Blog Layout

Books Are Judged By Their Covers

Catherine Schalk • Oct 16, 2023

Whether you like it or not presentation design matters

Have you ever sat through a presentation and wished you were somewhere else? You know what I mean; the presenter is just not able to capture your attention or keep it for any significant length of time. That’s not to say they are bad or the presentation lacks merit, just that there is a key element missing. There might be tons of useful information on the slides, but seemingly very little concern was given for how it should be visually arranged and presented, or how to effectively deliver it to the audience. In today’s environment of instant gratification and shiny objects, we owe it to our presenters and their audience to create presentations that deliver both quality content and a visually appealing experience.


Why is visual appeal important in a professional presentation?


Personal brand:
 Whether you believe it or not, your professional image, and quite possibly your brand, are at stake. A well-designed presentation will strengthen or even enhance your professional image. When it appears to the audience that time and effort have been invested into the preparations it will also help establish trust and credibility.


A more engaged audience:
The visual appeal of your presentation can either capture their attention or leave them disengaged. First impressions are crucial, and your very first slide could be the very first time many in attendance come to know you, so don’t waste the opportunity to impress by ignoring the design elements in your presentation.


Increased understanding:
  A well designed presentation can help enhance comprehension and improve the audience’s level of understanding. There are many types of learners in the world (auditory, visual, tactile, or analytical) and adding this extra level of detail to your presentation can help break down complex topics into simpler terms, use visual aids to illustrate key points, and create logical flows making the information easier to digest.


Differentiation:
  In a world where everyone is looking to stand out from the competition, a captivating presentation can give you an advantage over those who are only focused on packing slides full of content without rhyme or reason. A good design will not only make you more memorable, but it will also help define and deliver your brand in a way that builds credibility and engagement.


You can’t undo a bad experience:
Once you have missed the mark, it is hard to recover. If presentations are delivered in real-time, meaning once the words are spoken and the slides are clicked through, you cannot take it back.  Audience perception and interpretation is no longer in control and lasting memory can be difficult to erase.  And the inconvenient truth is that people will remember a bad experience more vividly than positive ones.  Presentation design can help to ensure that audience experience and impressions are positive. 


Don’t underestimate the impact of effective and high quality presentation design.  Equally, don’t underestimate the value of working with individuals and agencies who specialize in slide design. There are lots of highly skilled designers and content experts.  Make sure you reach out to one of them today. 


And as a last thought, it can be easy to rely on any of the numerousAI tools popping up to help with slide design. Always remember that they are nothing more than tools that can help enhance a presentation, but will never replace the hard earned skill and talent of professional designers. If you need help with your presentations, reach out to us today.


Schedule Time With Us Today
By Catherine Schalk 27 Mar, 2024
SMART goals prevent unnecessary mistakes.
By Catherine Schalk 30 Oct, 2023
Whether it be a virtual, face-to-face, or hybrid kick off, one of the most critical components in achieving event objectives is content. From videos and panel discussions, to award ceremonies and presentations, content must be engaging, effective, and well designed. But the brutal truth about sales kick off content is that there is a belief it doesn’t matter – anything will do. There is little investment made in the appropriate time and effort into creating a world class experience for sellers and presenters when it comes to content. In a world where your audience and participants are increasingly looking toward well-designed content, you cannot afford to keep looking at the creation process like a simple chore or leaving it entirely up to each presenter to simply show up with their presentations. We have worked with many companies to help them deliver world-class content on countless presentations and we want to help you accomplish the same. One of the key ingredients to world-class content is that it must be reality-fueled. In today's fast-paced and attention-seeking world, it's easy to get caught up in the allure of flashy visuals, gimmicks, and over-the-top presentations. However, when it comes to delivering a truly impactful message, it is essential to ground presentations in reality. Tips for creating reality-fueled content: Know your audience: Understand their needs, challenges, and interests so you can tailor your message accordingly. Craft a compelling narrative: Use storytelling techniques to create an emotional connection and engage your audience on a deeper level. Use real-world examples: Draw from relevant, relatable, and tangible experiences to illustrate your points and make them more memorable. Keep it real: Don’t sugar coat things unnecessarily, never lie to your audience, and avoid fancy jargon and words. Simplify and clarify: Break down complex ideas into digestible concepts your audience can easily understand and remember. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse: Practice your presentation until it becomes second nature. This will help you deliver your message confidently and authentically. According to Harvard Business Review, great presenters rehearse and put in hours of deliberate practice to refine their skills and messages. And that’s not all… When preparing a reality-fueled presentation, where the focus is on delivering a clear and authentic message, presenters must not only craft compelling content but also consider their own presentation style and capabilities. By bringing these elements together, presenters can enhance their ability to connect with the audience, establish credibility, and create a lasting impact. Let’s take a look at the basics here: Presenters and content creators need to understand the speaker's presentation style. Every presenter has a unique style that reflects their personality, strengths, and communication preferences. Identifying and embracing your presentation style is vital to delivering an authentic and engaging performance. If you are a content creator, leverage the presenter’s current capabilities. Understanding a presenter’s capabilities allows a content creator to leverage the presenter’s strengths and deliver a more impactful presentation. While it is important to adapt to your presenter’s style and capabilities, it is also crucial to consider the audience's preferences and receptivity. Adapt your style to align with their expectations and needs. Research your audience beforehand to gain insights into their demographics, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your content and your style to ensure it's relevant, accessible, and relatable to your audience. As a presenter, take stock of your own skills, talents, and areas of expertise. Are you a skilled visual communicator? Are you adept at simplifying complex concepts? Are you particularly knowledgeable about a specific subject? Capitalize on your strengths to deliver a reality-fueled presentation. Final thoughts While flashy visuals may momentarily grab attention, it is the content and authenticity of a presentation that truly leave a lasting impact. By focusing on delivering clear and genuine messages, presenters can establish genuine connections with their audiences, fostering engagement, trust, and motivation. So, embrace the power of substance and authenticity to make your presentations truly impactful and memorable instead of hyper focus on the visual appeal. If you have a sales kick off coming up, reach out to us today to talk about how we can help you build reality-fueled content… with a little flash of course.
More Posts
Share by: