60 Effective PowerPoint Presentation Tips & Tricks (Giant List)
Here's a PowerPoint presentation tips and tricks guide that takes you through how to make a good PowerPoint presentation.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Presentation Tips](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=2400,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/PowerPoint-tips-and-tricks.jpg)
The best PowerPoint presentations shouldn’t be remembered. Instead, they should fall into the background to support you and the message you’re trying to get across.
Unlike good PowerPoint presentations , bad PowerPoint presentations are a distraction. You may remember them, but not in a good way.
You’ve seen them before. They might have millions of lines of text. Or a disjointed flow to the slides. Even worse, some slides feature ugly photos and poor design that detract from the message you’re trying to get across. That can even hurt your credibility as a professional or speaker.
This article will take you from finding your initial topic to learning how to make a great PowerPoint presentation. Our guide covers everything in between so that you learn how to present a PowerPoint like a pro.
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines are organized into sections. So cut straight to the advice you need and come back when you’re ready for the next steps.
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Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)
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Also, download our Free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It’s the deepest resource for learning effective presentation skills for a PPT.
This eBook covers the complete presentation process. It takes the PowerPoint tips and tricks you learn in this article further. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. It’s another great source for presentation design tips.
Master PowerPoint (Free Course): 15 Essential Tips
This article is full of helpful tips so you can build a powerful presentation. You can also find more PowerPoint tips in this video lesson:
To learn even more about how to make a PowerPoint look good, review the huge list of tips below.
What Makes a PowerPoint Presentation Effective?
Knowing how to use PowerPoint and work within it quickly is helpful. But more important is making a good presentation that hits all your goals. A great PowerPoint presentation is:
- Prepared to Win . Research, plan, and prepare your presentation professionally. It helps you deliver an effective message to your target audience.
- Designed Correctly . Your visual points should stand out without overwhelming your audience. A good PowerPoint visual shouldn’t complicate your message.
- Practiced to Perfection . Rehearse your timing and delivery so that your points land as practiced with a live audience.
- Delivered With Poise . Present with a relaxed inner calm and confident outward projection. Give your audience warmth, excitement, and energy.
- Free From Mistakes . Avoid typos, cheesy clip art, and mistakes like reading directly from your slides.
Consider this your all-inclusive guide to how to make a good presentation. We’ll look at preparing your presentation and explore how to design it in PowerPoint. Plus, we’ll cover how to practice and nail your delivery successfully come presentation time.
We’ll also address what not to do in these tips for PowerPoint presentations—so you can sidestep any big mistakes. Now let’s dig into these tips for effective PowerPoint presentations.
Killer Presentation Preparation Tips to Get Started Right
Before even opening PowerPoint, start by addressing these things. These Microsoft PowerPoint tips and tricks will ensure that you’re prepared for your presentation:
1. Know Your Stuff
Your presentation isn’t about your slides alone. It’s about the message you want to get across. Before filling in stats, facts and figures, think about the narrative that’ll be discussed, why, and in what order.
2. Write It Out
Start in a Word or Google doc, and storyboard or script the entire presentation. This will give you an idea of how the information presented will flow and how viewers will see it in sequence. Learn the complete writing process .
3. Highlight What’s Most Important
A presentation covers the most crucial pieces only. Whatever you’ve been working on that led to this—a paper, a work project, a new product design—doesn’t need to be shared in its entirety. Pick key points and put the rest in an “Appendix” to refer to during the Q&A session at the end.
4. Know Your Audience
How you talk to a room full of medical professionals should be different from the way you address a room full of young entrepreneurs. Everything, in fact, is different: your topic selection, the language you use, the examples you give to illustrate points. The little bits of humor you include should be tailored specifically with your target audience in mind.
Understand your audience’s needs to create a successful PowerPoint presentation. Customize your content to meet their specific requirements.
5. Rehearse! (Yes, Already)
It’s never too early to get used to the rhythm of your presentation and take note of points you want to emphasize. While saying it out loud, you’ll start to develop a “feel” for the material. You’ll notice that some things work well, while others don’t and might need to be worked around.
6. Rewrite After You Rehearse
As you’re rehearsing your presentation, you’re bound to stumble over sections that don’t quite flow naturally. Instead of reworking your delivery, it might be time to consider the content and rewrite the areas that served as stumbling blocks.
“Editing is hard. ‘It’s good enough,’ is a phrase wannabes use. Leaders take editing seriously.” – Anthony Trendl
The most important part of creating a great presentation is the writing stage. The second most important stage is rewriting.
7. Share With a Friend
If the stakes are high for your presentation, it’s never too early to get feedback from those that you trust. Here’s an article that helps you collaborate as a team on a PowerPoint presentation. Get PowerPoint design tips from those that you trust when you collaborate.
Simple Tips to Design Your PowerPoint Presentation Better
Second only to you (the information you bring and how you present it) is your PowerPoint slides. If not designed well, a PowerPoint can be disengaging or distracting (regardless of the content quality). Here are some presentation design tips to make sure this doesn’t happen to you:
8. Keep Your Slides Simple
This is one of the most important PowerPoint presentation tips to follow when designing your slides. Keep in mind that less is more (effective.) A cluttered slide is distracting. It causes confusion for an audience: Which part of the slide should I focus on? Should I read the slide or pay attention to the presenter?
A simple, visually appealing slide will engage your audience, keeping them on track with your main points. Here’s an example of a simple slide that serves its purpose perfectly:
Minimalist slide templates like Nook can help you resist the urge to clutter your slides.
9. Limit Words on Your Slides
Piggybacking on the last point, less is more effective. If possible, avoid bullets altogether. Otherwise cut them to just a few simple words. The audience should be listening, not reading.
10. Use High-Quality Photos and Graphics
One of the most important tips for quality PowerPoint presentations is to use high-quality photos and graphics.
Earlier in this tutorial, you saw Envato Elements, an all-you-can-download service with PPT tips inside of templates. Those pre-built designs are a beginner’s best friend. They’re even better when paired with Elements’ unlimited library of stock photos .
People are more likely to take you seriously if your presentation is visually appealing. Users view attractive design as more usable. Similarly, they’ll view a more attractive PowerPoint as more effective.
11. Use Accurate and Relevant Charts and Graphs
Charts and graphs can also be distracting if they’re not used right. Make sure your information design is simple and clean so that the audience doesn’t spend the entire time trying to decipher what your X axis says. Learn more about PPT data presentation .
12. Use High-Quality, Fresh Templates
Have you seen the old PowerPoint template that looks like worn paper and uses ink splashes? Yeah, so has your audience. Templates can be distracting if they’re too basic or if the design feels dated. You need one with great design options.
Costs are always a concern. But when you use Envato Elements, you’ve got everything you need to create a great PowerPoint presentation . That’s thanks to the incredible all-you-can-download subscription package.
The best PowerPoint tips and tricks can hardly compare to the value of using a template while building your presentation.
On Envato Elements, there are thousands of PowerPoint design templates that are ready to use. Instead of designing a presentation from scratch, start with a template! Just add your specifics to the placeholders.
Templates like Galaxi are impressively designed and waiting for your slide specifics.
The best PowerPoint design tips save you time. And there’s no tip more powerful than this one: use a pre-built template . It helps you master how to present a PowerPoint without spending all your time in the app.
13. Choose Appropriate Fonts
Fonts are an important part of engaging your audience. Fonts and typography choices have a subconscious effect on viewers. They can characterize your company’s presentation and brand either positively or negatively. Make sure that you’re choosing fonts that are professional and modern.
14. Choose Color Well
Like font choice, colors cause specific subconscious reactions from viewers. Choosing an outdated color combination for your presentation will render it ineffective.
Below is an example of the Popsicle PowerPoint template , which has a modern presentation color choice:
The Popsicle PowerPoint template highlights how harmonized color palettes can create beautiful slides.
15. Clean + Simple Formatting Makes All the Difference!
We’ve got a full tutorial on how to make a good presentation slide . Give it a read through and review the accompanying video. Just remember, less is more. The focus is you and your message , not your slides.
16. Make Sure All Objects Are Aligned
A simple way to create a well-designed presentation is to make sure all items on a slide are intentionally aligned. To do this, hold down Shift and select all the objects you want to include. Then choose Arrange in the options bar and apply Alignment Type .
17. Limit Punctuation
This isn’t the place for exclamation points. Emphasize your points (while speaking). Don’t enlist punctuation to do this for you. (Leave these at home!!!)
18. Avoid Over-Formatting Your Points
This PowerPoint presentation tip is simple. There’s no need to have every word of every bullet point capitalized, or to have all your bullet points in title case. If possible, drop bullets altogether. Again, the simpler, the better!
Limit your text formatting, including reducing the use of bullets, underline, and other effects. Compare the before example on the left to the revised version on the right.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better over-formatted vs simple text](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/overformatting-presentation-tips.jpg)
19. Combine Information With Graphics in PowerPoint
One of the most powerful presentation skills for PPT is using infographics. With the right type of visuals, slides come to life and reduce the text in favor of graphics.
Infographics help combine information with graphics. It’s easier to explain complex ideas when you use visual formats that are intuitive.
Practice Presentation Tips: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse!
Delivery is probably more important than the actual content. Here’s how to become more aware of your own unique ticks, and how to present like a polished pro:
20. I’ll Say It Again, Rehearse!
Just do it. Again and again. Experiment with pauses, gestures, and body language. Practice around one hour for every minute of your speech.
21. Practice With a Timer
Consistency is key to an effective PowerPoint presentation. The timing should be similar (ideally the same) each time you rehearse. This one will especially pay off when it’s time to present in front of your audience.
22. Slow It Down
Many of the best speakers today intentionally speak slowly. You’ll have the chance to emphasize, appear more thoughtful, and make your information easier to digest.
23. Pause More Often
Like the prior tip, pausing more often allows your main points to be emphasized and gives time for information to sink in. You need to let key points breathe a little before rushing into the next section.
24. Record Yourself
Use your phone’s voice recorder. Assess and critique yourself. Consider:
- Are your pauses too short or too long?
- Are you speaking slowly enough? Too slow?
- When you’re nervous, does your voice get high like the mice in Cinderella?
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better record yourself presenting](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/recording-self-powerpoint-tips.jpg)
It’s always weird to hear your own voice recorded; don’t stress it. Use this as a time to adjust.
25. Choose Three Focal Points in the Room
If you stare at the same spot (or even creepier, the same person) the entire time, your presentation will be ineffective (and awkward.) People will be distracted by you, wondering what you’re staring at.
Try this: pick three points in the room (typically: left, center, right). Take time to direct your delivery toward each physical focal point in the room. Also, focus on the center when making your primary points.
26. Vary Your Sentence Length
This makes you sound more interesting, and it’s easier for your audience to follow. Think short and punchy. Or go long and complex for dramatic effect.
27. Modulate!
Don’t speak in monotone for your whole presentation. Be conscious of raising and lowering your voice tone. Otherwise, people will tune you out, and you’ll come across like the teacher in Charlie Brown.
28. Practice in Front of a Mirror
What you look like is as important as how you sound. Pretend you’re having a normal conversation, and allow your hands to move with your speech to emphasize your points. Just don’t get carried away! (I’m thinking Brene Brown or President Obama , not your Aunt Jamie after a few gin and tonics.)
29. Use “Present Mode” When Rehearsing
When you finally are ready to hit the Present button in PowerPoint, make sure you use the Present Mode option. This allows you (and only you) to view extra notes about each slide—just in case you forget something!
30. Practice With New Audiences
If possible, try doing a few real live test runs as a webinar or even at a local Toastmasters organization to get some feedback from a live audience.
31. Engage the Audience by Asking Questions
There’s no reason that a presentation should be one-sided. Why not invert the format and ask your audience a question?
To learn how to create a slide that kicks off a Q&A, use this article . These PowerPoint design tips help you create an engaging and exciting discussion.
Helpful Tips to Step Up and Deliver Come Presentation Time
When the actual day arrives, there are only a few last PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines to keep in mind:
32. Take a Deep Breath
Deep breathing is proven to relieve stress. It’s simple, and it’ll help you remain calm and in the moment, even up to the last minute before starting.
33. Lighten Up Your Mood
Tell yourself a joke or watch a funny video clip. Do this before the presentation, of course. Research concludes that happy people are more productive. More productive is more focused and able to perform better.
34. Remind Yourself to Take It Slow
When we’re stressed or nervous (or both), we tend to speak faster. Consciously, take yet another deep breath and remind yourself to take it slow!
35. Read the Room
Every presentation room has a temperature. It’s your job as a speaker to gauge it and tailor your presentation to it.
Here’s a great example. Layoffs are coming at a company, and you’re asked to speak to an audience. Even if the audience isn’t personally affected by the actions, you’ve got to consider the morale of the workforce.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better read the room](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/presentation-room-energy.jpg)
Skilled speakers have a knack for reading the energy of the room and adjusting their presentation on the fly.
The last thing that group will want to hear is how strong the economy is and why the company is the best place to work. That doesn’t mean that you’ve got to align to their uncertainty, but don’t go too far against the grain while presenting.
Robert Kennedy III is a master of bringing energy and aligning a speech to the audience. Here’s his advice for adjusting:
“It can be hard to wake up a “dead” crowd but go for it. Most of all, don’t take their energy personally. Focus on serving them with every bit of your fiber then leave empty.”
36. Fake It ‘Til You Make It!
Go forward with confidence. If you act confident, you’ll start to feel more confident. Move slowly with grace, speak clearly, smile, wear something nice. You’ll appear confident to all attendees (no matter how you feel internally).
PowerPoint Presentation Tips and Tricks to Help Avoid Mistakes (What Not to Do)
Most importantly, focus on what you can do to make your presentation better. There are a few important things not to do that we’ve got to address. Here are a handful of PowerPoint presentation tips and tricks to help you avoid missteps.
37. Stop With the Sound Effects
Sound effects are distracting and outdated. In most cases, avoid them. Add audio or music to your presentation to inject interest or highlight an important point, but it’s something to take extra care with. If you insert audio, then make sure your use really connects with your audience and has a fresh approach. Otherwise, it’s best to leave it out.
38. Don’t Use Flashy Slide Transitions
Again, this is distracting and outdated. Use transitions and subtle animations in your PowerPoint presentation. But you need to take care and do it right .
39. Beware of Clip Art
This PowerPoint presentation tip shouldn’t even have to be said. But please, please don’t use clip art. Use professional graphics instead.
40. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Afraid
The fear of public speaking is a real one. Many beginners think that if they’re feeling nervous that a presentation won’t go well or succeed. That might lead them to cancel the presentation.
Here’s a tip from expert Sandra Zimmer, who leads The Self-Expression Center on conquering your fears before you take the stage:
“Get out of your head and into your body. I do this through a grounding exercise that really works to calm nerves and bring you present in the moment.”
If you think that public speaking fears aren’t normal, you might never give your award-winning presentation. So don’t be afraid to be afraid, and acknowledge it’s part of the process!
41. Don’t Read Directly During Your PowerPoint Presentation
If you spend your entire presentation looking at the screen or your note cards, you’re sure to lose your audience’s attention. They’ll disengage from what you’re saying, and your presentation will fall flat.
Reading from your paper or screen also makes it look like you’re not prepared. Many people do it, but no one should. As a general rule, only present something you know well and have, at least mostly, memorized the main points of.
42. Don’t Miss Out on PowerPoint Customizations
Many new PowerPoint users often make significant mistakes when using Envato Elements designs.
The best way to see how to make a good presentation PPT is to start with designs from others. That means using a template, but that doesn’t mean you can’t customize them!
Don’t forget that PowerPoint templates are infinitely customizable. Think of them as guides with built-in presentation design tips.
To see more presentation tips that show you what not to do, make sure to check out our guide .
Work in PowerPoint More Effectively (Tips & Tricks to Level Up Your PPT Skills)
These PowerPoint tips will help you get the most out of the application to level up your next presentation. Let’s dive in.
43. Use the Visual Guides
When you’re designing your next PowerPoint presentation, it helps to create a sense of visual rhythm. Slides that have objects aligned and centered are more likely to resonate with an audience.
44. Use a Few Animations (Tastefully)
Animations in effective PowerPoint presentations are a slippery slope. We’ve all sat through presentations where there were so many objects in motion that it was easy to lose focus on the key ideas in the presentation.
But that’s why animations get an unfairly bad reputation. Use animations to create motion and hold an audience’s attention. Use them sparingly and on key elements on your slide, and you’ll capture that attention properly.
45. Stage Key Content With Animations
You just learned that animations should avoid being distracting. But there’s an important principle to using animations properly. It’s called staging content.
Staging content means that the content appears step by step. There’s nothing worse than overwhelming an audience with all your content at once. But when you stage content, bring it on step by step.
Take it from presentation pro Suzannah Baum :
“If you’re sharing a slide with lots of different points on it, using the animation to reveal those points one at a time is a way to keep the presenter’s content flowing smoothly.”
For more animation presentation tips and tricks, follow our guide .
46. Add a Video to Your PowerPoint
When you’re sharing a big idea in your presentation, it helps to share your perspective from a few different angles. Adding a video to supplement your content can do just that. Luckily, it’s easy to add and embed a YouTube video in your next PowerPoint presentation.
47. Add Charts & Graphs
Charts and graphs can help you tell stories with data. It’s easy for an audience to zone out when you throw a big data table or set of statistics at them.
instead, convert those to charts and graphs. Try out our tutorial to learn how to edit those graphs.
48. Build Your Own Infographics With SmartArt
Earlier in this tutorial, we gave you one of my favorite PowerPoint design tips: use infographic templates.
Here’s another. One of my favorite PowerPoint features is SmartArt, which allows you to build infographics right inside the app.
You don’t have to use another graphic design app like Photoshop or Illustrator to add visuals. Instead, try out SmartArt to help you build graphics that are easy to update.
49. Use Presenter View
Remember that when you use the PowerPoint, you’ re the presentation. The slides are just there to reinforce what you’ve got to say and support your speaking points.
That’s why I always recommend using Presenter view. More often than not, you’re going to have several displays. Presenter view shows your content on your screen, while your presentation is displayed on another screen.
50. Track Your PowerPoint Changes
One of my favorite PowerPoint design tips is to collaborate. Those who know you best will suggest compelling changes that are sure to help you succeed.
As you start collaborating on your presentation, it helps to keep track of proposed and included PowerPoint changes. Use this article to track changes made by others.
10 More Advanced PowerPoint Tips & Tricks
Really need to wow an audience with a good PowerPoint presentation? Give these tips a try to make an unforgettable impression:
51. Engage With an Interactive Quiz
A good PowerPoint presentation gets your audience involved. One of the best PowerPoint tricks is to do that with a quiz. By engaging audiences, a quiz makes your slides memorable.
By adding trivia, you’ll see how to present a PowerPoint in a way that people will love. Channel your inner game-show host today. MIDTEST is a good PowerPoint presentation with quiz slides.
52. Illustrate With Custom Image Masks
One of the top PowerPoint tips is to illustrate your slides. But you can go beyond simple, rectangular images on each slide.
The Burte template is full of PowerPoint tricks , including custom image masks. Image masks shape photos into unique works of art. And thanks to premium templates, you can style photos just like this. Masks overlay your photos onto geometric shapes, instantly elevating your style.
53. Print Handouts With Extra Notes
Wonder how to give a good presentation PPT that audiences will remember? Give them a piece of it to take home.
PowerPoint makes it easy to print handouts with room for notes on the page. This way, audiences can keep copies of your slides, along with their own notes. This is the perfect way to ensure everyone engages with and retains your content.
54. Make Bulk Edits With Master Slides
When you think about how to present a PowerPoint, consider your branding. That means keeping your logo front and center in the eyes of an audience. But if you’re working with a lengthy slide deck, this could seem daunting.
That’s where master slides come in. They’re common in premium layouts, and they’re a leading example of presentation skills for PPT. Master slides let you make bulk edits fast.
55. Shrink File Sizes for Sharing
Many of the top presentation tips involve making your slides more accessible. Often, that involves sharing them with audiences online.
You’ll often find that email clients and cloud services limit the size of files that you share. This can be a problem with large PPT slide decks. But there are a few quick steps you can take to reduce PPT file size. Cut graphics, scale down photos, and more.
56. Map Processes With Flowcharts
As you consider how to do a good PowerPoint presentation, think of ease of understanding. After all, you’re trying to explain something to your audience.
The Flowcharts in Infographics template seamlessly illustrates ideas and processes. A flowchart maps out a process in a visual way. Instead of resorting to endless narration, try a quick illustration like this. It saves you time and effort, and your audience is sure to thank you.
57. Use Brand-Specific Colors
Using presentation skills for PPT helps form an association between your message and branding. There’s no better way to do that than with your brand colors.
PowerPoint makes it easy to change color themes, adding your brand colors and logo to each slide. This is one of the top PowerPoint tricks for marketing presentations.
58. Build Social Media Posts in PPT
A good PowerPoint presentation doesn’t have to be shared through a projector. Use the app and templates to build amazing illustrations to use anywhere.
A template like Soffee helps you learn how to present a PowerPoint easily with a pre-built design.
Try using PowerPoint to create social media posts. It helps you engage with your audience, with no need to design custom layouts from scratch.
59. Be Industry-Specific
One of the top presentation tips in 2024 is to be industry-specific. That means avoiding generic layouts and choosing something more customized.
This offers two key advantages. First, you save time by having layouts built for you. Second, you gain design inspiration for your specific topic. Themed templates are truly the best of both worlds.
The Medical and Health template is a good PowerPoint presentation with a set theme.
60. Design for Online (Virtual) Sharing
Last but not least in our list of PowerPoint tips comes virtual presenting. More and more often, slides will be shared with online audiences around the globe.
Why not design your slides for that very purpose? And then learn how to share flawlessly with a global team? It’s one of the top presentation tips for 2024. Embrace it today.
More Great PowerPoint Tutorial Resources
We’ve built a resource for Microsoft PowerPoint that you’re sure to want to try. It includes countless PowerPoint tips and tricks. It’s called How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide) and has all the PowerPoint design tips you need.
Discover More Top PowerPoint Template Designs From Envato Elements for 2024
You’ve just seen our favorite powerful PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines to help you improve your speaking. We’ve also mentioned Envato Elements, an incredible all-you-can-download source for top PowerPoint designs .
