint slide deck is designed to supplement and enhance your oral presentation, not to replace it. Ensure that your verbally presented information adds value by including information that is not on your slides. Minimize written text; focus on key phrases and main ideas. You can expand on these concepts in greater detail as you present.
6. Engaging visuals
The primary benefit of using PowerPoint for presentations is the ability to add engaging visuals, such as graphs and infographics. Relying less on text keeps the focus on the presenter while effectively illustrating your key takeaways.
“Images, infographics and charts should drive home key points, not overwhelm your audience,” said Smita D Jain, a personal empowerment life coach and TEDx speaker. “For complex data or statistics, keep it simple by using clear, easy-to-read charts. Focus on the most impactful data that supports your narrative, and avoid cluttering slides with excessive figures.”
7. Updated data
There’s nothing wrong with reusing or repurposing a slide deck you’ve already created, as long as you keep it current. If your PowerPoint includes statistics, industry trends , information on your business or other data, check the numbers and update them as necessary before you present.
8. The answer to “So what?”
Even if the information in your presentation is clear and compelling, it won’t make an impact if your audience doesn’t understand the bigger picture. Aim to become a business storyteller by answering the unspoken question, “So what?” Clearly explain why your message is crucial and relevant to your listeners.
Jain said preparing your presentation as a story with a clear arc can naturally lead to your “So what?” answer. “Build your presentation around a narrative,” Jain advised. “Start with an engaging hook, build momentum with well-organized points, and finish with a strong call to action. The story should guide the visuals, not the other way around.”
Ashwin Ramesh, a TEDx speaker and CEO of branding and customer acquisition company Synup, advises presenters to use slides to create a story arc with a beginning, challenges, and a conclusion leading to a solution. “Storytelling leaves the listener remembering your message long after you have finished speaking,” Ramesh said. “Using facts and figures is great, but it’s always the stories that resonate most with people.”
9. Key takeaways
Highlight your main points at the end of your PowerPoint â or, for longer presentations, at the end of each section â to help your audience remember them. Generating key takeaways in the outlining stage can also help you structure your slide content.
10. Backup slides
Because a presentation is designed to be clear and concise, you may not always have the time to discuss specific topics or audience questions in depth. Having backup slides with additional information can encourage further audience understanding without letting the presentation veer off track or run too long.
11. An objection slide
Depending on your presentation topic, your audience may have objections. Address these objections head-on by dedicating a slide to potential concerns. Give people the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and address known or anticipated issues directly. This tactic is also a great way to demonstrate business transparency .
12. A call-to-action slide
Consider what you want your audience to do after listening to your presentation. Are there specific actions to take, ideas to consider or a person to contact? Use a call-to-action slide to present this request.
13. Contact information
Display your contact information on the last slide to encourage your audience to reach out. They will likely appreciate the opportunity to discuss the presentation’s topics further. Additionally, you may make valuable business connections and strategic partnerships by keeping the lines of communication open post-presentation.
Do’s and don’ts of PowerPoint presentations
If you’re planning to use PowerPoint as a business tool, here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
Do tell a story and be relatable.
As Jain and Ramesh explained, an excellent PowerPoint presentation includes a narrative arc, which makes the experience compelling and helps presenters connect with their audience. A personal story can also accomplish this goal. “Including a brief story or experience that connects with your audience will make your presentation more engaging and humanize the content,” Jain said.
Ramesh noted that the words presenters use can enhance this connection. “I [have] found that using personal and relatable language — like ‘you,’ ‘we,’ ‘imagine’ and ‘picture this’ — can be a great way to engage your audience,” Ramesh said. “In terms of connecting with emotions, I prefer using words like ‘overwhelming,’ ‘terrific’ and ‘excited,’ to name a few.”
Do use speaker notes to your advantage.
Although your slides should be clean and light on text, you can include speaker notes that are visible only to you. Use this section at the bottom of the page to include facts, examples or questions you want to highlight in the presentation.
Do keep your slide backgrounds subtle and consistent.
Selecting a background or color scheme that’s too bold or busy can strain the eyes and detract from your presentation. Ensure sufficient visual contrast between the background and text colors so your audience can easily follow along. Microsoft has developed several built-in themes with this visual contrast in mind, but you can also create your own template.
Jain stressed that consistency is key when you’re designing custom templates. “Maintain consistency in your design elements — fonts, color schemes and slide layouts,” Jain said. “It creates a professional, polished look and allows the audience to focus on the message rather than distractions.”
Do have a backup plan.
Technology can fail at the most inopportune times, so it’s wise to have a backup of your presentation on a memory stick or in the cloud. In the worst-case scenario, if the tech doesn’t work and you’re without visuals, take a deep breath and deliver your presentation with a focus on the core message.
Don’t read your PowerPoint word for word.
Your goal is to engage your audience and maintain their attention throughout the presentation. Reciting information verbatim from your slides can limit your connection with the audience and hurt your ability to “read the room.” Use the PowerPoint to guide and illustrate as needed, but let your verbal presentation be the focus.
Don’t go too fast.
It’s understandable to feel like there’s a lot of content in your PowerPoint and that you must go through it as quickly as possible to cover everything. Resist the urge to speed up; it leads to rushed presentations that don’t give your audience enough time to absorb what you’re saying. Instead, speak at an average pace, especially if you often speak fast. Slowing down may feel unnatural at first, but it’s worth the effort because it will be easier for your audience to follow along.
Additionally, pause briefly between each slide. This gives your audience an extra moment to absorb your key takeaways before you move on to your next slide. The more space you provide for viewers to process your presentation, the more likely your points are to stick.
Don’t go overboard on transitions and effects.
It can be tempting to add slide transitions and sound effects for some visual excitement. However, these special effects rarely enhance your message and can be distracting or gimmicky. Additionally, PowerPoint presentations with effects tend to run more slowly than those without them, particularly if you’re presenting on a different computer than the one used to create the slide deck.
Don’t include too many slides or too much information.
Your audience should not spend the entire presentation reading. If you include too much information, your audience will become overwhelmed and tune out. Limit the number of slides and the amount of text on each slide. Use your oral presentation to expand on key points and engage with your audience.
Ready, set, present
A PowerPoint presentation becomes impactful when you combine high-quality slides with effective public speaking tactics. A story, rather than just a set of facts, can truly take your presentation to the next level. Need inspiration for your own narrative? Watch some TEDx talks. If you master the art of presentation in the business world, you might be on the big stage before you know it.
Max Freedman contributed to this article.
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