how to make beautiful presentation slides

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How to Make a Beautiful PowerPoint Presentation: A Simple Guide

Ready to craft a beautiful and attention-grabbing powerpoint presentation we’ll walk you through slideshow design tips, show you some tricks to maximize your powerpoint skills, and give you everything you need to look really good next time you’re up in front of a crowd..

In this post, we’ll cover:

Key Elements of Winning PowerPoints

Illustrative, not generic, supportive, not distracting, inspiring and engaging, other considerations when creating a slideshow.

How many times have you sat through a poorly designed business presentation that was dull, cluttered, and distracting? Probably way too many. Even though we all loathe a boring presentation, when it comes time to make our own, do we really do any better?

The good news is you don’t have to be a professional designer to make professional presentations. We’ve put together a few simple guidelines you can follow to create a beautifully assembled deck.

We’ll walk you through some slide design tips, show you tricks to maximize your PowerPoint skills, and give you everything you need to look really good next time you’re up in front of a crowd.

And, while PowerPoint remains one of the biggest names in presentation software, many of these design elements and principles work in Google Slides, as well.

Let’s dive right in.

1. Use Layout to Your Advantage

Layout is one of the most powerful visual elements in design, and it’s a simple, effective way to control the flow and visual hierarchy of information. It’s also one of the most important elements to consider when thinking about how to make your PowerPoint look better.

For example, most Western languages read left to right, top to bottom. Knowing this natural reading order, you can direct people’s eyes in a deliberate way to certain key parts of a slide that you want to emphasize.

You can also guide your audience with simple tweaks to the layout. Use text size and alternating fonts or colors to distinguish headlines from body text.

Placement also matters. There are many unorthodox ways to structure a slide, but most audience members will have to take a few beats to organize the information in their head—that’s precious time better spent listening to your delivery and retaining information.

Try to structure your slides more like this:

And not like this:

Layout is one of the trickier PowerPoint design concepts to master, which is why we have these free PowerPoint templates already laid out for you. Use them as a jumping off point for your own presentation, or use them wholesale!

Presentation templates can give you a huge leg up as you start working on your design.

2. No Sentences

This is one of the most critical slide design tips. Slides are simplified, visual notecards that capture and reinforce main ideas, not complete thoughts.

As the speaker, you should be delivering most of the content and information, not putting it all on the slides for everyone to read (and probably ignore). If your audience is reading your presentation instead of listening to you deliver it, your message has lost its effectiveness.

Pare down your core message and use keywords to convey it. Try to avoid complete sentences unless you’re quoting someone or something.

Stick with this:

And avoid this:

3. Follow the 6×6 Rule

One of the cardinal sins of a bad PowerPoint is cramming too many details and ideas on one slide, which makes it difficult for people to retain information. Leaving lots of “white space” on a slide helps people focus on your key points.

Try using the 6×6 rule to keep your content concise and clean looking. The 6×6 rule means a maximum of six bullet points per slide and six words per bullet. In fact, some people even say you should never have more than six words per slide!

Just watch out for “orphans” (when the last word of a sentence/phrase spills over to the next line). This looks cluttered. Either fit it onto one line or add another word to the second line.

Slides should never have this much information:

4. Keep the Colors Simple

Stick to simple light and dark colors and a defined color palette for visual consistency. Exceptionally bright text can cause eye fatigue, so use those colors sparingly. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background will work well. Also avoid intense gradients, which can make text hard to read.

If you’re presenting on behalf of your brand, check what your company’s brand guidelines are. Companies often have a primary brand color and a secondary brand color , and it’s a good idea to use them in your presentation to align with your company’s brand identity and style.

If you’re looking for color inspiration for your next presentation, check out our 101 Color Combinations , where you can browse tons of eye-catching color palettes curated by a pro. When you find the one you like, just type the corresponding color code into your presentation formatting tools.

Here are more of our favorite free color palettes for presentations:

• 10 Color Palettes to Nail Your Next Presentation
• 10 Energizing Sports Color Palettes for Branding and Marketing
• 10 Vintage Color Palettes Inspired by the Decades

No matter what color palette or combination you choose, you want to keep the colors of your PowerPoint presentation simple and easy to read, like this:

Stay away from color combinations like this:

5. Use Sans-Serif Fonts

Traditionally, serif fonts (Times New Roman, Garamond, Bookman) are best for printed pages, and sans-serif fonts (Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana) are easier to read on screens.

These are always safe choices, but if you’d like to add some more typographic personality , try exploring our roundup of the internet’s best free fonts . You’ll find everything from classic serifs and sans serifs to sophisticated modern fonts and splashy display fonts. Just keep legibility top of mind when you’re making your pick.

Try to stick with one font, or choose two at the most. Fonts have very different personalities and emotional impacts, so make sure your font matches the tone, purpose, and content of your presentation.

6. Stick to 30pt Font or Larger

Many experts agree that your font size for a PowerPoint presentation should be at least 30pt. Sticking to this guideline ensures your text is readable. It also forces you, due to space limitations, to explain your message efficiently and include only the most important points. .

7. Avoid Overstyling the Text

Three of the easiest and most effective ways to draw attention to text are:

• A change in color

Our eyes are naturally drawn to things that stand out, but use these changes sparingly. Overstyling can make the slide look busy and distracting.

8. Choose the Right Images

The images you choose for your presentation are perhaps as important as the message. You want images that not only support the message, but also elevate it—a rare accomplishment in the often dry world of PowerPoint.

But, what is the right image? We’ll be honest. There’s no direct answer to this conceptual, almost mystical subject, but we can break down some strategies for approaching image selection that will help you curate your next presentation.

The ideal presentation images are:

• Inspirational

These may seem like vague qualities, but the general idea is to go beyond the literal. Think about the symbols in an image and the story they tell. Think about the colors and composition in an image and the distinct mood they set for your presentation.

With this approach, you can get creative in your hunt for relatable, authentic, and inspirational images. Here are some more handy guidelines for choosing great images.

Tips on Making Beautiful PowerPoint Presentations

So, the slide in question is about collaborating as a team. Naturally, you look for images of people meeting in a boardroom, right?

While it’s perfectly fine to go super literal, sometimes these images fall flat—what’s literal doesn’t necessarily connect to your audience emotionally. Will they really respond to generic images of people who aren’t them meeting in a boardroom?

In the absence of a photo of your actual team—or any other image that directly illustrates the subject at hand—look for images of convincing realism and humanity that capture the idea of your message.

Doing so connects with viewers, allowing them to connect with your message. This is one way to learn how to make your PowerPoint stand out and ensure a dynamic presentation PowerPoint.

The image above can be interpreted in many ways. But, when we apply it to slide layout ideas about collaboration, the meaning is clear.

It doesn’t hurt that there’s a nice setting and good photography, to boot.

Now that we’ve told you to get creative with your image selection, the next lesson is to rein that in. While there are infinite choices of imagery out there, there’s a limit to what makes sense in your presentation.

Let’s say you’re giving an IT presentation to new employees. You might think that image of two dogs snuggling by a fire is relatable, authentic, and inspirational, but does it really say “data management” to your audience?

To find the best supporting images, try searching terms on the periphery of your actual message. You’ll find images that complement your message rather than distract from it.

In the IT presentation example, instead of “data connections” or another literal term, try the closely related “traffic” or “connectivity.” This will bring up images outside of tech, but relative to the idea of how things move.

There’s a widespread misconception that business presentations are just about delivering information. Well, they’re not. In fact, a great presentation is inspirational. We don’t mean that your audience should be itching to paint a masterpiece when they’re done. In this case, inspiration is about engagement.

Is your audience asking themselves questions? Are they coming up with new ideas? Are they remembering key information to tap into later? You’ll drive a lot of this engagement with your actual delivery, but unexpected images can play a role, as well.

When you use more abstract or aspirational images, your audience will have room to make their own connections. This not only means they’re paying attention, but they’re also engaging with and retaining your message.

To find the right abstract or unconventional imagery, search terms related to the tone of the presentation. This may include images with different perspectives like overhead shots and aerials, long exposures taken over a period of time, nature photos , colorful markets , and so on.

The big idea here is akin to including an image of your adorable dog making a goofy face at the end of an earnings meeting. It leaves an audience with a good, human feeling after you just packed their brains with data.

Use that concept of pleasant surprise when you’re selecting images for your presentation.

Setting Appropriate Image Resolution in PowerPoint

Want to learn how to make a PowerPoint look good? Though you can drag-and-drop images into PowerPoint, you can control the resolution displayed within the file.

All of your PowerPoint slide layout ideas should get the same treatment to be equal in size.

Simply click File > Compress Pictures in the main application menu.

If your presentation file is big and will only be viewed online, you can take it down to On-screen , then check the Apply to: All pictures in this file , and rest assured the quality will be uniform.

This resolution is probably fine for proofing over email, but too low for your presentation layout ideas. For higher res in printed form, try the Print setting, which at 220 PPI is extremely good quality.

For large-screens such as projection, use the HD setting, since enlarging to that scale will show any deficiencies in resolution. Low resolution can not only distract from the message, but it looks low-quality and that reflects on the presenter.

If size is no issue for you, use High Fidelity (maximum PPI), and only reduce if the file size gives your computer problems.

The image quality really begins when you add the images to the presentation file. Use the highest quality images you can, then let PowerPoint scale the resolution down for you, reducing the excess when set to HD or lower.

Resizing, Editing, and Adding Effects to Images in PowerPoint

PowerPoint comes with an arsenal of tools to work with your images. When a picture is selected, the confusingly named Picture Format menu is activated in the top menu bar, and Format Picture is opened on the right side of the app window.

In the Format Picture menu (on the right) are four sections, and each of these sections expand to show their options by clicking the arrows by the name:

• Fill & Line (paint bucket icon): Contains options for the box’s colors, patterns, gradients, and background fills, along with options for its outline.
• Effects (pentagon icon): Contains Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Soft Edges, 3-D Format and Rotation, and Artistic Effects.
• Size & Properties (dimensional icon): Size, Position, and Text Box allow you to control the physical size and placement of the picture or text boxes.
• Picture (mountain icon): Picture Corrections, Colors, and Transparency give you control over how the image looks. Under Crop, you can change the size of the box containing the picture, instead of the entire picture itself as in Size & Properties above.

The menu at the top is more expansive, containing menu presets for Corrections, Color, Effects, Animation, and a lot more. This section is where you can crop more precisely than just choosing the dimensions from the Picture pane on the right.

Cropping Images in PowerPoint

The simple way to crop an image is to use the Picture pane under the Format Picture menu on the right side of the window. Use the Picture Position controls to move the picture inside its box, or use the Crop position controls to manipulate the box’s dimensions.

To exert more advanced control, or use special shapes, select the picture you want to crop, then click the Picture Format in the top menu to activate it.

Hit the Crop button, then use the controls on the picture’s box to size by eye. Or, click the arrow to show more options, including changing the shape of the box (for more creative looks) and using preset aspect ratios for a more uniform presentation of images.

The next time you design a PowerPoint presentation, remember that simplicity is key and less is more. By adopting these simple slide design tips, you’ll deliver a clear, powerful visual message to your audience.

If you want to go with a PowerPoint alternative instead, you can use Shutterstock Create to easily craft convincing, engaging, and informative presentations.

With many presentation template designs, you’ll be sure to find something that is a perfect fit for your next corporate presentation. You can download your designs as a .pdf file and import them into both PowerPoint and Google Slides presentation decks.

PowerPoint Presentations FAQs

What is the 5 5 5 rule in powerpoint.

The 5 5 5 rule in PowerPoint is fairly simple: 5 lines per slide, each line with no more than 5 words, and make sure your presentation is no longer than 5 minutes.

How long should your PowerPoint be?

A PowerPoint can be as long as it needs to be, but some people—and the 5 5 5 rule—advise you to keep five minutes or shorter.

What is the easiest way to make a PowerPoint prettier?

Beyond using eye-catching imagery and colors, a pretty PowerPoint should also follow good design principles. You want the information to be organized, balanced, and easy to digest. It doesn’t matter how many appealing images you include are if the information is hard to internalize. Use appropriate fonts and shorts sentences to make sure the words are legible and don’t crowd the slides with too many elements.

License this cover image via F8 studio and Ryan DeBerardinis .

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17 PowerPoint Presentation Tips From Pro Presenters [+ Templates]

Published: April 26, 2024

PowerPoint presentations can be professional, attractive, and really help your audience remember your message.

If you don’t have much experience, that’s okay — I’m going to arm you with PowerPoint design tips from pro presenters, the steps you need to build an engaging deck, and templates to help you nail great slide design.

Download Now

Buckle up for a variety of step-by-step explanations as well as tips and tricks to help you start mastering this program. There are additional resources woven in, and you’ll find expert perspectives from other HubSpotters along the way.

Table of Contents

How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation

Powerpoint presentation tips.

Microsoft PowerPoint is like a test of basic professional skills, and each PowerPoint is basically a presentation made of multiple slides.

Successful PowerPoints depend on three main factors: your command of PowerPoint's design tools, your attention to presentation processes, and being consistent with your style.

Keep those in mind as we jump into PowerPoint's capabilities.

Getting Started

1. open powerpoint and click ‘new.’.