Here are five of the best PowerPoint templates that you can use to create your best presentation yet:
1. Galaxi PowerPoint Template
Blast off to success with the help of this PowerPoint template! Think of the pre-built slide designs as pro PowerPoint design tips. They’re built by professional graphic designers. All the popular and modern slide styles that are perfect for your next presentation. Use Galaxi’s five styles and 30 designs to create a great presentation.
2. Masmax PowerPoint Template
We selected templates for this article that match the PowerPoint tips and tricks provided. Masmax fits the bill perfectly across its 234 unique slide designs. These slide designs are sure to align with the latest in design expectations.
3. STYLE Multipurpose PowerPoint Template V50
Style is subjective, but we can all agree that this template is stunning! The light and airy slide designs are built with fashion-focused designs in mind. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not perfect for most presentations. When learning to present a PowerPoint, remember that templates can be customized to suit your purpose.
4. Peachme Creative PowerPoint Template
Peachme has image-focused slides with splashy designs. The slides are colorful and perfect for a modern presentation. Don’t worry about remembering all the PowerPoint design tips because they’re included in the pre-built slides. Use Peachme’s designs for your presentation today.
5. Buizi Office Building Rent PowerPoint Template
Buizi markets itself as a real estate focused template. It’s ideal for that purpose because of the minimal, image-focused slide designs. But that also makes it a perfect choice for presentations in many fields.
We’ve just scratched the surface of PowerPoint design tips with these five options. Here are many more, bundled inside of the best roundups on Envato Tuts+:
How to Build a Good PowerPoint Presentation Quickly (In 2024)
You’ve already seen effective presentation skills PPT techniques. But you may be wondering exactly how to do a good PowerPoint presentation. It only takes a few clicks. Let’s learn how in just five steps.
For this mini-tutorial, we’ll use the Enjoy PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements. You’ll see that it’s a beautiful template that helps you learn how to present a PowerPoint by giving you every object and layout you need.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/enjoy-presentation-skills-ppt-1.jpg)
Let’s get started:
1. Choose Your Slides
As you can see, a template like Enjoy has dozens of unique slides inside. The key to how to give a good presentation PPT is to choose only the slides that you need.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better select slides](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/choose-slides-effective-presentation-skills-ppt.jpg)
One of the best PowerPoint tricks is to start by selecting slides you wish to use from your template.
In PowerPoint, scroll through the sidebar on the left to view different slide layouts. Right-click and choose Delete to remove unwanted designs. Plus, you can click and drag slide thumbnails to reorder them in the deck.
2. Add Text
Consider how to do a good PowerPoint presentation without investing a ton of time. That’s where premium templates come in.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better add text](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/enjoy-how-to-do-a-good-powerpoint-presentation.jpg)
One of our top presentation tips when working with a PPT is to lean on the pre-built text boxes for your content.
To add custom text, simply click and select the contents of any text box on your slide. Then, type in your own words. Repeat as needed throughout your slide deck.
3. Customize Fonts
With text selected, it’s easy to customize fonts on each slide. Find the Font section on PowerPoint’s Home tab. From there, you’ve got a variety of dropdown options.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better customize fonts](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/custom-fonts-how-to-give-a-good-presentation-ppt.jpg)
Another of our top tips for presentation tricks is to use a custom font setting in your template.
Click to change the font, font size, and more. You can also use the buttons on the left to add bolds, italics, and more.
Need more custom font styles? As an Envato Elements subscriber, you’ve got instant access to thousands of custom fonts . Use them in your presentation with ease.
4. Insert Images
Slides like this one contain an image placeholder. That’s another advantage found only with premium templates. These make adding images a breeze.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better insert images](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/images-presentation-tips.jpg)
Add images to your PPTX template for more visually interesting slides.
To get started, find an image file stored on your computer. Then, drag and drop it over the placeholder. PowerPoint will import it, sized and scaled for a perfect fit.
5. Change Colors
One of the top effective presentation skills is changing shape colors. This helps you control the look and feel of each slide.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better change colors](https://blog-frontend.envato.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,quality=75,format=auto/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/change-color-powerpoint-tips.jpg)
With a shape selected, find the Shape Format tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon. Then, click on the Shape Fill dropdown. You’ll see a color chooser menu appear. Click on any thumbnail to apply it to the shape or browse through the Gradient and Texture options.
Start Putting These PowerPoint Presentation Tips & Tricks Into Use Today!
Learning to write, design, and present a PowerPoint presentation is an invaluable skill, no matter where you use it. If you’re a good communicator of important messages, you’ll never go hungry.
Luckily, improving PowerPoint presentations isn’t as hard as it seems. Follow these tips for PowerPoint presentations to design and deliver with greater confidence.
Remember: Less is more (effective) . Use PowerPoint presentation templates for better design and more effective visual impact. And you can customize a PPT template quickly , with the right workflow.
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![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better How to Make a Beautiful PowerPoint Presentation: A Simple Guide](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/beautiful_power_point_presentations_cover.jpg?w=1250&h=1120&crop=1)
How to Make a Beautiful PowerPoint Presentation: A Simple Guide
Ready to craft a beautiful and attention-grabbing powerpoint presentation we’ll walk you through slideshow design tips, show you some tricks to maximize your powerpoint skills, and give you everything you need to look really good next time you’re up in front of a crowd..
In this post, we’ll cover:
Key Elements of Winning PowerPoints
Illustrative, not generic, supportive, not distracting, inspiring and engaging, other considerations when creating a slideshow.
How many times have you sat through a poorly designed business presentation that was dull, cluttered, and distracting? Probably way too many. Even though we all loathe a boring presentation, when it comes time to make our own, do we really do any better?
The good news is you don’t have to be a professional designer to make professional presentations. We’ve put together a few simple guidelines you can follow to create a beautifully assembled deck.
We’ll walk you through some slide design tips, show you tricks to maximize your PowerPoint skills, and give you everything you need to look really good next time you’re up in front of a crowd.
And, while PowerPoint remains one of the biggest names in presentation software, many of these design elements and principles work in Google Slides, as well.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Use Layout to Your Advantage
Layout is one of the most powerful visual elements in design, and it’s a simple, effective way to control the flow and visual hierarchy of information. It’s also one of the most important elements to consider when thinking about how to make your PowerPoint look better.
For example, most Western languages read left to right, top to bottom. Knowing this natural reading order, you can direct people’s eyes in a deliberate way to certain key parts of a slide that you want to emphasize.
You can also guide your audience with simple tweaks to the layout. Use text size and alternating fonts or colors to distinguish headlines from body text.
Placement also matters. There are many unorthodox ways to structure a slide, but most audience members will have to take a few beats to organize the information in their head—that’s precious time better spent listening to your delivery and retaining information.
Try to structure your slides more like this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation slide with headline template and beach images on the right](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-2.webp?w=720)
And not like this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation slide with headline template and beach images on the left](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image.jpeg?w=720)
Layout is one of the trickier PowerPoint design concepts to master, which is why we have these free PowerPoint templates already laid out for you. Use them as a jumping off point for your own presentation, or use them wholesale!
Presentation templates can give you a huge leg up as you start working on your design.
2. No Sentences
This is one of the most critical slide design tips. Slides are simplified, visual notecards that capture and reinforce main ideas, not complete thoughts.
As the speaker, you should be delivering most of the content and information, not putting it all on the slides for everyone to read (and probably ignore). If your audience is reading your presentation instead of listening to you deliver it, your message has lost its effectiveness.
Pare down your core message and use keywords to convey it. Try to avoid complete sentences unless you’re quoting someone or something.
Stick with this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation template with bullet points](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-1.jpeg?w=720)
And avoid this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation template with paragraphs](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-2.jpeg?w=720)
3. Follow the 6×6 Rule
One of the cardinal sins of a bad PowerPoint is cramming too many details and ideas on one slide, which makes it difficult for people to retain information. Leaving lots of “white space” on a slide helps people focus on your key points.
Try using the 6×6 rule to keep your content concise and clean looking. The 6×6 rule means a maximum of six bullet points per slide and six words per bullet. In fact, some people even say you should never have more than six words per slide!
Just watch out for “orphans” (when the last word of a sentence/phrase spills over to the next line). This looks cluttered. Either fit it onto one line or add another word to the second line.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Red presentation slide with white text stating less is more](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-3.jpeg?w=720)
Slides should never have this much information:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation slide with paragraphs and images](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-4.jpeg?w=720)
4. Keep the Colors Simple
Stick to simple light and dark colors and a defined color palette for visual consistency. Exceptionally bright text can cause eye fatigue, so use those colors sparingly. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background will work well. Also avoid intense gradients, which can make text hard to read.
If you’re presenting on behalf of your brand, check what your company’s brand guidelines are. Companies often have a primary brand color and a secondary brand color , and it’s a good idea to use them in your presentation to align with your company’s brand identity and style.
If you’re looking for color inspiration for your next presentation, check out our 101 Color Combinations , where you can browse tons of eye-catching color palettes curated by a pro. When you find the one you like, just type the corresponding color code into your presentation formatting tools.
Here are more of our favorite free color palettes for presentations:
- 10 Color Palettes to Nail Your Next Presentation
- 10 Energizing Sports Color Palettes for Branding and Marketing
- 10 Vintage Color Palettes Inspired by the Decades
No matter what color palette or combination you choose, you want to keep the colors of your PowerPoint presentation simple and easy to read, like this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Red presentation slide with white text stating keep the colors simple](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-3.webp?w=720)
Stay away from color combinations like this:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Gray presentation slide with black and neon green text examples](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-5.jpeg?w=720)
5. Use Sans-Serif Fonts
Traditionally, serif fonts (Times New Roman, Garamond, Bookman) are best for printed pages, and sans-serif fonts (Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana) are easier to read on screens.
These are always safe choices, but if you’d like to add some more typographic personality , try exploring our roundup of the internet’s best free fonts . You’ll find everything from classic serifs and sans serifs to sophisticated modern fonts and splashy display fonts. Just keep legibility top of mind when you’re making your pick.
Try to stick with one font, or choose two at the most. Fonts have very different personalities and emotional impacts, so make sure your font matches the tone, purpose, and content of your presentation.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presentation slide with various examples of fonts](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-6.jpeg?w=720)
6. Stick to 30pt Font or Larger
Many experts agree that your font size for a PowerPoint presentation should be at least 30pt. Sticking to this guideline ensures your text is readable. It also forces you, due to space limitations, to explain your message efficiently and include only the most important points. .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Red presentation slide with 30 point white text](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-7.jpeg?w=720)
7. Avoid Overstyling the Text
Three of the easiest and most effective ways to draw attention to text are:
- A change in color
Our eyes are naturally drawn to things that stand out, but use these changes sparingly. Overstyling can make the slide look busy and distracting.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better White presentation slide with black text and aerial view of a pool](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-8.jpeg?w=720)
8. Choose the Right Images
The images you choose for your presentation are perhaps as important as the message. You want images that not only support the message, but also elevate it—a rare accomplishment in the often dry world of PowerPoint.
But, what is the right image? We’ll be honest. There’s no direct answer to this conceptual, almost mystical subject, but we can break down some strategies for approaching image selection that will help you curate your next presentation.
The ideal presentation images are:
- Inspirational
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Ground view of palm trees and airplane flying over](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-9.jpeg?w=720)
These may seem like vague qualities, but the general idea is to go beyond the literal. Think about the symbols in an image and the story they tell. Think about the colors and composition in an image and the distinct mood they set for your presentation.
With this approach, you can get creative in your hunt for relatable, authentic, and inspirational images. Here are some more handy guidelines for choosing great images.
Tips on Making Beautiful PowerPoint Presentations
So, the slide in question is about collaborating as a team. Naturally, you look for images of people meeting in a boardroom, right?
While it’s perfectly fine to go super literal, sometimes these images fall flat—what’s literal doesn’t necessarily connect to your audience emotionally. Will they really respond to generic images of people who aren’t them meeting in a boardroom?
In the absence of a photo of your actual team—or any other image that directly illustrates the subject at hand—look for images of convincing realism and humanity that capture the idea of your message.
Doing so connects with viewers, allowing them to connect with your message. This is one way to learn how to make your PowerPoint stand out and ensure a dynamic presentation PowerPoint.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Silhouettes of five men standing on a bridge on a foggy day](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-10.jpeg?w=720)
The image above can be interpreted in many ways. But, when we apply it to slide layout ideas about collaboration, the meaning is clear.
It doesn’t hurt that there’s a nice setting and good photography, to boot.
Now that we’ve told you to get creative with your image selection, the next lesson is to rein that in. While there are infinite choices of imagery out there, there’s a limit to what makes sense in your presentation.
Let’s say you’re giving an IT presentation to new employees. You might think that image of two dogs snuggling by a fire is relatable, authentic, and inspirational, but does it really say “data management” to your audience?
To find the best supporting images, try searching terms on the periphery of your actual message. You’ll find images that complement your message rather than distract from it.
In the IT presentation example, instead of “data connections” or another literal term, try the closely related “traffic” or “connectivity.” This will bring up images outside of tech, but relative to the idea of how things move.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Aerial view of a busy highway](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-4.webp)
There’s a widespread misconception that business presentations are just about delivering information. Well, they’re not. In fact, a great presentation is inspirational. We don’t mean that your audience should be itching to paint a masterpiece when they’re done. In this case, inspiration is about engagement.
Is your audience asking themselves questions? Are they coming up with new ideas? Are they remembering key information to tap into later? You’ll drive a lot of this engagement with your actual delivery, but unexpected images can play a role, as well.
When you use more abstract or aspirational images, your audience will have room to make their own connections. This not only means they’re paying attention, but they’re also engaging with and retaining your message.
To find the right abstract or unconventional imagery, search terms related to the tone of the presentation. This may include images with different perspectives like overhead shots and aerials, long exposures taken over a period of time, nature photos , colorful markets , and so on.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Amsterdam canal at sunset](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/07/dutch-canal.jpg?w=720)
The big idea here is akin to including an image of your adorable dog making a goofy face at the end of an earnings meeting. It leaves an audience with a good, human feeling after you just packed their brains with data.
Use that concept of pleasant surprise when you’re selecting images for your presentation.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Silly Great Dane looking down trying to catch yellow ball on hind legs](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/07/Silly-Great-Dane1.jpg?w=720)
Setting Appropriate Image Resolution in PowerPoint
Want to learn how to make a PowerPoint look good? Though you can drag-and-drop images into PowerPoint, you can control the resolution displayed within the file.
All of your PowerPoint slide layout ideas should get the same treatment to be equal in size.
Simply click File > Compress Pictures in the main application menu.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of how to compress a picture](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-6.webp)
If your presentation file is big and will only be viewed online, you can take it down to On-screen , then check the Apply to: All pictures in this file , and rest assured the quality will be uniform.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of how to compress an image](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-7.webp)
This resolution is probably fine for proofing over email, but too low for your presentation layout ideas. For higher res in printed form, try the Print setting, which at 220 PPI is extremely good quality.
For large-screens such as projection, use the HD setting, since enlarging to that scale will show any deficiencies in resolution. Low resolution can not only distract from the message, but it looks low-quality and that reflects on the presenter.
If size is no issue for you, use High Fidelity (maximum PPI), and only reduce if the file size gives your computer problems.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of compression options for your image](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-8.webp)
The image quality really begins when you add the images to the presentation file. Use the highest quality images you can, then let PowerPoint scale the resolution down for you, reducing the excess when set to HD or lower.
Resizing, Editing, and Adding Effects to Images in PowerPoint
PowerPoint comes with an arsenal of tools to work with your images. When a picture is selected, the confusingly named Picture Format menu is activated in the top menu bar, and Format Picture is opened on the right side of the app window.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Editing a PowerPoint slide with an image of a businessman walking up stairs](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-9.webp)
In the Format Picture menu (on the right) are four sections, and each of these sections expand to show their options by clicking the arrows by the name:
- Fill & Line (paint bucket icon): Contains options for the box’s colors, patterns, gradients, and background fills, along with options for its outline.
- Effects (pentagon icon): Contains Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Soft Edges, 3-D Format and Rotation, and Artistic Effects.
- Size & Properties (dimensional icon): Size, Position, and Text Box allow you to control the physical size and placement of the picture or text boxes.
- Picture (mountain icon): Picture Corrections, Colors, and Transparency give you control over how the image looks. Under Crop, you can change the size of the box containing the picture, instead of the entire picture itself as in Size & Properties above.
The menu at the top is more expansive, containing menu presets for Corrections, Color, Effects, Animation, and a lot more. This section is where you can crop more precisely than just choosing the dimensions from the Picture pane on the right.
Cropping Images in PowerPoint
The simple way to crop an image is to use the Picture pane under the Format Picture menu on the right side of the window. Use the Picture Position controls to move the picture inside its box, or use the Crop position controls to manipulate the box’s dimensions.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of picture format options](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-10.webp)
To exert more advanced control, or use special shapes, select the picture you want to crop, then click the Picture Format in the top menu to activate it.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of how to crop an image](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-11.webp)
Hit the Crop button, then use the controls on the picture’s box to size by eye. Or, click the arrow to show more options, including changing the shape of the box (for more creative looks) and using preset aspect ratios for a more uniform presentation of images.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Screenshot of how to change the shape of an image](https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-1.webp)
The next time you design a PowerPoint presentation, remember that simplicity is key and less is more. By adopting these simple slide design tips, you’ll deliver a clear, powerful visual message to your audience.
If you want to go with a PowerPoint alternative instead, you can use Shutterstock Create to easily craft convincing, engaging, and informative presentations.
With many presentation template designs, you’ll be sure to find something that is a perfect fit for your next corporate presentation. You can download your designs as a .pdf file and import them into both PowerPoint and Google Slides presentation decks.
PowerPoint Presentations FAQs
What is the 5 5 5 rule in powerpoint.
The 5 5 5 rule in PowerPoint is fairly simple: 5 lines per slide, each line with no more than 5 words, and make sure your presentation is no longer than 5 minutes.
How long should your PowerPoint be?
A PowerPoint can be as long as it needs to be, but some people—and the 5 5 5 rule—advise you to keep five minutes or shorter.
What is the easiest way to make a PowerPoint prettier?
Beyond using eye-catching imagery and colors, a pretty PowerPoint should also follow good design principles. You want the information to be organized, balanced, and easy to digest. It doesn’t matter how many appealing images you include are if the information is hard to internalize. Use appropriate fonts and shorts sentences to make sure the words are legible and don’t crowd the slides with too many elements.
License this cover image via F8 studio and Ryan DeBerardinis .
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How-To Geek
8 tips to make the best powerpoint presentations.
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How to install apple maps on windows, how to build a smart home without spending lots of money, quick links, table of contents, start with a goal, less is more, consider your typeface, make bullet points count, limit the use of transitions, skip text where possible, think in color, take a look from the top down, bonus: start with templates.
Slideshows are an intuitive way to share complex ideas with an audience, although they're dull and frustrating when poorly executed. Here are some tips to make your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations sing while avoiding common pitfalls.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better define a goal](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/start.png)
It all starts with identifying what we're trying to achieve with the presentation. Is it informative, a showcase of data in an easy-to-understand medium? Or is it more of a pitch, something meant to persuade and convince an audience and lead them to a particular outcome?
It's here where the majority of these presentations go wrong with the inability to identify the talking points that best support our goal. Always start with a goal in mind: to entertain, to inform, or to share data in a way that's easy to understand. Use facts, figures, and images to support your conclusion while keeping structure in mind (Where are we now and where are we going?).
I've found that it's helpful to start with the ending. Once I know how to end a presentation, I know how best to get to that point. I start by identifying the takeaway---that one nugget that I want to implant before thanking everyone for their time---and I work in reverse to figure out how best to get there.
Your mileage, of course, may vary. But it's always going to be a good idea to put in the time in the beginning stages so that you aren't reworking large portions of the presentation later. And that starts with a defined goal.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better avoid walls of text](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/less.png)
A slideshow isn't supposed to include everything. It's an introduction to a topic, one that we can elaborate on with speech. Anything unnecessary is a distraction. It makes the presentation less visually appealing and less interesting, and it makes you look bad as a presenter.
This goes for text as well as images. There's nothing worse, in fact, than a series of slides where the presenter just reads them as they appear. Your audience is capable of reading, and chances are they'll be done with the slide, and browsing Reddit, long before you finish. Avoid putting the literal text on the screen, and your audience will thank you.
Related: How to Burn Your PowerPoint to DVD
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better use better fonts](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fonts.png)
Right off the bat, we're just going to come out and say that Papyrus and Comic Sans should be banned from all PowerPoint presentations, permanently. Beyond that, it's worth considering the typeface you're using and what it's saying about you, the presenter, and the presentation itself.
Consider choosing readability over aesthetics, and avoid fancy fonts that could prove to be more of a distraction than anything else. A good presentation needs two fonts: a serif and sans-serif. Use one for the headlines and one for body text, lists, and the like. Keep it simple. Veranda, Helvetica, Arial, and even Times New Roman are safe choices. Stick with the classics and it's hard to botch this one too badly.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better use fewer bullets](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bullets.png)
There reaches a point where bullet points become less of a visual aid and more of a visual examination.
Bullet points should support the speaker, not overwhelm his audience. The best slides have little or no text at all, in fact. As a presenter, it's our job to talk through complex issues, but that doesn't mean that we need to highlight every talking point.
Instead, think about how you can break up large lists into three or four bullet points. Carefully consider whether you need to use more bullet points, or if you can combine multiple topics into a single point instead. And if you can't, remember that there's no one limiting the number of slides you can have in a presentation. It's always possible to break a list of 12 points down into three pages of four points each.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better avoid transitions](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/transitions.png)
Animation, when used correctly, is a good idea. It breaks up slow-moving parts of a presentation and adds action to elements that require it. But it should be used judiciously.
Adding a transition that wipes left to right between every slide or that animates each bullet point in a list, for example, starts to grow taxing on those forced to endure the presentation. Viewers get bored quickly, and animations that are meant to highlight specific elements quickly become taxing.
That's not to say that you can't use animations and transitions, just that you need to pick your spots. Aim for no more than a handful of these transitions for each presentation. And use them in spots where they'll add to the demonstration, not detract from it.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better use visuals](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/visuals.png)
Sometimes images tell a better story than text can. And as a presenter, your goal is to describe points in detail without making users do a lot of reading. In these cases, a well-designed visual, like a chart, might better convey the information you're trying to share.
The right image adds visual appeal and serves to break up longer, text-heavy sections of the presentation---but only if you're using the right images. A single high-quality image can make all the difference between a success and a dud when you're driving a specific point home.
When considering text, don't think solely in terms of bullet points and paragraphs. Tables, for example, are often unnecessary. Ask yourself whether you could present the same data in a bar or line chart instead.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better find a color palette](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/palette.png)
Color is interesting. It evokes certain feelings and adds visual appeal to your presentation as a whole. Studies show that color also improves interest, comprehension, and retention. It should be a careful consideration, not an afterthought.
You don't have to be a graphic designer to use color well in a presentation. What I do is look for palettes I like, and then find ways to use them in the presentation. There are a number of tools for this, like Adobe Color , Coolors , and ColorHunt , just to name a few. After finding a palette you enjoy, consider how it works with the presentation you're about to give. Pastels, for example, evoke feelings of freedom and light, so they probably aren't the best choice when you're presenting quarterly earnings that missed the mark.
It's also worth mentioning that you don't need to use every color in the palette. Often, you can get by with just two or three, though you should really think through how they all work together and how readable they'll be when layered. A simple rule of thumb here is that contrast is your friend. Dark colors work well on light backgrounds, and light colors work best on dark backgrounds.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better change views](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/view.png)
Spend some time in the Slide Sorter before you finish your presentation. By clicking the four squares at the bottom left of the presentation, you can take a look at multiple slides at once and consider how each works together. Alternatively, you can click "View" on the ribbon and select "Slide Sorter."
Are you presenting too much text at once? Move an image in. Could a series of slides benefit from a chart or summary before you move on to another point?
It's here that we have the opportunity to view the presentation from beyond the single-slide viewpoint and think in terms of how each slide fits, or if it fits at all. From this view, you can rearrange slides, add additional ones, or delete them entirely if you find that they don't advance the presentation.
The difference between a good presentation and a bad one is really all about preparation and execution. Those that respect the process and plan carefully---not only the presentation as a whole, but each slide within it---are the ones who will succeed.
This brings me to my last (half) point: When in doubt, just buy a template and use it. You can find these all over the web, though Creative Market and GraphicRiver are probably the two most popular marketplaces for this kind of thing. Not all of us are blessed with the skills needed to design and deliver an effective presentation. And while a pre-made PowerPoint template isn't going to make you a better presenter, it will ease the anxiety of creating a visually appealing slide deck.
- Microsoft Office
27 Super Hidden PowerPoint Tips and Tricks Only The Pros Know!
Ausbert Generoso
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better 27 Super Hidden PowerPoint Tips and Tricks Only The Pros Know!](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/New-Blog-Featured-Images-16.png)
Ever felt like your PowerPoint presentations could use a little magic? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just getting started, there’s a world of PowerPoint tips and tricks waiting for you. In this guide, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of Microsoft PowerPoint to uncover 30 hidden gems that’ll transform the way you create and deliver slides.
From making your designs pop to streamlining your workflow, these PowerPoint hacks are designed for real-world impact. No jargon, just practical insights that’ll have you presenting like a pro in no time.
Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to the good stuff – your next presentation is about to level up. Ready? Let’s get started.
27 PowerPoint Tips and Tricks That Put The Power in PowerPoint
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint tips and tricks](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/New-Blog-Featured-Images-7-1.png)
1. Morph Transition for Seamless Animation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Morph Transition](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-304.png)
What’s it for: Elevate your presentation by seamlessly animating objects and creating smooth transitions between slides. Morph transition is your key to a dynamic and visually engaging storytelling experience, allowing you to captivate your audience effortlessly.
How to do it:
- Position the same object in different parts on multiple slides
- Select all slides, and go to the Transitions tab.
- Choose “Morph” as the transition effect.
2. SVG Image Integration
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better SVG Image Integration PowerPoint](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-305.png)
What’s it for: Did you think SVG’s only work for websites and professional photo editing tools? They do, too, in PowerPoint! Import high-quality Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). Maintain image clarity, resize without loss, and enhance your presentations with crisp logos and icons.
- Save your chosen SVG on your device.
- Click on the Insert tab.
- Choose “Pictures” and select your SVG file.
- Adjust the size without compromising image quality.
3. Designer Feature for Quick Layouts
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Designer](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-306.png)
What’s it for: Effortlessly create professional-looking slides with the Designer feature. Receive instant layout suggestions based on your content, saving time and ensuring your presentation looks polished.
- Select a slide.
- Go to the Design tab and click Designer on the far right along the ribbon.
- Select through ready-made slide designs for instant layouts.
4. Insert 3D Models
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint 3D Models](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-307.png)
What’s it for: Amp up your presentations with manipulable 3D models, adding a dynamic dimension. Whether it’s showcasing products or visualizing data, 3D models bring your slides to life.
- Click on the “3D Models” dropdown and proceed to Stock 3D Models.
- Search for a 3D model of your choice and insert.
- Manipulate and customize as needed.
5. SmartArt Graphics for Visual Hierarchy
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint SmartArt Graphics](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-308.png)
What’s it for: Convey complex ideas with visual hierarchy using SmartArt graphics. These graphics offer a structured and visually appealing way to organize information, making your content more digestible.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Select “SmartArt” and navigate through the available categories.
- Select a graphic template that fits your presentation needs.
- Enter your content and customize as needed.
6. Eyedropper Tool for Color Matching
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint eyedropper](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-309.png)
What’s it for: Maintain a cohesive design by using the Eyedropper tool to pick colors from images or elements within your presentation. Ensure consistency and professional aesthetics in every slide.
- Select the editable, native PowerPoint object you wish to customize.
- Go to the Shape Format tab and click on the Shape Fill dropdown.
- Select “More Fill Colors…” and click the eyedropper icon to begin color appropriating.
7. Record and Insert Audio
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint record audio](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-310.png)
What’s it for: Infuse personality into your presentation by recording audio directly within PowerPoint. Ideal for adding voiceovers, explanations, or personal touches that enhance audience engagement.
- Click on “Audio” and choose “Record Audio.”
- Record your audio and insert it into the slide.
8. Presenter Coach for Rehearsing
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Presenter Coach PowerPoint](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-311.png)
What’s it for: Elevate your presentation skills with Presenter Coach. Receive valuable feedback on pacing, filler words, and more, refining your delivery for a confident and impactful performance.
- Click on the Slide Show tab.
- Choose “Rehearse with Coach” to start practicing.
9. Hyperlink Navigation for Seamless Transitions
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint hyperlink](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-312.png)
What’s it for: Streamline your presentation flow by implementing Hyperlink Navigation. This trick allows you to create clickable links within your slides, enabling effortless transitions between related content or external resources, enhancing the overall navigational experience.
- Select the text or object you want to hyperlink.
- Right-click and choose “Hyperlink” or use the Ctrl+K shortcut.
- Specify the destination, whether it’s another slide, a website, or a file, to create a seamless navigational experience.
10. Alt Text for Accessibility
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Alt Text](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-313.png)
What’s it for: Improve accessibility by adding descriptive alternative text to images and objects. Ensure inclusivity for visually impaired individuals, making your presentation accessible to a wider audience.
- Right-click on the image or object.
- Choose “Edit Alt Text” and enter a descriptive text.
11. Slide Zoom for Dynamic Navigation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Slide Zoom](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-314.png)
What’s it for: Elevate your presentation’s navigation with Slide Zoom, offering the flexibility to jump to specific slides during a presentation without adhering to a linear sequence. This dynamic feature ensures a more engaging and tailored audience experience.
- Set a master slide where you’d like to put your “mini slides” altogether.
- Navigate to the Insert tab > Zoom dropdown > Slide Zoom.
- Select the slides you want to link onto your master slide and insert.
12. Live Captions and Subtitles
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Live Captions and Subtitles](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-315.png)
What’s it for: Foster inclusivity by enabling live captions and subtitles in multiple languages. This feature enhances accessibility, making your presentation more engaging and comprehensible for a diverse global audience.
- Go to the Slide Show tab.
- Select “Always Use Subtitles” and choose your language.
13. Password Protection for Security
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Password](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-4.45.40-PM.png)
What’s it for: Safeguard your presentation’s sensitive content by adding a password. This security measure ensures that only authorized individuals can access and view the information, adding an extra layer of protection.
- Navigate to the File tab.
- Select “Info” and click on “Protect Presentation.”
- Choose “Encrypt with Password” and set your password.
14. Animation Painter for Consistent Animations
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint animation painter](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-316.png)
What’s it for: Maintain a polished and consistent look throughout your presentation by using the Animation Painter. Copy and apply animations across different objects with ease, ensuring a cohesive visual experience.
- Select the object with the same, desired animation as the others.
- Go to the Animation tab.
- Click on “Animation Painter” and apply to other objects.
15. Linked Excel Charts for Real-Time Updates
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Link Excel charts with PowerPoint](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-317.png)
What’s it for: Integrate linked Excel charts for real-time updates in your PowerPoint presentation. Any modifications made to the linked Excel file automatically reflect in your slides, ensuring data accuracy.
- Copy your Excel chart.
- In PowerPoint, use “Paste Special” and choose “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.”
16. Custom Slide Sizes
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint custom slide sizes](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-318.png)
What’s it for: Tailor your presentation to various screen dimensions by customizing slide sizes. This feature, accessible through the Design tab, ensures your content fits seamlessly across different display settings.
- Navigate to the Design tab.
- Click on the “Slide Size” dropdown and choose “Page Setup”.
- Change “Slide sized for” to Custom.
17. Grid and Guidelines for Precision
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint grids and guidelines](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-319.png)
What’s it for: Achieve precise object alignment with gridlines and guides. This feature, essential for creating visually polished and organized presentations, ensures your content is visually appealing and professionally structured.
- Go to the View tab.
- Check the “Grids” and “Guidelines” toggles for display options and customization.
18. Slide Master for Consistent Design
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Slide Master](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-320.png)
What’s it for: Establish a cohesive presentation design by utilizing the Slide Master. This time-saving feature enables you to set consistent layouts, fonts, and colors throughout your presentation.
- Click on “Slide Master” to access and customize master slides.
19. Quick Access Toolbar Customization
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint quick access to toolbar](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-321.png)
What’s it for: Streamline your workflow by personalizing the Quick Access Toolbar with your most-used commands. This customization ensures quick access to essential tools, enhancing efficiency during presentation creation.
- Click on the dropdown arrow on the Quick Access Toolbar.
- Select “More Commands” to customize your toolbar.
20. Ink Annotations for Handwriting
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint ink annotations](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-322.png)
What’s it for: Personalize your presentations with a touch-enabled device using ink annotations. This feature allows you to draw or write directly on slides, adding a unique and handwritten touch to your content.
- Go to the Draw tab and click on Draw to begin drawing.
- Choose “Ink to Text” or “Ink to Shape” for handwriting annotations.
21. Crop to Shape for Image Customization
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint Customise Crop Shapes](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-323.png)
What’s it for: Unleash your creativity by utilizing the Crop to Shape feature, allowing you to create custom image shapes. This adds a distinctive flair to your presentation, providing a visually dynamic and engaging experience.
- Select the image.
- Navigate to the Picture Format tab.
- Click on “Crop” and choose “Crop to Shape.”
- Select the shape you want your image to have as frame.
22. Slide Show Recording with Narration
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint slide show recording with narration](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-324.png)
What’s it for: Capture your entire presentation, including narration and animations, by recording a self-running slideshow. This feature is invaluable for sharing presentations with a wider audience, ensuring a consistent and engaging delivery.
- Click on “Record Slide Show” and choose recording options.
23. Dynamic Color Scheme Switch for Vibrant Slides
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint color scheme](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-325.png)
What’s it for: Infuse energy into your presentation by dynamically switching color schemes. This handy trick allows you to quickly experiment with various color palettes, giving your slides a vibrant and fresh appearance in just a few clicks.
- Explore different color options by selecting “Colors” and experimenting with the available palettes. Instantly transform the look of your presentation to match your desired mood and style.
24. Smart Alignment and Distribution for Pixel-Perfect Precision
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint smart alignment of shapes](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-326.png)
What’s it for: Attain pixel-perfect precision in your presentation design with the Smart Alignment and Distribution trick. This technique allows you to not only align objects with accuracy but also evenly distribute them horizontally, ensuring a polished and visually appealing layout.
- Select the objects you want to align.
- Navigate to the Format tab.
- Click on “Align” to access options like Align Left, Center, or Right for precise alignment.
- Further refine your layout by choosing “Distribute Horizontally,” ensuring equal spacing between objects and achieving a professional design.
25. Insert Online Videos
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint insert online videos](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-327.png)
What’s it for: Seamlessly integrate online videos directly into your presentation. This feature eliminates the need for external players, offering a smooth and immersive viewing experience for your audience.
- Click on the “Video” dropdown and select Online Movie.
- Paste the video link and your video should be embedded onto your PowerPoint slide.
26. Embed Fonts for Portability
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint embed fonts](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-328.png)
What’s it for: Ensure consistent visual appeal on any device by embedding fonts in your presentation. This is particularly useful when sharing your work with others who may not have the same fonts installed, enhancing portability.
- Go to the File tab.
- Select “Options” and go to the Save tab from the window popup.
- Check “Embed fonts in the file” as well as “Embed all characters”.
27. Text Transformation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better PowerPoint text transformation](https://cdn.classpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/image-329.png)
What’s it for: Uncover the elegance of text transformation with the Shape Format trick. This hack allows you to access a myriad of text transformation designs, offering a swift and sophisticated way to elevate the visual appeal of your presentation.
- Select the text you want to transform.
- Navigate to the Shape Format tab.
- Click on “Text Effects” and explore the “Transform” options for a variety of stylish text designs. Instantly apply a transformation that suits the tone and style of your presentation.
5 Critical Best Practices to Implement These Pro PowerPoint Tips and Tricks for a Technically Proficient Presentation
Enhance the technical brilliance of your presentation by focusing on these crucial best practices:
1. Streamlined Font Selection
- Practice: Limit your font styles to a maximum of three per slide.
- Why: Simplifying fonts enhances readability, maintains visual consistency, and prevents distraction, ensuring your message is clear and impactful.
2. High-Resolution Images
- Practice: Source HD images from reputable free resource websites like Freepik or Unsplash .
- Why: High-resolution images prevent pixelation, ensuring clarity and professionalism. Crisp visuals contribute to a visually appealing presentation.
3. Cohesive Color Palette
- Practice: Stick to a consistent color palette throughout your slides; use the eyedropper tool for precise color matching.
- Why: A unified color scheme enhances visual harmony, reinforces brand identity, and elevates the overall aesthetics of your presentation.
4. Efficient Data Visualization
- Practice: Use charts and graphs for data-driven slides, choosing appropriate chart types for different data sets.
- Why: Visualizing data through charts improves comprehension, making complex information more accessible and engaging for your audience.
5. Transitions with Purpose
- Practice: Apply slide transitions judiciously. Choose transitions that complement the content and avoid excessive animations.
- Why: Subtle transitions maintain audience focus, while excessive animations may distract from the core message.
Final Thoughts
In presentation-making, technical practices harmonized with thoughtful design is the key to delivering an impactful message. Whether it may be as simple as considering font choices, to incorporating high-resolution visuals, you do not only get to enhance the aesthetics but also ensure your audience’s undivided attention.
Remember, a technically proficient presentation is not just a showcase of information, but also one that leaves a rather immersive experience for those who will see. But at the end of the day, it comes down to your delivery. So, no sweat! You’re doing amazing, rockstar!
Find them useful? Save them, or share these PowerPoint tips and tricks with others to make their day!
About Ausbert Generoso
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![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Hugh Culver](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-hugh-culver-1.png)
HUGH CULVER
Author, speaker, coach, 10 easy ways to make any powerpoint presentation awesome.
![BLOG-17 main Make your PowerPoint Presentation awesome](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/BLOG-17-main.jpg)
Updated to Speaking on May 3, 2023.
This post was updated in 2023.
It was 20 minutes before lunch, my client was frantically looking at the clock, and the audience was squirming. We had suffered through endless forgettable PowerPoint slides and were all hoping for a merciful end. That’s when the presenter announced, “I see I’m running out of time, so I’ll just hurry through my last 30 slides.”
We’ve all suffered through slide shows with long lists of unreadable bullets, unnecessary YouTube clips, and overuse of graphics. Instead of holding our attention and making their point even stronger, each slide distracts the audience with more content they don’t need. Bad slides are agnostic. You can use PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, Google Slides, or hold up a piece of paper – it’s all a distraction if you don’t do it well.
Done well, a thoughtfully prepared slide deck can be the perfect slide dish for your full meal presentation. Done poorly and your audience will feel like they made one too many trips to the buffet table. This post will help you do it well.
For the first years of my speaking career, I presented with 35mm slides. You know, the photographs framed by cardboard that got jammed in the projector? That was me – hauling out the projector, clicking in the carousel, and praying that tonight it would all work. I soon learned that the more slides I showed the less the audience listened to me. So I cut back on the slides. I also noticed that when I switched to a black screen (see #9) the audience turned all their attention to me. So I practiced fading to black whenever I told a story or had an important point to make.
How I started
When I switched to PowerPoint I suddenly had a candy shop full of treats to sweeten my presentations with. And I started making all the same mistakes again: too many slides, too much content on each slide, and too distracting. After every presentation I always do a quick debrief – what worked, what needs to change? And slowly I developed a checklist for slide presentations.
I have shared with checklist with hundreds of speakers to help put the spotlight on them. Some were designing a new speech, some were preparing for a webinar and others needed slides to back up a video presentation. In every case, this checklist made their presentation better. They sold more products, got more referrals, and, in most cases, spent a lot less time working on their slide deck.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/nathan-anderson-c7fShzYk4bA-unsplash-2-880x587.jpg)
If you’ve ever struggled to create interesting slides or worry your slides are too wordy or you have too many of them, this will help.
Here are my 10 easy ways to make any PowerPoint presentation awesome.
1. Build your slides last
This might be the most important rule on the list. Don’t build your slide deck until you build your presentation.
You could be tempted to start monkeying with slides early in your speech writing process – after all, it’s a fun way to procrastinate from all that hard thinking – don’t. Building your slide deck before you build your presentation is like building a road before you know where it’s going.
Your slides are there to ADD to a well-designed speech, not to replace it.
2. Don’t try to replace you
People come to hear you. If you are launching your service on a webinar, they want to know how this solution has helped you and whether is it right for them. If you are delivering a keynote speech or workshop, they want a glimpse into your solutions that can help move them forward in their work or in life.
Fancy transitions, superfluous video clips, and endless bullet points will get your audience’s attention, but take their attention off of you. Every time you hit the clicker the audience leaves you and goes to the screen.
Your goal for every presentation is to deliver the goods, not the slides.
3. Use a consistent theme
We are easily distracted and confused. That’s why brands always anchor advertising on their unique colors, fonts, slogan, or a jingle. They know that consistency in their brand theme builds recognition and puts more attention on the message. You should do that with your slides.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/Blog-post-insert-2.001-880x200.jpeg)
Start with a simple, white background and san serif fonts.
A consistent, simple theme helps your audience focus on the content of each slide. Watch TED talks that have gone viral to see how simple a slide theme can be, like the ones by Dan Pink The puzzle of motivation (30M views), and Shawn Achor The happy secret to better work (25M views).
4. More images, less text
Want to quickly reenergize a tired slide deck? Make your images larger ( in this post I share where to get free images ) and reduce the text size. Remember, the theme in this post is that you are the presentation, not your slides.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2023-01-31-at-4.47.37-PM-880x326.png)
Your brain can process images 60,000 times faster than text. When you use images (and less text) you allow your audience to process the image without distracting them away from your powerful story, or making a critical point. Like subtle mood music in the background of a dramatic movie scene, images can augment and enhance what you are saying without stealing the show.
5. One story per slide
When I started using PowerPoint I would have 60 to 80 slides for a 60-minute speech. It was a lot of work to prepare each deck and when I was deep into the speech I would sometimes forget where I was and have to jump forward a couple of slides.
Then it became 30-35 slides and I could breathe easier, knowing that fewer clicks meant less to worry about. As my confidence grew it became 10-12 slides and each slide became a key part of storytelling or point-making—they had to earn their place.
I might use a slide as a backdrop to a story or for a short list that supports a lesson I’m delivering. Either way, it’s always on ‘story’ per slide. If I don’t need a slide, I fade to black (#9).
But, I always stick to one story per slide.
6. Reveal one bullet at a time
This is an easy one – reveal one bullet at a time. The function of bullets is to reinforce (not replace) what you are delivering. That’s why they need to be short (see the 2/4/8 rule, below). A good bullet point is complete on it’s own, but much better when combined with a live presentation of it. Here’s an example from a list of (very wordy) time management strategies:
- Infrequent visits to your Inbox give you more time for deep work
- time blocking allows you to protect time for important work
- the Pomodoro technique can help you focus with fewer distractions
A better list – like one you might use on a PowerPoint slide – would be:
- visit your Inbox less often
- block time for important work
- the Pomodoro technique helps you focus
To reveal one bullet at a time in PowerPoint, right-click on your text box, select Custom Animation > Add Entrance Effect and then choose the effect you want. In Keynote, click Animate > Build in and choose the effect you want.
7. Leave the fireworks to Disney
It’s great that you know how to turn text into flames and make images spin with the click of your mouse – but leave those fireworks to Disney. Your job is to make your content the star of the show. Every time you haul the audience’s attention away to some animation you lose a truckload of opportunity to help them.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://hughculver.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2023-01-31-at-4.58.11-PM-880x307.png)
Your slides can still be amazing and helpful, but that should always be secondary to your primary purpose of helping people. Simple transitions, clean, san serif fonts, and large, attractive graphics trump PowerPoint tricks, every time.
