How to Make a Business Presentation: A Complete Guide
Have you ever wondered how to make a business presentation that wows your audience? You’re not alone! There’s no lie that every marketer finds crafting compelling presentations is a major hurdle. That’s why 77% of marketers agree they use AI tools to craft more effective and tailored content for their audiences.
How to Make a Business Presentation
- Write Objective: Clearly define the purpose (inform, persuade, educate).
- Understand Target Audience: Understand their needs and expectations.
- Research and Gather Information: Collect data, statistics, and examples.
- Anticipate Questions: Prepare for potential audience queries.
- Craft a Clear Outline: Organize content logically into slides.
- Short Slide Copies: Keep the text brief and to the point.
- Cohesive Design Style: Maintain a consistent, professional look throughout the presentation.
In this guide, we’ll cover essential tips for creating impactful business presentations, from structuring your message to designing eye-catching slides, everything step-by-step. Moreover, with DocHipo and its advanced AI capabilities, you’ll discover how easy and efficient presentation design can be!
Table of Contents
Why are business presentations important, what makes an effective business presentation, what to include in a business presentation, how do you plan a business presentation, how to write a business presentation, how to make a business presentation design, delivering your business presentation with confidence and impact, how to make a business presentation interactive, how to make a business presentation with dochipo.
If you want to dive deep into it, you might ask yourself, “What is the objective of a business presentation?” The primary objective of a business presentation is to convey valuable information in a persuasive and impactful way, often helping you secure buy-in or drive action.
Business presentations are essential because they allow you to communicate your ideas, products, or services directly to your target audience, making them feel involved and informed.
For instance, if you pitch a new product to potential investors, a well-structured presentation can highlight its benefits, market potential, and financial forecasts.
Now, let’s understand, “What are the two common purposes of business presentation?” The two common purposes of business presentations are to educate and persuade – whether training a team on new processes or convincing clients that your solution answers their problem. A good presentation can be the key to successful communication and achieving your business goals!
What should a business presentation look like to make an impact? An excellent business presentation should be visually clean and professional, provided with a consistent business presentation layout theme.
Here is a good example of a business presentation from DocHipo.
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Everybody wants to make good business presentations, but some common issues can ruin them if you don’t pay proper attention. Here are some of the most common problems that you should be aware of while making a business presentation:
1. Attention Span and First Impressions
Suppose you have just three seconds to grab your audience’s attention. Research shows that those first moments can make or break their impression of you and your message. Start with an intriguing story or eye-catching visuals, and you’ll instantly boost engagement and keep them hooked throughout your presentation.
2. Structure and Clarity
An organized presentation keeps your audience on track. By following a clear structure—such as an engaging opening, a defined agenda, and a memorable closing—you’re more likely to keep their interest. Presentations with a logical flow are 70% more likely to drive a sale , proving that a structured approach is key to persuasion.
3. Emotional Engagement
Building an emotional connection is crucial. Presentations that resonate on a personal level with their audience have higher success rates. Studies suggest that up to 90% of sales come from presentations that tap into emotions, which helps you leave a lasting impression and reach your goals.
You must be mindful of a few things to avoid these pitfalls and make an effective presentation. To create an effective business presentation, focus on your audience’s needs and aspirations. Think about what matters most to them, and tailor your message accordingly.
You aim to show them exactly how your product or service can solve their specific challenges or help them reach their objectives. Keep your content concise, relatable, and benefit-focused so that every slide speaks directly to what your audience cares about. Remember, the more your presentation aligns with their goals, the more impactful and memorable it will be!
Are you wondering what a good business presentation is? It has three main aspects: an introduction, a main body that captures the essence of the problems and solutions, and conclusions.
If you’re an HR professional providing training to your employees, the main body of the presentation should look like the following.
As for “what should be in a business presentation,” you must include a captivating title with the brand name and theme, an introduction slide with pointers, clear objectives, data-backed insights to support your claims, and actionable takeaways in the form of recommendations.
Don’t forget to wrap it up with a strong call to action that drives home your message and encourages the next steps!
A well-organized presentation typically follows this format:
By incorporating these elements into your business presentation, you can create a compelling narrative that effectively communicates your message and engages your audience, like the one below.
Planning a business presentation can seem daunting, but a clear approach will set you up for success. Start by understanding how to start a business presentation effectively. I have laid out the impeccable and essential five steps to plan and structure your presentation to make it impactful!