A page with templates will usually open automatically, but if not, go to the top left pane of your screen and click New . If you’ve already created a presentation, select Open and then double-click the icon to open the existing file.

10 Free PowerPoint Templates

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• Creative templates.
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Creating PowerPoint Slides

3. insert a slide..

Insert a new slide by clicking on the Home tab and then the New Slide button. Consider what content you want to put on the slide, including heading, text, and imagery.

• Finally, PowerPoint Live is a new tool that enables you to do more seamless presentations during video calls and may be a better overall match for doing presentations remotely. Check out this video:

11. Try Using GIFs.

12 Free Customizable Resume Templates

Fill out this form to access your free professionally-designed templates, available on:

• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Google Slides

15. Embed multimedia.

PowerPoint allows you to either link to video/audio files externally or to embed the media directly in your presentation. For PCs, two great reasons for embedding are:

• Embedding allows you to play media directly in your presentation. It will look much more professional than switching between windows.
• Embedding also means that the file stays within the PowerPoint presentation, so it should play normally without extra work (except on a Mac).

If you use PowerPoint for Mac it gets a bit complicated, but it can be done:

• Always bring the video and/or audio file with you in the same folder as the PowerPoint presentation.
• Only insert video or audio files once the presentation and the containing folder have been saved on a portable drive in their permanent folder.
• If the presentation will be played on a Windows computer, then Mac users need to make sure their multimedia files are in WMV format.
• Consider using the same operating system for designing and presenting, no matter what.

16. Bring your own hardware.

Between operating systems, PowerPoint is still a bit jumpy. Even between differing PPT versions, things can change. The easiest fix? Just bring along your own laptop when you're presenting.

The next easiest fix is to upload your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides as a backup option — just make sure there is a good internet connection and a browser available where you plan to present.

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation software that will show up the same way on all operating systems.

To import your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides:

• Navigate to slides.google.com . Make sure you’re signed in to a Google account (preferably your own).
• Under Start a new presentation , click the empty box with a plus sign. This will open up a blank presentation.
• Go to File , then Import slides .
• A dialog box will come up. Tap Upload.
• Click Select a file from your device .
• Select your presentation and click Open .
• Select the slides you’d like to import. If you want to import all of them, click All in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.
• Click Import slides.

When I tested this out, Google Slides imported everything perfectly, including a shape whose points I had manipulated. This is a good backup option to have if you’ll be presenting across different operating systems.

17. Use Presenter View.

In most presentation situations, there will be both a presenter’s screen and the main projected display for your presentation.

PowerPoint has a great tool called Presenter View, which can be found in the Slide Show tab of PowerPoint. Included in the Presenter View is an area for notes, a timer/clock, and a presentation display.

For many presenters, this tool can help unify their spoken presentation and their visual aid. You never want to make the PowerPoint seem like a stack of notes that you’re reading off of.

Use the Presenter View option to help create a more natural presentation.

Pro Tip: At the start of the presentation, you should also hit CTRL + H to make the cursor disappear. Hitting the “A” key will bring it back if you need it.

Your Next Great PowerPoint Presentation Starts Here

Now that you have these style, design, and presentation tips under your belt, you should feel confident to create your PowerPoint presentation.

But if you can explore other resources to make sure your content hits the mark. After all, you need a strong presentation to land your point and make an impression.

With several templates to choose from — both in PowerPoint and available for free download — you can swiftly be on your way to creating presentations that wow your audiences.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in September 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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7 Ways to Get Your Money's Worth Out of Netflix

How you can protect yourself against inevitable data breaches, save 50% on paramount+ with this hidden deal, quick links, table of contents, start with a goal, less is more, consider your typeface, make bullet points count, limit the use of transitions, skip text where possible, think in color, take a look from the top down, bonus: start with templates.

Slideshows are an intuitive way to share complex ideas with an audience, although they're dull and frustrating when poorly executed. Here are some tips to make your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations sing while avoiding common pitfalls.

It all starts with identifying what we're trying to achieve with the presentation. Is it informative, a showcase of data in an easy-to-understand medium? Or is it more of a pitch, something meant to persuade and convince an audience and lead them to a particular outcome?

It's here where the majority of these presentations go wrong with the inability to identify the talking points that best support our goal. Always start with a goal in mind: to entertain, to inform, or to share data in a way that's easy to understand. Use facts, figures, and images to support your conclusion while keeping structure in mind (Where are we now and where are we going?).

I've found that it's helpful to start with the ending. Once I know how to end a presentation, I know how best to get to that point. I start by identifying the takeaway---that one nugget that I want to implant before thanking everyone for their time---and I work in reverse to figure out how best to get there.

Your mileage, of course, may vary. But it's always going to be a good idea to put in the time in the beginning stages so that you aren't reworking large portions of the presentation later. And that starts with a defined goal.

A slideshow isn't supposed to include everything. It's an introduction to a topic, one that we can elaborate on with speech. Anything unnecessary is a distraction. It makes the presentation less visually appealing and less interesting, and it makes you look bad as a presenter.

This goes for text as well as images. There's nothing worse, in fact, than a series of slides where the presenter just reads them as they appear. Your audience is capable of reading, and chances are they'll be done with the slide, and browsing Reddit, long before you finish. Avoid putting the literal text on the screen, and your audience will thank you.

Related: How to Burn Your PowerPoint to DVD

Right off the bat, we're just going to come out and say that Papyrus and Comic Sans should be banned from all PowerPoint presentations, permanently. Beyond that, it's worth considering the typeface you're using and what it's saying about you, the presenter, and the presentation itself.

Consider choosing readability over aesthetics, and avoid fancy fonts that could prove to be more of a distraction than anything else. A good presentation needs two fonts: a serif and sans-serif. Use one for the headlines and one for body text, lists, and the like. Keep it simple. Veranda, Helvetica, Arial, and even Times New Roman are safe choices. Stick with the classics and it's hard to botch this one too badly.

There reaches a point where bullet points become less of a visual aid and more of a visual examination.

Bullet points should support the speaker, not overwhelm his audience. The best slides have little or no text at all, in fact. As a presenter, it's our job to talk through complex issues, but that doesn't mean that we need to highlight every talking point.

Instead, think about how you can break up large lists into three or four bullet points. Carefully consider whether you need to use more bullet points, or if you can combine multiple topics into a single point instead. And if you can't, remember that there's no one limiting the number of slides you can have in a presentation. It's always possible to break a list of 12 points down into three pages of four points each.

Animation, when used correctly, is a good idea. It breaks up slow-moving parts of a presentation and adds action to elements that require it. But it should be used judiciously.

Adding a transition that wipes left to right between every slide or that animates each bullet point in a list, for example, starts to grow taxing on those forced to endure the presentation. Viewers get bored quickly, and animations that are meant to highlight specific elements quickly become taxing.

That's not to say that you can't use animations and transitions, just that you need to pick your spots. Aim for no more than a handful of these transitions for each presentation. And use them in spots where they'll add to the demonstration, not detract from it.

Sometimes images tell a better story than text can. And as a presenter, your goal is to describe points in detail without making users do a lot of reading. In these cases, a well-designed visual, like a chart, might better convey the information you're trying to share.

The right image adds visual appeal and serves to break up longer, text-heavy sections of the presentation---but only if you're using the right images. A single high-quality image can make all the difference between a success and a dud when you're driving a specific point home.

When considering text, don't think solely in terms of bullet points and paragraphs. Tables, for example, are often unnecessary. Ask yourself whether you could present the same data in a bar or line chart instead.

Color is interesting. It evokes certain feelings and adds visual appeal to your presentation as a whole. Studies show that color also improves interest, comprehension, and retention. It should be a careful consideration, not an afterthought.

You don't have to be a graphic designer to use color well in a presentation. What I do is look for palettes I like, and then find ways to use them in the presentation. There are a number of tools for this, like Adobe Color , Coolors , and ColorHunt , just to name a few. After finding a palette you enjoy, consider how it works with the presentation you're about to give. Pastels, for example, evoke feelings of freedom and light, so they probably aren't the best choice when you're presenting quarterly earnings that missed the mark.

It's also worth mentioning that you don't need to use every color in the palette. Often, you can get by with just two or three, though you should really think through how they all work together and how readable they'll be when layered. A simple rule of thumb here is that contrast is your friend. Dark colors work well on light backgrounds, and light colors work best on dark backgrounds.

Spend some time in the Slide Sorter before you finish your presentation. By clicking the four squares at the bottom left of the presentation, you can take a look at multiple slides at once and consider how each works together. Alternatively, you can click "View" on the ribbon and select "Slide Sorter."

Are you presenting too much text at once? Move an image in. Could a series of slides benefit from a chart or summary before you move on to another point?

It's here that we have the opportunity to view the presentation from beyond the single-slide viewpoint and think in terms of how each slide fits, or if it fits at all. From this view, you can rearrange slides, add additional ones, or delete them entirely if you find that they don't advance the presentation.

The difference between a good presentation and a bad one is really all about preparation and execution. Those that respect the process and plan carefully---not only the presentation as a whole, but each slide within it---are the ones who will succeed.

This brings me to my last (half) point: When in doubt, just buy a template and use it. You can find these all over the web, though Creative Market and GraphicRiver are probably the two most popular marketplaces for this kind of thing. Not all of us are blessed with the skills needed to design and deliver an effective presentation. And while a pre-made PowerPoint template isn't going to make you a better presenter, it will ease the anxiety of creating a visually appealing slide deck.

• Microsoft Office

3 Tips for Making Beautiful PowerPoint Slides

It's Monday morning, and your boss just asked you to pull together a presentation for that big meeting on Wednesday. You know the numbers, you know the content, but PowerPoint? Not exactly your forte.

Well, I’m here to help. Now, the first rule—the most important rule, the one that you must  never  forget—is that bad slides ruin good content. As much as I wish it wasn't true, I can promise you that both your colleagues and your clients will be swayed by the aesthetics of the presentation before they even read the first word.

So, to make sure they focus their attention on your message, without you wasting hours in PowerPoint hell, follow these three simple rules when you make your slides.

Master Slides are Your Best Friend

Master slides are the templates of the PowerPoint world, and they will save you a great deal of time and effort. By spending a few minutes upfront designing a good master slide, you’ll ensure each slide looks the same and make your whole presentation look cohesive and professional.

To start, go to the View menu to Master > Slide Master and create your template. One of my personal tricks is to add a very light background with some subtle texture to give the slides more depth—head over to Subtle Patterns  for inspiration and free downloadable backgrounds.

Then, add your company logo in the corner and any key information (website, your contact info, the meeting topic) in the footer. Finally, save the master and get back to your presentation.

Pro Tip: Save the master separately as a template before you start adding content to your PowerPoint. This way, you can use it as a base for future presentations. 

Fonts Change Everything

If your company prefers the straight and narrow when it comes to presentation design—or has its own font (like GE)—you can skip to the next section.

But if you want your presentation to have a little more wow factor, say good-bye to Arial and Times New Roman and hello to  Google Web Fonts . These fabulous, free fonts are easy to install on your computer, and pair together incredibly well (Design Shack gives plenty of suggestions for fonts that look great together). Just download the fonts,  install them on your computer , and prettify your presentations in no time! Make sure not to overdo it though. Two fonts are plenty: one serifed for headers and one sans serif for blocks of text.

Pro Tip: If you use custom fonts, make sure to save your presentation as a PDF before sending it to others. If the PowerPoint file is opened on a computer without the new fonts installed, it won’t have the intended effect.

Be Brief and Visual

One of the biggest mistakes people make when creating a PowerPoint is treating it like a Word document. Remember, your slides are there to show, not tell—or in other words, to highlight your most important points in a visual and engaging way.

So skip the lengthy paragraphs and use headers, bullets, and—most of all—images. Don't write that you grew from 100 to 210 to 350 users; make a graph. Don't write a long list of specs for your new feature; share a mock-up. Adding visual structure to your slides can also make sure your colleague's eyes focus on the right things without adding too much text. (For more help with graphics, check out our round-up of 10 great PowerPoint templates .)

Brevity is also important when thinking of the presentation as a whole. Keep your presentation short—having 7-10 slides is totally fine for a 30 minute presentation if they include all the information you need. If you expect to be grilled by your audience and want to have plenty of detail at the ready, put it in the appendix and reference it if you’re asked.

Pro Tip: Don't go below 13-point font size—it’ll ensure that you keep it brief on each slide (and that your audience won’t be squinting through the whole presentation).

Tell us! What are your tips for crafting a perfect PowerPoint presentation?

Photo of woman working courtesy of Shutterstock .

How to Design a Professional PowerPoint Presentation

Our series of tips on presentation design outlined some generic rules and ideas that you can live by to create better, more professional presentations. Today we want to follow that up by taking you through the actual process of designing a presentation from start to finish.

We’ll break down every step of the design process, from choosing colors and images to using whitespace properly. After reading through this you should be all set to design your own beautiful presentation slides that will put your coworkers to shame.

Using a pre-built PowerPoint template can be a good starting point for many people (we collected some of the best PowerPoint templates for you!). But if you’re wanting to design your own from start-to-finish, you’re in the right place!

