Speaker notes for a PowerPoint are often an underestimated and neglected tool; they are the secret weapon for any confident presenter. They are the lifeline that keeps the presentation smooth and on track. In this blog, we will look into the benefits of using speaker notes and how to use them to their fullest potential.

The benefits of using speaker notes

Speaker notes are the behind-the-scenes ally of any presenter. Easily a confidence booster, speaker notes discreetly display your notes and numbers to keep you on track and articulate.

Enhancing speaker confidence

The advantage of speaker notes is that, first and foremost, they offer a safety net for presenters to fall back on so they don’t miss a point. Knowing that they have a boost ready for them when they need it instills confidence in presenters, so they feel well-prepared. Using speaker notes you can have a reference point to return to, which helps you focus on engaging your audience rather than worrying about forgetting details you need to mention.

Streamlining the presentation flow

Speaker notes guide you as you move through your presentation, offering a clear roadmap for you to follow. When the narrative flows seamlessly, it’s easier for the audience to pay attention and follow along. You can avoid potential obstacles or lags by mapping out the narrative within the speaker notes beforehand, as you would with storyboarding. With speaker notes, presenters can also outline their presentations to have a logical structure and a natural flow of ideas, which helps you avoid stumbling over your words or losing track of where you are. That way, the audience is treated to a truly enriching presentation experience.

Facilitating audience engagement

Engagement connects the audience and presenter, turning one-sided monologues into captivating dialogues. Speaker notes can be used to provide cues to help the presenter remember what to say, including discussion prompts and strategic signals for when to use audience interaction.

By incorporating purposeful notes, you can easily incorporate interactive segments into your presentation for a two-way discussion.

Crafting effective speaker notes

Creating effective speaker notes is an essential, yet underrated, skill for any presenter. As you present, these notes will be your lifeline, which is why it’s so important for them to be a useful guide for delivering a seamless presentation.

Balancing detail and brevity

When creating your notes, balancing detail and brevity is necessary to avoid any confusion when you present. These notes should have enough information to keep you on track, but not so much that you need a minute to read them all. This rule also applies when trying to achieve balance; you must consider what you can afford to leave out of your notes. By maintaining brief and straightforward notes, you can make the most of your script.

Ensuring readability

When creating helpful speaker notes, it goes without saying that readability should be at the forefront of your concerns. Your notes should be simple and digestible enough that you should be able to understand them at a glance as you speak, so avoid complicated language and complex terms that require rereading. Also, consider using a readable sans-serif and sizing your content large enough to read. After all, your speaker notes should enable you to present better; they shouldn’t be an obstacle.

Handling Q&A sessions efficiently

Speaker notes are your best ally when you present, so it’s important to use them to their fullest potential. Especially when faced with a Q&A session, your notes serve as your backup information for the more unexpected questions. By purposefully preparing your speaker notes with answers to anticipated questions, you can boost your confidence and navigate the session with ease.

How do you add speaker notes in PowerPoint?

Luckily, adding speaker notes to PowerPoint is incredibly simple and requires no fuss. All you need to do is go to the slide you want to add your notes to, select Notes at the bottom of your screen, and type out the notes under the slide.

How do you project speaker notes in PowerPoint during a presentation?

When the presentation is connected to another output (like a monitor or projector), PowerPoint is built to display the speaker’s notes only to the presenter. Once you have added your notes, you can go to the Slide Show tab and click on Presenter View to put the slides up on display. With Presenter View, you will still be able to see your speaker notes and slides, while the audience will only see your slides.

Speaker notes are a powerful sidekick for creating dynamic and fluent presentations. They allow presenters to be more prepared, confident, and fluent by helping facilitate a smooth flow of ideas and ensure an engaging experience for the audience. Every word counts when you present, and speaker notes offer a solid base to bounce off of.

In the captivating world of TED Talks, these speakers offer a goldmine of presentation wisdom and inspiration. Plenty of lessons can be found in the hundreds of talks from all types of speakers across countries, disciplines, and industries. In this blog, we will learn more about the key approaches these presenters use that can elevate your presentation to a whole new level. As we explore the valuable lessons that TED Talks offer us, these strategies will help you forge a meaningful connection with the audience.