8. The 2/4/8 rule
When I am advising other speakers I often don’t know their topic—certainly not as well as they do. So I rely on certain rules I have developed over many years. For slide decks, I use my 2/4/8 rule. Here’s how it goes…
- about every 2 minutes I have a new slide (that’s 30 slides for a 60-minute speech),
- no more than 4 bullets per slide, and
- no more than 8 words per bullet.
Just like any recipe, you can mess with the ingredient a bit. If your content is more technical, you might need more slides. Sometimes I need 5 or 6 bullets. I use the 2/4/8 rule to remind me that slides are there to support what I have to say, not replace me.
9. Fade to black
The last time I was shopping for a car, I noticed the salesperson had a clever technique. While he asked how I liked the car and if I had any questions, he kept his sales offer face-down on the table. Because there were no other distractions, he had my full attention. And when it was time to reveal his offer, it was much more dramatic (so was the price!) Use the same technique with your slides.
When you fade to black you regain your audience’s attention. For example, after I present a solution, I’ll fade to black while I expound on how to apply that solution in my audience’s work/life. When I’m finished, I turn black off and go to the next point. Or if I’m halfway through a story I’ll fade to back before the punchline so I know I have everyone’s attention.
It’s no different than a close-up scene in a movie—the director wants you to focus only on the speaker. Note that if you are shopping for a slide remote, be sure that yours has the black screen feature.
10. When in doubt, delete
This might be the most advice I can leave you with. When in doubt, delete it.
There is a weird attraction to more. Authors add more pages thinking it makes the book more valuable. Sales people who talk too much miss the opportunity to ask for the sale. And presenters add more slides thinking it will make them look better. Wrong.
When you are doing the final edits on your slide deck, the ultimate question you should be asking about each slide is, “Will it make my speech better?” If not, dump it.
Remember, nobody will miss what isn’t there. Also fewer slides allows you more time for side stories, spontaneous thoughts or even time for Q&A.
Remember this…
I’ve said it numerous times in this post, but it’s worth repeating. You are the show, not your slides. More slides means more time your audience is not paying attention to you. Fewer (and better) slides means you have more time to build rapport, share memorable stories, explain your solutions and motivate your audience to action. You are there for a reason. Now go and deliver.
One last thing. Spend the $80 and pack a remote (with spare batteries.) Nothing’s worse than watching a speaker repeatedly lean over, hunt for the right key, and then peck away to advance the slides.
If you enjoyed this article, here is more about presentation skills:
How the experts create world-class PowerPoint Slides (and you can too) PowerPoint Primer – the only 3 slides you’ll ever need How to add video to PowerPoint and Keynote like a pro
Slide by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
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10 Tips to Make Your PowerPoint Presentation Effective
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better 24Slides](https://24slides.com/presentbetter/content/images/2021/03/Logo.jpeg)
You may have heard of the famous 10/20/30 rule , devised by Guy Kawasaki , for designing presentations. This rule states that using 10 slides in 20 minutes at a 30 point minimum font size is the most effective presentation strategy—but what does this really mean?
The most important thing to remember, particularly if you’re using PowerPoint to convey your message, is to keep your audience in mind when preparing your presentation. Your audience wants a relevant presentation, not just something that is visually appealing .
A common mistake speakers make when designing PowerPoint presentations is being too passionate about it that they put everything they know into it. In trying to get their point across, presenters tend to use complex jargon and impart too much information, leaving the audience confused about the actual purpose of the presentation.
So how can you simplify your information but still convey a powerful message to your audience?
Here are 10 suggestions:
1) Cut out the wordiness
Ironic as it may seem, an essential part of proving a point is to use a minimal amount of words per slide so that the audience is focused on you, not on the screen. It’s rather difficult for any kind of audience to read texts and listen to you at the same time. If you have longer statements, break them down into multiple slides and highlight the key words. This doesn’t mean you limit your content to dull, boring facts. Feel free to incorporate anecdotes or quotes as long as they’re relevant and support your message.
2) Add pictures
Instead of more words, supplement your ideas with vivid imagery. Again, the key is not overusing photos to the point that it makes your presentations look unprofessional. Photos should only be used if they promote or emphasize the main idea of your slide.
3) Use appropriate animation
Like pictures, use animation only when appropriate and only if you’ve completely rehearsed your presentation with the animation flow. Otherwise, they will be distracting and will make it appear that you’ve designed your presentation in poor taste.
4) Don’t overuse numbers
As with words, minimize the amount of numbers you present in each slide. If you have charts that summarize the total figures toward the end, then you no longer need to fill up your entire chart with the little numbers on the scale.
5) Use large fonts
Aside from the obvious reason that larger fonts are more readable, size dictates the impact of your message and a larger one makes it easier for your audience to clearly grasp what you’re saying or want to highlight. Aside from font size, pay attention to the spacing between paragraphs, rows, and columns; you don’t want your text to appear jumbled.
6) Maintain consistency
The whole objective of your presentation is to drive home a point, not to make your presentation look cheesy. Keep your font sizes and the size and format of a box on one page consistent throughout your slides.
7) Limit bullet points
Keep your bullet points to a maximum of 5-6 per slide. In addition, the words per bullet point should also be limited to 5-6 words. It’s also wise to vary what you present in each slide, such as alternating between bullet points, graphics, and graph slides, in order to sustain the interest and focus of your audience.
8) Choose colors and contrast effectively .
Use bold colors and high contrast. A color may look completely different on your monitor than it will when projected on a large screen.
9) Tell a story
Everyone loves a good story , especially if it’s something that they can easily relate to. A good story begins with a problem and the more irritating the problem is for the audience, the more effective your presentation will be once you’ve provided a possible solution for them.
10) Be flexible
In order to develop a strong connection with your audience, you need to be flexible with your slides. During your speech, you may feel that some slides have become unnecessary; therefore you want to prepare your presentation in such a way that you can easily interchange or eliminate them. Conversely, prepare some optional slides in anticipation of questions or ideas you expect from your audience. This will give your presentation the “wow” factor.
When using PowerPoint to deliver a PowerFUL point, your goal isn’t to design the best presentation but the most effective one. This means creating a presentation that your audience can connect with through interest, participation, memory recall, and ideally, learning something useful.
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- Presentations
How to Create Great PowerPoint Presentations (With Top 2024 Examples)
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Laura Spencer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=40/uploads/users/988/profiles/19497/profileImage/profile.jpg)
If you're in business, odds are great that you're going to have to create a presentation at some point during your career. And when you do, odds are also good that you'll use Microsoft PowerPoint to do it. According to statistics from iDatalabs over 150,000 companies use PowerPoint .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentations](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/988/posts/31975/image/powerpoint-examples%20(1).jpg)
There's a real need for people who can create relevant, engaging PowerPoint presentations. But creating a good presentation is more than just throwing together a bunch of slides. Not everyone knows how to make a good presentation.
In this tutorial, you'll learn the steps to making good PowerPoint presentations. The steps can be used for any presentation, of course, but they're especially relevant to Microsoft PowerPoint. I'll provide some tips on how to use a PowerPoint template. You'll also see how to make a good slide presentation with Slideshare examples.
For even more information about how to make a presentation, be sure to download our free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It'll help you master the complete presentation process.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better make a presentation](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/71/posts/31975/image-upload/eBookPromo_850x150px.jpg)
How to Make Great PowerPoint Presentations (Plan, Design, & Deliver)
Whether you're going to give your PowerPoint presentation as a speech or share it online, you'll want to make sure you create a good presentation that stands out. Here are seven steps you can follow to help you learn how to make a good PPT presentation:
Note : While these techniques specifically reference PowerPoint , most of them work well with other presentation author tools as well such as Keynote and Google Slides .
1. Know Your Target Audience
The target audience for your presentation is the group of people who you want to listen to or view your presentation. Not all audiences are the same. Audiences vary depending on your company's goals. A presentation that works well with one audience may not work well (or at all) with another.
Researching your target audience is a very important first step for creating any kind of marketing or informational material —that includes PowerPoint presentations. If you really want your presentation to be successful, learn all that you can about your audience.
For some guidance on how to define a target audience, study the following tutorial:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/988/posts/29368/preview_image/target-audience%20-%20A%20(preview).jpg)
2. Target Your Presentation to Your Audience
Once you know who you're creating your PowerPoint presentation for, you can begin to customize it for them. Start by choosing a topic that you know will be relevant to your audience. Ideally, your topic will be something that interests your audience or solves a problem for them.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better A good PowerPoint presentations targets your audience](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/23/posts/31975/image/good-powerpoint-presentation-targets-your-audience.jpg)
You also need to consider your audience's existing knowledge when writing your presentation. How will they take in and understand your presentation?
Obviously, it won't be helpful to create a presentation filled with industry-specific jargon if your listeners don't know what those words mean. At the same time, if you're targeting a group of experts for your presentation basic information may bore them.
3. Start With an Outline
Once you've researched your target audience and chosen a topic that's relevant to them it's time to start writing your PowerPoint presentation . The quickest, most efficient way to do that is to use an outline. Plus, an outline can easily be converted to individual slides when the time comes.
Be sure to use language that's geared to your target audience. For most audiences, a conversational style works best. Also, limit the amount of material you put on each PowerPoint presentation slide. Cluttered slides are hard for audience members to follow.
To learn more about how to write a presentation, study these tutorials on how to write a speech:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/988/posts/30218/preview_image/how-to-write-a-motivational-speech%20(preview).jpg)
4. Use a Professional PowerPoint Template
One way to make sure that you've got a great, visually appealing PowerPoint presentation is to use a premium PowerPoint template such as those available through Envato Elements or GraphicRiver .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint examples](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/988/posts/31975/image/powerpoint-slide-examples.jpg)
In fact, there are hundreds of creative PowerPoint presentations examples available on Envato Elements .
All you need to do is pay one low monthly price and you can download as many templates as you want. You'll have access to other creative assets as well such as WordPress themes, stock photos, and even courses and eBooks.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Rockefeller - Creative PowerPoint Presentation Design](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/23/posts/31975/image/rockefeller-creative-powerpoint-templates-presentation-ideas.jpg)
Check out some of our best PowerPoint templates with creative ideas from Envato Elements in this quick video. Also, discover a handful of helpful PowerPoint presentation slide design tips.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yuhKzIb_8_4/maxresdefault.jpg)
You can find some more great creative PowerPoint presentation template examples in this article:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/23/posts/26667/preview_image/creative-presentation-templates-with-innovative-ideas.jpg)
5. Keep Slides Short
When it comes to making great PowerPoint presentations, it’s important to remember that your slide deck is a helpful tool that highlights the main points of your presentation and serves as a visual representation of the data and facts you’re sharing.
To make a really great PowerPoint presentation, keep the slides short to avoid boring your audience and losing their interest.
6. Practice Your PowerPoint Presentation (For Live Presentations)
Great PowerPoint presentations don't happen without practice. So, if you'll be presenting your PowerPoint personally, set aside some time to practice it after you've created it. If you can, practice with a friend or family member. But if no one's available you may still be able to practice giving it alone.
For a helpful checklist for practicing a speech, study this tutorial:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/988/posts/31021/preview_image/improve-public-speaking%20(preview).jpg)
If your job requires you to give a lot of PowerPoint presentations, you may benefit from improving your public speaking skills. Consider joining Toastmasters International to become a better speaker. Or you can attend a Public Speaking Meetup .
7. Stay Focused
While you're giving your presentation, stay focused on your topic. If you're making the presentation in person, it's easy to lose track of what you're talking about.
Focus is another reason why practice is so important. If you've practiced your presentation, you're less likely to get off track. Also, if people have questions, ask them to wait until the end. That way you can stay focused on your topic.
If you're creating a presentation to be shared online, focus is still important if you want your PowerPoint presentation to be a great one. Review the copy you've written carefully to make sure that it fits with your target audience and goals. Be careful not to include irrelevant information.
8. Study Great PowerPoint Presentation Examples
One great way to learn how to make a great PowerPoint presentation is by example. Studying great PowerPoint examples can serve as inspiration for your own PowerPoint slideshow. By studying great PowerPoint examples, you'll be able to pick up common design elements that they use, notice how the slides are laid out, and how the whole PowerPoint presentation is structured. You can use that knowledge to your advantage, and it'll serve you well when it comes time to make your own great PowerPoint presentations.
5 SlideShare Examples of Great Presentations
In this section, I'm going to share five great presentations examples from SlideShare to help inspire you to create your own great PowerPoint Presentations.
Each of these great presentation examples currently has over a million views on SlideShare, so you know that they must have done something right. For each example, I'll explain what works.
Now let's look at some great presentation examples:
1. Work Rules - Great Visual PowerPoint Presentation Example
This presentation from Laszlo Bock , former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google, Inc., clearly explains the importance of culture at tech giant Google. He does it with engaging illustrations and a nicely coordinated yellow and blue color theme. Notice how each slide contains enough information to make his point, but none are too cluttered.
2. Pixar's 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling
Consultant Gavin McMahon brings us this engaging slideshow on the importance of storytelling. Drawing inspiration from filmmaker giant and master storyteller, Pixar, was a great idea for this presentation. It gives the audience something they can relate to. Notice the use of bold colors throughout.
3. 25 Mission Statements From the World's Most Valuable Brands
Does your business have a mission statement? If it doesn't, it needs one. Palo Alto Software solves a problem for their target audience by using the mission statements of some of the most successful corporations as examples (good and bad). The presentation also links to a companion article from company founder, Tim Berry, with more details on the same subject.
4. Congratulations Graduate! Eleven Reasons Why I Will Never Hire You
With the shocking opening statement, PR Managing Director Mark O'Toole is sure to capture the attention of his intended audience of young graduates. Add to that a bold red and black color scheme and plenty of engaging graphics and you've got a slideshow that's gotten over two million views. Incidentally, viewers who read to the end will gain some valuable job-hunting tips.
5. Thirst - Good PowerPoint PPT Presentation Design Example
The one word in the center of the compelling graphic on the cover of this slideshow from Jeff Brenman of Apollo Ideas draws the viewer in. As you begin to scroll through the slides, arresting images combine with startling quick facts to convey an urgent message: the world is facing a serious water shortage. This compelling presentation is sure to stick in the viewer's mind for a long time.
For even more great examples of good presentations, look at these articles:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/988/posts/31857/preview_image/idea-splash-inspirational-powerpoint.jpg)
5 Tips for Working With PowerPoint Presentation Design Templates
We've already mentioned some of the advantages of using a PowerPoint template to create your presentation. Here are three tips to make sure you get the most from the PowerPoint templates you select:
1. Don't Fall Into the Free Templates Trap
If you've decided to use a PowerPoint template, you may be tempted to download a free PPT template . However, downloading a PowerPoint template for free is usually not the bargain you might think it is. Here are some disadvantages to free PowerPoint templates:
- Little to No Support . Often free templates don't have support or aren't updated. If you run into problems, you're on your own.
- Lack of Uniqueness . Since free templates are available to everyone, it's more likely your audience will have seen the template before.
- Limited Slide Designs . Free templates are often limited to only a few simple slide designs that you may or may not be able to use.
2. Look for a Reputable Template Provider
Your best bet for selecting great PowerPoint templates is to choose a reputable provider, such as Envato Elements or GraphicRiver . These services have thousands of creative assets available (including PowerPoint presentation templates)—all created by professional designers.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Examples of our best-selling PowerPoint templates on Envato Elements](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/1223/posts/32976/image/amazing-powerpoint-templates-unlimited.jpg)
Each template offers the flexibility and design options you need to make your presentation really unique.
What’s more, when you sign up for Envato Elements low monthly plan, you'll get access to thousands of other creative design assets such as fonts, images, and more. Each asset, whether it’s a PowerPoint presentation or a font, can be used in an unlimited number of projects and you can download as many items as you need.
You can then use these elements in your PowerPoint presentations and take them to the next level.
3. Do Incorporate Creative Elements
If you're creating a presentation, you might hesitate before adding a truly creative element such as an infographic or timeline to your presentation. After all, designing a creative element can add a lot of extra time and work to your project.
This is exactly where pre-built templates can help. Many templates include pre-designed creative elements that you can simply adapt to your own needs. Here are a few creative PowerPoint presentation examples:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/23/posts/27006/preview_image/medical-health-powerpoint-templates.jpg)
Even if you can't find a template specifically tailored to your field, it's easy to customize these templates to suit your need.
4. Choose a PowerPoint Template That Matches Your Topic
When you’re going through the process of choosing a PowerPoint template, be sure to keep your presentation topic in mind. This will make it a lot easier to customize the template as you won’t have to spend time looking for extra elements such as the right icons or the right presentation elements.
For example, check out this great PowerPoint example that was tailored made with the architecture industry and topic in mind:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Picazo PowerPoint template](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/1223/posts/32976/image/Picazo%20PowerPoint%20Template.jpeg)
5. Experiment With Slide Layouts
When you’re creating a PowerPoint presentation, take advantage of all the different layout options that the template offers. You'll make your presentation more visually engaging and interesting. Take a look at this professional PowerPoint example that offers a number of different layout designs for each slide type:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Lorem Ipsum PowerPoint Template](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/1223/posts/32976/image/lorem%20ipsum%20powerpoint%20template.jpeg)
How to Make Great PowerPoint Presentations Quickly (With PPT Templates)
It's easier to learn how to make a good PPT presentation when you start with a template. You'll find the pre-built slide designs that are sure to spark ideas and creative designs. But, how can you make them your own?
Have no fear: templates help you master how to make a great PowerPoint presentation . They're flexible enough to adapt to your presentation purpose.
Let's work with The X Note in this section. We'll customize two slides in five steps. This section will show you how to make a good PowerPoint presentation with the help of a template.
1. The Team Slide - Update Images
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Team Slide Starting Point](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Team%20Slide%20Starting%20Point.jpg)
One tip I advise every presenter learning how to make a good presentation PPT: remember your team! You've got to credit and showcase the key members that contribute to your project. Let's use slide 7 to do that.
As a first step, let's update the images on this slide. We need to add the members of our team in the image placeholders.
To do that, start by right-clicking and choosing Group > Ungroup on the circle graphics. This helps us select just the shape that we can fill with an image.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Ungroup Images](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Ungroup%20Images%20Skitch.jpg)
Now, right-click an image and choose Format Pictures. You'll see a new menu open. on the Fill settings, choose Picture or texture fill, then browse to your replacement profile image.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Picture Fill The X Note](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Picture%20Fill%20The%20X%20Note.jpg)
Just repeat this process with the other image placeholders. Soon, you'll have a totally personalized and people-focused PowerPoint slide.
2. The Team Slide - Update Text
Now that you've added your team's photos, there's another crucial step: updating the text! As you'll see in templates that help you master how to make a good PPT presentation, the included text boxes tell the story.
To update text, all you need to do is type over the placeholders. Use the pre-built text boxes to help you avoid the hard work of selecting fonts, sizing, and colors each time.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Updated Text in The X Note](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Updated%20Text%20in%20The%20X%20Note.jpg)
You can also delete any text boxes that you don't need. Just click and select them, then press Delete on your keyboard. That removes text boxes. Less is often more, according to pros that know how to make a great PowerPoint presentation.
3. The Team Slide - Update Branding
You might have noticed while working with this slide that there are a few objects that don't seem to be selectable. That includes the logo in the upper corner and text in the lower-left corner.
That's because this text lives on the Slide Master. To adjust it, we'll need to edit the lower-level slide design. Go to the View > Slide Master menu. Now, you'll find that you can select and edit elements that were previously locked.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better View and Edit Slide Master](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/View%20and%20Edit%20Slide%20Master.jpg)
Consider replacing the logo with one of your own, plus adjust the text reading Presentation name goes here. That makes your slide totally customized. Let's move onto editing another slide.
4. The Data Slide - Update Data
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Update PowerPoint Presentations Data](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Update%20PowerPoint%20Presentations%20Data.jpg)
Let's switch gears and work on a second slide. Slide 27 includes a pre-built chart. This is a great example of easing the learning curve of creating a good PowerPoint presentation. Use the starter chart template with your data.
Right-click on the chart and choose Edit Data. You'll see an embedded Excel window. This table controls the data that shapes the chart. Just type over the start data to update it.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Update Data in PowerPoint Presentations](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Update%20Data%20in%20PowerPoint%20Presentations.jpg)
When you're finished, close the embedded Excel window. The chart will automatically update with your new data. You can always update data by returning to this same menu.
5. The Data Slide - Update Text
This last tweak is an easy one. Just like our prior slide, typing over the text boxes is all that it takes to finish rounding out the slide.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Growth in PowerPoint Presentations](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Growth%20in%20PowerPoint%20Presentations.jpg)
As you can see in the example above, reducing the text helps too. I deleted the sub-headline so that there's more focus on the data.
As you saw, templates are like the answer key to a test of how to make a good presentation PPT. Use templates like The X Note to tap into the secrets of great PowerPoint presentation design.
5 Great PowerPoint PPT Templates for 2024
If you're learning how to make a good PowerPoint presentation, don't forget that templates are a major advantage. They're the antidote to creating designs on a totally blank canvas. They help you leverage the learning and design work of others.
With the help of Envato Elements , you unlock unlimited downloads. That includes PowerPoint presentations plus stock photos and graphics that really complement your content.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Envato Elements PowerPoint Presentation Library](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Envato%20Elements%20PowerPoint%20Presentation%20Library.jpg)
You don't have to learn how to make a good PowerPoint presentation design on your own. Instead, see what makes a great PowerPoint presentation when you use templates.
Let's look at five of the best PowerPoint presentations included with Envato Elements:
1. The X Note - PowerPoint Template
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better The X Note PowerPoint Presentations](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/1-elements-x-note.jpg)
Time and time again, presenters learning how to make a great PowerPoint presentation choose The X Note. It's easy to see why. The slides feel like a professionally designed presentation that a seasoned executive would trust. A PowerPoint presentation design like this instantly gives your content credibility.
2. Fashioned Stylist PowerPoint
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Envato Elements Fashioned Stylist PowerPoint](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/2-elements-fashioned.jpg)
Here's a tip while learning how to make a good presentation PPT: use on-trend designs. When your presentation matches trendy and modern designs, your audience knows that you stay up-to-date. That's why a template like Fashioned Stylist is so powerful. It instantly builds credibility and trust so that you command attention from the audience.