19+ Million PowerPoint Templates, Themes, Graphics + More

Download thousands of PowerPoint templates, and many other design elements, with an Envato subscription. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 19+ million presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.

Minimal PPT Templates

Clean & clear.

Modern PPT Templates

New & innovative.

Ciri Template

BeMind Minimal Template

Business PPT Templates

Corporate & pro.

Explore PowerPoint Templates

A Word About Content

I usually make a big deal about content preceding design, and presentations are no exception. Ideally, you’ll have the topic and much or all of the content outlined before you even think about design. This will in every way shape the appearance of your design, which is why working from pre-built templates isn’t always the best move (though generic templates can and do work great in some circumstances).

The reason that I bring this up is that I don’t really have an actual presentation in mind for this project. I’ll be running with a basic theme, but the textual information will be entirely placeholder copy. Your image, font, color and layout selection shouldn’t necessarily match mine but instead reflect the topic and content you’re working with.

Choosing A Color Scheme

Before I even open Photoshop (yes, I design PowerPoint/Keynote slides in Photoshop and drop them in), I want to find a color scheme on which to base my entire design. When I need to quickly find several colors that go together I usually start with Adobe Color CC . Not only is it a great way to build your own color schemes, it’s an outstanding source to find schemes built by others that you can just grab for your projects.

As luck would have it, I liked the very first color scheme I saw upon opening Color. This scheme was featured on the home page and looked like a great place to start for our presentation design.

Now, if you wanted to get everything exactly right, you could make a list of the RGB or Hex values, but I prefer a quicker, more direct route. What I usually do is snap a screenshot of the color scheme, paste it into my document and stretch it across the canvas on its own layer for easy access. This way I can quickly activate the layer, eyedropper the color I want, then hide the layer and get back to work. It’s a bit like having a palette of colors to dip your paintbrush in.

Designing Your Cover Slide

Now that we have a color scheme, the design work is going to be much simpler. One trick that designers often use in presentations is to leverage the color scheme as heavily as possible. If you’re new to design, you’ll likely think that this is too easy, too plain or even that it’s cheating somehow, but trust me, it’ll be much more attractive and professional than that horrid Microsoft clipart library you love so much.

To start, simply grab one of your colors from the scheme you chose and flood the background of your slide with it (I chose #631c25). Good job, there’s your background. Don’t freak out. It’ll look great. Now let’s throw in some typography.

Choosing a Font

Font choice is a major issue for non-designers. The tendency is to think that most fonts are “boring” and to look around for something exciting and fun. This inevitably leads to the use of Comic Sans or some other equally hideous font.

Unless you’re an elementary school teacher, your presentations should never look like this. Instead, why don’t you try one of those “boring” fonts to see if you can come up with something you like.

Combining fonts can be a tricky task and can take a trained eye to pull off. Fortunately, font designers have already created collections that work well together and if you’re not a designer, they make it easy to pull off great typography. The trick is to just stay in a family. Again, I know this sounds lame, but it works really well if you make sure the two styles you choose are very different.

For instance, I chose a Helvetica Bold Condensed and a Helvetica Light for my cover slide. Notice how different the fonts are from each other in terms of thickness. Choosing two styles that are relatively close causes visual confusion and should be avoided as a general rule of thumb. Instead, what you want is contrast and plenty of it.

Alignment and Layout

Notice a few things about the way I set up this slide. First, I used a strong left alignment for the text. As I say in just about every design article I write, center alignment should be a last resort, not a first. It tends to be the weakest text alignment that you can choose, having a hard edge increases readability considerably (notice that book pages aren’t center-aligned).

Also, notice the generous whitespace that I used. Remember that you don’t have to eat up every inch of space. Giving your text room to breathe helps your layout immensely and gives the design a clean look.

Adding an Image

At this point you might be wondering why you wasted your time reading so I could give you such plain advice. The truth is, most people that create presentations could improve them by 100% from following the advice above. However, I realize minimalism may be too extreme for some folks so let’s throw in an image to make it look nice.

Since our text is on the left, I wanted to find something a little heavy on the right. The general theme that I’ll go for is “City photos” assuming I had some sort of architecture or city-centric presentation to give. Again, you’ll have to choose iamges relevant to your own topic.

I grabbed this Flickr Creative Commons image from photographer Ben Spreng .

Now, if we just made this image our background, the text would become unreadable and we would be ditching our color scheme. What we’re going to do instead is set it on top of the colored slide and set our blending mode to Overlay. Then throw your opacity to around 45%.

As you can see, this helps the slide look much more interesting but keeps the text and colors fairly intact. It’s a simple solution that adds a lot of interest to an otherwise plain design.

Adding Content Slides

The cover may seem like it’s only a tiny part of the battle, but you’ve actually already set the tone for the entire presentation. You’ve got your theme, color scheme and fonts already in place. Now you just need to set up a few different layouts for your content.

The thing to keep in mind is to keep everything extremely simple, and that includes the level of content that you include. Apart from design, these are just good presentation tactics that you’ll learn in every public speaking class. Filling your slides with everything you’re going to say makes you unnecessary. You could just email everyone the slides and shut up.

Instead, the slides are merely meant to be a visual aid. Show a slide with your overall topic or main point, then speak the rest, without reading. Nothing is worse than watching a guy read his note cards word-for-word for thirty minutes, except perhaps watching a guy turn his back to the audience so he can actually read his slides out loud to you the whole time! You may laugh, but I’ve seen it happen folks.

For our first content slide, we’ll grab another Flickr photo and set it to the bottom portion of our slide at full bleed. Then we’ll set the top to another color from our scheme and toss in some text using the same exact formatting that we used on the cover.

See how this closely resembles the theme we’ve already established while still looking significantly different? This is they key to good presentation design: cohesiveness without redundancy.

Now for our third slide, we can simply do the inverse of the second slide with a new color and a new image .

Adding Informational Elements

It would be nice if every slide ever presented could work in a full bleed image, but the truth is that this simply isn’t practical. It will often be the case that you’re presenting graphical information or some other item that isn’t necessarily a photo.

My advice here is to try to stick as close to your theme as possible. For the slide below I flooded the entire background with a solid color from our original scheme and made a quick 3D graph with white columns (I drew a few flat boxes in Illustrator and applied a 3D effect).

As you can see, this slide is very information-focused and yet it doesn’t sacrifice the aesthetics and simplicity we’ve already established.

You’re All Set

From here you might come up with one or two more alternate slide designs and then rotate between them for the duration of your speech. The result is a presentation that is beautiful, very readable and highly professional. The bonus is that the simple, straightforward design will probably result in less work than a clip-art-filled horror show.

Most of the time, great design doesn’t mean being particularly artistic or knowing how to create amazing complex layouts. Instead, it’s about presenting information in an attractive and user-friendly way. With this goal in mind you realize that you’re probably trying way too hard if your end result is ugly. Try cutting out half or more of the elements on one of your slides and giving what’s left a strong left or right alignment with plenty of whitespace.

I hope this article has convinced you to abandon that clip art gallery once and for all. The benefits of clean, minimal design in presentations are clear: the information is easier to take in and the end result is more professional than the mess of information you typically see in presentation slides.

Of course, if you’re looking to get started quickly, flick through our collection of the best PowerPoint templates to find a beautiful set of pre-made designs!

HUGH CULVER

Author, speaker, coach, 10 easy ways to make any powerpoint presentation awesome.

Updated to Speaking on May 3, 2023.

This post was updated in 2023.

It was 20 minutes before lunch, my client was frantically looking at the clock, and the audience was squirming. We had suffered through endless forgettable PowerPoint slides and were all hoping for a merciful end. That’s when the presenter announced, “I see I’m running out of time, so I’ll just hurry through my last 30 slides.”

We’ve all suffered through slide shows with long lists of unreadable bullets, unnecessary YouTube clips, and overuse of graphics. Instead of holding our attention and making their point even stronger, each slide distracts the audience with more content they don’t need. Bad slides are agnostic. You can use PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, Google Slides, or hold up a piece of paper – it’s all a distraction if you don’t do it well.

Done well, a thoughtfully prepared slide deck can be the perfect slide dish for your full meal presentation. Done poorly and your audience will feel like they made one too many trips to the buffet table. This post will help you do it well.

For the first years of my speaking career, I presented with 35mm slides. You know, the photographs framed by cardboard that got jammed in the projector? That was me – hauling out the projector, clicking in the carousel, and praying that tonight it would all work. I soon learned that the more slides I showed the less the audience listened to me. So I cut back on the slides. I also noticed that when I switched to a black screen (see #9) the audience turned all their attention to me. So I practiced fading to black whenever I told a story or had an important point to make.

How I started

When I switched to PowerPoint I suddenly had a candy shop full of treats to sweeten my presentations with. And I started making all the same mistakes again: too many slides, too much content on each slide, and too distracting. After every presentation I always do a quick debrief – what worked, what needs to change? And slowly I developed a checklist for slide presentations.

I have shared with checklist with hundreds of speakers to help put the spotlight on them. Some were designing a new speech, some were preparing for a webinar and others needed slides to back up a video presentation. In every case, this checklist made their presentation better. They sold more products, got more referrals, and, in most cases, spent a lot less time working on their slide deck.

If you’ve ever struggled to create interesting slides or worry your slides are too wordy or you have too many of them, this will help.

Here are my 10 easy ways to make any PowerPoint presentation awesome.

1. Build your slides last

This might be the most important rule on the list. Don’t build your slide deck until you build your presentation.

You could be tempted to start monkeying with slides early in your speech writing process – after all, it’s a fun way to procrastinate from all that hard thinking – don’t. Building your slide deck before you build your presentation is like building a road before you know where it’s going.

Your slides are there to ADD to a well-designed speech, not to replace it.

2. Don’t try to replace you

People come to hear you. If you are launching your service on a webinar, they want to know how this solution has helped you and whether is it right for them. If you are delivering a keynote speech or workshop, they want a glimpse into your solutions that can help move them forward in their work or in life.

Fancy transitions, superfluous video clips, and endless bullet points will get your audience’s attention, but take their attention off of you. Every time you hit the clicker the audience leaves you and goes to the screen.

Your goal for every presentation is to deliver the goods, not the slides.

3. Use a consistent theme

We are easily distracted and confused. That’s why brands always anchor advertising on their unique colors, fonts, slogan, or a jingle. They know that consistency in their brand theme builds recognition and puts more attention on the message. You should do that with your slides.

Start with a simple, white background and san serif fonts.

A consistent, simple theme helps your audience focus on the content of each slide. Watch TED talks that have gone viral to see how simple a slide theme can be, like the ones by Dan Pink The puzzle of motivation (30M views), and Shawn Achor The happy secret to better work (25M views).

4. More images, less text

Want to quickly reenergize a tired slide deck? Make your images larger ( in this post I share where to get free images ) and reduce the text size. Remember, the theme in this post is that you are the presentation, not your slides.

Your brain can process images 60,000 times faster than text. When you use images (and less text) you allow your audience to process the image without distracting them away from your powerful story, or making a critical point. Like subtle mood music in the background of a dramatic movie scene, images can augment and enhance what you are saying without stealing the show.

5. One story per slide

When I started using PowerPoint I would have 60 to 80 slides for a 60-minute speech. It was a lot of work to prepare each deck and when I was deep into the speech I would sometimes forget where I was and have to jump forward a couple of slides.

Then it became 30-35 slides and I could breathe easier, knowing that fewer clicks meant less to worry about. As my confidence grew it became 10-12 slides and each slide became a key part of storytelling or point-making—they had to earn their place.

I might use a slide as a backdrop to a story or for a short list that supports a lesson I’m delivering. Either way, it’s always on ‘story’ per slide. If I don’t need a slide, I fade to black (#9).

But, I always stick to one story per slide.

6. Reveal one bullet at a time

This is an easy one – reveal one bullet at a time. The function of bullets is to reinforce (not replace) what you are delivering. That’s why they need to be short (see the 2/4/8 rule, below). A good bullet point is complete on it’s own, but much better when combined with a live presentation of it. Here’s an example from a list of (very wordy) time management strategies:

• Infrequent visits to your Inbox give you more time for deep work
• time blocking allows you to protect time for important work
• the Pomodoro technique can help you focus with fewer distractions

A better list – like one you might use on a PowerPoint slide – would be:

• visit your Inbox less often
• block time for important work
• the Pomodoro technique helps you focus

To reveal one bullet at a time in PowerPoint, right-click on your text box, select Custom Animation > Add Entrance Effect and then choose the effect you want. In Keynote, click Animate > Build in and choose the effect you want.

7. Leave the fireworks to Disney

It’s great that you know how to turn text into flames and make images spin with the click of your mouse – but leave those fireworks to Disney. Your job is to make your content the star of the show. Every time you haul the audience’s attention away to some animation you lose a truckload of opportunity to help them.

Your slides can still be amazing and helpful, but that should always be secondary to your primary purpose of helping people. Simple transitions, clean, san serif fonts, and large, attractive graphics trump PowerPoint tricks, every time.

8. The 2/4/8 rule

When I am advising other speakers I often don’t know their topic—certainly not as well as they do. So I rely on certain rules I have developed over many years. For slide decks, I use my 2/4/8 rule. Here’s how it goes…

• about every 2 minutes I have a new slide (that’s 30 slides for a 60-minute speech),
• no more than 4 bullets per slide, and
• no more than 8 words per bullet.

