Engaging Presentation Tips, Part 2
Hi! I’m Tom and still a massive PowerPoint nerd. Last time, we looked at some important presentation tips such as keeping it simple and the power of narratives. Let’s explore more tips for creating audience engagement during your next presentation.
PowerPoint for Persuasion, not Distraction
Remember — your slideshow is there to support your argument, present further information, and ultimately help persuade your audience. It should never be there as a distraction or to do the presentation’s heavy lifting.
Chances are your audience has seen a lot of presentations before, particularly if you’re presenting to potential customers or industry colleagues. So how do you stand out? Firstly, don’t settle for PowerPoint’s built-in templates, layouts, and stock images — build from them. Everyone’s seen those design elements dozens of times before, so get creative with your design, establish your own theme, and appeal directly to your audience’s challenges/questions.
Sure, standard templates can often look generic and uninspired, so use templates as a foundation for your own original designs — adding your own elements, incorporating your brand colours, imagery, and fonts. PowerPoint is made for repurposing content, editing old resources, and creating something greater than before — so use PowerPoint to its fullest. Compile a library of free images, old PowerPoint presentations, templates, and other design resources to save yourself time and sanity when designing.
Another common mistake for presenters is reading from their PowerPoint slides. This makes presenters look unprepared and will likely bore the audience. Your PowerPoint isn’t there to remind you what to say, but to help your audience better understand the point you’re making.
Don’t use your PowerPoint slide deck as a substitute for notes and don’t repeat words that are already on the slide. Not only will audiences feel like you’re reading to them, which can feel jarring; but information is interesting only once, so hearing and seeing the same words can feel repetitive for audiences. If it doesn’t support your argument or help illustrate things visually for audiences (compared to explaining your point verbally), then it has no business being onscreen.
Visualise the Abstract
Data visualisation translates numbers and information into something more digestible for audiences, providing context and clarity for data. Presenters should use graphs, charts, and infographics to illustrate their key points and emphasise them. Also, including images can further make an impact on audiences, make your presentation and discussion points more memorable.
Beyond data visualisation, there are newer visual resources that speak to our digital era and can help illustrate your point further. Using graphics, emojis, and even GIFs where appropriate can help modernise and (ironically) humanise to your presentation, connecting better with your audience.
However, as fun as it can be, you shouldn’t be using visuals recklessly. Every visual element of your presentation should serve a purpose rather than simply look nice. Whether it’s an image, animation, video, or audio insert — it should always support the argument you’re making.
Practice Makes Presentable
After outlining and designing your slides, it’s time to rehearse and practice your presentation. This is probably the least fun part and can feel tedious, but it helps to build your self-confidence and ensure you deliver effortlessly. As you learn your content, you become more familiar and comfortable with it.
PowerPoint’s Presenter Coach let users access rehearsal mode and, while speaking, receive on-screen guidance as they practice. It highlights presenters’ pacing, inclusive language, use of filler words and culturally insensitive phrases, and alerts users when they’re just reading off slides. At the end of each rehearsal session, you’re provided a detailed report with metrics for additional practice — making it easier to understand how rehearsals are improving your delivery.