![](http://writinghelp.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
3. SINDE - Business PowerPoint Template
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Business PowerPoint Sinde Template](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Business-PowerPoint-Sinde-Template.jpg)
Templates like Sinde hold the secret of how to make a good slide presentation. With 30 slides and five color schemes mean that you've got all of the combinations you need to create a polished and professional presentation. You'll find slides like portfolio layouts that help you put your best foot forward.
4. Oceania - Sea & Ocean PowerPoint Template
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Oceania Sea and Ocean PowerPoint Template](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Oceania%20PowerPoint%20Slide.jpg)
Isak Dinesen once said, "the cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears or the sea." The last of those options is the inspiration for this template. Oceania evokes feelings of relaxing on the beach with the sea in sight. As you learn how to make a good presentation PPT, keep this in mind: templates are only the starting point. Use the ocean-inspired view to start your design, but remember that it works with any content.
5. Galaxi PowerPoint Presentation Template
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Galaxi PowerPoint Presentation Template](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/34613/image/Galaxi%20PowerPoint%20Presentation%20Template.jpg)
Blast off to success with a PowerPoint presentation like this one. It's got infographics that help you master how to create a good PowerPoint presentation, easily. The graphics serve to explain complex ideas with easy-to-follow visuals.
Still want to learn how to make a good presentation slide? Try out even more templates. Jump to our articles below for more PowerPoint presentations:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/2659/posts/34492/preview_image/CLEAN%20Premium%20PPT%20Template%20thumb.jpg)
Make Great PowerPoint Presentations ( Free PDF eBook Download )
Our free eBook makes a perfect complement to this tutorial. It'll take you through the complete presentation process—from start to finish. Learn how to make a good PowerPoint presentation from writing it, designing it like a pro, and preparing it to present powerfully.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Free PDF ebook](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/71/posts/31975/image-upload/eBookPromo_850x500px.jpg)
Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . I t's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.
Learn More: How to Make the Best PowerPoint Presentations Fast
We also have a number of helpful PowerPoint tutorial resources on Envato Tuts+. Learn more about working creatively with PowerPoint to make great presentations quickly :
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=400/uploads/users/988/posts/29182/preview_image/preview_5_minute_presentations_new.jpg)
Start Making Your Own Great PowerPoint Presentations Today
You've just learned the steps for making great PowerPoint presentations. I've also shared some good presentation examples with creative ideas that could apply to your PowerPoint presentation design. You now have the information you need to begin making your own great presentation.
As we discussed earlier, one way to give your PowerPoint presentations a head start is to use a premium template designed by professionals. We've even shared some tips on how to design a PowerPoint presentation by working with top PowerPoint presentation templates .
Why not download a presentation template from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver and begin creating your own great PowerPoint presentations today?
Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally published in October of 2018. I t's been comprehensively revised to include new information—with special assistance from Brenda Barron and Andrew Childress .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Laura Spencer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=64/uploads/users/988/profiles/19497/profileImage/profile.jpg)
Blog > Tips for good PowerPoint Presentations
Tips for good PowerPoint Presentations
08.14.21 • #powerpoint #tips.
If you know how to do it, it's actually not that difficult to create and give a good presentation.
That's why we have some examples of good PowerPoint presentations for you and tips that are going to make your next presentation a complete success.
1. Speak freely
One of the most important points in good presentations is to speak freely. Prepare your presentation so well that you can speak freely and rarely, if ever, need to look at your notes. The goal is to connect with your audience and get them excited about your topic. If you speak freely, this is much easier than if you just read your text out. You want your audience to feel engaged in your talk. Involve them and tell your text in a vivid way.
2. Familiarize yourself with the technology
In order to be able to speak freely, it is important to prepare the text well and to engage with the topic in detail.
However, it is at least as important to familiarize yourself with the location’s technology before your presentation and to start your PowerPoint there as well. It is annoying if technical problems suddenly occur during your presentation, as this interrupts your flow of speech and distracts the audience from the topic. Avoid this by checking everything before you start your talk and eliminate any technical problems so that you can give your presentation undisturbed.
- Don't forget the charging cable for your laptop
- Find out beforehand how you can connect your laptop to the beamer. Find out which connection the beamer has and which connection your laptop has. To be on the safe side, take an adapter with you.
- Always have backups of your presentation. Save them on a USB stick and preferably also online in a cloud.
- Take a second laptop and maybe even your own small projector for emergencies. Even if it's not the latest model and the quality is not that good: better bad quality than no presentation at all.
3. Get the attention of your audience
Especially in long presentations it is often difficult to keep the attention of your audience. It is important to make your presentation interesting and to actively involve the audience. Try to make your topic as exciting as possible and captivate your audience.
Our tip: Include interactive polls or quizzes in your presentation to involve your audience and increase their attention. With the help of SlideLizard, you can ask questions in PowerPoint and your audience can easily vote on their own smartphone. Plus, you can even get anonymous feedback at the end, so you know right away what you can improve next time.
Here we have also summarized further tips for you on how to increase audience engagement.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Polling tool from SlideLizard to hold your audience's attention](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/1-polls-presentation.png)
4. Hold eye contact
You want your audience to feel engaged in your presentation, so it is very important to hold eye contact. Avoid staring only at a part of the wall or at your paper. Speak to your audience, involve them in your presentation and make it more exciting.
But also make sure you don't always look at the same two or three people, but address everyone. If the audience is large, it is often difficult to include everyone, but still try to let your eyes wander a little between your listeners and look into every corner of the room.
5. Speaking coherently
In a good presentation it is important to avoid jumping from one topic to the next and back again shortly afterwards. Otherwise your audience will not be able to follow you after a while and their thoughts will wander. To prevent this, it is important that your presentation has a good structure and that you work through one topic after the other.
Nervousness can cause even the best to mumble or talk too fast in order to get the presentation over with as quickly as possible. Try to avoid this by taking short pauses to collect yourself, to breathe and to remind yourself to speak slowly.
6. Matching colors
An attractive design of your PowerPoint is also an important point for giving good presentations. Make sure that your slides are not too colorful. A PowerPoint in which all kinds of colors are combined with each other does not look professional, but rather suitable for a children's birthday party.
Think about a rough color palette in advance, which you can then use in your presentation. Colors such as orange or neon green do not look so good in your PowerPoint. Use colors specifically to emphasize important information.
To create good PowerPoint slides it is also essential to choose colors that help the text to read well. You should have as much contrast as possible between the font and the background. Black writing on a white background is always easy to read, while yellow writing on a white background is probably hard to read.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Using colours correctly in PowerPoint to create good presentations](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/2-colors.png)
7. Slide design should not be too minimalistic
Even though it is often said that "less is more", you should not be too minimalistic in the design of your presentation. A presentation where your slides are blank and only black text on a white background is likely to go down just as badly as if you use too many colors.
Empty presentations are boring and don't really help to capture the attention of your audience. It also looks like you are too lazy to care about the design of your presentation and that you have not put any effort into the preparation. Your PowerPoint doesn't have to be overflowing with colors, animations and images to make it look interesting. Make it simple, but also professional.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better avoid too minimalistic design for good presentation slides](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/3-minimalistic-design.png)
8. Write only key points on the slides
If you want to create a good presentation, it is important to remember that your slides should never be overcrowded. Write only the most important key points on your slides and never entire sentences. Your audience should not be able to read the exact text you are speaking in your PowerPoint. This is rather annoying and leads to being bored quickly. Summarize the most important things that your audience should remember and write them down in short bullet points on your presentation. Then go into the key points in more detail in your speech and explain more about them.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Avoid too much text on your presentation slides](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/4-too-much-text.png)
9. Do not overdo it with animations
Do never use too many animations. It looks messy, confusing and definitely not professional if every text and image is displayed with a different animation. Just leave out animations at all or if you really want to use them then use them only very rarely when you want to draw attention to something specific. Make sure that if you use animations, they are consistent. If you use transitions between the individual slides, these should also always be kept consistent and simple.
10. Use images
Pictures and graphics in presentations are always a good idea to illustrate something and to add some variety. They help keep your audience's attention and make it easier to remember important information. But don't overdo it with them. Too many pictures can distract from your presentation and look messy. Make sure the graphics also fit the content and, if you have used several images on one slide, ask yourself if you really need all of them.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better example of good PowerPoint slide with image](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/5-images.png)
11. Choose a suitable font
Never combine too many fonts so that your presentation does not look messy. Use at most two: one for headings and one for text. When choosing fonts, you should also make sure that they are still legible at long distances. Script, italic and decorative fonts are very slow to read, which is why they should be avoided in presentations.
It is not so easy to choose the right font. Therefore, we have summarized for you how to find the best font for your PowerPoint presentation.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better How you should not use fonts in PowerPoint](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/6-fonts.png)
12. Do not use images as background
In a good presentation it is important to be able to read the text on the slides easily and quickly. Therefore, do not use images as slide backgrounds if there is also text on them. The picture only distracts from the text and it is difficult to read it because there is not much contrast with the background. It is also harder to see the image because the text in the foreground is distracting. The whole thing looks messy and distracting rather than informative and clear.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Do not use images as a background in good PowerPoint slides](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/7-background-images.png)
13. Never read out the text from your slides
Never just read the exact text from your slides. Your audience can read for themselves, so they will only get bored and in the worst case it will lead to "Death by PowerPoint". You may also give them the feeling that you think they are not able to read for themselves. In addition, you should avoid whole sentences on your slides anyway. List key points that your audience can read along. Then go into more detail and explain more about them.
14. Don't turn your back
Never turn around during your presentation to look at your projected PowerPoint. Not to read from your slides, but also not to make sure the next slide is already displayed. It looks unprofessional and only distracts your audience.
In PowerPoint's Speaker View, you can always see which slide is currently being displayed and which one is coming next. Use this to make sure the order fits. You can even take notes in PowerPoint, which are then displayed during your presentation. You can read all about notes in PowerPoint here.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://slidelizard.com/en/img/blog/promotion/7-inbetween-banner-msteams-white.png)
15. Do not forget about the time
In a good presentation, it is important to always be aware of the given time and to stick to it. It is annoying when your presentation takes much longer than actually planned and your audience is just waiting for you to stop talking or you are not able to finish your presentation at all. It is just as awkward if your presentation is too short. You have already told everything about your topic, but you should actually talk for at least another ten minutes.
Practice your presentation often enough at home. Talk through your text and time yourself as you go. Then adjust the length so that you can keep to the time given on the day of your presentation.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better timer yourself to know how long your presentation takes](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/8-time.png)
16. Avoid a complicated structure
The structure of a good presentation should not be complicated. Your audience should be able to follow you easily and remember the essential information by the end. When you have finished a part, briefly summarize and repeat the main points before moving on to the next topic. Mention important information more than once to make sure it really gets across to your audience.
However, if the whole thing gets too complicated, it can be easy for your audience to disengage after a while and not take away much new information from your presentation.
17. Choose appropriate clothes
On the day of your presentation, be sure to choose appropriate clothing. Your appearance should be formal, so avoid casual clothes and stick to professional dress codes. When choosing your clothes, also make sure that they are rather unobtrusive. Your audience should focus on your presentation, not on your appearance.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Choose appropriate clothing](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/9-clothes.png)
18. Adapt your presentation to your audience
Think about who your audience is and adapt your presentation to them. Find out how much they already know about the topic, what they want to learn about it and why they are here in the first place. If you only talk about things your audience already knows, they will get bored pretty soon, but if you throw around a lot of technical terms when your audience has hardly dealt with the topic at all, they will also have a hard time following you. So to give a successful and good presentation, it is important to adapt it to your audience.
You can also ask a few questions at the beginning of your presentation to learn more about your audience and then adapt your presentation. With SlideLizard , you can integrate polls directly into your PowerPoint and participants can then easily answer anonymously from their smartphone.
19. Mention only the most important information
Keep it short and limit yourself to the essentials. The more facts and information you present to your audience, the less they will remember.
Also be sure to leave out information that does not fit the topic or is not relevant. You will only distract from the actual topic and lose the attention of your audience. The time your audience can concentrate and listen with attention is rather short anyway, so don't waste it by telling unimportant information.
20. Talk about your topic in an exciting way
Tell compelling and exciting stories to make your presentation really good. If you speak in a monotone voice all the time, you are likely to lose the attention of your audience. Make your narration lively and exciting. Also, be careful not to speak too quietly, but not too loudly either. People should be able to understand you well throughout the whole room. Even if it is not easy for many people, try to deliver your speech with confidence. If you are enthusiastic about the topic yourself, it is much easier to get your audience excited about it.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better microphone for presentations](https://slidelizard.com/static/img/blog/65-good-presentations/10-voice.png)
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Helena supports the SlideLizard team in marketing and design. She loves to express her creativity in texts and graphics.
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How to Design a Professional PowerPoint Presentation
Our series of tips on presentation design outlined some generic rules and ideas that you can live by to create better, more professional presentations. Today we want to follow that up by taking you through the actual process of designing a presentation from start to finish.
We’ll break down every step of the design process, from choosing colors and images to using whitespace properly. After reading through this you should be all set to design your own beautiful presentation slides that will put your coworkers to shame.
Using a pre-built PowerPoint template can be a good starting point for many people (we collected some of the best PowerPoint templates for you!). But if you’re wanting to design your own from start-to-finish, you’re in the right place!
How Does Unlimited PowerPoint Templates Sound?
Download thousands of PowerPoint templates, and many other design elements, with a monthly Envato Elements membership. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 2,000,000 presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.
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A Word About Content
I usually make a big deal about content preceding design, and presentations are no exception. Ideally, you’ll have the topic and much or all of the content outlined before you even think about design. This will in every way shape the appearance of your design, which is why working from pre-built templates isn’t always the best move (though generic templates can and do work great in some circumstances).
The reason that I bring this up is that I don’t really have an actual presentation in mind for this project. I’ll be running with a basic theme, but the textual information will be entirely placeholder copy. Your image, font, color and layout selection shouldn’t necessarily match mine but instead reflect the topic and content you’re working with.
Choosing A Color Scheme
Before I even open Photoshop (yes, I design PowerPoint/Keynote slides in Photoshop and drop them in), I want to find a color scheme on which to base my entire design. When I need to quickly find several colors that go together I usually start with Adobe Color CC . Not only is it a great way to build your own color schemes, it’s an outstanding source to find schemes built by others that you can just grab for your projects.
As luck would have it, I liked the very first color scheme I saw upon opening Color. This scheme was featured on the home page and looked like a great place to start for our presentation design.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/presentation-color-scheme.png)
Now, if you wanted to get everything exactly right, you could make a list of the RGB or Hex values, but I prefer a quicker, more direct route. What I usually do is snap a screenshot of the color scheme, paste it into my document and stretch it across the canvas on its own layer for easy access. This way I can quickly activate the layer, eyedropper the color I want, then hide the layer and get back to work. It’s a bit like having a palette of colors to dip your paintbrush in.
Designing Your Cover Slide
Now that we have a color scheme, the design work is going to be much simpler. One trick that designers often use in presentations is to leverage the color scheme as heavily as possible. If you’re new to design, you’ll likely think that this is too easy, too plain or even that it’s cheating somehow, but trust me, it’ll be much more attractive and professional than that horrid Microsoft clipart library you love so much.
To start, simply grab one of your colors from the scheme you chose and flood the background of your slide with it (I chose #631c25). Good job, there’s your background. Don’t freak out. It’ll look great. Now let’s throw in some typography.
Choosing a Font
Font choice is a major issue for non-designers. The tendency is to think that most fonts are “boring” and to look around for something exciting and fun. This inevitably leads to the use of Comic Sans or some other equally hideous font.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/bad-font-choice.png)
Unless you’re an elementary school teacher, your presentations should never look like this. Instead, why don’t you try one of those “boring” fonts to see if you can come up with something you like.
Combining fonts can be a tricky task and can take a trained eye to pull off. Fortunately, font designers have already created collections that work well together and if you’re not a designer, they make it easy to pull off great typography. The trick is to just stay in a family. Again, I know this sounds lame, but it works really well if you make sure the two styles you choose are very different.
For instance, I chose a Helvetica Bold Condensed and a Helvetica Light for my cover slide. Notice how different the fonts are from each other in terms of thickness. Choosing two styles that are relatively close causes visual confusion and should be avoided as a general rule of thumb. Instead, what you want is contrast and plenty of it.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/the-presenation.png)
Alignment and Layout
Notice a few things about the way I set up this slide. First, I used a strong left alignment for the text. As I say in just about every design article I write, center alignment should be a last resort, not a first. It tends to be the weakest text alignment that you can choose, having a hard edge increases readability considerably (notice that book pages aren’t center-aligned).
Also, notice the generous whitespace that I used. Remember that you don’t have to eat up every inch of space. Giving your text room to breathe helps your layout immensely and gives the design a clean look.
Adding an Image
At this point you might be wondering why you wasted your time reading so I could give you such plain advice. The truth is, most people that create presentations could improve them by 100% from following the advice above. However, I realize minimalism may be too extreme for some folks so let’s throw in an image to make it look nice.
Since our text is on the left, I wanted to find something a little heavy on the right. The general theme that I’ll go for is “City photos” assuming I had some sort of architecture or city-centric presentation to give. Again, you’ll have to choose iamges relevant to your own topic.
I grabbed this Flickr Creative Commons image from photographer Ben Spreng .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/presentation-photo-tips.jpg)
Now, if we just made this image our background, the text would become unreadable and we would be ditching our color scheme. What we’re going to do instead is set it on top of the colored slide and set our blending mode to Overlay. Then throw your opacity to around 45%.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/the-presentation-blend-modes.jpg)
As you can see, this helps the slide look much more interesting but keeps the text and colors fairly intact. It’s a simple solution that adds a lot of interest to an otherwise plain design.
Adding Content Slides
The cover may seem like it’s only a tiny part of the battle, but you’ve actually already set the tone for the entire presentation. You’ve got your theme, color scheme and fonts already in place. Now you just need to set up a few different layouts for your content.
The thing to keep in mind is to keep everything extremely simple, and that includes the level of content that you include. Apart from design, these are just good presentation tactics that you’ll learn in every public speaking class. Filling your slides with everything you’re going to say makes you unnecessary. You could just email everyone the slides and shut up.
Instead, the slides are merely meant to be a visual aid. Show a slide with your overall topic or main point, then speak the rest, without reading. Nothing is worse than watching a guy read his note cards word-for-word for thirty minutes, except perhaps watching a guy turn his back to the audience so he can actually read his slides out loud to you the whole time! You may laugh, but I’ve seen it happen folks.
For our first content slide, we’ll grab another Flickr photo and set it to the bottom portion of our slide at full bleed. Then we’ll set the top to another color from our scheme and toss in some text using the same exact formatting that we used on the cover.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better screenshot](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/presdesign-7.jpg)
See how this closely resembles the theme we’ve already established while still looking significantly different? This is they key to good presentation design: cohesiveness without redundancy.
Now for our third slide, we can simply do the inverse of the second slide with a new color and a new image .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better screenshot](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/presdesign-8.jpg)
Adding Informational Elements
It would be nice if every slide ever presented could work in a full bleed image, but the truth is that this simply isn’t practical. It will often be the case that you’re presenting graphical information or some other item that isn’t necessarily a photo.
My advice here is to try to stick as close to your theme as possible. For the slide below I flooded the entire background with a solid color from our original scheme and made a quick 3D graph with white columns (I drew a few flat boxes in Illustrator and applied a 3D effect).
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better screenshot](https://designshack.net/wp-content/uploads/presdesign-9.jpg)
As you can see, this slide is very information-focused and yet it doesn’t sacrifice the aesthetics and simplicity we’ve already established.
You’re All Set
From here you might come up with one or two more alternate slide designs and then rotate between them for the duration of your speech. The result is a presentation that is beautiful, very readable and highly professional. The bonus is that the simple, straightforward design will probably result in less work than a clip-art-filled horror show.
Most of the time, great design doesn’t mean being particularly artistic or knowing how to create amazing complex layouts. Instead, it’s about presenting information in an attractive and user-friendly way. With this goal in mind you realize that you’re probably trying way too hard if your end result is ugly. Try cutting out half or more of the elements on one of your slides and giving what’s left a strong left or right alignment with plenty of whitespace.
I hope this article has convinced you to abandon that clip art gallery once and for all. The benefits of clean, minimal design in presentations are clear: the information is easier to take in and the end result is more professional than the mess of information you typically see in presentation slides.
Of course, if you’re looking to get started quickly, flick through our collection of the best PowerPoint templates to find a beautiful set of pre-made designs!
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How to make the best Powerpoint presentation + real examples!
July 1, 2023
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://framerusercontent.com/images/kcbxwdgIHCuU8tSbQR9fntMA8U.jpg)
Ever sat through a PowerPoint presentation and thought, "Wow, that was mind-blowing"? Yeah, us either. But, let's face it, we've all been there—either on the giving or receiving end of a less-than-stellar presentation. It's high time we changed that narrative. Creating your best PowerPoint presentation isn't just about throwing together a bunch of slides – it's an art. It’s about telling a story that captivates, informs, and even entertains your audience.
A new age is upon us, and it’s time to explore the ins and outs of what makes a PowerPoint presentation not just good, but great. From nailing your content and story flow to the nuances of design and delivery, we've got you covered. So, whether you're gearing up for that crucial sales pitch or prepping for an all-important investor meeting, buckle up! Your presentation skills are about to go from mundane to magnificent.
Your Presentation Should Tell a Story
When it comes to creating a killer PowerPoint presentation, it all starts with the story. You heard that right! Not the fancy animations or the snazzy graphics (though they do have their place), but the story. It’s the backbone, the foundation, the heartbeat of your presentation.
Think about how you feel when you watch your favorite TV show or read a book you can’t put down. Good storytelling takes us to another place, where the rest of the world slips away and the story steps into the forefront. Great presentations can do the same thing if the presenter can harness the power of storytelling.
There are also plenty of science-backed reasons to prioritize good storytelling. One article by Lani Peterson for Harvard Business Corporate Learning says, “Scientists are discovering that chemicals like cortisol and dopamine are released in the brain when we’re told a story. Why does that matter? If we are trying to make a point stick, cortisol assists with our formulating memories. Dopamine, which helps regulate our emotional responses, keeps us engaged.“ More engagement; more impactful presentations.
So, how do you nail down a storytelling strategy that sticks? Let’s break it down.
Craft Your Narrative
First, identify your core message. What’s the one thing you want your audience to remember when they walk out of the room? This is your North Star, guiding every aspect of your presentation. If you’re having trouble with this step, ask yourself, “Why am I giving this presentation?”
Understand Your Audience
Who is your audience? Tailor your story to resonate with them. Are they tech-savvy millennials or industry veterans? Your story should speak their language. Presentations that skip this step will miss out on a crucial opportunity to connect with the audience. And if you can’t connect with them, then what’s the point? One solution is to focus on understanding the needs, challenges, and aspirations of your audience. That way, you’ll be able to address their specific pain points and interests.
Create a Structured Flow
Like any good story, your presentation needs a beginning, middle, and end. Start with an introduction that hooks, follow with content that informs and engages, and conclude with a memorable takeaway. If you need ideas on how to start your presentation, see this guide with 12 ideas for hooking your audience from the very start .
Find Inspiration
Look to the pros! Ever read an article by Andy Raskin or April Dunford ? These folks know their stuff when it comes to strategic narratives. Dive into their work for some inspiration on how to weave a compelling story in your presentation. Just like we’ve all been through our fair share of boring presentations, most likely you’ve experienced a presentation that left an impression. Ask yourself why it was so impactful–you might be able to draw from their expertise!
Change the Narrative
Say you’re working on a sales deck. Instead of going with the typical problem-solution story structure, Andy Raskin has a different take on it:
Start with a big, relevant shift in the world. “We are living in a new era” type of statement. This will grab the attention, but also create some urgency for the prospect.
Then you move on to show that there will be winners and losers in this new era. The ones who act on this shift will have more probability of winning. In other words, “what I am about to offer you is crucial for winning in this new era.”
Now that you have set the stage, you can “tease the promise land” as Andy calls it. This is not where you show your product features. This is simply a teaser about this new future state and what to expect if you react to this shift in the market.
Then, you highlight the “Old world vs New world” to show the contrast, and how old methods do not work in this new era.
And finally, you provide real-life stories to support your claims. These could client case studies, article snippets, industry updates - anything that adds credibility to everything you just said.
Voilà, you’ve got yourself a story arc! This is a simple and straightforward way to craft a story that connects.
Nail Your Story First
Remember, at the end of the day, your presentation is more than just a collection of slides, but rather a vessel for storytelling. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. A well-crafted story can transform your presentation from a mere transfer of information to an impactful, memorable experience. So, take the time to nail your story, and you’re already halfway to creating your best PowerPoint presentation. Your audience will thank you!
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://framerusercontent.com/images/QneQZVp9jaF8xOcbjoBDtknKcws.jpg)
Embracing Professional Design for Impactful Presentations
When you've nailed your narrative, the next crucial step in crafting your best PowerPoint presentation is design. This stage is where your story gets visually translated, elevating it from a mere script to an engaging, compelling experience.
The Role of a Presentation Agency
Not everyone possesses an innate talent for design, and that's perfectly fine. This is where a presentation design agency can become an invaluable asset. These presentation experts act as the alchemists of your PowerPoint, transforming basic slides into visually stunning and strategically aligned pieces of art. However, be selective when you choose who to work with. There is a big difference between a "meh" designer vs a “wow” designer when it comes to preparing well-crafted presentations.
Simplifying Complexity
One of the critical talents of a presentation design agency is their ability to distill complex concepts into simple, digestible visuals. An overcrowded slide can quickly lose your audience's attention, but a well-designed one can convey your message succinctly and effectively. Not only that, presentation experts can remove the complexity of creating great slides by designing the best presentation templates for your needs, making the process easier for you in the end.
"We have been using SLIDES™ services for our corporate PowerPoint template, and the PPT template is so well done and easy to use that we all feel like we now have PowerPoint superpowers creating new presentations in no time with stunning look!"
Jérôme neuvéglise, product owner qoqa, creating visual harmony.
Consistency in your presentation’s visual elements - such as color schemes, typography, and imagery - is essential. A presentation design agency ensures that these elements work in harmony, creating a unified and professional look that enhances your overall narrative. The best presentation layouts are those created by experts who know how to make your brand stand out.
Visualizing Ideas Effectively
Presentation agencies excel in translating your ideas into impactful visuals. They ensure that your graphics, charts, and images aren't just visually appealing but also contribute significantly to the telling of your story. After all, why spend so much time honing your story if your visuals fall flat?
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://framerusercontent.com/images/avqmwJ4XhXdm4rGfrGjMmolV3M.jpg)
When to Opt for Professional Presentation Design
We know that deciding to outsource is a tough call, and you want to make sure your resources are well spent. Here are a few things to consider before seeking out help from a presentation agency:
High-Stakes Presentations
For presentations that can have a significant impact on your business - such as those in sales, partnerships, or investment pitches - professional design isn't just a luxury, but a necessity. These are the scenarios where the expertise of a presentation design agency can make a substantial difference.
Stripe’s CEO Patrick Collison said in a recent podcast:
“My intuition is that more of Stripe's success than one would think is down to the fact that people like beautiful things and for rational reasons. Because, what does a beautiful thing tell you? It tells you the person who made it really cared, and you can observe some superficial details, but probably they didn’t only care about those and did everything else in a slapdash way. So, if you care about the infrastructure being holistically good, indexing on the superficial characteristics is not an irrational thing to do.“
Oftentimes in presentations, we ignore how we are making people feel with our slides. Think about this quote next time you’re preparing your slides.
Overcoming Skill and Time Constraints
If you're not well-versed in design or if time constraints are tight, opting for professional help is a wise decision. This not only ensures quality but also frees you up to concentrate on refining and rehearsing your presentation. This guide shows 18 of the most common presentation mistakes people make, and gives tips on how to avoid them.
In essence, professional design is about giving your presentation the visual edge it needs to not just capture but also maintain your audience's attention. By considering the services of a presentation design agency, you're ensuring that your presentation is not just seen, but also remembered and appreciated.
Mastering the Art of Delivery
Alright, you’ve got a gripping story and a set of stunning slides. But wait! There’s still a crucial piece of the puzzle left – your delivery. This is where the rubber meets the road. Remember, no matter how dazzling your slides are, they can’t rescue a lackluster delivery.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://framerusercontent.com/images/cF9W2GaxQMqGb7wl9kDyp7iI0.jpg)
More Than Just Slides
First things first, let’s get one thing straight: people aren’t just buying into your PowerPoint. They’re buying into you – your ideas, your enthusiasm, your conviction. Your slides are merely a tool to complement your narrative, not the other way around. Your slides are never the star of the show. It's you. It sure is harder to improve your delivery compared to your slides. But it will be the best investment of your life.
The Human Connection
At its core, a great presentation is about making a connection with your audience. It’s about storytelling, not just through words on a slide, but through the way you present them. Your tone, your body language, your ability to engage – all these elements combine to create a compelling delivery.
Know Your Story Inside Out
Your first step should be to know your story like the back of your hand. This doesn’t mean memorizing your script word for word but being familiar enough with your content to speak confidently and fluidly about it.
Rehearse, Then Rehearse Some More
Practice might not always make perfect, but it sure does make confidence. Rehearse your presentation multiple times. This will help you iron out any kinks in your delivery and help you manage those pesky nerves.
When our founder Damon gave his first keynote presentation, he experienced some technical issues that would throw off any professional speaker. But since he had rehearsed his speech so well, he knew it inside out. And he could handle the mishap with calm, make some jokes about it, and then get back to his talk when the tech decided to work again.
Engage With Your Audience
Remember, a presentation is a two-way street. Engage with your audience, ask questions, and encourage participation. This interaction makes your presentation more memorable and impactful. The former product manager at Netflix , Gibson Biddle, shared this great example:
“In a virtual setting you need to double-down on engagement tactics. Today, I use Google Slides plus Slido to do real-time polling, word clouds and to answer questions. It makes the experience incredibly interactive to the extent that I now have an equal NPS for virtual and in-person presentations.”
Body Language Matters
Your body language speaks volumes. Maintain eye contact, use gestures to emphasize points, and move around if possible. This non-verbal communication can significantly enhance the impact of your delivery.
In today’s increasingly digital world, we also have to think about virtual presentations and how to put our best foot forward through a screen. An awkward camera angle or a weird background can be a distraction to your audience, so shift your focus to a flattering camera angle, solid camera quality, and a neutral background.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://framerusercontent.com/images/vWEQof7dvWsbYEnLLeQRsgwzs.jpg)
Authenticity is Key
Be yourself. Your audience can tell when you’re putting on a façade. Authenticity breeds trust and connection, which in turn makes your message more persuasive.
Investing in Yourself
Finally, investing in your delivery skills is investing in yourself. Whether it’s through public speaking courses, professional coaching, or simply seeking feedback from peers, improving your delivery skills is invaluable. Remember, a great delivery can elevate a good presentation to a great one. So, give your delivery the attention it deserves, and watch as you transform from a presenter to a storyteller, captivating your audience one slide at a time.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it – the roadmap to creating a PowerPoint presentation that’s not just good, but outstanding. It all starts with crafting a compelling story, enhanced by visually striking and well-thought-out design, and brought to life through engaging and authentic delivery. Remember, your best PowerPoint presentation will feel like more than just a collection of slides to your audience. This is a powerful storytelling tool, and you are the storyteller.
The key takeaway? Invest time and effort into each aspect of your presentation. Understand your narrative, collaborate with design professionals if needed, and hone your delivery skills. It’s this combination of content, design, and delivery that transforms a standard presentation into an unforgettable experience.
In the end, what sets a great PowerPoint presentation apart is the ability to not just share information but to tell a story that resonates, inspires, and persuades. Whether you’re pitching to potential clients, investors, or sharing insights with your team, remember that the most impactful presentations are those that connect with the audience on a deeper level. So go ahead, create, deliver, and captivate.
Your audience is waiting.
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11 Simple Tips to Make Your PowerPoint Presentations More Effective
Written by Jamie Cartwright @cart_writing
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation tips](https://www.hubspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/powerpoint-presentation-tips_0.webp?width=610&height=406&name=powerpoint-presentation-tips_0.webp)
After all, the skills needed to create good PowerPoint presentations —strong design, appropriate branding, concise content, well-placed visuals, and proofread copy—are the same skills that make or break a digital marketing campaign. I like to treat Microsoft PowerPoint as a test of basic marketing skills. To create a passing presentation, I need to demonstrate design skills, technical literacy, and a sense of personal style.
If the presentation has a problem (like an unintended font, a broken link, or unreadable text) then I’ve probably failed the test. Even if my spoken presentation is well rehearsed, a bad visual experience can ruin it for the audience. Expertise means nothing without a good presentation to back it up. Strong digital marketing requires a similar kind of attention to multiple forms of communication. Often, we think we need expert designers and writers to present our company in a professional light.
The truth is that PowerPoint enables non-experts to become strong presentation marketers, by providing user-friendly tools with little training needed. All you need is to learn how to let PowerPoint help you. Here are eleven key tips to get started.
No matter your topic, successful PowerPoint shows depend on three main factors: your command of PPT’s design tools , your attention to presentation processes , and your devotion to consistent style . If you can do all three effectively, you’ll find that your PowerPoint presentations won’t be the only pieces of your marketing toolkit improving!
Good style is the hardest and most important skillset to master. It’s more than design; it defines your vision for PowerPoint. Here's how to beef up your styling:
1) Keep a Natural Style
Human eyes aren’t used to seeing brilliant, out-of-this-world visual movement. Good presentations aim to comfort the viewer, not amaze. When you choose an overall style, try to envision your PowerPoint slides as one or many real objects. Imagine canvases, tabletops, landscapes, and shadow boxes. Here is an example of a stylized, blank PowerPoint Slide canvas:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better blank powerpoint presentation](https://www.hubspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/powerpoint-presentation-tips_1.webp?width=649&height=483&name=powerpoint-presentation-tips_1.webp)
Then, imagine how you would arrange real text within these various media. You don’t need to constrain yourself to two-dimensional space (i.e. surfaces), but just remember, that real people don’t live in outer space… So, don’t take us there unless you need to.
2) Don’t Let PowerPoint Decide How You Use PowerPoint
Microsoft aimed to provide PowerPoint users with a lot of tools. This does not mean you should use them all. For example, professionals should never use PPT’s action sounds (please consider your audience, above personal preference). You should also make sure that preset PPT themes complement your needs before you adopt them. Consider it a mistake if your audience recognizes a PowerPoint theme as a preset. Be creative; don’t be a poser. Here are three key things to look out for:
- PowerPoint makes bulleting automatic, but ask yourself: Are bullets actually appropriate for what you need to do? Sometimes, but not always.
- Recent PPT defaults include a small shadow on all shapes. Remove if not actually needed. Also, don’t leave shapes in their default blue.
- Try to get away from using Microsoft Office’s default fonts, Calibri and Cambria. Using these two typefaces can make the presentation seem underwhelming.
Presentation Process Tips
If you keep good style, then you don’t have to be an expert PPT designer. But you must know how to handle solid presentation process preparation.
3) Embed Your Font Files
One constant problem presenters have with PowerPoint is that fonts seem to change when presenters move from one computer to another. In reality, the fonts are not changing—the presentation computer just doesn’t have the same font files installed. If you’re using a PC and presenting on a PC, then there is a smooth work around for this issue. (When you involve Mac systems, the solution is a bit rougher. See Trick #4.) Here’s the trick. When you save your PowerPoint file (only on a PC), you should click Save Options in the "Save As…" dialog window. Then, select the Embed TrueType fonts check box and press OK. Now, your presentation will keep the font file and your fonts will not change when you move computers (unless you give your presentation on a Mac).
4) Save Your Slides as JPEGs
In PowerPoint for Mac 2011, there is no option to embed fonts within the presentation. Which means that unless you use ubiquitous typefaces like Arial or Tahoma, your PPT is likely going to encounter font changing on different computers.
The most certain way of avoiding this is by saving your final presentation as JPEGs, then inserting these JPEGs onto your slides. If you do not utilize actions in your presentation, then this option works especially well. If you do want action settings, you can also choose save partial portions of your PPT slides as JPEGs and overlay other elements on top.
On a Mac, users can easily drag and drop the JPEGs into PPT with fast load time. The compromising factor here is that if your PPT includes a lot of JPEGs, then the file size will increase, so make sure you can manage!
5) Embed Multimedia
PowerPoint allows you to either link to video/audio files externally or to embed the media directly in your presentation. You should embed these files if you can, but if you use a Mac, you cannot actually embed the video (see note below). For PCs, two great reasons for embedding are:
- Embedding allows you to play media directly in your presentation. It will look much more professional than switching between windows.
- Embedding also means that the file stays within the PowerPoint presentation, so it should play normally without extra work (except on a Mac).
Note : Mac OS users of PowerPoint should be extra careful about using multimedia files.
If you use PowerPoint for Mac, then you always will need to bring the video and/or audio file with you in the same folder as the PowerPoint presentation. It’s best to only insert video or audio files once the presentation and the containing folder have been saved on a portable drive in their permanent folder. Also, if the presentation will be played on a Windows computer, then Mac users need to make sure their multimedia files are in WMV format. This tip gets a bit complicated, so if you want to use PowerPoint effectively, consider using the same operating system, no matter what.
6) Bring Your Own Hardware
Between operating systems, PowerPoint is still a bit jumpy. Even between differing PPT versions, things can change. One way to fix these problems is to make sure that you have the right hardware you need to always use your own portable computer.
7) Use Presenter View
In most presentation situations, there will be both a presenter’s screen and the main projected display for your presentation. PowerPoint has a great tool called Presenter View, which can be found in the Slide Show tab of PowerPoint 2010 (or 2011 for Mac). Included in the Presenter View is an area for notes, a timer/clock, and a presentation display.
For many presenters, this tool can help unify their spoken presentation and their visual aid. You never want to make the PowerPoint seem like a stack of notes that you use a crutch. Use the Presenter View option to help create a more natural presentation:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint tips: presenter view](https://www.hubspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/powerpoint-presentation-tips_4.webp?width=650&height=57&name=powerpoint-presentation-tips_4.webp)
At the start of the presentation, you should also hit CTRL + H to make the cursor disappear. Hitting the "A" key will bring it back if you need it!
Design Tips
8) utilize the format menus.
Format menus allow you to do fine adjustments that otherwise seem impossible. To do this, right click on an object and select the "Format" option. By doing this, you can fine-tune shadows, adjust shape measurements, create reflections, and much more. Here's the menu that will pop up:
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint tips: format menus](https://www.hubspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/powerpoint-presentation-tips_3.webp?width=629&height=567&name=powerpoint-presentation-tips_3.webp)
Although the main options can be found on PowerPoint’s format toolbars, look for complete control in the format window menu. Examples include:
- Adjusting text inside a shape.
- Creating a natural perspective shadow behind an object.
- Recoloring photos manually and with automatic options.
- Putting an object in a very precise location when PowerPoint auto-positions an object to align with another object or margin.
9) Use and Change PowerPoint’s Shapes
Many users don’t realize how flexible PowerPoint’s shape tools have become. In combination with the expanded format options released by Microsoft in 2010, the potential for good design with shapes is readily available. Unlike professional design programs like Adobe Creative Suite or Quark, PowerPoint provides the user with a bunch of great shape options, beyond the traditional rectangle, oval, and rounded rectangle patterns.
Today’s shapes include a highly functional Smart Shapes function, which enables you to create diagrams and flow charts in no time. These tools are especially valuable when you consider that PowerPoint is a visual medium. Paragraphing and bullet lists are boring—utilize shapes to help express you message more clearly.
10) Create Custom Shapes
When you create a shape, right-click and press Edit Points. By editing points, you can create custom shapes that fit your specific need. For instance, you can reshape arrows to fit the dimensions you like.
Another option is to combine two shapes together. When selecting two shapes, right-click and go to the Grouping sub-menu to see a variety of options. Combine will create a custom shape that has overlapping portions of the two previous shapes cut out.
Union makes one completely merged shape. Intersect will build a shape of only the overlapping sections of the two previous shapes. Subtract will cut out the overlapping portion of one shape from the other. By using these tools rather than trying to edit points precisely, you can create accurately measured custom shapes.
11) Present Webpages Within PowerPoint
Tradition says that if you want to show a website in a PowerPoint, you should just create link to the page and prompt a browser to open. For PC users, there’s a better option.
Third party software that integrates fully into PowerPoint’s developer tab can used to embed a website directly into your PowerPoint using a normal HTML iframe. One of the best tools is LiveWeb, a third-party software developed independently.
By using LiveWeb, you don’t have to interrupt your PowerPoint, and your presentation will remain fluid and natural. Whether you embed a whole webpage or just a YouTube video, this can be a high-quality third party improvement.
Unfortunately, Mac users don’t have a similar option, so a good second choice is to take screen shots of the website, link in through a browser, or embed media, such as a YouTube video by downloading it to your computer.
With style, design, and presentation processes under your belt, you can do a lot more with PowerPoint than just presentations for your clients. PowerPoint and similar slide applications are flexible tools that should not be forgotten.
For small design jobs not worthy of a graphic designer’s time (e.g. calls-to-action, small web graphics), consider having a free staffer use PowerPoint to do the job. Or if you’re in need of more social media content, try uploading a few good presentations to SlideShare as free resources. With the eleven tips I offer here and a little practice, PowerPoint can be a powerful tool you won’t want to stop using.
Jamie Cartwright is the Inbound Marketing Intern at Weidert Group . A senior at Lawrence University, Jamie studies human communication, anthropology, and social marketing.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better weidert-cta](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/ce3a8699-4ed3-46a5-8545-7a55f9238f7f.png)
Originally published Dec 10, 2013 10:00:00 AM, updated November 07 2023
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- How to make Powerpoint slides look more professional: 16 design tips
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better A laptop screen showing a powerpoint slide](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/how-to-make-powerpoints-look-better.jpg)
Greetings, office peeps! When you’re designing a Powerpoint presentation or Word document, do you ever feel like something doesn’t look right? You can’t put your finger on it. Somehow the page looks amateur instead of professional. If you don’t have a designer friend to advise you, or enough time to hire a pro, these DIY design tips can help. Small tweaks will make your page layouts and Powerpoint presentations look more professional.
1. Gather all the content before you start
Have your text written and any crucial pictures and graphs in a folder, collected before you start designing. Then, like with a moving truck full of furniture, you can simply unpack it and place it around the room. You don’t want somebody showing up with a surprise piano halfway through! You can always add non-essential decorative elements later, but make sure you’ve got all the key ingredients before you start arranging content.
2. Begin with the longest slide
If you’re making a multi-page document, design the page or slide that has the most text first. Use this page as a starting template for the rest of your pages. Then you’ll never run out of room on a page later. You’ll already have planned for the most stuff that needs to fit. If some pages end up with extra white space, great! You can make a picture bigger or just leave some breathing room. (More on that in a sec.)
3. Set healthy margins
A common mistake is skinny margins. Placing items too close to the edges of your document creates uneasy tension. Like a glass on the edge of table near a toddler or a cat.
Pull your content away from the edges, and your page will look more professional. If needed, scale down fonts and pictures, or move some elements to the next slide.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Slides examples showing narrow margins corrected](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/set-wider-margins.png)
4. Make a visual hierarchy
Where do you want people to look first? Interesting layouts have a clear focal point, where one item is bigger or louder than everything else. A main image could be the star, or big text could be the star. If everything in your layout commands the same attention, the page is boring and our eyes don’t know where to land. Layouts that have a nice mix look more dynamic: a main big thing, some medium things, and some small things.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Slide designs showing how to create a visual hierarchy](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/make-a-visual-hierarchy.png)
5. Leave empty space
Unless it’s a dense report or a novel, filling every bit of white space feels crowded and daunting to readers. Aim to leave a quarter of your page empty. You might need to ruthlessly cut some content, shrink pictures, or use more pages. If it’s a presentation, see if you can boil your points down to a short phrase each. The examples below show pages that need to be readable on their own, like a brochure. If you’re presenting live, use just a few lines or points per slide.