Just like any recipe, you can mess with the ingredient a bit. If your content is more technical, you might need more slides. Sometimes I need 5 or 6 bullets. I use the 2/4/8 rule to remind me that slides are there to support what I have to say, not replace me.

9. Fade to black

The last time I was shopping for a car, I noticed the salesperson had a clever technique. While he asked how I liked the car and if I had any questions, he kept his sales offer face-down on the table. Because there were no other distractions, he had my full attention. And when it was time to reveal his offer, it was much more dramatic (so was the price!) Use the same technique with your slides.

When you fade to black you regain your audience’s attention. For example, after I present a solution, I’ll fade to black while I expound on how to apply that solution in my audience’s work/life. When I’m finished, I turn black off and go to the next point. Or if I’m halfway through a story I’ll fade to back before the punchline so I know I have everyone’s attention.

It’s no different than a close-up scene in a movie—the director wants you to focus only on the speaker. Note that if you are shopping for a slide remote, be sure that yours has the black screen feature.

10. When in doubt, delete

This might be the most advice I can leave you with. When in doubt, delete it.

There is a weird attraction to more. Authors add more pages thinking it makes the book more valuable. Sales people who talk too much miss the opportunity to ask for the sale. And presenters add more slides thinking it will make them look better. Wrong.

When you are doing the final edits on your slide deck, the ultimate question you should be asking about each slide is, “Will it make my speech better?” If not, dump it.

Remember, nobody will miss what isn’t there. Also fewer slides allows you more time for side stories, spontaneous thoughts or even time for Q&A.

Remember this…

I’ve said it numerous times in this post, but it’s worth repeating. You are the show, not your slides. More slides means more time your audience is not paying attention to you. Fewer (and better) slides means you have more time to build rapport, share memorable stories, explain your solutions and motivate your audience to action. You are there for a reason. Now go and deliver.

One last thing. Spend the $80 and pack a remote (with spare batteries.) Nothing’s worse than watching a speaker repeatedly lean over, hunt for the right key, and then peck away to advance the slides.

If you enjoyed this article, here is more about presentation skills:

How the experts create world-class PowerPoint Slides (and you can too) PowerPoint Primer – the only 3 slides you’ll ever need How to add video to PowerPoint and Keynote like a pro

Slide by  Nathan Anderson  on  Unsplash

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12 Easy Steps to Make a Presentation Creative (+ Examples)

Learn how to make a presentation creative without PowerPoint, and draw inspiration from creative presentation examples by industry and use case.

Dominika Krukowska

9 minute read

Short answer

How can I make a presentation more creative?

• Start with captivating cover videos
• Add chapters for smooth navigation
• Weave in personalization using dynamic variables
• Enhance storytelling with animations
• Highlight key points using subtle visual cues
• Engage with interactive elements
• Showcase ideas using vibrant images
• Sprinkle in video narrations
• Wrap up with a smart CTA

Boring presentations can damage your brand’s image

Boring presentations can feel like those endless meetings where one person monopolizes the conversation. You know, the ones where you’re zoning out, doodling on the side of your notes, just waiting for it to end so you could move on to something more engaging.

That's the disconnect your audience experiences when faced with a boring presentation.

What’s even worse is that when your presentation is dull, it doesn't just bore your audience—it subtly suggests that you or your brand might be, well, kind of boring too .

The good thing is that with the right tweaks and insights, every presentation holds the potential to be memorable.

In this post, we're diving deep into the heart of what makes a presentation creative. We'll explore the mistakes that lead to forgettable slides and the strategies to elevate your content.

By the end, you’ll have all it takes to transform your presentation from mundane to magnetic and have your audience engage with it from the first click to the last.

Let’s go!

What makes a presentation boring?

A boring presentation is a mix of repetitive designs and long chunks of text without a human touch. When slides come off as too generic or overly complex, or they swing between being too predictable or hard to grasp, they lose their spark.

Add in a lack of visuals, real stories, or interaction, and you've got a recipe for audience disinterest.

To truly engage, a presentation should blend interaction, emotion, and content that is relevant to the audience.

How to make a presentation creative step-by-step

Modern presentations are more than just slides—they're experiences. Gone are the days of static bullet points; today's audience craves engagement, interactivity, and a touch of the unexpected.

Let's explore how to make your presentation more creative step-by-step:

1) Add videos to break up text

Videos can set the tone, explain complex ideas, or simply entertain. By strategically placing them at key moments where you feel energy might dip, you make sure your audience remains engaged, and your message is reinforced.

Whether it's a real-life testimonial, a product demo, or a fun animation, videos can breathe life into abstract concepts, making them tangible and relatable.

And, there’s science behind it too: presentations with a video on the cover slide see 32% more engagement . But the magic of videos doesn't stop at the cover. Presentations sprinkled with videos throughout held people's attention 37% longer and even boosted the click-through rate on calls-to-action by 17%.

2) Create a non-linear flow

Who said presentations have to be a straight line? Let's mix it up! By linking slides, you're handing the remote to your audience. It's like those 'choose your own adventure' books from our childhood.

Group your slides into themes or create chapters and let them pick what they want to see next. It's a fun, interactive way to keep them on their toes and engaged.

3) Use personalization for creating tailored stories

You know those emails that greet you by name and make you feel all special? Imagine bringing that warmth to your presentations using dynamic variables.

By integrating with your CRM, you can fetch specific data about your audience and weave it into your slides. This simple trick can make your audience feel like the content was crafted specifically for them, creating a deeper connection.

If you’re making a presentation to showcase your product, you can even use dynamic variables to create a mock-up with your prospect’s name and logo on it to make your deck stand out.

4) Use narrated design

Scrollytelling is where the magic of scrolling meets the art of storytelling. It's an interactive content experience that weaves text, images, videos, and animations into a captivating narrative.

Instead of static slides, scrollytelling guides readers through a story, allowing them to control the pace. It breaks down complex content into bite-sized chunks, enhancing engagement and retention.

Our founder, Itai Amoza, wanted everyone to enjoy this dynamic content experience. So, he joined forces with visualization expert Prof. Steven Franconeri to weave scrollytelling into Storydoc.

Thanks to their partnership, we have dedicated storytelling slides in Storydoc, like the narrator slide you can see below , designed to make content both clear and captivating for all.

5) Tell stories with videos

Videos have this unique power to turn complex ideas into simple, engaging stories. A video might break down a tricky process into fun, easy-to-follow narrative, or give us a peek into real-life examples or experiences.

It's all about making your content feel alive, relatable, and super easy to understand. Because, let's face it, everyone's a sucker for a good story.

Here's a great example of a storytelling video:

6) Use roadmap and timeline slides

Ever tried reading a long-winded description of a company's journey or a product's development process? Yawn, right?

Now, imagine swapping that snooze-fest with a vibrant roadmap or timeline. Instead of slogging through paragraphs, you get a fun, visual play-by-play.

Picture a colorful line showing a startup's journey from a garage brainstorm to its first big sale.

Or a playful timeline marking the stages of turning a wild idea into a bestselling product. It's like turning a history lesson into a comic strip—way more fun and a whole lot clearer!

You can see what it looks like below:

7) Direct attention using animations

Ever been to a theater where the spotlight focuses on the main act? That's what animations do for your presentation.

Whether it's a cheeky arrow pointing out a fun fact, a grand entrance animation for a new idea, or using grayed-out content to highlight a key point, animations are your stage directors.

They ensure your audience's eyes are exactly where you want them to be, soaking in all the important bits.

Here's a great example:

8) Add interactive calculators

Who said numbers have to be boring? With interactive calculators, you're turning math into a fun game . Let your audience punch in numbers and see real-time results.

Whether they're calculating potential savings, ROI, or just playing around, it's an engaging and creative way to make your points tangible. It's like turning your presentation into a hands-on workshop.

9) Use AI-generated images

Instead of sifting through countless stock photos, thanks to the magic of AI, you can have an image that's tailor-made for your slide in seconds.

Storydoc presentation maker lets you generate any image directly in your deck - just give the AI assistant a short description and you’re good to go.

What's great is that you always get an image that matches your topic to a tee. No more "that'll do" compromises. Plus, think of all the time you save when you don't have to hunt for the right picture or take it yourself.

Here's a short video showing how it works:

10) Pop into the presentation with video bubble narration

Imagine if, during a presentation, a mini version of you could pop up, share a quick tip, or clarify a point. That's video bubble narration in a nutshell.

It's like having a friendly guide accompanying your audience, ensuring they get the most out of your content. It adds a creative personal touch, making your presentation feel like a cozy chat between friends.

11) Use before-and-after to show transformation

There's something magical about witnessing a transformation. Just think about the buzz online when someone shares a 'before and after' of a design revamp, weight loss journey, or how they helped a client grow their business.

With a before-and-after slide , you're giving your audience that 'aha!' moment. Even if you can't see their reactions in real-time, you can bet they're sliding back and forth, captivated by the change.

Whether it's showcasing a product's impact, a website redesign, or a process improvement, it's a visual treat that makes your message more powerful.

Here's an example of a before-and-after slide:

12) Close with a smart CTA

The grand finale of your presentation deserves a touch of flair. Instead of a simple 'Thank you' slide, imagine ending with an interactive live chat prompt or a calendar invite for a follow-up. It's like the encore at the end of a concert, giving your audience a chance to engage further.

These smart CTAs aren't just functional; they're creative extensions of your narrative. By integrating them, you're not just concluding your presentation; you're opening doors to new conversations and possibilities.

Here's a great example of a smart CTA:

3 presentation opening ideas

Kicking off a presentation with a bang can set the tone for everything that follows. Here are 3 captivating ways to grab your audience's attention right from the get-go:

Dive into a story: Begin with a personal anecdote or a relatable tale. It's like inviting your audience around a campfire, setting the stage for a memorable narrative.

Pose a thought-provoking question: Challenge your viewers with a question that gets their gears turning. It's an instant engagement booster, making them active participants.

Share a startling statistic: Drop a number that makes jaws drop. When you hit them with a fact that's hard to ignore, you've got their undivided attention.

Want more insights on crafting the perfect presentation opener? Check out our article on how to start a presentation people read to the end .

3 presentation closing ideas

Wrapping up a presentation is just as crucial as the opening. It's your final chance to leave a lasting impression. Here are 3 best ways to ensure your audience walks away inspired:

Circle back to the start: Revisit your opening story or statement, bringing your narrative full circle. It's a neat way to tie everything together and reinforce your key message.

End with a Call-to-Action: End with a captivating personal video message or a lively animation. It's a unique way to engage, surprise, and guide your audience on what's next.

Share an inspiring quote: Leave them with words that resonate. A powerful quote can sum up your message and linger in their minds long after.

Here's an example of a presentation with a personal video message at the end:

Hungry for more tips on crafting the perfect presentation finale? Read our blog post on how to end a presentation and get people to act .

Best tools for making creative presentations

Crafting creative presentations is an art, and like any artist, you need the right tools to bring your vision to life. Here's a curated list of platforms that are pushing the envelope in presentation design:

Storydoc : Beyond traditional slides, Storydoc offers interactive web stories. It's not just about displaying content; it's about creating experiences. With dynamic visuals and interactive elements, your audience is in for a treat.

Pitch : Collaboration is Pitch's forte. Designed for teams, it offers real-time editing, customizable templates, and a sleek interface. It's where ideas transform into visually stunning stories.

Genially : From animated presentations to responsive infographics, Genially provides tools that make your content come alive on the screen.

Beautiful.ai : Automated design assistance is its claim to fame. Feed in your content, and watch as the tool intuitively crafts slides that are both coherent and captivating.

Canva : A versatile design platform, Canva boasts a variety of templates for presentations, graphics, and more. Its drag-and-drop interface ensures even design novices feel like pros.

Visme : Tailored for visual storytelling, Visme offers a rich library of assets. Think dynamic charts, data widgets, and a suite of animations that turn your data into visual narratives.

Creative presentation templates

Ever felt the weight of the cursor blinking on an empty slide, almost taunting you to come up with something creative?

It's like being handed a stage with an eager audience, but the script is yet to be written. That initial step can be the hardest, but what if you had a little nudge in the right direction?

Creative presentation templates can help you shape your story in a way that stands out in a sea of monotony. Think of them as the paint-by-numbers kits, where the structure is set, but the colors and flair? That's all you.

Grab one and see for yourself.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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Find the perfect PowerPoint presentation template

Bring your next presentation to life with customizable powerpoint design templates. whether you're wowing with stats via charts and graphs or putting your latest and greatest ideas on display, you'll find a powerpoint presentation template to make your ideas pop., presentations.

Help your data, insights, and recommendations make a statement with beautiful and easily customizable presentation templates.

Certificates

Celebrate accomplishments big and small with customizable certificate templates. From gift certificates to awards for finishing a course or training, find a template that highlights their accolades.

Boost visibility for your show, project, or business with easily customizable poster templates. Find templates for all your promotion needs and make them uniquely yours in a flash.

Keep track of whatever you need to in style. From personal planning to promotional calendars, find templates for every kind of project and aesthetic.

Infographics

Say more with less using helpful and easily customizable infographic templates. Add clarity to business presentations, school projects, and more with these helpful templates.

Start with the best PowerPoint templates

Elevate your storytelling

Tips, tricks, and insider advice from our business and design experts

A quick way to create beautiful, powerful PowerPoint presentations

Create captivating, informative content for PowerPoint in just a few minutes—no graphic design experience needed. Here's how:

1. Find the perfect PowerPoint template

2. Customize your creation

3. Show it off

Let's create a powerpoint design, frequently asked questions, where can i find slide templates and themes that i can customize.

To find customizable slide templates and themes, you can explore the business presentations templates or search by PowerPoint templates . Once you find a template that resonates with you, customize it by changing its color scheme, add in your own photos, and swap out the font.

How do I use pre-made PowerPoint templates?

After you've chosen a PowerPoint template to use, customize it. Explore [design tips] on how to customize a deck that resonates with your brand while putting emphasis on the topic at hand. Play with other design elements, like photo shapes, to make each slide unique.

How can I make or edit my own custom PowerPoint templates?

Start from scratch by creating your own PowerPoint template . Follow tips for designs and business presentations so that your unique template is cohesive and relevant to your brand. Incorporate your brand's color scheme and graphics so that all your slides aren't text only.

What kinds templates can I get online for PowerPoint?

You can get PowerPoint templates that have modern designs, animated ones, or even hand-drawn art in each slide. The color schemes range from bold to subtle. Each template's slides are also organized based on what you may want to include in your presentation . You can use the template as a starting point and customize its specific details from theme.

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Pretty Presentation templates

Something pretty is that which shows beauty and is pleasant to look at or listen to. wow this definition fits perfectly with the pretty templates we have available for google slides and powerpoint. download them, and discover their charm.

• Calendar & Weather
• Infographics
• Marketing Plan
• Project Proposal
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• Thesis Defense
• Black & White
• Craft & Notebook
• Floral & Plants
• Illustration
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• Professional
• Instagram Post
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Watercolor background wellness center.

Download the Watercolor Background Wellness Center presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Hospitals, private clinics, specific wards, you know where to go when in need of medical attention. Perhaps there’s a clinic specialized in treating certain issues, or a hospital in your area that is well-known for its state-of-the-art technology....

Pink Theme Infographics

Download the Pink Theme Infographics template for PowerPoint or Google Slides and discover the power of infographics. An infographic resource gives you the ability to showcase your content in a more visual way, which will make it easier for your audience to understand your topic. Slidesgo infographics like this set...

Pretty Purple Aesthetic Newsletter

How beautiful! Have you seen our new newsletter design? We love the purple color combined with the little stars and clouds that decorate it, it's as if we were in a fantasy world! You have a newsletter and you were looking for something like this for its design? It looks...

Pretty Aesthetic Notes for School

You've seen many notebooks. Now, you'll see the ultimate one! Well, we may be exaggerating a bit, but we're very proud of the aesthetics of this new template! Each slide looks like a page of a notebook, complete with doodles, some stickers and a handwritten font for the titles. It's...

2025 Calendar Elegant Style

Download the 2025 Calendar Elegant Style presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic...

Printable Morning Routine Bullet Diary

Download the Printable Morning Routine Bullet Diary presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different...

Create your presentation Create personalized presentation content

Writing tone, number of slides, lovely candy hearts.

Download the "Lovely Candy Hearts" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic resources....

Spring Woods

Download the "Spring Woods" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic resources. You...

All the Girls I Love

Download the All the Girls I Love presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different...

Cottagecore Aesthetic Style Thesis

Close your eyes. Visualize yourself now in a meadow. The spring breeze stirs your hair and smells of roses. What sensation do you feel? Calm, peace, tranquility... Do you want to convey these feelings to your audience in your thesis presentation? Here is the perfect template to do it! The...

Elegant Rosé Watercolor Stains Student Pack for High School

Sometimes when we organize and plan things, aesthetics play a big role in our mood! It’s not the same to plan your week or month in a boring way than to do it in an elegant, pretty way! Here we offer you a student pack in an elegant rosé design,...

Aged Texture Paper Aesthetic Personal Organizer

Download the Aged Texture Paper Aesthetic Personal Organizer presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using...

Coquette Aesthetic Campaign

Download the "Coquette Aesthetic Campaign" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Improve your campaign management with this template that will definitely make a difference. It will empower you to organize, execute, and track the effectiveness of your campaign. Enriched with innovative resources, it facilitates seamless communication, meticulous planning, and provides...

Coquette Aesthetic Infographics

Download the Coquette Aesthetic Infographics template for PowerPoint or Google Slides and discover the power of infographics. An infographic resource gives you the ability to showcase your content in a more visual way, which will make it easier for your audience to understand your topic. Slidesgo infographics like this set...

Romantic Palace Fantasy

Download the Romantic Palace Fantasy presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic resources....

Romantic Hearts

Download the "Romantic Hearts" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic resources. You...

Emotional, Psychological, and Social Well-being Infographics

Download the Emotional, Psychological, and Social Well-being Infographics template for PowerPoint or Google Slides and discover the power of infographics. An infographic resource gives you the ability to showcase your content in a more visual way, which will make it easier for your audience to understand your topic. Slidesgo infographics...

Botanical and Floral Design Agency

Love flowers? Let this botanical template help you bring your ideas to life! Show the world what sets your agency apart - highlight your services, discuss your team, and demonstrate your knowledge of botany and floral design. Plus, it's easy to customize and share with the public. This design features...

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How to Make a Good PowerPoint Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to create engaging, clear, and visually appealing PowerPoint presentations with our step-by-step guide.

Understanding Your Audience and Purpose

Know your audience, define the purpose, planning your content, start with a brainstorm, create an outline.

• Introduction : Set the stage with an attention-grabbing opening, introduce your topic, and outline what you’ll cover.
• Body : Break your main topic into subtopics. Each slide should represent a single point or idea.
• Conclusion : Summarize the key points and provide a call to action or closing thoughts.

Research and Facts

Designing your slides, keep it simple, use high-quality images, consistent style, readable text, utilizing powerpoint features, smartart and charts, transitions and animations, speaker notes, rehearsing your presentation, practice makes perfect, time your presentation, delivering your presentation, engage with your audience, be prepared for technical issues, handle questions professionally, create ppt using ai.

Just Enter Topic, Youtube URL, PDF, or Text to get a beautiful PPT in seconds. Use the bulb for AI suggestions.

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Which of the Following is NOT a Financing Option Suggested in the Presentation?

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In a Presentation, What is Layout?

What Activity Can Help You Improve Your Presentation?

What is a Capstone Presentation?

How to Repair a Corrupt PowerPoint Presentation

How to Write a Short Bio for a Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Cite Sources in Presentations: A Detailed Guide

How Many Words to Include in a 5-Minute Presentation?

What to Say After a Presentation: Key Phrases and Strategies

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• Presentations
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20 Free Beautiful PowerPoint Templates (Pretty PPTs to Download for 2024)

Having a beautiful PowerPoint presentation will make it look professional. Not only does the template look professional, but you'll impress your audience. A beautiful PowerPoint template makes the preparation of your presentation much easier.

This article features beautiful PPT premium pretty PowerPoint templates . You'll also find attractive PPT slides free downloads. A premium pretty PPT template comes with an attractive and professional slide design. A good template also saves you time. You won't have to create the beautiful PowerPoint slide designs and layouts.

The Best Source for Premium Beautiful PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)

Are you making a presentation soon? You might want to search for beautiful PowerPoint templates free downloads. But free isn't always better. Premium pretty PowerPoint templates give you more customization options. They're also designed by professionals. When you get a premium template, you're getting a high-quality beautiful PPT template.

Envato Elements has thousands of beautiful PowerPoint templates . And you get unlimited downloads for a low monthly fee.

Explore Beautiful PowerPoint Templates

The low monthly fee includes more than templates. You'll also get unlimited use of graphics, stock photos, and audio files.  

Discover more beautiful PPT templates in this article:

Now let's take a look at our featured pretty PowerPoint templates.

10 Beautiful Premium Presentation Templates From Envato Elements (2024)

Here's a hand-picked list of premium pretty PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements:

1. Style Multipurpose Template

Style is a beautiful PowerPoint template that comes with 4000 total slides. You'll have 20 color scheme options to choose from for your presentation. Add images by dragging and dropping the image of your choice into the image placeholder. Attractive PPT slides free downloads are tempting. But they can't match this premium option.

2. Pluvio - Beautiful Templates for PowerPoint

Are you interested in beautiful PowerPoint templates free options? First, take a look at Pluvio. This beautiful PPT comes with 30 nice slides in both standard and widescreen formats. Also included with this template are three color schemes options. Pluvio includes both light and dark versions of the slides.

3. Tofo - Professional & Beautiful Templates for PPT

Tofo is a PowerPoint with a modern and minimal design. This template comes with 30 multipurpose beautiful PowerPoint slides. With this template, choose between five different color schemes. You won't find anything this nice in beautiful PowerPoint templates free online.

4. Munnine - PPT Beautiful Templates 

Munnine has a modern and beautiful PowerPoint design. This template package comes with 60 slides and 30 icon slides. With these beautiful templates, you'll have 50 color schemes to choose from. Not all free beautiful PowerPoint templates are this customizable. Pretty PowerPoint templates like this are sure to impress your audience.

5. Toetiec - Presentation with Beautiful Templates

Toetiec has a nice PPT PowerPoint design that's simple and creative. This template comes with a total of 1800 slides. Toetiec includes icons and world maps along with the slide templates. Free beautiful PowerPoint templates won't have these options. You won't find pretty PowerPoint templates for free like this one.

6. Beautiful Designs for Fashion Brand

Looking for a beautiful PowerPoint template? This beauty of a PowerPoint template is one of the newest beautiful PowerPoint templates. Work with this fashion beauty PPT template. Pretty PowerPoint templates like this are especially designed for beauty and fashion presentations.

This beautiful PPT includes 30+ unique slides with amazing elements and layout designs. If you're looking for minimalist and beautiful PowerPoint slides, this PPT is for you. You won't find the same quality in attractive PPT slides free downloads.

7. Aizel - A Skincare Project With Beautiful PowerPoint Designs

Grab this beautiful PPT to present your beauty or fashion line. Premium beautiful PowerPoint templates like this come with great features. Use it as a beauty PPT template for your next presentation. These beautiful PowerPoint slides feature a modern design.

With this beauty PowerPoint template you'll get 30+ slides with picture placeholders. Beautiful PowerPoint templates free options don't offer the same attention to detail.

8. Moon - Nature-Inspired Beautiful Designs

Moon is a beautiful PowerPoint template that's nature themed. This template comes with 30+ unique slides and icons. Add images  by dragging and dropping an image of your choice into the image placeholder. Beautiful PowerPoint templates free downloads can't match it. It'll be hard to find such pretty PowerPoint templates for free.

9. Minimal & Beautiful Designs for Creative Proposals

Proposal is a beautiful PowerPoint presentation that's got a nice PPT minimal design. This template has 20 unique animated slides to use in your presentation. This bundle comes with icons, device mockups, and an image placeholder.

10. Archie - Beautiful PowerPoint Designs for Fall

The Autumn pretty PowerPoint templates comes with 10 nice slides. Also, this beautiful PowerPoint slides includes free fonts. So, go ahead and select your favorite. Add images by dragging and dropping the image into the image placeholder.

20 Best Free Beautiful PowerPoint Templates

Premium beautiful PowerPoint templates are your best choice. But if you're strapped for cash, free templates might be the best you can afford.

Looking for beautiful PPT templates free downloads online? Check Envato's free offerings first. Try out premium template files (not always free beautiful PowerPoint templates) for free!

Here's the deal: 

Every month Envato Elements offers 12 different files, (fonts, presentations, videos, and more). Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now.

If you can't afford a premium PowerPoint template, we got you. Here are some of the best attractive PPT templates free downloads:

1. Lilac - Free Beautiful PowerPoint Templates

Need a beautiful PowerPoint template for a project? Lilac is a free beautiful PowerPoint template with a purple-themed design. Customize this template to suit your needs. The beautiful PowerPoint template free download includes seven slides for your presentation.

2. Leopard - Free Beautiful PowerPoint Templates

Leopard is beautiful PowerPoint slides for free download with a dark theme. This attractive PPT templates free download comes with a chart that you can display your data in. This beautiful free PowerPoint templates comes with five slides. Beautiful PowerPoint templates free downloads like this are a good option.

3. Color - Free Beautiful PowerPoint Templates

Do you like vibrant and beautiful PPT templates free downloads? This is great if you're looking for a beautiful PowerPoint template free download. It'll add a lot of color to your presentation. This color template's got a paint splatter theme, as well.

4. Bloom - Beautiful PowerPoint Templates Free Download

Do you like beautiful PPT templates free downloads with floral themes? Bloom is another free beautiful PowerPoint template. It's got a sunflower-themed design. You can use attractive PPT templates free downloads like this for many purposes. This beautiful PPT templates free is compatible with PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote.

5. Focus - Beautiful Templates Free Download

Focus is a stunning beautiful PowerPoint template free download. It's got a camera lens in the design. This works well if you're giving a photography presentation or camera presentation. Focus PowerPoint template is compatible with LibreOffice Impress and Microsoft PowerPoint.

6. Blue Abstract - Beautiful PowerPoint Templates Free Download

Blue Abstract is a beautiful PowerPoint presentation for free download. It comes with a dark blue silky background. This design is very versatile. Use it for a presentation with different topics. Blue Abstract comes with a total of three slides to use in your presentation. Get new and exciting ways to show a presentation with these beautiful free PowerPoint templates.

7. Free Chamomile - PowerPoint Templates Free Download

This free PPT template is one of the beautiful PowerPoint templates free options. It comes with different slide designs. Create something simple and beautiful inspired by the purity of chamomile. You'll get one of the most simple and beautiful PowerPoint template for free.

8. Abstract Personal Resume -  Beautiful PowerPoint Templates Free Download

Looking for unique beautiful templates for PPT free downloads? This is a beautiful PowerPoint template free download that comes with 28 slides. This PowerPoint  beautiful templates also comes with icons, graphics, charts, and maps. Edit this template in Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides. Download these beautiful free PowerPoint templates and start working right away!

9. Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download

This is a beautiful PowerPoint templates for free. It comes with a photographic theme with space for text. This beautiful templates for PPT come in 16:9 ratio. Edit this template in any version of Microsoft PowerPoint. It's perfect if you're looking for beautiful templates for PowerPoint free download.

10. Research Report - Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download

This is one of those attractive PPT templates free download that's ready to work on. This beautiful PPT comes with 40 total slides and 25 key slides. Along with a slide template, you also get graphics, timelines, maps, and icons. The design of beautiful free PowerPoint templates like this is elegant and unpretentious. Show everyone your research project with these beautiful free PowerPoint templates.

11. Minimal Presentation - Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download

Minimalist presentation is a beautiful PPT with a black and white theme. This beautiful template for PowerPoint comes with charts and a table. Create minimalistic slides with a beautiful PowerPoint background. This beautiful PPT contains eleven total slides.

12. Yellow Magazine - Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download

Yellow magazine-style PowerPoint template comes with 10 nice slides in the template. This template has a classic design with a pop of color. The yellow magazine-style PowerPoint template is a great design for a business presentation. Beautiful free PowerPoint templates like this are nice to try.

13. Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download - Cherry Blossom Designs

This beautiful PowerPoint slides free download is great for business or education. Edit this beautiful template for PowerPoint. You'll get a soft pink beautiful PowerPoint background. It's one of the beautiful templates for PowerPoint free download to have.

14. Beautiful PPT Templates with Free Download for Outdoors Presentations

Outdoors presentation is one of the beautiful templates for PPT free download. There's a nice outdoor themed design on each slide. This beautiful template for PowerPoint is great for eco-friendly products or outdoor themes. It's one of the PowerPoint beautiful templates you should try out. 

15. Cherry Blossom: A Beautiful PowerPoint Template with Free Download

Are you looking for beautiful and free PowerPoint templates? This is one of the most attractive PPT templates free downloads. This beautiful template for PowerPoint color scheme has a light pink flower design. It's got a total of eleven slides and comes with charts and graphs.

16. Pantone Color of the Year 2022 - Beautiful PowerPoint Template with a Free Download

This is one of the free beautiful PowerPoint templates. Use the 2022 PANTONE color of the year as a beautiful PowerPoint background. The background also comes with dynamic textures. This beautiful template for PowerPoint is great for any design or photography portfolio.

17. Rose Suite - Beautiful PowerPoint Template (Free Download)

Looking for PowerPoint beautiful templates? This is one of the beautiful templates for PPT free download to have. It comes with 13 slides in the template. Along with the designed slides you also get charts and graphs. This beautiful template for PowerPoint has a city skyline theme.

18. Organic & Beautiful PowerPoint Template - Free Download

Organic presentation is a beautiful PowerPoint template that's got a plant-themed abstract design. If you love plants, this beautiful template for PowerPoint is for you. Beautiful templates for PowerPoint free download like this offer good features.

19. Beautiful PowerPoint Template with Free Download for LGBT & Pride Events

Pride month is coming up, make sure you've got a beautiful PowerPoint presentation to show everyone what you're doing for Pride. Download this beautiful PowerPoint presentation and share it with your co-workers.

20. Free Beautiful PowerPoint Presentation with a Bouquet

This beautiful PowerPoint presentation is one of the beautiful PowerPoint templates free files. This beautiful template for PowerPoint features pictures of flowers. Promote your business or create a romantic PPT. It'll be hard to find something as beautiful free PowerPoint templates like this one. What are you waiting? Get this beautiful free PowerPoint template for your business!

How to Quickly Make Beautiful PowerPoint Presentations

You've seen some attractive PPT slides free downloads. Now, if you don't know how to customize your template, here are some tips to get you started.

I'll be working with the Footage Gradient beautiful PowerPoint template.

Download this premium beautiful template for PowerPoint  to follow along. 

Here's what this beautiful template for PowerPoint looks like with no edits:

Now let's make some customizations to your beautiful slide templates:

1.  How to Change the Text Color of Your Beautiful Slide Templates

On slide #21 I'll be changing the text color in the middle of the slide from white to black. 

To change the text color, highlight the text. Click in the middle of the text that you want to change. Then highlight all the text that you want to change the color of. 

You'll know that you've got the text selected when there are handles around the text. Next click on the arrow next to the Font Color button. This causes a color menu to drop down. Select the color that you want to change the text to.

2.  How to Delete an Object from Your Beautiful Slide Templates

On slide #21 I'll delete the giant circle in the middle of the slide. 

Click on the object that you want to delete. You'll know that the object is selected when there are handles surrounding the object. 

After there are handles surrounding the object, press Delete button on your keyboard. Now it's deleted.

3. How to Change the Color of an Object in Your Beautiful Slide Templates

On slide #21 I'll change the color of the circle in the middle of the page to blue. 

Select the object. You'll know that the object is selected when handles appear around the object. On the Home tab click on the arrow next to the Shape Fill button in the toolbar. Clicking on the arrow causes a drop-down menu to appear. Select the new color that you want your object to change to.

4. How to Change the Background Color of Your Beautiful Slide Templates

On slide #21 I'll be changing the background color from black to white. 

Click on a part of the slide that doesn't have text or an object. This selects the background of the slide. You'll know that the background when there are handles surrounding the slide. 

Next click on the Home  tab. Click on the Shape Fill button in the toolbar. Clicking on the arrow causes a color menu to drop down. Now select the new color that you want to make your background.

5. How to Add New Text to Your Beautiful Template in PowerPoint

I'll be adding new text to slide #21. 

To add new text, click on the Insert tab. Next click on the Text Box button in the toolbar. After you've clicked on the text button, draw where you want your new text box to appear. 

You'll know that a new text box appeared when there's a box with handles where you drew. Next, click inside the box and start typing.

5 Stunning Design Tips for Your Beautiful Templates in PowerPoint

You've seen our selection of premium, pretty PPT templates from our marketplaces. And also, some beautiful PPT templates free downloads. Now, if you're wondering how to make a beautiful presentation, keep reading for some tips:

1. Mind the White Space in Your Beautiful Template for PowerPoint

The first presentation design tip is about white space. Most attractive PPT slides free download won't consider this. When you leave enough white space in each of the slides, they'll look cleaner and more beautiful. 

When looking for pretty PPT templates, pick one with enough white space, like this below:

2. Stand Out With Typography in Your Beautiful Slides & Templates

Everyone uses the fonts we all know, like Arial and Times New Roman. Go for unique typography in your pretty PPT templates.

With your Envato Elements subscription, you can get as many premium fonts as you wish. And if you've got doubts about adding custom fonts to PowerPoint, check this useful guide:

2. Prioritize Visual Elements in Your Beautiful Slides & Templates

Beautiful PowerPoint slides shouldn't be full of text. Instead, a beautiful PowerPoint should rely on high-quality visual elements.

Don't overcrowd your slides with text. Need stunning images and photos? Check the photo library in Envato Elements and download as many as you need.

4. Add Videos to Your Beautiful Slides & Templates

One way to make your pretty PPT templates more attractive is with videos. There are many video sources and many ways to tweak the videos you add to your PowerPoint.

This complete guide has everything you need to know about videos and PowerPoint:

5. Add 2024's Colors of the Year to Your Beautiful Slides & Templates

This design tip makes your pretty PPT templates stand out. Pantone announced that the Color of the Year is PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz. Try them on your pretty PPT templates. Your PowerPoint will attract all eyes.

"A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless." Pantone

Discover More Pro Beautiful Slides and Templates for PowerPoint

Are you looking for more PowerPoint templates? These articles feature PowerPoint templates:

5 Benefits of Using Pretty PowerPoint Templates With Pro Designs (In 2024)

Are you still debating whether you should get some premium and pretty PowerPoint templates? The benefits of getting pretty PowerPoint templates are incomparable and makes your work stand out from the crowd.

Here are five reasons why you should upgrade to Premium and start using our pretty PowerPoint templates:

• Spend your money wisely. Don't hire more designers to finish your design projects. This creative subscription includes simple templates that almost anyone with a basic understanding of design software can use.
• Stand out from the crowd. Envato Elements offers high-quality designs that are always current with design trends. Just take a look at our pretty PowerPoint templates .
• Work less. Do the job easier and faster. Stop worrying about starting beautiful PowerPoint presentations from scratch. Download our templates and start filling them out with your information. It only takes a few seconds!
• Unlimited Downloads. That's right, by subscribing to Envato Elements you get unlimited downloads of any file you like. You can download them as many times as you want. 
• Customization. Probably one of the best benefits. Customize your beautiful PowerPoint presentations to fit your brand design. Change the colors, fonts, and images to your liking.

Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is a one-of-a-kind service. It's a flat-rate creative subscription that features thousands of beautiful PPT templates, graphics, stock photos, fonts, and more creative assets for one low price.

Sign up and elevate all your design projects! 

Common PowerPoint Questions Answered (FAQ)

Whether you're a PowerPoint expert or a rookie, it's normal to have questions. Check these useful resources when in doubt:

1. How Do I Use PPT Master Slides?

Master slides are a great tool. It allows you to save a lot of time and effort when formatting your slides. 

Just format a master slide as you wish, then use it for your beautiful PPT. All your slides will have the same style. Learn how to do it here:

2. Should I Pay Attention to the Title Slide?

The title slide sets the tone and it's the first thing your audience sees. You should pay attention to it. Start with a strong and creative title to tell your audience what your presentation is about.

Check this tutorial on how to make a great PPT title slide:

3. Can I Include Narration in My Presentation?

Narration isn't one of the most popular PPT features. But it's useful when your audience isn't in the same place as you.

Record audio right inside of PowerPoint. Play it while your viewer is watching the slideshow. Learn how to do it here:

4. Can I Turn a PowerPoint Presentation Into Video?

Video is one of the most attractive ways to present content. A beautiful PPT presentation in video is a sure way to keep your audience's attention. The best part is that you can do it within PowerPoint. You don't need any video editing software.

PowerPoint can export a video file you can play in most apps. Learn how to turn a PPT into a video here:

5. What Can I Do If Presenting Makes Me Anxious?

Fear of public speaking is a very common phobia. If you're among those who suffer it, let me tell you there are a few tricks to overcome it.

One way is by thinking about your audience instead of yourself. Also, prepare your PPT ahead of time and schedule pauses. Learn more useful tips here:

Learn More About Working With PowerPoint.

Want to learn more about PowerPoint? There are some great tutorials on Tuts+ Here are more great articles:

Download a Beautiful PowerPoint Template Today!

You've just learned how to make a beautiful PowerPoint presentation using templates. You're ready to take the next step.

Having a beautiful PowerPoint presentation gives you a professional base to start with gives you a head start. There are beautiful templates for PPT free download. But they aren't as high quality as the premium pretty PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements. Download a premium template today and get started with your next presentation.

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Maria Villanueva , Janila Castañeda and Gonzalo Angulo . Maria is Associate Editor of the Tuts+ Design channel. Janila and Gonzalo are staff writers with Envato Tuts+.

What the Heck are Smart Slides?

We all know the dread that comes with creating a new presentation slide from scratch. Not knowing where to start, and how to format your story, can result in decision paralysis. Also known as: blank slide syndrome (the antithesis of productivity). 

That point of frustration is where Smart Slides were born. 

What the heck are Smart Slides?

To know Beautiful.ai is to love Smart Slides – but what the heck are they? And how are they different from a traditional presentation slide?

Smart Slides are inspired, ready-to-use slide templates for your next presentation. With over 60 Smart Slides to choose from, you never have to worry about staring at a blank slide again. We offer a vast variety of customizable charts, infographics, photo collages, and visually appealing bulleted slides to give you a head start on your next presentation. Each slide template is totally customizable with endless, versatile use cases and design options. 

We know what you’re thinking: what’s so smart about them?

The magic is in the technology. With Beautiful.ai’s Smart Slide templates, you don’t have to be an experienced graphic designer to create a beautiful, engaging, and impactful presentation. Simply add your content and the slides will automatically adapt and adjust using principles of good design as the north star. Yep, you read that right. As you plug in your content, the text boxes and visual elements will resize and auto-align themselves to ensure a professional design, everytime. 

