Blog Layout

Who is Designing your Presentations?

Catherine Schalk • Sep 13, 2023

Top considerations when deciding whether to design your own slides or engage an expert

Giving a presentation can be stressful, but preparing for one doesn’t have to be. Thanks to programs like Powerpoint and Keynote, anyone can throw together a bunch of slides in no time at all. But should they? 


The effectiveness of the person delivering the content to the audience is only one piece of the puzzle in putting together an effective presentation. The quality and appeal of the content they are delivering are just as important. If you are no stranger to designing and delivering presentations, then none of this is probably new to you. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might be better served in hiring a professional presentation designer instead of winging it on your own.


Professionalism:

This is not to say anyone would intentionally create an unprofessional presentation, but the truth is we just don’t know what we don’t know. Someone could be the greatest artist in the world yet not be qualified to paint their house, just like the most mechanically inclined person might not be great at fixing their own car. There is a reason specialized professionals exist, and there is no shame in leaning on someone with more experience. A top notch designer will ensure your presentation is polished and professional, helping you to deliver a visually appealing presentation that is sure to capture your audience.


Time Saving: 

Whether you have created one presentation or a hundred, the process can still be quite cumbersome and time consuming. Unless designing presentations is your full-time job (in which case you can probably stop reading now), chances are there are plenty of other areas you need to focus on – many of which you are far more qualified to handle. Why spend time getting frustrated on something you don’t like doing or are not good at when there are better options. Think about it like this; you could mow your own lawn but is that really what you want to be doing on a weekend on the hottest day of the year? That’s why there are professionals!


Expertise:

There is much more involved in creating an effective presentation than just putting words and images on slides. Presentation designers have a deep understanding of visual styles and the principles of design. They can help you bring your slides to life in a way you would never have thought of yourself. 


Customization:

A presentation designer can tailor your presentation to address any specific needs you may have while keeping the audience experience in mind.  They can curate content, create custom graphics, animations, and other visual elements to help you stand out and leave a lasting impression. 


Consistency:

Besides boring and unengaging, a disjointed presentation might be one of the quickest ways to lose the interest of your audience. You might have the best of intentions in packing your slides full of images you love, content you’ve repurposed, and any other elements you may personally be biased toward – because they are your own. But a good presentation designer will ensure all slides are consistent in terms of design, branding, and messaging. This will remove any gaps or redundancies and make you come across like the consummate professional you are.


If after reading all the benefits of working with a professional designer you are still not sure if you would be better off going it alone, please take the time to reach out for a chat.  DIY (do it yourself) does not always translate into DIW (do it well) and life does not give us many opportunities to make second first impressions. Let a professional designer take the responsibility for capturing your audience’s attention and leaving your indelible mark on their minds.


Schedule Time to Chat
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: