7 Tricks to Improve Your Next Presentation

Have you ever gotten half-way through a presentation, only to notice the majority of your audience has fallen asleep?  Get your message across with visually stunning PowerPoint slides that will blow your next presentation out of the water.

We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to help you improve your skills and in turn, get your message across to the intended audience while avoiding the so-called ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

1. Change the size of your slides

   If you’re presenting on a projector set the size of your slides so they look good on a big screen (do this before you start so you don’t stretch any images in your presentation). To do this, click on File, then Page Setup, and then either enter a custom width and height or use the drop-down menu to select a preferred size.

2. Avoid generic templates

   Yes, it can be tempting to use a pre-made template but if you present to a group and then someone else does with the same slides, how do you expect to be memorable? Avoid becoming a clone by turning on Slider Master (under the View tab), and then right-click outside of a slide to format the background. You’ll be able to create consistent slides with a similar theme while remaining unique. If you need more help, watch a YouTube tutorial about this feature.

3. What are your brand’s main fonts?

   Instead of using Microsoft office’s default fonts, use your brand’s main typefaces. If you don’t know what they are, ask whoever designed your website or logo.

4. Consider spacing

   Every graphic designer knows the importance of spacing. Therefore, if you can improve the symmetry of images and text in your slides, you should. A helpful feature is the Grids and Rulers tool (click on View and then tick Ruler and Guides), providing a clear outline to help create even spacing.

5. Use photos to convey your message

   Eye-catching photos can transform a PowerPoint presentation and emphasise a point. You can use a free image service, such as Unsplash, where you can search and download photos and add them to your slides, or you can use PowerPoint add-on software, like PickIt, which allows you to drag photos directly to the slides once installed.

6. Try a Morph or Zoom Transition

   The Morph or Zoom Transitions can transform your PowerPoint into a visual experience. For the Morph feature, go to the Transitions tab and then click on ‘Morph’. From there, duplicate the slide you want your images or object to transform from a beginning point to an endpoint, creating a seamless animation between slides. For the Zoom feature, enable it under the Transitions tab. Play around with this feature to get used to it.

7. Use different software

   You don’t have to use PowerPoint to make a presentation. There are several alternative options such as Canva, Google Slides, Slidebean and Prezi Next. Opting for different software also means you can get away with using the templates on offer as they’re less likely to be used by others.