The goal of Smart Slides has always been to handle the design decisions for you, to make it incredibly simple and easy for you to create beautiful presentations regardless of your design skills. This required us to put design guardrails in place to protect the simplicity and aesthetic of the slide. Instead of feeling restricted, think of these guardrails as your own personal creative director helping you craft the best slide for your story.

Smart Slides will change your presentations forever

Now that you know what Smart Slides are, let’s talk about how they’ll level up your deck. 

Get immediate feedback on design

The true power of Smart Slides emerges when you're in the thick of content creation. Unlike static templates, Smart Slides adapt as you add your ideas, providing immediate feedback on design and structure.

As you type, you may notice you're running out of space, prompting you to edit and focus on what's essential. This real-time content development helps refine your message, forces you to think outside the box when structuring the bones of your story, and can lead to breakthroughs in articulating your concepts. It's like having a designer beside you, nudging you towards better, more impactful slides.

Save up to 70% design time

We all know time is money— but Smart Slides will save you both. 

Your team doesn’t have the resources to allocate budget to an in-house designer to help with sales decks? No problem. Frustrated with the marketing bottleneck waiting for design feedback? Smart Slides will help remove the friction in the design process. 

With the presentation slide design on autopilot, Smart Slides save users up to 70% of the time it would take to create a deck in traditional presentation software like PowerPoint. All without compromising style. 

Without the time-suck of tinkering with text boxes and fixing alignment issues, Smart Slides make beautiful designs accessible to everyone in a fraction of the time. 

Make it Beautiful, every time (no design-skills necessary)

Smart Slides adhere to a clean and modern design standard, so it’s nearly impossible to make a mess of your presentation. Yes, even if you’re in finance and have little-to-no design experience. 

Asymmetry is never an issue in Beautiful.ai. Our Smart Slide templates ensure that your text boxes, charts and images will always be aligned, sized correctly, and properly formatted. And don’t worry, even if you don’t know what you’re doing, our Smart Slide templates will tell you when you’ve added too much data or text to avoid cluttered slides. It’s like having a deck designer in your back pocket, without being one yourself.  

Plus, relinquishing full design control allows you to focus on what’s really important: your message. 

Getting started

The hardest part of creating a presentation is starting, and now you can start inspired. 

Ready to take Smart Slides for a spin? 

To get started, create a new presentation and add a new slide. You’ll find yourself in our Smart Slide library with over 60 templates to choose from depending on your presentation needs. Once you select a Smart Slide, there’s an inspiration gallery of a handful of fully-designed slides for you to choose from. Each slide in the inspiration gallery is fully customizable, and meant to give you different ideas for formatting your own Smart Slide. After a new Smart Slide is added to your presentation, you can drop in your content and start editing. 

Start a free trial today and unlock the power of Smart Slides. 

Jordan Turner

Jordan is a Bay Area writer, social media manager, and content strategist.

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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👀 Turn any prompt into captivating visuals in seconds with our AI-powered design generator ✨ Try Piktochart AI!

Online Presentation Maker to Create Engaging Presentations

Easily create a professionally-looking business presentation, keynote, sales pitch, product update, and onboarding or webinar deck with free presentation templates.

Professionals worldwide create presentations with Piktochart

Ease of use

Easily Create Stunning Presentations

Piktochart’s online presentation maker is so simple that you can immediately use it without training. All you need is an internet connection. Start with a free pre-made template designed by experts. From there, you can quickly create professional presentations that will help you engage with your audience and drive the results you are looking for. Moreover, collaboration features are included for all accounts, even the Free plan, to work with your team in real-time.

Presentation slides at your fingertips

Present Online or Download in .ppt

Presenting your slide deck during a video call or a virtual conference is easy. Switch to presentation mode within Piktochart, and you can present directly in just a few clicks. You can also download your new presentation in a .ppt or .pdf format and share it on social media or offline with your stakeholders. It’s up to you how you want to use your own presentation.

Fully Customize Slides for a Branded Presentation

Create professional presentations and pitch decks in minutes that match your brand’s guidelines. Simply drag company logos or a screenshot of your website to extract the brand colors. Then, upload your fonts and create a custom color palette to use when creating your own presentation. With Piktochart, it’s easy to work on an engaging presentation fast, with no need to search for illustrations or icons. Piktochart’s integrated library of high-quality graphics, designs components, and presentation templates means presentation design is easier than ever. Just drag and drop the design elements into the editor, add images, choose your color scheme, and create a presentation. Or upload your own photos and add them to the asset library. Making beautiful presentations has never been so easy for non-designers.

Storytelling and presentation design

Translate Complex Data Into a Visual Story

With Piktochart’s charts and maps tool, you can quickly visualize information and translate data into a visual story that will grasp the attention of your audience. In our free presentation maker, link up an Excel or Google Sheets file to create graphs that automatically update when your data does. Add interactive maps to highlight your main points. Just choose from the pre made templates to save time and make all the changes you want.

People like you use Piktochart’s presentation software to:

• Increase brand awareness
• Drive traffic and leads with content created with the help of presentation templates
• Present insights from market research to stakeholders

SMEs and Enterprises

• Report on progress, create pitch decks
• Introduce a new project with slides made on our online presentation maker
• Explain a process through an engaging presentation

NGOs and Government Organizations

• Inform the public and present important topics
• Report to stakeholders with professional presentations prepared with an online presentation software

Business Owners and Consultants

• Create the perfect pitch deck
• Present to clients or the team
• Report on business performance through access to multiple features and professionally designed templates

How to Create a Presentation

1. select a presentation template.

Edit one of the free presentation templates by Piktochart and add your text, change the fonts, drag-and-drop elements or free images, and create an engaging presentation. For more information, learn how to structure a presentation in this article.

2. Make it yours

Add in your company logo and your own images or pick from a wide range of design elements. The possibilities are endless with our free online presentation maker. Nail your brand presentation by editing fully customizable slides with Piktochart.

3. Present or download

Either use our built-in presentation mode or download your slides in the .ppt format from Microsoft PowerPoint. Or simply share the link with your team.

Get ahead with our premade templates

Types of Presentations

Pitch deck creator.

Get funding for your startup by creating a compelling pitch deck in minutes. With Piktochart’s presentation maker, it’s easy to make a custom presentation with drag-and-drop icons, versatile illustrations, and stock photos. You can use your own images simply by dragging and dropping them, as well as change the font.

Business Presentation

Create professional presentations in a web browser that look like they were made by a graphic designer. Choose from hundreds of free templates and customize them to complete your own business presentation. Here are 25 report presentations to get inspired by.

Sales Presentation

Working in sales? Save time in creating assets by using Piktochart’s presentation free online presentation maker. Select a pre-made template, edit de slides, change the design, and use your slides to win customers. Ask your team for feedback with the collaboration features, which allow you to share and comment.

Educational Presentation

Educators use Piktochart to create interesting presentations that get the attention of their students. And students make beautiful presentations to stand out in class and prepare team projects. Add your content and customize the slides in no time.

Ready to create an engaging presentation?

Join more than 11 million people who already use Piktochart to make the perfect presentation.

Where can I make a presentation?

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What else can you create with piktochart.

• Presentations

Online Presentation Maker for Engaging Presentations

Create Your Presentation

• Online presentation maker with 900+ slide layouts.
• Millions of images, icons and graphics to choose from.
• Dozens of chart types to visualize data and numbers.

Chosen by brands large and small

Our presentation maker is used by over 27,500,000 marketers, communicators, executives and educators from over 133 countries that include:

EASY TO EDIT

Presentation Templates

Avoid the trouble of having to search for just the right template or create your own slide design from scratch by tapping into our library of more than 900 slide design layouts for practically every content need, from diagrams, charts and maps to image collages and quote slides.

Create your presentation View more templates

Features of the Presentation Maker

Beautiful presentation themes.

Choose from one of our presentation themes with hundreds of available slide layouts for you to pick from and build a beautiful presentation. Find slide layouts to fit any type of information you need to communicate within your presentation and customize them to perfectly fit your brand or topic.

Build your presentation

With fully customizable slides, text blocks, data visualization tools, photos and icons to help tell your story, you can easily build creative and cool presentations as quickly as you need. Build the perfect slides with Visme’s easy-to-use presentation editor.

Customize every aspect of your presentation with your own images and text

Choose from over a million images, thousands of icons, dozens of charts and data widgets to visualize information in an engaging way. Apply a color scheme to all your slides with one click. Add animation effects, transitions, interactivity, pop-ups, rollovers and third-party content such as live websites and social media feeds.

Record yourself presenting

Once you’ve created your presentation, do more than only share or download it. With Visme’s Presenter Studio, you can record your presentation and share it with your audience.

• Record your screen, audio, and video, or switch off your camera for an audio-only presentation.
• Present asynchronously on your own time, at your own pace. Let your colleagues watch it at their convenience.

More Great Features of the Presentation Maker

• Stunning presentation themes and premade templates
• Millions of stock photos and icons to choose from
• Input your brand fonts and colors to create branded company content
• Easy drag-and-drop design tools, made with the non-designer in mind
• Search for slide layouts that match your presentation content
• Easily present online or share with your peers

Share Your Presentation

Visme makes it easy to create and share presentations online. Our presentation software allows you to present online by generating a link to access your presentation, share privately by sending a password protected link to friends and colleagues, or even turn your presentation into a lead generation tool by requiring email sign-in before viewing.

LEARN ABOUT PRESENTATIONS

What is a Presentation ?

A presentation is a sequence of slides that tell a story or teach an audience about a topic. These are often used in business as ways of demonstrating something and in the classroom as teaching aids. While PowerPoint long dominated the presentation industry, Visme’s free online presentation maker allows you to create even more beautiful and engaging content.

With Visme's engaging presentation maker, you can start with a template, dive into one of our themes with various slide ideas, or mix and match slides from different templates to create your own masterpiece.

Use the presentation maker to take the trouble out of presentation design.

Creating a slide deck for an important presentation can take several hours, if not days. Our free presentation maker provides a searchable slide library with 900+ layouts that you can fully customize. With so many options, you can easily find the exact slides that you need instead of searching for the right template or building a slide design from scratch.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED + MORE

More Than a Presentation Maker

Visme’s online presentation tools allow you to create an interactive online presentation that will blow your audience away. Add interactive elements, animate your slides and create a presentation that will have your viewers talking for days to come.

MAKE IT ENGAGING

Interactivity

Create interactive presentations with popup and rollover effects that allow your viewer to interact with your design to learn more information.

VISUALIZE YOUR DATA

Charts & Graphs

Share data, statistics, simple numbers and more in your presentation slides with Visme’s easy-to-use charts, graphs and other data widgets.

BEAUTIFY YOUR CONTENT

Stock Photos & Graphics

Choose from over a million stock photos, icons, illustrations, characters, lines, shapes and more to create an engaging presentation design.

HOW IT WORKS

Make Presentations in 5 Steps

Whether you’re creating a presentation to pitch your business, to inform your industry or to update your team or supervisors, you want your slideshow to be equal parts beautiful and informative. Visme makes it easy with our powerful presentation maker.

Mix and match template styles and slide ideas, customize with your own ideas, insert design elements from our asset library, present online with presenter notes and more.

• Sign up for free or log into your Visme account and create a new project.
• Choose one of our beautiful themes under the Presentations content category or select a pre-designed presentation template.
• Add new slides from our theme library to help guide your presentation design.
• Customize text boxes, fonts, colors, photos, icons, charts, data visualization tools and so much more within your slides.
• Quickly and easily share or present your slideshow by clicking Share in the top navigation bar and viewing our share options.

How to Use the Presentation Maker

Before creating your slide deck, make sure to create an outline with all the major points that you need to include within your presentation.

Start creating your slides. You can easily use our free presentation slides and templates to help you create a well-designed and informative presentation.

Easily replace any image with millions of free images within our editor, as well as diagrams, charts, icons, illustrations and maps.

Insert your own text by clicking on any text box and typing in your own information (or you can simply copy and paste it from your outline).

Our free presentation maker online also comes with built-in animation effects. Add transitions, audio, pop-ups, rollovers and interactive buttons to wow your audience.

Use the Presenter View to rehearse your delivery. Use the timer to make sure you don’t go over the allotted time. You can easily add presenter notes that only you will see while you present.

Generate a public or private URL to share with anyone or embed your slide deck on your website or blog by clicking the Share button in the Visme editor.

Download as an editable PowerPoint or in HTML5 to keep all of your animations and interactivity intact for offline presenting.

Questions About the Presentation Maker

How can i create an account with visme, how much does it cost to create a presentation with the presentation maker app, can i create animated projects, is it possible to make interactive projects with the presentation maker, how do i present my slide deck, how can i create a slide deck in a few minutes, your presentations deserve to be beautiful and so does the rest of your content.

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12 Crucial Tips To Develop Effective Presentation Skills

Learn how to create and deliver presentations that inspire and captivate an audience!

Crafting effective presentations is challenging. But growth happens by applying key effective presentation tips around strong narratives, visuals, speaking skills and adapting to listeners. With practice, lacklustre slideshows transform into inspiring speeches that captivate and motivate audiences powerfully.