1. Set the Objective of the Business Presentation
Begin by identifying the main goal. Are you trying to inform, persuade, or educate? Clarifying your purpose will help shape your message and keep the presentation focused. I suggest writing down your objective in a single sentence and keeping it visible as you prepare—this will keep you aligned and on track.
3. Understand Your Target Audience and Their Needs
Who will be in the room? Make your business presentation aligned with their interests, challenges, and preferences. The more you know about your audience, the better you can craft a message that resonates. Picture yourself in their shoes, and think about what they hope to gain. Connecting on this level makes your presentation effective, more engaging, and relatable.
4. Research and Gather Information about the Problem
Dive into the topic thoroughly so you can address it with authority. Collect data, statistics from case studies, and real-world examples to support your points. If discussing how your product solves a problem, be prepared with solid evidence. This adds credibility and keeps your audience engaged with valuable insights.
5. Anticipate Questions of Your Audience to Impress Them
Think about potential questions and doubts they might have. Preparing responses ahead of time not only shows you’re knowledgeable but also boosts your confidence. Addressing these proactively can be a powerful way to establish trust. Remember, being ready for their questions shows you truly understand their concerns.
6. Craft a Clear Outline to Create Slides
Organize your presentation into an outline with a logical flow. Start with an introduction that grabs attention, move into the body with key points, and end with a compelling conclusion.
This outline will be the foundation for writing your slides, ensuring your message is delivered clearly.
With these steps, you’re on your way to creating a business presentation that’s not only well-organized but also impactful and memorable!
After all the planning, writing a great business presentation might sound scary, but breaking it down into clear sections can make it much simpler – and more effective. Here’s how to create a business presentation of a company that flows naturally and leaves a lasting impression:
1. Title Slide That Reflects Your Goal
Your title slide is like the front cover of a book – it sets the tone for everything that follows. Make sure it’s professional, visually appealing, and hints at your objective. For instance, if your goal is to pitch a new product, include the product name and a tagline that captures its main benefit, like the one below.
2. Compelling Introduction for the Context
Jump right into the heart of why you’re there. Start with a question, a quick story, or a surprising fact. This sets the context and grabs your audience’s attention immediately. For example, you can write an overview of your company or the product with a background story!
The following introduction slide is one of the best business presentation templates because it provides a brief explanation of how to write an introduction.
3. Present a Roadmap or Table of Contents
Lay out what the audience can expect. A roadmap or table of contents gives your presentation structure and prepares your audience for what’s to come. You can keep it simple – just a few bullet points on the main topics you’ll cover, like “Problem, Solution, Results, Next Steps.”
4. Problem Statement
Now, it’s time to outline the problem you’re addressing. Be clear and concise, using real-world data or a relatable scenario. The key is to get your audience to understand why this issue matters. Let’s say you’re presenting a cutting-edge AI tool that can help small businesses with cost-effective solutions, and the problem your audience is dealing with is the constant rise of start-up failures. Then, you can use business presentation slide templates like the following ones.
5. Main Body: Key Points, Supporting Evidence, and Clear Messaging
In the main body, dive into the details. Present your key points, back them up with data, and use visuals to reinforce your message. Try organizing your content logically and including supporting evidence or case studies to demonstrate credibility. Each slide should answer a question, resolve a point, or support the next.
6. Solution or Strategy
Here’s where you show them the answer. Explain how your solution addresses the problem and outline the steps involved. Describe how it works and its benefits, whether a product, service, or strategy. Make it specific—audiences want details that paint how this solution can make their lives easier.
7. Storytelling with Minimal Text, Data, and Examples
Make your points memorable by weaving in storytelling. Keep text minimal and focus on visuals – charts, graphs, or photos—to highlight key information. Tell a quick success story of a client or business that has already benefited from this approach. Real-life examples stick with people, so aim to bring your points to life.
Check out the business presentation templates, which show how to leverage attractive visuals and minimal text.
8. Ending the Presentation: Call to Action and Conclusion
Wrap up with a powerful conclusion and a clear call to action. Do you want your audience to schedule a follow-up meeting, approve a project, or simply contact your team for an inquiry? Let them know exactly what to do next.
9. Acknowledgments and References
Lastly, show appreciation for any team members, partners, or online resources that contributed to your presentation. Briefly acknowledge them at the end, and include any references for the data you presented. This final touch adds professionalism and credibility to your work.
Following these steps will help you craft a clear and persuasive business presentation that will set you apart from other pitches.
Designing a business presentation that stands out requires a thoughtful approach, and with the right strategies, you can ensure it captures attention from start to finish. Here’s how to create a presentation that’s polished, professional, and engaging:
1. Choose a Consistent Business-appropriate Design Theme
Let’s take you to a typical moment in a marketer’s life! You’re sitting in a room, and a presenter clicks through slides that look like a colorful explosion on one and a grayscale boardroom on the next. Distracting, right? Only a consistent design theme can help you in this case. Stick to a professional color palette and select fonts that match your brand’s vibe—whether that’s sleek and modern or bold and traditional. A cohesive look shows you mean business!
Check out the business presentation template that reflects a power-packed brand consistency so that the audience can remember your brand for a long time.
You can easily achieve this look with your own brand colors and assets in a single click with DocHipo’s brand kits .
Watch the video to try brand kit features in DocHipo for seamless on-brand presentations in a jiffy.
2. Highlight the Key Information
Think of your slides as a quick roadmap for your audience. Highlight the essential points, but don’t overload with text. Use sophisticated color combinations and short, simple texts for the main takeaways so your message is clear at a glance. Imagine your audience quickly scanning each slide—they should be able to catch the most critical information instantly.
Check out the business presentation slides to get an idea of how to make a business presentation design professionally.
3. Incorporate Visuals Strategically
A great image, branded illustrations , or colorful chart visualizations can say a thousand words, but make sure every visual adds value.
For example, a well-designed graph can simplify complex stats if you’re presenting sales data. Use high-quality stock images and icons that complement your message without overwhelming it. Visuals like interactive maps keep your audience engaged and help them remember the content better.
Also, DocHipo’s potent AI text-to-image generation can take your business presentation slides to the next level. With any descriptive prompts and a ton of styles of images, such as realistic, 3D, oil painting, cinematic, anime, illustrations, logos, and more, you can create your title slide images, online logos , or meaningful charts that can reduce the words in your presentation yet make it more comprehensive.
Check out the video to make AI images with DocHipo.
4. Strategic Font Size, Text and Background Contrast for Readability
Make readability a priority by choosing a font size that can be easily read from the back of the room (or on a small screen if it’s virtual). High contrast between text and background—like dark text on a light background or vice versa – helps ensure your content is clear and accessible. Nothing’s worse than having your audience squinting to make out the words!
Try the following business presentation template to make your message and visuals more visible. It features a professional font style, adequate size, and stark font colors, creating a clear contrast against the chic background!
5. Keep the Slides Simple, Organized, and Uncluttered
To understand why you should maintain white space in design to allow detailed attention, you need to first ask the obvious question: What is the primary purpose of a business presentation?
The primary purpose of a business presentation is to clearly and persuasively communicate key information to your audience, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or motivate some action. That’s why a simple and uncluttered design enhances this purpose by allowing your message to stand out without distractions, making it easier for your audience to understand and retain the information.
In business settings, where first impressions and clarity are crucial, a clean, well-organized presentation demonstrates credibility and respect for your audience’s time, ultimately helping you achieve your goals more effectively.
Remember, you want your audience to listen to you—not read through a novel on each slide!
By following these basic design principles , you’ll create a business presentation design that’s visually appealing and effective in delivering your message.
Delivering a business presentation with confidence and impact comes down to preparation, practice, and engagement. First, know your goal and content inside and out. When you feel comfortable with your content, you’ll naturally feel more confident. Then, practice! Go through your presentation multiple times, ideally in front of a mirror or with a friend, to help you get comfortable with the flow.
Use your voice effectively—try varying your tone, speed, and volume to keep the audience’s attention. Remember to make eye contact to connect with them, and don’t be afraid to pause after key points; it shows poise and allows your message to sink in. By staying relaxed and authentic, you’ll create a positive impression.
I can understand that you feel like juggling with too many things in your mind. Keeping your audience engaged is a daunting task. Wondering, “How do I make my business presentation more engaging?” So, ask open-ended questions to invite participation, like, “What challenges have you faced in this area?” or “How would you tackle this problem?”
These questions encourage people to share, making your presentation feel more like a conversation. Incorporate quick polls or real-time feedback tools—the audience loves seeing their input reflected in the presentation! You could also try adding interactive visuals, like clickable charts or videos, that allow the audience to explore on their own.