6. Align what you can
Our eyes move through layouts by following edges—edges of paragraphs, boxes, lines, etc. Make it easy for readers to move through your layout by keeping essential elements organized in rows and columns.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Example slides showing how to align elements in a design](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/align-what-you-can.png)
7. When in doubt, left align text
Centering lengthy copy looks messy. Those ragged edges mean each line begins in a different place. Our eyes have to do more work to find the start of each row. This is fine when you have only three or four short lines of text, but not when you have more than that. In that case, left alignment is better.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Centered text versus left-aligned text](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/when-in-doubt-left-align.png)
8. Avoid orphans
In typography, an orphan is a sad little word that ends up on a line all by itself at the bottom of a paragraph. They are not cute! Look after those little babies and give them a family. Type some soft returns (shift+enter) to break lines at better places, pushing another word or two down to keep your orphan company.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Example showing a typographic orphan](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/avoid-typographic-orphans.png)
9. Avoid rivers
Rivers are awkward trails of vertical space that can show up in justified paragraphs. “Justification” is an option for text alignment, where space is added between words to make the left and right edges of a paragraph line up. Choosing justified alignment is not always wrong, but it’s harder to work with. To fix rivers, you’ll need a generous number of words per line and lots of hyphens, often added manually. This is a hassle. In general, left alignment is a better choice than justification. It prevents unsightly rivers.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Example showing a typographic river](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/avoid-typography-rivers.png)
10. Avoid long lines of text: target 45-90 characters
Long lines of text are hard to follow across a page. In paragraphs, target 45-90 characters per line, including spaces. Research has shown that readers are more likely to avoid reading text when line lengths don’t fit the optimal range. To fix lines that are too long, use a larger font size, wider page margins, narrower text boxes, or more columns. In general, a landscape slide will need two or more columns of text. A portrait letter will need much wider margins than Word’s default settings.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Line length examples to show the correct number of characters](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/how-many-characters-per-line-of-text.png)
11. Stick to one or two typefaces
Using too many fonts can look chaotic. Choosing just one typeface (a.k.a. family of fonts) and using different weights is nice. For example, use bold headings with regular-weight paragraph text. Or, pick a font from two different families, using one for headlines and one for paragraphs. Make sure they’re noticeably different from each other, so it doesn’t look like an accident.
A reliable combination is pairing a serif font with a sans serif font. (If you just said, “what the what?” serifs are the little feet on some styles of letters. “Sans serif” means without the feet.) See examples below that use free Google Fonts .
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Examples of font combinations](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/use-one-or-two-fonts.png)
12. Use limited colors
To keep your life simple, choose one main color for your design. If you like, add one or two accent colors in smaller amounts. Repeat those accents so they look intentional, not like random one-offs.
13. Use icons instead of bullets
Icons are more interesting than bullets. If your page needs to look more engaging, swap in small icons instead of bullets to add interest and color. Links to free icon sources are below.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Examples showing how icons are more interesting than bullets](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/icons-instead-of-bullets.png)
14. Use matching icons
It’s easy to get carried away searching for the icon subject matter you need, and then forget to consider the style of the icon. Does it look like the same artist drew all the icons in your document? It should. Consistency is key to professional design. Icon styles can be solid or outlined with thin or thick lines. They can have rounded corners or sharp ones. They can be smoothly geometric or roughly hand-drawn. Make sure they match! The internet is full of designers you can hire, sets you can purchase, or for freebies, check out:
Reshot free icons — a variety of styles Feather icons — adjust the size, color and stroke thickness of 287 icons Font Awesome icons — 2,000+ freebies with 19,000 more for purchase Hand-drawn Goods icons — sets of sketched icons
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Examples of icon styles](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/use-matching-icon-styles.png)
15. Keep icons small
To help fill a page, it’s tempting to make icons really big. This can look clunky. If your icons don’t have much detail, keep them small, since that’s the purpose they were designed for.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Example of icons used too big in a design](https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/keep-icons-small.png)
16. Use better illustrations instead of “clip art”
Stock photographs are easy to find (see my list of free sources ) but good, free illustrations are trickier. Some sources of free illustrations are below, or you can purchase stock illustrations or hire an illustrator. Just like icons, make sure all of your illustrations are the same style.
Blush illustrations Humaaans illustrations Storyset illustrations
Be the design star in your office
Often just a few basic tweaks can help designs and Powerpoint presentations look better. Even if you don’t feel like a designer, you’ll be ahead of the pack in your office!
And if your company needs a consistent brand look and feel, instead of every person reinventing the wheel every time, a brand identity designer can help. We use a strategic approach to create a signature theme for your company: colors, fonts, and images in templates that your team can use all the time. No more guessing each time you make a document. If this is something your business could use, let’s talk!
Note: Text in the example images was auto-generated by Corporate Ipsum for humor. Please do not write this way for real. 🙂
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13 PowerPoint Presentation Tips to Create Engaging Presentations
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better 13 PowerPoint Presentation Tips to Create Engaging Presentations](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Header-1.png)
Written by: Chloe West
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - header](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Header-1.png)
Have to create a PowerPoint presentation and dread it? Your presentations don’t always have to be dry, boring and limited. With these PowerPoint presentation tips, you’ll be able to put together a dynamic and engaging presentation.
Let’s start from the very beginning before you even open up your presentation tool.
- Start by writing out your talking points.
- Get creative with your slide design.
- Keep your design consistent throughout.
- Make your presentation interactive.
- Add animation.
- Put together seamless transitions.
- Use text creatively.
- Align objects with the grid.
- Create non-linear presentations.
- Place shapes strategically.
- Crop images into shapes.
- Utilize the presenter notes.
- Use a dynamic presentation software.
1. Start by writing out your talking points.
The first thing you need to do, before even considering your presentation design, is to write out your talking points and outline your speech.
Pay attention to popular and engaging presentation structures so you know the framework you want to follow throughout your talk. This will also make it easier to create an outline that focuses on each of your talking points.
Once you’ve put together an outline that represents your topic and touches on each important element you need to cover, you can start searching for a PowerPoint presentation template that will fit your topic.
Or, you can start browsing through Visme’s presentation templates below.
Presentation Templates
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_eCommerce-Webinar-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
Ecommerce Webinar Presentation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_Buyer-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
Buyer Presentation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_PixelGo-Marketing-Plan-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
PixelGo Marketing Plan Presentation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_Technology-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
Technology Presentation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_Product-Training-Interactive-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
Product Training Interactive Presentation
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://assets.visme.co/templates/presentations/thumbnails/i_Work-Biz-Pitch-Deck-Presentation-full_1.jpg)
Work+Biz Pitch Deck - Presentation
Create your presentation View more templates
2. Get creative with your PowerPoint presentation slide design.
When it comes to putting your content onto your PowerPoint presentation slides, you want to be sure your slides are clean, easy to read and engaging.
This means you should try out a variety of different creative themes. And while we have a post with over 100 creative presentation ideas you should check out, here are a few ways to really make your slideshow stand out.
Use more design elements than photos.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with design elements](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/1.jpg)
While a photo collage or stock image background tends to be PowerPoint presentation go-to’s, we’re trying to empower you to do something different!
Take a page out of this template’s book by taking advantage of different design elements. Here, we see a solid colored background, shapes, icons and text decorating the slides of this presentation.
In this example PowerPoint slides, we do still see a photo added to emphasize the point on one of the slides, but it’s used as a design element rather than the foundation of the slide.
Use a bold color scheme.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with bold colors](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2.jpg)
When customizing example PowerPoint slides , your color palette matters. Using a more bold and bright color scheme is a great way to grab audience attention and make yourself seem more serious about your topic.
A more powerful color scheme makes an impression on your viewers, helping them to further see you as an authority on the information you’re sharing.
This example PowerPoint slides uses a bold blue and orange color scheme to stand out. To get an idea for a color palette for your next presentation, take a look at these 50 combinations .
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![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/themes/blog/img/shortcodes/marketing-1.png)
3. Keep your design consistent throughout.
We just shared a couple of different presentation templates available with our platform in the last point. What do you notice?
Here’s another example for you to take a look at.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with cohesive design](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/3.-3.jpg)
All of the example PowerPoint slides have a similar look and feel, creating a cohesive presentation deck that looks intentional and professionally designed.
Imagine if you were sitting in a presentation that looked something like this.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - cluttered design example](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/4.-3.jpg)
This looks messy and cluttered. It’s an amateur-looking design, and your audience will be confused about how these slides make any sense together.
Because keeping your design consistent is an essential part of creating an engaging presentation, we’ve also created a few different presentation themes with hundreds of example PowerPoint slides that all follow the same design theme.
Here’s an example of our Modern presentation theme below with over 900 different slides so that you can find a variety of slides perfect for your next slide deck.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - modern theme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5..png)
4. Make your presentation interactive.
One way to create a really dynamic presentation that will keep your audience engaged and create a memorable experience is to make your presentation interactive.
While we’ve covered 17 ways to create an interactive presentation before, let’s go over how you can do this using a tool like Visme.
PowerPoint is widely known as the go-to presentation software, but there are so many alternatives that can lead you to a better solution and a better end result.
In Visme’s presentation maker, you can easily add links to any object in your presentation that lead to web pages, other slides within your presentation or create popup or hover effects with other objects on your slide.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - add links in visme's dashboard](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Screen-Shot-2020-09-16-at-4.13.18-PM.png)
Simply click on the element that you want to add a link to, head to the Actions menu, then select which type of interactive link you want to add.
You’re also able to create interactive maps and data visualizations that allow you or your viewers to hover over each element in your visual to see more information.
Here’s an example of an interactive map that you can easily create to showcase more information in a more digestible format.
Visme also allows you to embed external content like videos, polls, forms, surveys, quizzes and more. Plus, there are several third-party integrations you can use to embed and connect even more interactive content.
5. Add animation.
Another way to help your slides stand out is by adding in animated elements. Try to incorporate enter and exit effects for various objects on your slides to grab your audience’s attention as new slides fly onto the screen.
Here’s a great example of how this could look.
Or, if you put together your PowerPoint presentation slides with a different tool – like Visme, wink wink – you can gain access to even more animated elements.
Visme provides users with fully customizable animated illustrations, icons, shapes and more that can have their size, colors and animation speed updated to fit your needs.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - elements available in visme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/7.-3.jpg)
These illustrations can be perfect for adding even more depth to your presentation slides, especially when it comes to your title slides and section headers to help break up your presentation.
6. Put together seamless transitions.
When customizing example PowerPoint slides, you want to put a creative spin on it. Instead of having one slide disappear for another to appear in full, why not try out some creative transitions?
It’s important for us to note that if you find a transition you like, you should stick with it throughout your presentation. This goes back to our point about cohesive design. You want everything to flow well.
This means that you don’t want to throw a ton of different slide designs, animation types and transitions into the mix, or you’ll end up with a cluttered and hard-to-follow presentation deck.
Visme’s unique transitions offer not just slide transitions, but a way to seamlessly transition all of your elements onto the screen as well.
Take a look at this presentation below to see how this looks. Click through the slides to see them transition.
To get this effect, simply choose one of the following transitions that also show the slide elements following suit after the background appears.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - transition options in visme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/9.-2.jpg)
Ready to create your own presentation in minutes?
- Add your own text, images and more
- Customize colors, fonts and everything else
- Choose from hundreds of slide designs and templates
- Add interactive buttons and animations
7. Use text creatively.
There are hundreds of fonts to choose from, so how do you know the best ones to use and how to make them stand out on your slides?
First, you can check out our guide to font pairing to understand some basics for choosing the right fonts for your slides.
For example, make sure you’re using 3 fonts max, and that each has a specific role in your presentation, as you see below.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - font pairing guide](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10.-2.jpg)
Once you’ve chosen your preferred fonts, whether you look through our selections of top fonts , modern fonts , pretty fonts or elsewhere, start considering how you can use them creatively in your presentation design.
Pro Tip: It’s important to remember that in a presentation, you won’t have many words on the screen. So you want to make sure the text that you do include focuses on your main point of each slide and grabs attention.
Let’s cover a few ways that you can use text creatively and really make your slides stand out to your viewers.
Surround your text with shapes.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with text and shapes](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/11.jpg)
If you really want to make certain words pop off the slide, add a shape behind them like you see in this presentation about dinosaurs above.
While this is more of an informational presentation, this tactic can also be used for business-related presentations as well.
Simply search through Visme’s library of shapes for something that matches your theme and set it behind your content.
Place your text on the white space of a photo.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with white space for text](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/12.jpg)
Try positioning your photos strategically and utilizing pictures with more white space than you normally would. This helps you find the perfect spot to place your text so that it’s easy for your audience to read while still being visual.
In the above example PowerPoint slides, these minimalistic nature photos are the perfect backdrop for the text, providing tons of white space while still offering texture and visual elements.
Use color overlays.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with color overlays](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/13.-2.jpg)
Another great way to really make your words pop is by adding a translucent color overlay on top of your background photo.
Incorporating a photo into your presentation slide helps create more depth and visualize the words you’re saying, but you still want to be able to have your text be legible throughout the slide deck.
8. Align objects with the grid.
When using a tool like Visme to create your presentation, you can turn on a grid that allows you to ensure your design elements are properly aligned and perfectly symmetrical.
To access the grid in Visme’s editor, click the hamburger menu, then go to View Options , then toggle the Show grid option to turn it on.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - grid options in visme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/14.jpg)
You can set the size you want your grid to be to strategically align elements around your slide as well as set how opaque the grid lines are.
9. Create non-linear presentations.
You don’t have to go from slide to slide in your PowerPoint presentation. In fact, there are endless options for how you could navigate between slides when presenting.
Whether you let the audience decide the direction of your presentation by offering them different options to choose from, you create a navigation bar for your presentation or you allow yourself to determine the flow as you go by adding a progress bar, you have tons of options.
Here’s a great example of what your presentation could look like with a navigation menu within your slides.
10. Place shapes strategically.
Don’t underestimate the power of shapes in your presentation design. Or any design, really.
Using various geometric shapes or even shapes you may not have heard of before to draw attention to various elements on the screen is a great design practice.
Our Creative presentation theme – with over 300 different slide layouts – is a great example of using shapes strategically to add design elements and emphasize various parts of your content.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - creative theme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/16.-1.jpg)
Visme presentation maker has a library full of different types of shapes that can be used in diagrams, as backgrounds to icons , to frame text and so much more.
Put together a set of guidelines for which shapes you plan to use in your presentation and stick to no more than two or three different shapes throughout. While you can resize them based on your needs, you don’t want to clutter your slides.
11. Crop images into shapes.
Back with the shapes! Another creative way to bring shapes into your designs is to crop photos into different geometric shapes.
The presentation template below is the perfect example for how you can visually incorporate these cropped images into your slide design.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - template with geometric shapes](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/17.jpg)
It’s easy to do this with a tool like Visme. Simply drag and drop your choice of photo from the photo library in the left sidebar onto your slide, click it, choose Frames in the navigation bar and choose the one that fits your design.
Take a look at a few of the frames available in our software.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better powerpoint presentation - image frames available in visme](https://visme.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/18.-1.jpg)
12. Utilize presenter notes.
Want to really give a good presentation ? It’s important not to read off the slide and actually speak directly to your audience throughout your PowerPoint presentation.
One great way to keep yourself on task and ensure you don’t skip over any important information is to take advantage of presenter notes available to you when up on stage or in front of your audience presenting.
Visme has dynamic and comprehensive presenter notes built in that help ease the pressure of presenting.
Take a look below at what you can expect to see on your screen when presenting – all while your audience only sees the slide you’re showcasing.
You get access to the time of your presentation, the current slide, the slide you can expect next to help with the flow of your slideshow and the notes you’ve prepared for your talking points.
13. Use a dynamic presentation software.
The last way to create an amazing and engaging PowerPoint presentation is to use a dynamic presentation software that isn’t PowerPoint.
I know what you’re thinking – how can you deliver a PowerPoint by using a different software?
With a tool like Visme, you’ll get tons of premade example PowerPoint slides to choose from. You’re able to both import existing PowerPoints to edit and spice them up and export editable PowerPoints to present offline and make any last minute changes.
When creating your presentation, you can use Dynamic Fields to automatically update key information throughout the slides. You can also personalize the fields and apply them to other projects.
Our analytics tool helps you track the performance of your presentation. You can track views, unique visits, average time, average completion and a host of other key metrics.
Learn more about turning your Vismes into PowerPoint presentations in this quick tutorial video.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://blog.visme.co/wp-content/themes/blog/img/play_button.png)
Start improving your PowerPoint presentations with Visme.
Ready to start creating PowerPoint presentations with Visme? Sign up for a business account today and improve your brand and the presentations you share with your audience. Start creating engaging and interactive presentations that your viewers will love.
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About the Author
Chloe West is the content marketing manager at Visme. Her experience in digital marketing includes everything from social media, blogging, email marketing to graphic design, strategy creation and implementation, and more. During her spare time, she enjoys exploring her home city of Charleston with her son.
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15 PowerPoint Tips to Make Your Slides More Effective
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better](https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/firsova-98x98.png)
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Paulina Fox See full bio →
![PowerPoint Tips to Make Slides More Effective PowerPoint Tips to Make Slides More Effective](https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PowerPoint-Tips-to-Make-Slides-More-Effective-730x408.webp)
People often underestimate the power of a well-designed and effective PowerPoint presentation. Although everyone has heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” in PPT land, the opposite seems to hold true.
As slides usually contain an overwhelming amount of text, which the presenter often reads out loud, PowerPoint’s reputation for being dusty and static is starting to make sense, isn’t it?
In truth, well-designed PowerPoint slides that balance text with other elements are much better at delivering the message to your audience.
We interviewed PPT expert Ferry Pereboom and compiled his insights into 15 PowerPoint tips and tricks to help you create engaging presentations. Here’s a quick rundown of the tips we’ll cover, which you can use as a checklist to ensure your presentations are on track once you have an idea of what they entail:
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Now, let’s explore these tips in more detail.
The text should only complement your speech and emphasize its key points. After all, overfilling your PPT presentation with text can only result in two things:
- Presenters will read everything in the slides, creating a snoozefest for the attendees.
- Attendees will read the text on the screen instead of listening to you.
Remember, PowerPoint presentations should be, above all things, a visual aid. So, cramming a truckload of information into your slide shows makes no sense. That makes it especially important to focus on the content of the text.
With that in mind, here are some best practices for adding high-quality text to your PPTs.
1. Keep it short and to the point
As previously stated, it’s important to remember that a PowerPoint presentation should complement your speech. Avoid putting the entire text on the slides, as your audience prefers listening rather than reading what you intend to say.
Whether you use complimentary texts or bullet points, make sure to keep them short and sweet. For reference, you can follow the 5×5 rule: have up to 5 text lines on each slide, each with no more than 5 words per line.
That way, your audience will direct their attention to you instead of the screen.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better How to make PowerPoint presentation better](https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/editor/2024/05/ispring-blog-image-1715089298.png)
You can also use SmartArt, a built-in tool that lets you create infographics in the PPT app. SmartArt includes a wide variety of templates, such as cycles, hierarchies, relationships, and pyramids. For example, you can use SmartArt to replace simple bullet points with more visually appealing elements.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better How to make good slides with SmartArt Graphic](https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/editor/2024/05/ispring-blog-image-1715088709.png)
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Paulina Fox
Passionate about design and tech, Paulina crafts content that helps customers delve deeper into iSpring products.
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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > PowerPoint Tips: Make The Most of Your Presentation
PowerPoint Tips: Make The Most of Your Presentation
Got a presentation coming up but you’re not that familiar with PowerPoint ? We can help you get started with some easy PowerPoint tips and tricks that’ll help you create an impactful presentation , no matter what the occasion.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better An image showing a PowerPoint presentation slide layout.](https://m365contenthub.wpengine.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1600x600_PowerPoint-Tips-Its-Easier-Than-You-Think.jpg)
Our PowerPoint for beginners tips will show you how to:
- Make an outline.
- Choose a theme.
- Find a font.
- Use visuals.
- Not use too much text.
- Limit your color.
- Use a free online “speaker coach”.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better Tell your story with captivating presentations Banner](https://m365contenthub.wpengine.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/50-50-bounce-powerpoint.jpg)
Tell your story with captivating presentations
Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices
Outline your presentation before you start. Don’t spend time making unnecessary slides for your presentation. Create an outline before you start. Not only will this make it easier to put the content on the slides, but it will also let you know how many slides you need to make. Rather than winging it and making slides as you go, use your outline to make your slides efficient and organized . Working without an outline can sometimes lead to jumbled slides with more information than you need.
Choose a theme and template. Not everybody is a graphic designer, so coming up with the perfect slide theme and template can seem hard. Thanks to PowerPoint templates, it isn’t. Find a free online template that gives you the design, layout, color scheme, and aesthetic you want. Be sure to choose something that fits what you’re talking about (e.g. Don’t use a whimsical theme with bright colors and butterflies if you’re presenting a serious topic.)
Find the right font . Knowing which font to use for your presentation isn’t always easy. When it comes to the basics of selecting the best font, follow best-practice recommendations that say an easy-to-read sans-serif font is preferred. Fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, and others like it make for simple fonts that are easy to read. Although, there are some serif fonts that still look great on PowerPoint and are easy to read on high-resolution screens. When you’re building out the format of your slides, a great way to distinguish the title section from the body text is by using a different font for each or bolding your title font.
Use visuals . Words on a page aren’t nearly as engaging as visuals. Keep your audience’s attention during your presentation by using visuals like graphics, animations, photos, and videos. PowerPoint makes it easy to insert clipart, tables, graphs, and much more by using the features built into the program. You can also include gifs and YouTube videos to up the ante on your presentation.
While it’s great to use fun gifs or YouTube videos to enhance your presentation, don’t go crazy. Eventually, your audience will get tired of looking at a five-second loop on a gif as you speak, and videos don’t always have the impact you want. Videos can be distracting to your audience because they change the pace of your presentation, so it’s a good idea to limit the number of videos you include.
Tip: If you’re going to lay words over a picture, use a colored box with the opacity down around 50% to create more contrast between the image and the words.
Limit your text. Your audience doesn’t want to read; they want to listen to you. Don’t fill your slides with long sentences and complex phrasing. Instead, include only the most important points of what you want to say. The PowerPoint 6×6 rule suggests limiting your slides to six lines with a maximum of six words per line. Following this rule makes for slides that include only the most important points while avoiding information overload. Using bullet points is a great way to stick to the 6×6 rule.
![how to make your powerpoint presentation look better A graphic showing multiple different forms of bar graphs and charts available in PowerPoint.](https://m365contenthub.wpengine.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1064x500_PowerPoint-Tips-Its-Easier-Than-You-Think.jpg)
Go easy on the colors. Be careful of the colors you use when making a PowerPoint presentation. Too many bright colors can be hard on the eyes and reduce the contrast between the letters, making them hard to read. It’s generally a good idea to use a black or white font with a color that makes the font pop against the background. Black on white is always easy to read, and white looks great against most solid colors. If you’re not sure how a specific font color looks against a background, sit back in your chair, and try to read it. If it’s hard to read with the font and background you have, it’s a good idea to change one or both.
Use a free online “speaker coach”. Rehearsing in front of a mirror is good, but using free speaker coaching software is even better. Do you say “um” a lot? Are you talking too fast? Did you use a culturally insensitive term? A free digital “coach” with built-in AI will catch all that stuff and more.It’s the best way to assess your strengths and weaknesses and identify areas of growth.
These PowerPoint tips are enough to get you started on your presentation. Soon, you’ll be creating and presenting a beautiful deck.
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10 Expert Tips to Make Your PowerPoint Presentations More Engaging and Effective!
- Sathish Shanmugam
- January 8, 2023
- No Comments
PowerPoint presentations are an essential part of many business meetings, conferences, and even online classes. However, while PowerPoint can be a great tool to get your message across, it can also easily become boring and unengaging if not done right. Luckily, you can use plenty of tips and tricks to make your presentations more effective and engaging.
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Here are ten expert tips to help you create powerful and engaging PowerPoint presentations.
Table of Contents
1. Organize your content for maximum impact
Use 10-20-30 rule, use colors, shapes, and images effectively to draw attention, ensure design consistency, use visuals to support the narrative, benefits of using animation, things to consider when using animation, incorporate audio, video, and interactive elements, balance multimedia content with other elements, use charts and graphs to illustrate data points, understand the audience, utilize a logical structure, incorporate design templates and slideshows, prepare a script to help you stay on track, 8. consider using presentation platforms, 9. encourage audience participation, ask for feedback, review the notes, check the presentation, follow up with the audience.
Organizing content for PowerPoint presentations is important as it helps to keep the presentation focused and engaging. When organizing content, it is important to create an introduction, body, and conclusion that flow logically. Additionally, it is important to use visual cues such as headings and images to help the audience follow the presentation. Finally, it is important to use a consistent color palette, font, and style to help create a cohesive presentation that is visually appealing and easy to understand.
2. Choose an engaging visual design
When it comes to making a PowerPoint presentation engaging, visuals are key. Visual designs can help set the tone of your presentation and get your message across. Here are some tips on choosing an engaging visual design for your PowerPoint presentations .
The 10-20-30 rule for slideshows suggests that you should have no more than ten slides, 20 minutes of content, and 30-point font size. This is important because too many words or slides can be overwhelming and distracting. Instead, focus on the most important points and let visual elements do the work.
Consider using abstract shapes, large-high-quality photos, and vibrant colors to ensure that the visuals you choose are appealing and draw attention. Additionally, make sure that the visuals you choose are relevant to your message. For example, use visuals to show off its features if you’re discussing a product. You can also embed attractive QR codes with logos to provide more information on that product by linking to external resources.
To ensure that you keep your design consistent throughout the presentation, you must use similar colors and font sizes throughout. To make this easier, you can use dynamic presentation software or a template with hundreds of example slides that all follow the same design theme.
Visual design is an incredibly powerful tool for enhancing the narrative of a PowerPoint presentation. With the right elements, visuals can help to make a presentation more interesting and memorable for the audience. Visuals should be used strategically to support the narrative. Using visuals that reflect the presentation’s theme will help create a cohesive story that resonates with the audience.
Check out the video to learn about the core prinicple of visual design:
3. Enhance the presentation with animation
Animation can enhance a PowerPoint presentation by making it more visually engaging and helping control information flow.
- Animation can add energy to static images and text and can also be used to add surprise elements that help make the content more memorable.
- Animations can help to draw your audience’s attention, making it easier for them to stay focused and remember the key points of your presentation.
- It is important to use animations sparingly, as too many animations can detract from the main message of your presentation. So, make sure to use animation to control the presentation’s pace and keep the audience engaged.
- When adding animations, wait until you have added all the information and objects to the slides.
- Ensure that animations are visible and clear in a PowerPoint presentation to help the audience follow the content.
- Animations should also be used to keep the audience on track and help them to jump back into the topic at any time.
How to make animated powerpoint slide?
4. Include multimedia components
Including multimedia components in PowerPoint presentations is an effective way to make them more engaging. Multimedia combines different types of media, such as audio, video, animation, and images, which can help capture and maintain your audience’s attention.
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Including multimedia components in Powerpoint presentations is quite easy. For example, you can crop images to fit shapes, play music in the background, embed YouTube videos , insert screenshots or screen clippings, remove background from pictures, combine shapes to create a custom shape, add sound effects to animations, etc.
Multimedia content can be a great way to bring your presentation to life, but it should not be the only element you use. While multimedia content can be eye-catching, too much of it can distract from the message you are trying to convey.
Instead, try to use a mix of multimedia content, text, images, and diagrams that will help ensure that your presentation is visually appealing and informative. For example, if you have a video clip, don’t just rely on it to convey the message, but rather provide some additional information in the form of a text block or image that summarises the key points of the clip. This will provide context and help support the message you are trying to get across.
Additionally, consider using multimedia content and other elements such as text, images, and diagrams to create a more interactive presentation. This will help keep the audience engaged and allow them to better understand the message you are trying to communicate.
5. Utilize data visualization and infographics
Utilizing data visualization and infographics in PowerPoint presentations can be beneficial for a few reasons. First, data visualization and infographics can help to illustrate complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way. Additionally, data visualization and infographics can help to make the content more engaging and visually appealing. Furthermore, data visualization and infographics can help ensure the audience can retain the information presented. Finally, data visualization and infographics can help to add a professional look to the presentation.
Charts and graphs are powerful tools to make your PowerPoint presentations more engaging and effective. Not only do they help to break up the presentation to make it easier for the viewers to digest, but they also allow you to provide a visual representation of complex data that is easy to understand.
Here are some tips on how to use charts and graphs effectively in your PowerPoint presentations:
- Choose the right type of chart or graph: You have to choose the right charts or graphs depending on your data. For example, bar graphs are better suited for categorical data, while pie charts are better for numerical data.
- Keep it simple: Avoid overloading your charts and graphs with too much information, as this can make them difficult to read. Stick to just one or two key points you want to illustrate, and choose colors and fonts that are easy to read.
- Label your axes: Make sure your x and y axes are clearly labeled so audiences can easily follow the data points.
- Make sure your data is accurate: Before you present it, double-check to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. This will ensure that your conclusions are reliable.
- Use the right scale: When creating your chart or graph, make sure that the scale is appropriate. If the scale is too large or small, it can be difficult to interpret the data.
How to make good infographic?
6. Create an effective structure and flow
Creating an effective structure and flow to make your PowerPoint presentation more engaging is key to captivating your audience. Here are a few ways to create a flow and structure for your PowerPoint presentation .
The first step is understanding your audience and what their needs are. Knowing your audience’s interests can help you tailor your presentation to be more engaging and interactive. Once you have a good idea of who you’re speaking to, create an outline that will focus on the important points of your presentation. You can use the best AI presentation maker to help you with this.
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A logical structure helps to organize the information clearly and logically, making it easier for the audience to follow and understand. It also helps to keep the presentation focused and on track, preventing it from becoming disorganized or tangential. A logical structure can be achieved through the use of clear headings and subheadings and visual aids such as charts and diagrams to illustrate key points.
Use design templates and slideshows to keep the look of your presentation consistent and visually appealing. Ensure to align all objects with the grid to ensure your visuals are perfectly in line.
7. Rehearse and practice
Preparing and rehearsing your presentation allows you to get comfortable with the material and will help you convey your message in a more confident and engaging way.
Having a script for your PowerPoint presentation can be an invaluable tool to ensure that you stay on track and keep to the main points you want to make. In addition, by preparing a script, you can ensure that your presentation runs smoothly and is more engaging and effective.
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Here are some tips to help you write an effective script:
- Start with an outline of your presentation. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you don’t forget any important points.
- Write down the main points you want to make. Think about what information you want to convey in each section and decide how to present it.
- Include visuals. Think about how visuals or diagrams can help illustrate your points.
- Make sure your language is clear and concise. Avoid jargon and long sentences.
- Keep it conversational. Speak to your audience as if you are having a conversation with them.
- Become familiar with it and make sure you don’t forget any important points
- Timing yourself is an important factor in creating a good PowerPoint presentation. It is important to allocate enough time to cover all the necessary information but not so much time that the presentation becomes tedious for the audience. When practicing, note how long it takes to go through each slide. This will allow you to adjust the length of the presentation as needed and ensure that it flows smoothly.
Presentation platforms offer a wide range of features to help you create an interactive, visually appealing experience for your viewers. Many of these platforms have built-in templates and tools that make it easy to customize the look and feel of your slides. They also provide interactive elements such as quizzes, videos, audio clips, and animations that can add life to your presentation and keep your viewers engaged.
Encouraging audience participation is key to making a PowerPoint presentation more engaging. There are several techniques that can be used to foster engagement with the audience during a PowerPoint presentation.
- Firstly, maintaining eye contact, smiling, and using dynamic gestures and facial expressions will help make your message more memorable and engaging.
- Secondly, hosting an expert discussion panel or inviting guest appearances on stage can add an extra layer of engagement for the audience.
- Thirdly, you can use props or tangible objects to demonstrate ideas and allow the audience to engage with them.
- You can ask questions to keep your audience engaged with your PowerPoint presentations. Questions help to build suspense for the next slide, engage the audience in real time, and make people pay closer attention. It also causes people to reflect rather than merely take in the information one way.
- You can use live polling tools to get real-time feedback.
Effective methods to engage an audience in a presentation
10. Follow-up and review
Following up and reviewing a PowerPoint presentation is important in ensuring that the presentation is effective and that the audience understands the main points. There are several ways to follow up and review a presentation:
Ask the audience for feedback on the presentation, including what they found most useful or interesting and what they would like to see more of in the future.
Go over the notes you made during the presentation to see if there are any areas you may have missed or could have explained more clearly.
Review the presentation and make any necessary edits or updates based on the feedback you received.
Follow up with the audience after the presentation to see if they have any additional questions or concerns and to address any issues that may have come up during the presentation.
Creating engaging and powerful presentations with PowerPoint doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tips and tricks, you can create presentations that will grab and hold your audience’s attention. Try out some expert tips to take your PowerPoint presentations from boring to brilliant! You can also take the help of professional designers to help you out with the visual aspect of your presentation.
At Graphically.io , we are your go-to for all your creative needs! Our global network of customers can enjoy unlimited, custom-designed graphics and illustrations for one flat rate. We are committed to delivering exceptional and affordable designs, always ready for when you need them, no matter how soon. We also offer video creation in our standard package at no extra cost that can capture and captivate the attention of your clients and potential customers.
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10 PowerPoint hacks to make your presentations look more professional
Go easy on the content, and instead wow your audience with simple, streamlined slides..
Anybody who has been in the workforce for as long as you have has undoubtedly sat through a PowerPoint presentation. When those decks are good, they can be very helpful at explaining goals and visualizing data points.
But when PowerPoint presentations are bad, well, let’s just say you probably spent more time trying to figure out how so many different fonts could fit into a single slide rather than paying attention to the words they spelled out.
When it comes time for you to make a PowerPoint deck—and there will very likely come a time—you want to make sure that you use the program correctly so it reinforces your core messages and connects with your audience.
These 10 PowerPoint hacks can keep your presentations clean, effective and are surprisingly effective.
Write before you design
“At its best, PowerPoint can help show your audience what your message means,” says Kenny Nguyen, co-author of The Big Fish Experience: Create Memorable Presentations That Reel In Your Audience and CEO of Three Sixty Eight, a design agency in Baton Rouge. But first you need to clearly define what your message is and what your presentation goals are.
Sandra Johnson, owner of Presentation Wiz in Green Bay, Wisconsin , advises walking away from the computer completely at this stage because although PowerPoint is a powerful tool for delivering a presentation, it’s lousy for writing one. Instead, create the headlines for your slides on Post-It notes, sheets of paper or a sketchpad.
“Write one headline per Post-It/page, then lay them out so that you can see your story—in the form of headlines—come to life,” she says. “These allow you to move pages around and adjust headlines.”
Make sure your story has a clear beginning, middle and end. Once you have the bones of the presentation laid out, then you can write your script.
Start with a title slide that piques interest
Your title slide should make your audience want to know more. Pull them in quickly with a statement that directly addresses the questions you’re going to answer, such as “Why Stricter Regulations Are Good For Your Business.”
Another tactic is to make the audience part of the presentation. Tell them upfront how they are going to be involved in the information you’re presenting, such as “Choose the New Logo That Will Propel Our Brand Forward.”
Stick to simple designs
As you’re building out your PowerPoint deck, resist the temptation to unleash your inner artist. Less truly is more.
If your organization doesn’t have a template you’re required to use, choose one with a simple background, says David Paradi, presentation expert and owner of Think Outside the Slide in Mississauga, Ontario. If you’re in a hurry, you can always Google “free PowerPoint templates” and get started right away on a basic slide deck.
Select standard, sans serif fonts such as Arial or Calibri that will work on all computers and are easy to read, he says. Speaking of fonts: Choose three, max. And you have to use them consistently, Nguyen says. That means the same font for all headlines and the same for all body text.
Emphasize one point per slide
Your audience needs to easily absorb the information you’re sharing, otherwise all your efforts are for naught. If you pile multiple points into one slide, you risk overwhelming people, Johnson warns. Rule of thumb: Share one thought per slide.
Find yourself needing more slides than you have minutes available in your presentation? That’s a sign you may be cramming too much into the presentation itself. Edit your content ruthlessly.
Use text sparingly
If people are reading your slides, they aren’t listening to you. Keep the volume of text on each slide to the bare minimum; this will also maximize the impact of each word. “Write concise points that allow you to expand on each idea as you speak,” Paradi says.
Choose a font size of at least 24 points to ensure your audience can easily read your slides. Johnson suggests using only one headline or short sentence for each slide. If you must use bullet points, she says, use only three to five bullets with only three to five words each. Everyone’s eyes will thank you.
Select images for impact
Images should be chosen carefully to reinforce your message, not merely to jazz up the slide.
Use graphs and charts to show comparisons and trends, Johnson says. You don’t need a bar chart to show that sales grew by 16% in the fourth quarter, for example, but one can be helpful to show how sales grew compared with other quarters.
And please, pass on the generic clip art. Thinkstock, iStock and Stocksy are all better sources for stock images, should you find you need them. (Pro tip: You probably don’t.)
Practice your verbal presentation
PowerPoint slides are meant to be a complement to your speech—not the star of the show, which is you. Think of them like illustrations of the story that you’re telling.
To tell a good story, rehearse your presentation out loud to make sure it flows and fits in the time allowed, Paradi says. “If you can rehearse in the room and with the equipment you will be using, you will be more confident on the day of the presentation,” he says.
Nguyen recommends recording yourself during the practice presentation so you can identify and correct areas where you stumble.
Run it by a colleague
Let someone review your presentation deck before you go live with it. A trusted colleague or friend can check for embarrassing typos, as well as whether your message comes through loud and clear.
“PowerPoints are a great collaborative opportunity,” Johnson says. “You may be saying something a certain way, and a colleague may be able to offer a better approach.”
End with a persuasive call to action
Your last few slides should quickly summarize what you shared and guide your audience on how to use that information, Paradi says. This isn’t the time to introduce new ideas.
A great call to action is upbeat, specific and actionable. For example, a common one for an internal audience might be to adopt a new business process. If you work in sales, you might invite them to privately demo your product. If it’s a presentation to an external audience, you may invite them to contact you for more information.
Not sure what your call to action is? Return to that wall of Post-it notes you created at the very beginning.
Explore the power of PowerPoint
These hacks are useful in a pinch, but for the long term, it’s worth it to become familiar with the PowerPoint software itself. Take an online course and learn the finer points of creating presentations, including complex graphics, videos and slide changes.
These skills will increase your value proposition to your current and future employers, as well as make you feel more comfortable when creating and delivering presentations.
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COMMENTS
A great PowerPoint presentation is: Prepared to Win. Research, plan, and prepare your presentation professionally. It helps you deliver an effective message to your target audience. Designed Correctly. Your visual points should stand out without overwhelming your audience. A good PowerPoint visual shouldn't complicate your message.
Just keep legibility top of mind when you're making your pick. Try to stick with one font, or choose two at the most. Fonts have very different personalities and emotional impacts, so make sure your font matches the tone, purpose, and content of your presentation. 6. Stick to 30pt Font or Larger.
Getting Started. 1. Open PowerPoint and click 'New.'. A page with templates will usually open automatically, but if not, go to the top left pane of your screen and click New. If you've already created a presentation, select Open and then double-click the icon to open the existing file. Image Source.
Use a Custom Font. A PowerPoint presentation tip that'll make your slideshow more interesting and more engaging is to use a custom font. Fonts set the tone for your presentation. So, when you use a premium font, you're opting for a high-quality font while also adding a personal or creative touch.
Microsoft PowerPoint doesn't have to be boring. In fact, with just a few changes, you can make your next PowerPoint presentation look like a work of art! In ...
First, display the graph (or all the statistics) that display the context of the key number. Display the key percentage on a single slide. Try this without any further elements. Use this as a follow-up to make people pay attention to this number. This is known as letting your design (and content) breathe.
Make Bullet Points Count. Limit the Use of Transitions. Skip Text Where Possible. Think in Color. Take a Look From the Top Down. Bonus: Start With Templates. Slideshows are an intuitive way to share complex ideas with an audience, although they're dull and frustrating when poorly executed.
Ensure consistency and professional aesthetics in every slide. How to do it: Select the editable, native PowerPoint object you wish to customize. Go to the Shape Format tab and click on the Shape Fill dropdown. Select "More Fill Colors…" and click the eyedropper icon to begin color appropriating. 7.
To reveal one bullet at a time in PowerPoint, right-click on your text box, select Custom Animation > Add Entrance Effect and then choose the effect you want. In Keynote, click Animate > Build in and choose the effect you want. 7. Leave the fireworks to Disney.
7) Limit bullet points. Keep your bullet points to a maximum of 5-6 per slide. In addition, the words per bullet point should also be limited to 5-6 words. It's also wise to vary what you present in each slide, such as alternating between bullet points, graphics, and graph slides, in order to sustain the interest and focus of your audience.
Use Envato Elements to accelerate learning how to create a good PowerPoint presentation. You don't have to learn how to make a good PowerPoint presentation design on your own. Instead, see what makes a great PowerPoint presentation when you use templates. Let's look at five of the best PowerPoint presentations included with Envato Elements: 1.
Mention only the most important information. Talk about your topic in an exciting way. 1. Speak freely. One of the most important points in good presentations is to speak freely. Prepare your presentation so well that you can speak freely and rarely, if ever, need to look at your notes.
Our series of tips on presentation design outlined some generic rules and ideas that you can live by to create better, more professional presentations. Today we want to follow that up by taking you through the actual process of designing a presentation from start to finish. We'll break down every step of the design process, from choosing ...
Creating your best PowerPoint presentation isn't just about throwing together a bunch of slides - it's an art. It's about telling a story that captivates, informs, and even entertains your audience. A new age is upon us, and it's time to explore the ins and outs of what makes a PowerPoint presentation not just good, but great.
1) Keep a Natural Style. Human eyes aren't used to seeing brilliant, out-of-this-world visual movement. Good presentations aim to comfort the viewer, not amaze. When you choose an overall style, try to envision your PowerPoint slides as one or many real objects. Imagine canvases, tabletops, landscapes, and shadow boxes.
2. Use Quality Photography. Photography is one of the single best ways to make your presentation look awesome. It's also one of the single best ways to make it lame. The "business people on white background" look is nice, but it's overdone and tends to look a bit too much like stock art or flat out cliche.
Hand-drawn Goods icons — sets of sketched icons. 15. Keep icons small. To help fill a page, it's tempting to make icons really big. This can look clunky. If your icons don't have much detail, keep them small, since that's the purpose they were designed for. 16. Use better illustrations instead of "clip art".
1. Start by writing out your talking points. The first thing you need to do, before even considering your presentation design, is to write out your talking points and outline your speech. Pay attention to popular and engaging presentation structures so you know the framework you want to follow throughout your talk.
Delete unnecessary outlines, colors, and borders. Again, "keep it simple" and "less is more" are the keys to designing clear tables. 11. Use industry-specific PowerPoint templates. Industry-specific PPT layouts help immerse the audience in the subject and make the information more relatable to a specific audience.
We can help you get started with some easy PowerPoint tips and tricks that'll help you create an impactful presentation, no matter what the occasion. Our PowerPoint for beginners tips will show you how to: Make an outline. Choose a theme. Find a font. Use visuals. Not use too much text. Limit your color.
Follow these steps to create an engaging presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint: 1. Change the template design. Instead of using a pre-made template from PowerPoint, customize it to fit your needs. Try different fonts, colors and designs to help differentiate it from common templates.
Here are ten expert tips to help you create powerful and engaging PowerPoint presentations. Table of Contents. 1. Organize your content for maximum impact. 2. Choose an engaging visual design. Use 10-20-30 rule. Use colors, shapes, and images effectively to draw attention. Ensure design consistency.
Choose a font size of at least 24 points to ensure your audience can easily read your slides. Johnson suggests using only one headline or short sentence for each slide. If you must use bullet points, she says, use only three to five bullets with only three to five words each. Everyone's eyes will thank you.