Specifically, winning over people happens quickly if your introduction grabs their attention seamlessly. Suppose you compared graduation to a butterfly emerging, still learning to fly despite inexperience. Imagery around this common vulnerability connects groups emotionally . Or you could highlight recent workplace statistics that show the tough road ahead for graduates. This data underscores the urgency to prepare. Either approach engages minds to hear more. Classic storytelling does that powerfully.

Whether facing sceptical executives or colleagues hoping for fresh inspiration, applying proven frameworks leads to increased clarity, resonance and collective unity between all involved in forwarding constructive dialogues ultimately. That represents true presentation mastery in action.

Let’s explore effective presentation skills and what you can do to make your future presentation more effective.

1. Set the Stage

The opening moments of a presentation set the tone and capture the audience’s interest. Employing strategic techniques here makes an impactful first impression.

Engage listeners instantly by starting with a relevant anecdote, surprising statistic, quote, or rhetorical question focused on the idea behind the talk. Share an illustrative story showcasing why the subject matters. Use visual aids like images, videos, charts, or diagrams to complement your words. Structure the introduction crisply around three key points to convey the purpose rapidly.

Creating momentum from the start, emphasising significance, and establishing expectations keep the audience attentive and ready to hear more. Whether launching a 5-minute lightning pitch or a 2-hour seminar, the same principles enable any presenter to shine from their opening sentence. Wield these start techniques to command focus from the first slide.

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2. Tell a Compelling Story

Audiences emotionally connect with narratives . Blend personal stories into presentations to make points memorably. For example, open with an anecdote showcasing the idea’s genesis or share a customer’s experience illustrating pain points.

Choose illustrative examples featuring real people when possible. Vet anecdotes beforehand to hone timing and phrases, avoiding rambles. Practise fluid storytelling transitions tying narratives back to core arguments.

Weaving personalised accounts makes effective presentations that are relatable and engaging. Integrate facts with anecdotes using a narrative structure that focuses on relatability, emotional connection, challenges, solutions, and positive outcomes. This approach amplifies the impact by allowing audiences to see aspects of their own experiences reflected in the stories you tell. Use this method to create a strong bond and resonance with your audience.

Does your team need more support in storytelling? Then our Storytelling for Business In-House Training could be the right learning method for you.

3. Engage the Audience Psychologically

Even before taking the stage, get inside the hearts and minds of attendees . Ask – why are they here? What outcomes do they want? What objections or questions might they have?

Customise messaging and examples to resonate with given audiences’ backgrounds and knowledge levels. Weave in shared context around cultural events or local flair. Display empathy, addressing inherent needs and pain points. Feature diverse cultures representative of viewers in visuals to foster psychological safety.

You can also pepper strategic questions throughout presentations to continually re-engage listeners. Alternatively, have audience members introduce themselves or share relatable stories upfront to form connections. Or orchestrate small group discussions on key topics between segments.

Keeping presentations mentally stimulating enhances retention and impact. Structure content to feel like a captivating conversation rather than a sterile lecture. Lifting these psychological engagement techniques consistently yields more attentive, receptive crowds.

If you are looking for In-House Presentation Skills Training for a group or teams, please see our

4. Visualise Beyond Slides

While slides provide helpful talking point anchors , creative visuals fully immerse audiences, and infographics simplify complex data relationships. Product photos and video clips demonstrate functionality clearly. Customer journey maps reveal pain points.

Tailor visual formats to best communicate ideas, not just software defaults. Hand sketches’ rawness profoundly impacts. Physical props allow hands-on engagement. Printed design canvases facilitate notetaking. Whiteboard in real-time for flexibility.

Creatively transition between design elements and visuals , keeping viewers actively engaged. Thoughtfully displaying key concepts taps into visual learning styles, boosting comprehension. 

5. Optimise Timing and Pacing

Commanding an audience’s attention span hinges upon meticulously optimising cadence. Savvy presenters first gradually quicken the pace during opening passages, steadily building momentum before diving deeper into weighty details. This pulls listeners in rather than overwhelming them initially. Next, provide recaps highlighting key takeaways when transitioning between topics. Briefly summarising core concepts realigns focus, acting as a mental anchor point amidst churning tides of information.

Additionally, strategically sculpt the speech’s very rhythm over the presentation’s arc to further facilitate sustained engagement. Notably, quicken tempos during urgent sections to viscerally convey their immediacy but then slow back down while unpacking emotional moments, letting their subtle profundities fully resonate before advancing the underlying agenda. Regularly oscillating between such faster-paced peaks and contemplative valleys sustains active mental engagement, whereas monotonously rambling on in a steady state risks losing participants to daydreams.

Finally, establish consistent structural patterns within sections through judicious use of parallelism devices. State a problem, then smoothly bridge into unveiling its corresponding solution. Present a cause first, briefly building anticipation, then dramatically reveal the ensuing effect. Repeating key phrases refrains echoes concepts, drumming home core ideas through repetition’s power. Ultimately, words divorced from their delivery lack impact. Master not just the statements themselves but also the punctuated pacing applied to narrate ideas with intention.

6. Master Effective Body Language

Even speeches flawlessly scripted shall ring hollow, lacking authentic presentation delivery spark. Speakers must master subtle nonverbal elements projecting genuineness that captivates crowds. Frequently recording practice sessions allows for diagnosing body language, movement and facial expressions. Refining vocal tonality, strategically making eye contact and tailoring pace to reactions connect intellectually and emotionally.

Cascading one’s gaze evenly across full audiences signals engagement intimacy. Pausing amidst weighty statements affords gravity space to land impact. Leaning slightly forward telegraphs sharing mindspace up on the stage. Open palms foster inclusive energy when gesturing participating listeners to join imaginative journeys. Nodding along profound contributions validates two-way dialogue, building bonds.

Internalising advanced techniques sculpt ether until presentations themselves feel like conversations, mutually sparking both passive spectators and presenters alike into active idea exchanges to advance collective consciousness. Briefly expose obstacles overcome, demonstrating grit and tenacity, so speakers seem approachable as fellow travellers. Ever refine pacing and tone continuously based on listeners’ real-time responses using the crowd’s energy, arcing it back towards critical concepts. Polished nonverbal dynamics exponentially amplify intellectual and emotional resonance.

7. Embrace Silence and Pauses

Though counterintuitive initially, strategic silence profoundly punctuates ideas better than many words strung together might, giving audiences reflective space. Savvy presenters have long mastered employing intentional pauses, deftly drawing listeners inward to lean closer before resuming carefully crafted speech .

Pauses grant gravity time needed preceding pivotal revelations, building delicious anticipation. Subtly smiling throughout sustains atmospheric composure, conveying nonverbal confidence until unveiling impactful truths once tension peaks. Silent countdowns stretching to five landing punchlines create comedic peaks of mirth echoing louder for the contrast conjured.

Next-level techniques utilise the open canvas of silence to insert post-punchline comedic breathers. Allowing certain jokes spatial room for laughter cements organic engagement unspoiled by prematurely bursting in overly eager with next agenda items hustling onwards. Masterfully balancing the ebb and flow of rushing speech versus letting well-placed pauses land finds that golden ratio, keeping even restless listeners perpetually riveted.

8. Create Interactive Experiences

Beyond linear speeches, participation expands impact. Orchestrate think-pair-share discussions debriefing key topics in small groups. Distribute simple surveys polling perspectives on issues. Engage volunteers in roleplaying scenarios.

Further, captivate modern groups accustomed to entertainment rushes by gamifying interactivity. Set exciting countdown timers introducing friendly concept review competitions. Reward speedy, accurate responses publicly, praising high scorers’ impressive grasp. Empower crowds steering direction through unpredictable real-time voting pivots.

Moreover, recognising attendees themselves represents vast wisdom. Respectfully elicit personal stories or professional backgrounds contextually relevant. Validate and bridge diverse reactions into unified takeaways rather than judging binary rights or wrongs. Leaning into authentic dialogue fosters human connections impossible through rigid scripts alone.

9. Navigate Q&A Sessions Expertly

Savvy presenters wield post-speech Q&As , advancing agendas through audience-sourced questions. First, tactfully repeat inquiries aloud ensuring whole rooms hear exchanges. Validate curiosity before artfully bridging queries back towards key messages.

When facing irrelevant tangents, politely pivot proceedings by finding common ground. Note Interesting perspectives before redirecting groups. If asked overly advanced queries given contexts, offer a meeting separately later or commenting below articles online.

For combative remarks, defuse tensions through empathy and openness. Paraphrase objectors’ views non-judgmentally before gently noting seeming disagreements. Finally, conclude sessions positively highlighting progress made towards shared goals . Frame takeaways are lifting all towards wisdom.

10. Structure Presentations Effectively

Beyond sharp slides , structure proves paramount. The first limit points to three maximum per section, enabling simplicity. Next, strategically sequence arguments, building dramatic tension towards conclusions. Finally, end where you’ve begun circling back, bookending stories with palpable symmetry.

Conceptualise narrative flows mirroring fables, rising actions crescendoing into climatic pivots before denouements tie residual threads back into coherent tapestries. Early subtle setups allow insights to manifest naturally when pieces cascade together into collective comprehension within groups’ minds. Incrementally guide audiences along ever more intellectually rewarding journeys toward impressive finales, facilitating satisfying closures.

Also, balance coverage evenly across factors when viable to avoid lopsidedness skewing understanding. Paralleling sections foster illuminating juxtapositions underlining salience. Interconnecting commentaries smoothed between standalone segments unifies talks through elegant consistency, momentum and rhythm felt intrinsically from section to section.

11. Conclude with Impact

Final memorable impressions are formed in closing moments. Wrap up by deliberately employing impactful concluding tactics. First, restate the opening hook that originally grabbed interest while reminding audiences of the key ground covered. Echo meaningful phrases and examples shared earlier exhibiting perspectives collectively gained.

Next, clearly summarise 2-3 key takeaways, reinforcing core messages and insights for audiences to retain. celebrating any progress made so far. Encourage groups by applauding their time invested towards shared goals achieved up to this point. Outline beneficial next steps aligned with awakened potentials going forward beyond the presentation’s scope.

Then, unveil clear calls-to-action aligned with the shared vision promised early on. Outline possibilities awaiting activation by willing and ready participants committed to courageously enacting conferred wisdom as empowered changemakers.

12. Continuously Adapt and Refine Your Approach

Even experienced presenters should keep honing effective presentation skills, embracing an iterative growth mindset. Routinely request qualitative feedback from audiences on what resonated, including nonverbal dynamics noticed. Ask which sections are connected best and why.

Reviewing behind-the-scenes preparations often reveals impact optimisation opportunities. Analyse where pacing dragged, language confused, graphics missed the mark, or transitions lost listeners. Contrast weaknesses and strengths to reinforce positives while targeting areas for improvement.

Experiment with tailored delivery across mediums like intimate physical events or large-scale broadcasts. Consistently refine personal presentation style to channel messages powerfully.

Remember, presentations represent conceptual vessels, not destinations. Spotlight purpose and content rather than perfection. Value constructive feedback for incrementally mastering flexibility over time through openness and discernment, separating signal from noise constructively.

Impact Factory’s Presentation Training

Impact Factory spotlights years of delivering bespoke virtual, in-person, online or hybrid coaching unmatched transforming presenters worldwide. Experienced trainers employ engaging person-centred approaches, guiding many clients annually to commanding stage presence across diverse presentation contexts, from speeches to high-stakes boardroom pitches.

Specific courses include the classic Presentation Skills course (also available as tailored training ), Advanced Presentation In-House Training or course for refining sophisticated delivery, Storytelling for Business focused on impactful narrative, and PowerPoint for supplementing talks visually. Expert trainers transfer decades of field experience, distilling techniques that facilitate memorable speeches.

Reach out to our world-class team to learn more about current offerings matching your specific presentation goals and skill level needs.

Why should you not crowd your slides?

Cluttering slides is akin to overstuffing a suitcase: it becomes hard to find what you need. When slides are overloaded, key messages get lost in the shuffle. A minimalist approach focuses the audience’s attention on what truly matters, ensuring your main points stand out and are remembered.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when giving presentations?

Many presenters fall into traps like speaking to the slides instead of the audience, losing track of time, or wandering off-topic. Another common error is not rehearsing, which can lead to a lack of confidence or fluency during the presentation. Tailoring the content to resonate with your audience’s interests and background is crucial for a successful presentation .

Should you read slides when presenting?

Slides are a visual tool, not a teleprompter. Reading them word-for-word can make your presentation feel scripted and disengage your audience. Instead, use slides as a cue for discussing key points more expansively. This approach keeps your delivery natural and engaging, encouraging a more interactive and dynamic presentation experience.

Further Reading:

Here are resources to guide you in the right direction on your journey to effective presentation skills mastery:

• 5-Day Presentation with Impact Immersive – Are you serious about improving your skills and want to dive deep into proven techniques? Find out more about our intensive presentation skills training course.
• The Reason Why Your Workplace Presentation Skills Are So Important – Effective presentation skills are necessary in any modern workplace. Let’s explore all the ways they can be beneficial to you and your career.
• Benefits Of Presentation Training Courses – Do you want to build more effective presentation skills but are hesitant to join a course? Here’s how the training can help you.

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