These simple, interactive elements make your presentation more dynamic and enjoyable so your audience stays actively involved and invested in what you’re sharing.
Now that you’re familiar with all the business presentation tips and tricks, it’s time to put them into action! With DocHipo’s business presentation templates, you can create a stunning presentation in minutes—even if you’re a beginner. Thinking about how to start a business presentation? Sign up , explore different types of business presentation templates , and build your own presentation in just three easy steps!
1. Select a Business Presentation Template
Once you’ve signed up and reached DocHipo’s homepage, search for presentation templates. The templates are easy to find and ready to help you get started with your business presentation design in no time!
You can search by different filters like format, industry, and occasions to find relevant templates for your needs.
Watch this video and learn to find any template within seconds.
You’ll find a variety of template categories available in the DocHipo presentation library. Select the “Business” category to browse through a collection of business templates.
You’ll find business presentation templates tailored to different industries and use cases. Simply pick a design that suits your needs and start personalizing it!
2. Personalize Your Template with Business Related Design Assets
In the DocHipo editor, you have full control to personalize your slides using myriads of trendy design widgets , including icons , stickers , illustrations , animations , stock photos, shapes, fonts, and backgrounds. You can easily tweak the text, visuals, and other design elements to match your brand’s look and feel, creating a business presentation perfectly aligned with your theme and messaging.
You can directly search for any design widget in the search bar as well.
Quickly discover how to find design widgets in the editor.
A. Personalize the Text on Your Business Slides
Start by selecting the text on the slide that you want to update. Replace it with your own content to make it relevant to your message. Next, head to the editing bar at the top of the canvas, choose the font option, and pick a style that aligns with your brand or presentation theme.
Watch this video to learn more about customizing text in the DocHipo editor.
Additionally, you can incorporate custom and branded fonts to give your design a personalized touch.
Check out this video to discover how to upload fonts in DocHipo.
You see, editing text is easy with the customizable features. But if you’re stressing about what to write in your slides, DocHipo’s AI capabilities can boost your process of creating a business presentation like a wordsmith. You can try DocHipo’s AI writer tool to create cool copies like the one in the following image.
Watch the short video to try the AI writer tool in DocHipo.
B. Personalize Your Slide Images
Next, let’s update the title slide image to fit your presentation. You can either upload your own images or pick one that works best from the stock photo library. To do this, click the ‘Graphics and Media’ tab, then select the ‘Pictures’ option. From here, you can browse and choose the perfect image that enhances your slides.
You’ll find a library of stock images available. To replace the current image in your design, simply search for the desired image and drag and drop it from the stock library into your design.
You can also upload your own image files in DocHipo.
Explore the extensive integration of DocHipo with the stock photo library.
C. Personalize Your Presentation Colors
Once you’ve added your images, you can enhance the overall look by customizing the colors of your design elements. Click on any element within your canvas, then pick a fitting color from the editing toolbar to match your presentation’s theme.
Selecting the right color palette can feel overwhelming, but there’s no need to stress! DocHipo simplifies the process by providing a range of preset colors within various themes. Just head over to the Themes section in the editor, and you’ll find plenty of options to choose from based on filters like occasions, moods, seasons, and more.
It’s that easy to find the perfect color theme for your business presentation background and slides! I’ve chosen the beautiful pastel theme for the presentation, and that’s how it turned out.
If you click on the “apply to all pages” option, you can change the color theme of each and every slide with one tap.
Watch this video to apply color themes to your design.
D. Enhance Your Slides with Graphic Elements
Ace in your business presentation by incorporating eye-catching graphic elements from DocHipo! With a treasure trove of design assets at your fingertips—think vibrant business icons, creative office and work illustrations, and lively animations resonating with product highlights and employee emotions—you can transform your slides into a captivating visual experience. These elements not only make your presentation more engaging but also help convey your message in a fun and memorable way.
Check out the business-themed icons featured in this image! Feel free to customize them by adjusting their size, changing the colors, or even adding some animation to make them fit perfectly with your slide design.
Watch this video to use various SGV assets in your business presentation.
E. Apply Transitions
Once you’ve nailed down all your customizations, it’s time to bring your presentation to life with some trendy page transitions! Just head over to the page setup option in DocHipo, and you’ll be ready to add those finishing touches that keep your audience engaged and excited.
You can easily jazz up your slides by adding transitions like zoom, puff, slide, roll, flip, bounce, and even back! You also get to control how fast or slow they play, giving you full creative control. Want a consistent look? Apply the same transition across all your slides. Want to give it a mix of effects? Mix it up with different transitions on each one to keep your audience engaged and entertained!
Try applying different page transitions with this video.
3. Download or Present Your Business Presentation
Once you’ve created your business slides and they look exactly the way you want, it’s time to download them in the perfect format—or better yet, present them directly from DocHipo! It’s quick, easy, and hassle-free, so you can confidently share your work without missing a beat.
Download in any format, i.e., PDF, MP4, JPEG, PNG, and more!
Explore the page-wise download option in DocHipo.
Also, click on ‘Present’ to enter Presenter mode, where you’ll get the power to highlight slides using a handy pointer. Plus, you can effortlessly view and navigate all the pages at once, making your presentation smooth and seamless!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started with DocHipo that shares advanced AI features and intuitive UI for every kind of content creator and marketer.
I hope all the tips, steps, and design ideas in this guide have given you the confidence to create a business presentation in no time! My goal here was to address the common challenges you might face and help you feel like a presentation pro in front of your audience. And let’s be honest—while all these tips are important, DocHipo’s AI-powered tools make the whole process way easier, even if you’re a total beginner.
So, if you’re looking to save time and effort, why not give DocHipo a try? With stunning templates, eye-catching visuals, and data-driven designs, you can quickly craft a presentation that wows your audience. Sign up with DocHipo today and start designing your next business presentation with minimal hassle!
How to start a small business presentation?
Start by grabbing your audience’s attention with a compelling fact, a question, or a personal story. Clearly state the objective and what they can expect to learn. If you’re looking for a quick way to design an impressive opener, DocHipo’s ready-to-use templates with AI writer and AI text-to-image can help you create a professional, engaging introduction in minutes!
How to make a good presentation without PowerPoint?
You don’t need PowerPoint to create an amazing presentation! With DocHipo, you can use beautiful, business-ready templates and drag-and-drop tools to build your presentation online. It offers everything from dynamic layouts to stunning visuals and AI capabilities, helping you craft a sleek presentation without any hassle.
How to make a business presentation interactive?
To make your business presentation interactive, including polls, ask questions, and incorporate visual elements like infographics, maps, and data visualizations. With DocHipo, you can easily add engaging visuals that spark audience participation and keep them hooked throughout your presentation.
What is the main purpose for a business presentation?
The main purpose of a business presentation is to communicate information clearly and persuasively, whether it’s to pitch an idea, explain a strategy, or provide a solution.
How to make a business presentation fun?
Add humor, engaging visuals, or storytelling elements to make your presentation more enjoyable. DocHipo offers fun, customizable templates with vibrant visuals like marketing illustrations, beautiful stickers, creative business icons, text frames, and exciting animations that let you mix professionalism with uniqueness, making your presentation not only informative but entertaining, too!
What should a business presentation look like?
A business presentation should be clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, with a consistent design that aligns with your brand. DocHipo provides business-appropriate templates that maintain professionalism while allowing for creativity, ensuring your presentation looks polished and impactful.
How to make a business presentation in 7 easy steps?
To create an effective business presentation, start by defining your objective and understanding your target audience. Next, research and gather relevant information while anticipating potential questions your audience may have. Craft a clear outline to organize your content, keeping slide copies short and impactful. Finally, ensure your presentation maintains a cohesive design style.
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Business Presentation: Definition, Steps to Create & Tips to Remember!
At some point in your life, you must have given a presentation or at least done some sort of public speaking. If you haven’t, then at some point you will have to, especially if you’re an entrepreneur.
When it comes to giving presentations, it doesn’t matter that you are a seasoned speaker or an amateur as long as you are able to convey your message or achieve your goal in the most engaging way.
And truth be told, even though each presentation has its own subtle differences, there are a few universal guidelines or steps that make it effective.
But the fact of the matter is that giving presentations, especially business presentations, is not exactly a walk in the park and not everyone can easily pull it off.
But don’t worry, that’s why we have got your back! In this blog, we will provide you with the steps involved in creating a killer business presentation and making it stand out!
Before we get to the steps involved, let’s understand what a business presentation is and why it is important to create one!
Ready? Let’s go!
What is a Business Presentation? (Definition)
A presentation is simply an introduction, demonstration, or speech given by an individual or group of individuals to an audience in order to inform, inspire, convince, or motivate them.
So a business presentation can be defined as a formal introduction or information about new business products, ideas, or practices. It is usually carried out using audio-visual materials, such as projectors, documents, presentation software, whiteboards, charts, and more.
Business presentations are often done with the aim to educate or train the audience, sell a product or an idea to them or simply convey or share your vision with them.
Now that we have explained what business presentations are, let’s help you understand the importance of creating one!
Importance of Creating a Business Presentation
More often than not, a business presentation is the first document or introduction about your organization or your organization’s products and services that your clients get to see.
So when somebody sits through such a presentation, they expect to get gain some information from it without dozing off halfway through it. That’s why it is important that you have a well-crafted, visually appealing, and engaging business presentation .
A good business presentation offers many benefits, such as:
1. Helps Create Connections
A business presentation focuses on communication, interaction, and bonding between you and your audience. It allows you to build a good impression and brand image. This not only helps you convey messages and convince your audience but also establishes relationships and creates better connections.
2. Provides Information
A good presentation is highly informative and eye-opening. It’s a great opportunity to give out nuggets of details, facts, trivia, and statistics-backed data. It provides the listener with information in the most engaging way, which means that they walk out a better-informed and educated person.
Read more: 6 Awesome Video Presentation Software & Tips to Follow!
3. Offers Inspiration
The impact a good business presentation can have on an individual is far more than you can imagine. Since most business presentations involve the use of audio-visual materials, stories or anecdotes, handouts/pamphlets, or demonstrations, it tends to stick in the minds of the listeners. It keeps them engaged, offers inspiration, and helps influence their decisions.
Clearly, business presentations are an effective way to get across your message and build your brand. They are definitely rewarding and crucial for your business.
And since we don’t want to keep you waiting, let’s jump straight into the nitty-gritty of creating a business presentation!
How to Create a Business Presentation in 6 steps?
Public speaking got you sweating? Don’t worry, creating a business presentation doesn’t have to be a nightmare. It’s actually your chance to shine and get your ideas across, landing you that new project or winning over new clients.
Today, we’ll break down some easy-to-follow steps to build a powerful presentation. We’ll talk about what content to include, how to make your slides pop, and most importantly, how to feel confident while delivering it. By the end, you’ll be ready to give a presentation that informs, inspires, and lands you exactly where you want to be.
Step 1. Create a Plan
Every journey needs a destination. What do you want to achieve with your presentation? Are you trying to inform your audience about a new product, persuade them to invest in your company, or simply update them on a project’s progress? Having a clear goal will guide the entire presentation.
Next, consider your audience. Who are you presenting to? Understanding their background, interests, and level of knowledge will help you tailor your message and choose the right language. Imagine explaining a new marketing strategy to your team versus presenting the same strategy to potential investors – the approach would be quite different!
Planning Your Stops: Filling in the Details
Now that you have your overall route planned, it’s time to fill in the details – the specific content for each section.
- Gather your Evidence: Back up your claims with facts, figures, and real-world examples. Credible data makes your presentation more persuasive.
- Craft Your Story: Think of your presentation as a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Weave your information into a compelling narrative that keeps your audience engaged.
- Estimate Your Time: How long do you have to present? Allocate time for each section of your presentation, keeping in mind time for questions.
Step 2. Spend Some Time on Your Presentation Slides
Now that you’ve got your presentation planned out (from step 1!), it’s time to translate those ideas into slides that will grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged. Here’s how to make your slides shine:
Keep it Simple:
- Less is more: Avoid text overload. Limit yourself to a few key points per slide, ideally no more than 3-5 bullet points or short sentences.
- Design matters: Choose a professional and consistent theme for your slides. Many presentation tools offer pre-designed themes to get you started.
- Readability is key: Use a clear and easy-to-read font with a large enough size to be visible from the back of the room. Avoid too many flashy colors or distracting animations.
Structure for Clarity:
- Start strong: Your first slide should introduce your topic, company, or yourself.
- Follow a logical flow: Organize your slides in a way that guides your audience through your presentation. Think of it as a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Signpost your points: Use clear headings and subheadings to help your audience follow your train of thought.
Pro Tips for Slide Power:
- Leave room for you: Don’t crowd your slides with information. Leave enough space for you to speak and engage with your audience.
- Practice with your slides: Get familiar with navigating your slides beforehand to avoid technical fumbles during the presentation.
- Tell a story: Use visuals and narration to create a narrative that connects with your audience on an emotional level.
- Proofread meticulously: Double-check your slides for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies.
Remember: Your slides are there to support your presentation, not replace it. Focus on delivering a clear, concise, and engaging message with your voice and enthusiasm. By investing time in crafting well-designed slides, you’ll leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Step 3. Establish Your Credibility with a Story
You’re pitching a fantastic new product to a room full of potential investors. You can drone on about features and specs, but what if you could hook them right from the start? That’s the power of storytelling in a business presentation.
Here’s how to use a story to establish your credibility and grab your audience’s attention:
- Find the Right Story:
- Relevance: Your story should connect directly to the message of your presentation. Is it about overcoming a challenge, achieving success, or solving a problem? Choose a story that showcases the value you bring.
- Relatable: Think about your audience. Did a customer face a challenge you solved? Did your company overcome an obstacle to achieve something great? Real-life stories resonate more than generic ones.
- Craft Your Narrative:
- Simple & Clear: Avoid complex plots or excessive details. Focus on a clear beginning, middle, and end that highlights your point.
- Emotional Connection: People connect with stories that evoke emotions. Show the struggle, the triumph, or the human element at the heart of your story.
- Deliver with Impact:
- Enthusiasm is Key: Be passionate about your story! Your energy will draw the audience in and make them believe in what you’re saying.
- Painting a Picture: Use vivid language and descriptive details to create a mental image for your audience. Make them feel like they’re experiencing the story with you.
Bonus Tip: Data is Your Friend:
Weave data and statistics into your story to solidify your points. Numbers add weight to your narrative and demonstrate the impact of your solution.
Instead of saying, “Our marketing strategy is effective,” tell a story:
“A client came to us with stagnant sales. We analyzed their audience and crafted a targeted social media campaign. Within three months, they saw a 20% increase in website traffic and a 15% boost in sales!” (Data + relatable story)
Step 4: Spice Up Your Slides! Use Visuals Like a Pro
Ever sat through a presentation where your eyes glazed over after five minutes of text slides? Yeah, us too. Here’s the truth: people learn and remember better with visuals. That’s the power of visual elements in your business presentation.
Here’s how to use them to make your slides pop:
- Images: Photos, illustrations, and infographics can break up text and grab attention. Use high-quality images that relate to your message. Think charts and graphs to show trends, pictures of happy customers using your product, or diagrams to explain complex ideas.
- Videos: Short, impactful videos can be a great way to demonstrate a product, show a real-world example, or add a touch of humor. Keep them brief and relevant to your presentation.
- Icons and Shapes: Simple icons can highlight key points, and shapes can visually organize information. Use them sparingly to avoid clutter, but they can be a neat way to add visual interest.
Pro Tip: Don’t Go Overboard!
Visuals are fantastic, but don’t overdo it. Your slides should still be easy to read and navigate. Here are some quick guidelines:
- One main idea per slide: Don’t try to cram too much information on a single slide. Bullet points are your friend!
- Color coordination: Choose a color scheme that’s professional and easy on the eyes. Avoid too many bright or clashing colors.
Step 5: Be Prepared for Q&A
You’ve delivered a killer presentation, your slides are sharp, and your message is clear. But wait, there’s more! The Q&A session is your chance to truly shine, address audience concerns, and leave a lasting impression. Here’s how to be a Q&A master:
- Anticipate the Hits: Think about what questions your audience might have based on your presentation and even their background. Prepare clear and concise answers for common topics or potential objections.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your answers out loud, ideally with a friend or colleague who can play devil’s advocate. This helps you refine your responses and feel more comfortable under pressure.
- Don’t Fear the “I Don’t Know” : If a question catches you off guard, it’s okay to admit you don’t have the answer on hand. Offer to follow up with them after the presentation or point them towards a colleague who can help.
- Be the Master of Your Domain: Even if a question falls outside your direct area of expertise, you can still control the conversation. Briefly acknowledge the question and then rephrase it to connect back to your main points or areas of strength.
- Embrace the Spotlight: The Q&A isn’t just about answering questions, it’s about engagement. Use the opportunity to clarify points, elaborate on details, and even add a touch of humor to keep things lively.
Bonus Tip: Turn the Tables!
Want to take control and keep the audience engaged? After answering a question, politely ask them one in return. This keeps them involved and allows you to steer the conversation back towards your key messages.
Step 6: Stick the Landing! Craft a Powerful Closing Statement
You’ve delivered a fantastic presentation, packed with valuable information. But before you high-five yourself and pack up your laptop, there’s one crucial step left: the closing statement. This is your final chance to leave a lasting impression and remind the audience of your key message.
Here’s how to craft a closing statement that packs a punch:
- Summarize Your Main Points: Don’t assume everyone remembers everything you said. Briefly recap your 2-3 most important points to jog their memory.
- End with a Bang!: Leave them with a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or an inspiring story that reinforces your message.
- Call to Action: Tell the audience exactly what you want them to do next. Do you want them to visit your website, contact you for a demo, or simply remember your key takeaway? Make it clear and concise.
Here’s an example:
“In conclusion, we’ve explored how our new software can streamline your workflow and boost productivity by 20%. We’re confident that [Company Name] can be a valuable partner in achieving your business goals. If you’d like to learn more about a free trial, please don’t hesitate to visit our website or connect with me after the presentation.”
Bonus Tip: Practice Makes Perfect!
Don’t wing your closing statement. Practice it out loud a few times to ensure it’s clear, concise, and delivered with confidence.
What you need are some simple tips to make your killer presentation even better . And for that, we have compiled for you a list that you can follow! Scroll down to find out!
Tips for Creating An Awesome Business Presentation
Here are some simple tips that you must follow during your business presentation:
- Keep your presentation crisp and try not to include too many slides for your presentation.
- Avoid using too many colors and fonts. Instead, stick to a color palette and font that matches your attire and your brand image.
- Do not hesitate to seek the help of presentation tools and software
- Focus on your narration and story-telling style.
- Ask rhetorical questions to reinforce your key points and primary message.
- Prepare some business-appropriate jokes, one-liners, and puns to make your presentation fun and engaging.
- Dress in formal business attire and groom yourself to look appealing and presentable.
- Maintain a defining tone and style for your presentation – be it formal, casual, or humorous – and try to be consistent with it throughout.
- Be enthusiastic, and expressive, focus on your body language, and most importantly, maintain eye contact throughout.
With that, we can guarantee that you will put on one heck of a presentation and give your audience a memorable and enriching experience!
Our team at bit.ai has created a few awesome business templates to make your business processes more efficient. Make sure to check them out before you go, y our team might need them!
- SWOT Analysis Template
- Business Proposal Template
- Business Plan Template
- Competitor Research Template
- Project Proposal Template
- Company Fact Sheet
- Executive Summary Template
- Operational Plan Template
- Pitch Deck Template
Presentations are all about communication. So it doesn’t matter if it is your first presentation or your hundredth one, if you’re not able to communicate information in an engaging way, then you end up wasting your time and your listeners’ time.
Whether you are trying to sell something to an audience or simply sharing your vision with them, create a business presentation that will not only educate your listeners but also squeeze a laugh out of them.
We only hope that the steps and tips we have provided you will help you along the way in creating a killer business presentation for your audience!
Adios and Happy presenting!
Further reads:
9 Most Successful Business Models You Should Know About! (With Examples)
10 Business Drivers to Grow Your Business!
Business Markets: Definition, 5 Types (with Examples) & Characteristics!
13 Types of Plans Your Business Must Have!
9 Best Presentation Ideas and Tips You Must Explore!
Brand Voice: What is it & How to Define it for your Business!
Company Profile: What is it & How to Create it?
Sponsorship Proposal: What is it & How to Create it?
3 Project Proposal Examples You Must Check Out!
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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation
- Carmine Gallo
Five tips to set yourself apart.
Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).
I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.
- Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman (St. Martin’s Press).
COMMENTS
This guide teaches you how to design and deliver excellent business presentations. Plus, breaks down some best practices from business presentation examples by popular companies like Google, Pinterest, and Amazon among others!
A business presentation uses public speaking and visual materials to communicate important information to a group of professionals, such as co-workers, supervisors, managers and investors. An effective business presentation goes beyond lecturing and contains elements similar to a story.
Find out how to speak confidently and impress your boss, colleagues, or investors with these expert tips on delivering a great business presentation. Get the practical and simple design tricks to take your slides from “meh” to “stunning”!
To create an effective business presentation, start by defining your objective and understanding your target audience. Next, research and gather relevant information while anticipating potential questions your audience may have. Craft a clear outline to organize your content, keeping slide copies short and impactful.
A business presentation can be defined as a formal introduction or information about new business products, ideas, or practices.
Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired...