How to make your presentations more attractive

How to make presentations look better

PowerPoint is a popular presentation software for a reason: its graphic and text elements are all versatile enough to tailor to your content and source material. Here are some guidelines that can mark the difference between a serviceable presentation and a truly memorable one:

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Consider your presentation’s layout and placement

Well-placed disparate elements such as headlines, text blocks, and graphics ease the flow of information, steering your audience smoothly and in subtle ways. For example, most people in the Western world tend to read from left to right—so placing your text on the left means that it’ll be seen and emphasized first over any charts or visual graphics. Ensure that your headline is the first and strongest element for your audience to see, so that they can be anchored to the ensuing content.

Replace sentences with bullet points

Instead of being the sole focus of your content, a slideshow presentation should offer support to your content by summarizing key points and providing reference. Therefore, avoid overloading the audience with full sentences or paragraphs to read. This bogs down the flow and rhythm of your presentation and forces audience members to read information at different speeds.

Don’t overload the audience with visuals

The key to successful presentations is balancing visual aids and your own presentation skills. Overloading a slide with too many charts or graphics raises the chances that important information will be lost. A simple way to achieve this balance is to employ the 6×6 rule: no more than six bullet points per slide, with up to six words per bullet point. This ensures that short, punchy information stays in people’s minds almost like a motto or slogan.

Use simple, compelling images

Whether you’re using stock photos or custom graphics, a well-placed image will be able to set the tone and mood of your presentation. Select images that elevate the message on the slide, without seeming too literal. For example, if you’re presenting on the topic of economic conditions, a high-quality image of climbers on a mountain will convey a theme of stability, achievement, and rising success.

Consider the color wheel

One of the most important tools at your disposal when creating a presentation is your color selection. The color wheel shows the relationships between different hues and shades so you can illustrate text and framing. Using complementary colors draws contrast so that your audience isn’t just looking at similar hues—which might lead to eyestrain and fatigue.

Browse templates and customize them to your advantage

PowerPoint offers many attractive and adaptable templates that reflect your presentation’s content. For example, are you presenting something fun for a PowerPoint night? Consider a vibrant and striking design that complements your subject matter. If you’re presenting on more serious matters, use formal and minimalistic templates to let your content do the talking.

Good, aesthetic presentations don’t have to be difficult or intimidating. Check out more presentation tips and ideas to help you succeed in front of any audience.