What we can learn from TED Talks 

Focus on one central idea

Do not use your presentation as an opportunity to dump as much information on your audience as possible. Rather, use this time to focus on one topic and do it justice. The aim of your presentation should be to have the audience walk away with a central thesis that stays in their minds and hearts. Straying away from your main idea by trying to cover several topics at once will distract the audience and take attention away from your main points. So build your slides to serve one main message, where every point connects back to your thesis.

Start with your “why”

Calling back to Simon Sinek’s famous presenting style, many TED Talks borrow his technique of starting with your “why.” When you understand your own “why,” you can build a connection with your audience by compelling them to consider your core motivations for your presentation. But first, you need to ask yourself this question. Establishing your motives allows you to zero in on what your purpose is, what your goal is, and what your action plan is. Your “why” provides a direction to go forward with, allowing you to pursue it with authenticity and purpose.

Give your examples first before you explain your points

You can’t really have an audience get on board with your vision without painting them a vivid picture first, and the best way to do that is by providing examples. In other words, show, don’t tell. Share examples by telling stories and testimonials to provide background before explaining your points, as this technique naturally offers a hook for each section of your presentation. In many TED Talks, notice how many times the speaker uses a story as an example. You’ll also notice that it will take a while to reach their main topic. It might seem random, but it is done intentionally to draw in the listeners.

Build rapport

Building on our previous point, sharing stories also plays a large role in building rapport with the audience. Through them, you gain their trust and investment in your speech. By engaging with them through stories and humor, you capture their attention and build some understanding between each other, cultivating a relationship. Once you’re able to hit it off with members of your audience, you can communicate your message with impact. Hone in on this strategy by placing your most significant points towards the end of your presentation when the audience is most likely to remember it.

Speech pace isn’t that important

A lot of presenting advice out there encourages speakers to speak slowly to enunciate their words. We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t actually matter. Across different TED Talks, the speakers vary in their speaking styles, the most notable being their pace. In some of the most popular talks, the speaker speaks slowly, with purpose and sincerity, and in a manner that draws the audience in. However, other popular talks feature very energetic speakers who jump around in excitement and speak at a great speed. This means that the pace doesn’t play a big role the way you think it does. Whenever you present, it is your personality and passion that make an impact.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel

In our fast-paced world of ideas and innovation, it’s easy to get caught up in the race to pursue groundbreaking ideas and concepts. However, if there’s anything we can learn from TED, it’s that original ideas don’t exist. And that’s not a bad thing. Many of the most impactful TED Talks are centered around familiar concepts that have been around for a long time. It is liberating to know that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you want to share your knowledge or ideas with others.

What these examples tell us is that it’s not necessarily about having a groundbreaking idea but rather about how you approach and communicate these ideas, which is what makes a presentation successful. The power lies in a presenter’s ability to share familiar concepts in a fresh way to resonate with their audience. It’s about revamping how you present these ideas.

Minimalist design

Minimal design plays a large role in TED speeches, providing us with several examples to be inspired by. These speakers know that simple visuals allow for the message to shine through without being overshadowed. When creating presentation slides, embracing minimalism encourages you to remove any potential distractions and focus on your key ideas, thus fostering a closer connection with listeners. Minimalism as a principle extends far beyond TED Talks; it is a timeless and universal concept that will always guarantee an enhanced slide deck. So, remember, less is often more when showcasing your message.

As we’ve explored, TED Talks offers many examples to learn from. The techniques used by TED speakers are tried and true, sharing many valuable lessons to incorporate into your own presentations. From finding your “why” to building rapport, these strategies will ensure that you build a profound connection with your audience. So as you plan out your next presentation, integrate these methods to deliver a truly memorable speech.

Reference:

• https://blog.ted.com/10-tips-for-better-slide-decks/ 

We are at the very center of a massive turning point in the marketing industry. Here are some basic ideas to help you navigate and be more effective.

It’s easy to get caught up in the digital marketing strategies from a few years back. In 2021, every tactic you use has probably been updated or abandoned. In this blog, we want to share some of our experience, knowledge, and understanding of modern digital marketing.

Digital marketing strategies to use:

Leverage the power of short-form videos

Millennials prefer Facebook and Instagram, while Gen Z prefers Snapchat and TikTok. The increased demand for short-form video content makes it more lucrative for brands to employ social media influencers. The marketing teams of many companies realize that people are spending more time on social media, and they have started to focus their budgets on social media channels. Quick and catchy videos are currently loved by marketers, especially for their ability to target younger customers.

TikTok for Business recently launched new advertising options, so marketers should take advantage and get started on TikTok and Snapchat. When it comes to short-form videos, you need to strike a balance between brand messaging and the casual tone of the format, which will require research into your target demographic, strategy, creativity, and an understanding of their attention span – which is around 8 seconds.

Looking for a social media agency in Dubai? Look no further.

Content is (still) king in 2021

Content marketing connects you with your audience and helps you build trust. It is one of the best ways to engage and convert your audience. Content marketing costs 62% less but generates 3x more leads than outbound marketing. One way to get the most out of your content is to write about topics relevant to your company’s brand. A study found that companies with business blogs generate leads at an incredible rate of 126%. However, content marketing to sell your products and services is relevant for more than just blogs. There are also e-books, whitepapers, infographics, listicles, and email marketing campaigns.

“Word of mouth is the primary factor behind 20 percent to 50 percent of all purchasing decisions.”

Berger, Jonah, Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Artificial Intelligence and automation – the new norm

As more companies recognize the benefit of applying AI to customer service, they are working to create chatbots to integrate into their existing website or systems. However, you can’t expect a chatbot to do everything that a human can. But if used correctly, it can seem like one of your employees is helping. It’s no wonder that more and more companies worldwide are starting to use AI in their sales process. Marketing automation is a digital marketing trend that is becoming the new norm.

Action items that are more relevant than ever:

01 Update your website with a new modern look that is responsive on all devices. It’s surprising how some websites still struggle with outdated web designs and slow loading speeds.

02 Set up tracking and analytics to get as much data as possible on website performance and user engagement. Apart from the usual suspects – Google Analytics and Google Search Console, we also highly recommend using tools such as Lucky Orange or Crazy Egg to gain deeper insights into user behavior with heatmaps and user session recordings.

03 Tie together all your marketing activities on all channels like Google Search Console, email, Facebook, Instagram, organic, and others to re-reach users on multiple channels regardless of where they came from initially.

And lastly, keep in mind that digital marketing is one half of the equation when it comes to winning online – the other half is getting people to talk about your brand. We wrote a blog on achieving that which you can read here.

If you wish to learn more about this subject and gain rich insights into why certain things “catch on” then we highly recommend the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger.

 

How to Design Presentations for Maximum Attention and Impact

Designing presentations is a process that involves creating and arranging slides, text, images, audio, and video to communicate the main points. But before designing your presentation, you should be clear about the purpose. Ask yourself, “What is it really that you want to communicate?”

The purpose of a presentation may be to persuade, inform, or entertain. To create a successful persuasive slides, you need to know your audience well and understand their preferences. More on this later.

Here are some key ideas that would help you do it right.

In most cases and with some types of presentations, positioning yourself as an expert on the subject helps a lot in building trust

01 Prepare killer visuals
02 Providing relevant facts and statistics wherever necessary without overdoing it
03 Presenting clear and convincing arguments

A presentation should focus on making the information as clear and concise as possible. It’s not just a slideshow of words; it is a story, giving insight into your thinking.

What Makes a Great Presentation

A good or bad presentation design can make all the difference in most cases.

For starters, a good slide deck should be clear and concise. It should draw in the audience with its visuals and help them stay focused on the core message being delivered. It should also be easy to understand and easy to read.

Essentially, the keys to a great presentation can be boiled down to four pillars:

01 Content
02 Audience
03 Structure
04 Consistency

Great slide design should first and foremost provide support for your content. This content could include supporting graphics, charts, outlines, images or videos, diagrams, timelines, and so on.

Additionally, ensure the content is relevant to the audience and at the appropriate level of detail. This is where knowing your audience goes a long way and pays rich dividends in the world of presentation success.

Before you crack your fingers, roll up your sleeves, and start putting together your slides, you need to draw out the outline or structure of your slides. Ask yourself, “What is the best way to unfold your argument?” or “Should you start with a story or a statistic?” or “Should you go over the values behind the message first or cover that after you have given statistical evidence?”

A well-thought-out outline can make a world of difference. If you get this wrong, you run the risk of making the slides messy and confusing.

Lastly, a well-designed presentation displays content effectively through consistent use of typography, color, imagery, illustration, and sequencing. A consistent design should make each element of the design work well and nicely tie everything together.

Parting Pro Tips…

Try to sum up your key point for the audience in one sentence. Remember just one key point, not two or three. This way, if the audience fails to remember anything about your presentation, they will at least remember the one central idea.

Now, think about what you actually need to show to drive that point home. Most people make the mistake of adding too much superfluous information—data, graphs, etc. However, what you really need is one stat or number that gets to the heart of the idea you are arguing for.

Use simpler graphics as much as possible to simplify the text. For instance, use overlapping circles to indicate a common ground between two options or side-by-side boxes to show options. These visual cues are registered in our brains at a deeper level compared to words.

If you found this interesting, then you will definitely love to read 5 Presentation Lessons You Can Learn from Steve Jobs.

Also, in case you haven’t noticed, Prezlab specializes in engaging and persuasive presentation design, along with video production and animation, and branding in Dubai and across the UAE and GCC.

 

Creative burnout is the silent killer behind even the most passionate designers. Recognizing the signs is crucial for preventing creatives from working themselves to exhaustion. Prevention is key; rethinking your workflow can help preserve a healthy creative flow. And if it’s too late and you’ve already burned yourself out, there are still remedies to manage it and bring you back to life!

What is creative burnout?

In a work context, burnout is a state of constant exhaustion. And for creatives, burnout is not just being tired; it’s a crushing sense of failure. Especially for those who tie their identity to their work, losing confidence can feel devastating. Creative burnout happens when several stress triggers pile up and begin to affect the body. Self-doubt, perfectionism, long work hours, looming deadlines, and a lack of boundaries are all factors that, when combined, bring down even the most passionate designers. It’s a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that can affect anyone involved in the creative industry, and recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for learning how to navigate its murky waters.

What does creative burnout feel like 

Creative burnout manifests itself in different ways, often leaving people frustrated and uneasy. The symptoms of creative burnout and waving red flags need to be addressed before they build up and begin to take a toll on your well-being. One of the first (and most common) symptoms is self-doubt. When designers start second-guessing themselves and questioning their abilities, it can be a sign that they are beginning to burn out. Close to self-doubt is irritability. When there is constant indecision, it is often accompanied by flare-ups of frustration that impact both work and relationships.

Another important symptom is procrastination. When you are unable to meet deadlines and struggle to prioritize your tasks because of procrastination, you might be grappling with burnout. Fatigue is also common; it can manifest as a lack of ideas or motivation caused by pervasive exhaustion that makes every task feel monumental and simple projects feel impossible.

In essence, creative burnout comes from a blend of different factors: overwhelming stress, boredom, unrealistic expectations, lack of control, lack of appreciation, too many tasks, and a monotonous routine. Stress can lead to disconnect and a loss of motivation, and recognizing the symptoms is the beginning of effective remedies to combat it.

Managing and avoiding creative burnout

Keeping the creative flow moving needs a reevaluation of the current workflow. And since prevention is better than cure, here are some points to help you rethink your work system to avoid burning out:

Time management and planning

In creative work, time management and solid planning are strong defenses against burnout. Designers tend to juggle several projects and tasks at once, each with their own deadlines and guidelines, making effective time management techniques a necessity. Don’t try to do it all; set realistic goals and timelines for yourself, and base your priorities on your deadlines. By pacing yourself, your creative rhythm remains sustainable and vibrant.

Taking (real) breaks

The thing about creativity is that you can never tell when inspiration might strike, and in the pursuit of perfection, it might feel like you are always in demand. Incorporating work-life balance helps you prioritize your mental and physical well-being through a mindful approach. Take real and meaningful breaks; this includes disconnecting from your work entirely and indulging in different activities. Stepping away from your work allows you to replenish your creative reserves, so schedule small breaks throughout your calendar to take for yourself.

Communication and boundaries

To avoid creative burnout, two of the most important weapons in your arsenal are communication and setting boundaries. Creatives often find themselves working on several tasks at once with endless streams of feedback and adjustments, and here communication becomes paramount. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help from colleagues when your workload becomes too difficult to manage. Also, learn to say no. When you set boundaries, you are acknowledging that you are aware of your limits and recognize that your capabilities have limits. Turning down additional tasks shows self-awareness, effectively building a shield against burnout.

Embrace variety

Sometimes, working on one project can result in a cycle of falling back on the same designs and running out of fresh ideas. What can you do in this case? Embrace variety and try something new. Breaking free of monotony and exploring a new technique or skill can bring new insights and inspire new ideas. Not only does this strategy refresh your work, but it also keeps you absorbed and energetic. With any creative professional, you need to constantly evolve by learning, which can only happen once you step out of your comfort zone.

Remedies for creative burnout

While creative burnout may occasionally visit, it does not need to overstay its welcome. Looking into the following remedies can help ease the exhaustion and rejuvenate your creative mind in no time!

Socialize and connect with others

Creativity thrives best on connection. Creatives are often inspired by the energy of others, so socializing, exchanging ideas and enthusiasm, and connecting with people is an important way to recharge. Making a conscious effort to reach out and take care of your connections is a vital way to keep your motivation levels healthy. Whether through coffee dates, lunch breaks with coworkers, or networking events, these interactions nurture your creative energy and ensure that you remain energized.

Consider a digital detox

Sitting in front of a screen for too long will mentally drain you, and scrolling forever will only cause you to feel dreadful and distracted. Consider going on a digital detox and unplugging from digital devices for a small period of time to reset your brain. Give yourself time to breathe and recover from the constant flood of news, information, and lackluster inspiration. To reconnect with your inner creative self, you’ll find that you need to refresh your perspective by avoiding the barrage of voices found on your phone.

Think of it as a learning experience

Although burnout feels terrible, it can be a lesson for you to better understand your maximum work capacity. From your experience, you can now recognize your limits and place proper boundaries so you can avoid falling into creative burnout once again. After coming out from the other side, you begin to implement the strategies to produce output you’re proud of without overworking yourself to extreme exhaustion.

In the end, burnout is not the final stop in the journey, despite what your self-doubt might tell you. Surely, creative burnout is a daunting experience for designers, but understanding its symptoms is necessary for learning how to manage them. This experience can be a stepping stone to reaching a more balanced and fulfilling process for lasting creative output and endless inspiration.

In our diverse world with a wide spectrum of different individuals, it becomes vital to create PowerPoint presentations that resonate with as many people as possible. To transcend barriers and embrace an inclusive ethic for presentation. It is important to be mindful of those with disabilities and make sure that everyone, including those with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments, can benefit from your presentation.

Understanding accessibility in presentations and why it matters

Accessibility is about breaking down barriers and building bridges to reach individuals regardless of their abilities. Incorporating accessibility into a presentation ensures that it is inclusive and considerate of all those sitting in.

Accessibility provides an opportunity for all audience members to be included, regardless of different cognitive and physical disabilities. This way, you provide everyone with a chance to follow along and participate. In PowerPoint presentations, this looks like structuring and designing your slides in a way that allows everyone to comprehend the content smoothly. Accessible slides would combine being visually appealing with being functional for those with disabilities. As we delve deeper into presentation accessibility, we will learn more about the little adjustments that might seem simple for us but make a difference to others.

Why accessibility matters

Although we might not intend it, sometimes certain design styles or presentation structures could deter those with disabilities such as blindness or hearing difficulties. Accessibility opens doors to reaching more people, and you’re no longer excluding members of your audience. Rather, you are expanding your reach and connecting with a much wider audience. So implementing more accessible features into your slides makes sure that your presentation is inclusive of all.

Elements of an accessible presentation 

Now that we understand the importance of accessibility in PowerPoint, it’s time to implement it into our presentations. Here, we will discuss ways to share your content to ensure a logical flow and how to make visual elements accessible to every member of your audience.

Structuring your presentation

Creating a presentation that is considerate and empathetic to those with cognitive disabilities includes mindful planning that prioritizes clarity and ease of understanding. For example, when crafting a compelling storyline that can flow naturally from one point to the next, there shouldn’t be any roadblocks during this journey. Here, you can strategically use different font sizes, colors, and styles to create a hierarchy, with the text guiding your audience through your content. Also, using simplified language and repeating main points helps audience members follow along with no issues.

Accessible visuals and multimedia

Typically, an engaging PowerPoint presentation makes sure to feature several captivating images and visuals to be a feast for the eyes (and ears!) of the audience. To make your visuals more accessible for those with visual impairments, add alt texts to any shape, chart, image, videos, or any other visual that describes the content being displayed. For videos and audio clips, adding captions is a great way to help audiences follow along with the content, especially for those with hearing impairments.

Designing for visual accessibility

We always like to emphasize that presentation design is about practicality and functionality as much as it is about visual appeal. This especially applies to creating visually accessible media that is captivating and easy to follow.

Color choices and contrast

Sometimes, the choice of color palette impacts the way those with visual impairments perceive your slides. Now, using poor color contrast makes for a difficult reading experience for everyone, so always make sure that the text and background colors contrast well. Another important note to remember is that not everyone perceives color in the same way. Those with color blindness tend to usually confuse red and green, and, to a lesser degree, yellow and blue. So in graphs, avoid using color as the singular differentiating factor; use text or symbols to distinguish between information points. You can also use resources like Coblis, which we mentioned in our color palette blog, to simulate what a slide would look like for those with color blindness.

Font selection and size

The content is the backbone of your content, and making it accessible ensures that the audience can fully understand and engage with your material. The first thing to consider is the font choice; ideally, you should choose a large, simple, and sans-serif font that is easy on the eyes (think Arial or Verdana).

And less is more, always! There is no need to cram a large paragraph on a slide; rather, summarize your main point in a couple of sentences that anyone can quickly read. Plus, displaying your text in a generously large font size, like 24pt or larger, helps the audience read the text easily, including those reading from a distance.

Beyond font choice and size, make sure to include a simple alt text for images and objects so that they are clear, particularly for those who can’t see them.

Avoid excess animation

When it comes to animation in PowerPoint, adding some action can make it more fluid and interesting, but adding too much or making it too excessive can be tiresome. Some people tend to get vertigo or even epileptic seizures from excessive animation, flashing images, strobing lights, or rapid movements. So keep that in mind to keep your animations in check. Remember that the overall goal of your presentation is to inform and engage, and there’s no real need for rapid movements that make for uncomfortable viewing.

Navigating accessibility tools and features

Luckily, PowerPoint has several features that help presenters create more accessible and approachable slides for their audience, including:

PowerPoint Accessibility Checker

Let us introduce you to the wonderful tool that is PowerPoint’s Accessibility Checker! This trusty sidekick of a feature looks over your presentation and ensures that it is inclusive of all abilities. You can find the Accessibility Checker by going to the File tab and selecting Info. Then, in the Check for Issues section, click the Check Accessibility option. This feature scans over your slides, helps identify and fix issues related to accessibility, and offers practical suggestions to fix them.

Screen readers compatibility

Screen readers are the magical narrators of the digital world. For individuals with visual impairments, screen readers read out the content displayed (such as text and alt text) to audience members through headphones. So before presenting, testing out the presentation with a screen reader is important to ensure compatibility and a smooth flow. Testing also helps you fine-tune your content to make it screen-reader-friendly, which is considerate for those who require this tool.

It is our responsibility as presenters to acknowledge the various experiences of how our audience interacts with the world. By implementing small changes into our presentations to attend to those with impairments, whether through choice of visuals or text, you create a more considerate experience. Presentations are about building bridges and making a connection, and by being inclusive of all types of individuals, you can foster a space that honors each member of your audience.

Ever wondered why some presentations leave a mark while others fade quickly? We can’t all be “audience whisperers,” but we can look into psychology as a guide to provide insights into the cognitive processes that shape our abilities to absorb and retain ideas. Presentations are vessels for sharing ideas, so why not harness our understanding of the human brain to optimize the ways we design and deliver them? By learning more about how the brain works, we can create presentations that cater to our audience’s cognitive minds, ensuring that they walk away inspired and motivated to take action.

Psychology Principles for Presentations

Primacy and recency effect

The primacy and recency effect, referring to a well-established cognitive bias, suggests that people are more likely to remember the first and last bits of information they encounter. In a presentation, you surely want your audience to walk away recalling your key points, so tapping into the primacy and recency’s logic ensures that they will. Leveraging this principle allows you to make the audience remember essential points by using your time slots wisely and intentionally. Essentially, take advantage of the segments where you have your audience’s attention and use this time to share the most important information you want them to walk away with.

Picture superiority effect

Let your audience “see” your point, literally! The picture superiority effect suggests that people tend to remember images and pictures better (and more vividly) than words. And considering that presentations tend to be primarily visual mediums, why not use this to your best advantage? This is another cognitive bias where our brains are naturally more drawn to visuals, whether it is an image, infographic, GIF, or whatever, really! Forget the text-laden slides, pictures are a language on their own, and it’s one that audiences are certainly fluent in.

Cognitive load theory

When faced with too much information at once, our brains begin to beg for reprieve—at least that’s what the cognitive load theory tells us. This theory suggests that there is a limit to how much information the brain can comprehend at once. Considering that your audience is human after all, take it easy on them.

The biggest of feasts can only be eaten bite by bite; limit the amount of information per slide, avoid using complicated language, and break down big ideas into small, digestible pieces. Despite your ambitions to share your hard-won data, it still needs to be manageable, accessible, and not too overwhelming, or your audience will check out and mentally walk out of your presentation.

Goal gradient effect

The satisfaction of ticking off items on your to-do list is unmatched, so why not make your audience feel that too? The goal gradient effect tells us that people are more motivated to complete a task when they see progress and are approaching the end. In other words, you’re more willing to sprint when you can see the finish line.

For a presentation, keeping your audience actually invested all along the way is one of the trickiest challenges to maneuver. Splitting the presentation into smaller segments helps the audience visualize the progress made; you can do this by storyboarding your presentation beforehand. Other ways to implement goal gradient theory are by incorporating a presentation agenda, a progress bar across the slides, or even verbal verification of where you are.

Social proof and influence

Consider this: how likely are you to try out a product if a friend hasn’t recommended it? Now think about your presentation’s content. Why would the audience trust you based on your words alone? Utilizing social proof and influence tells us that people are likely to do or use something if they see others doing it. In presentations, this can look like citing consumer statistics, case studies, or testimonials from those who have benefited from your product, service, or idea. This establishes credibility and rapport with your audience, which allows you to influence them. Instead of just having blind faith in your product, social proof backs up your claims and lets you be smug about your results.

Peeking into the human brain makes it easier to truly understand what it takes to properly communicate ideas to an audience. Psychology isn’t just for psychologists; it’s for anyone who wants to make the most of human interactions, including presentations. Using these principles can give you a better understanding of how to structure your ideas to leave the strongest impact.

In the world of public speaking, few names stand out like Simon Sinek. He rose to prominence through his transformative “Start with Why” principle and his powerful Golden Circle framework, which have paved the way for more compelling presentations that bond communities through inspiration and understanding. In this blog, we will discuss the elements that make a his presentations impactful and what we can learn from them.

Simon Sinek’s presentation style

When you think about powerful presenters, Simon Sinek pops into mind. His masterful communication style can break down big ideas into more relatable concepts, and his unique approach to public speaking has made him a resonant name in the industry.

The “Start with Why” principle

The cornerstone of Sinek’s memorable approach is rooted in a simple question: why? This question urges the audience to dig deeper within themselves and understand the core reasons for their motivations and actions. By understanding the “why,” Sinek argues that this builds a genuine connection with the audience and establishes a strong foundation for inspiration.

In the world of business, this principle translates to strong leadership that cares more about building community than selling products. Starting with “why” provides a compass that allows a presenter to establish authenticity and purpose to form a presentation’s backbone.

The Golden Circle

Another central principle to Sinek’s style is the Golden Circle, which is a concept that moves from the ‘why’ to the ‘how’ and finally to the ‘what.’ By initiating presentations with a driving purpose and rationale, he can foster understanding and connection from the very beginning.

Implementing the Golden Circle provides you with a rough outline to organize your presentation around. Approach your the structure through the why, how, and what, and you can create an engaging and resonant narrative. It offers a lens through which to view the mindset that drives success for organizations and presentations by charting out a grounded and insightful path.

Storytelling approach

In Sinek’s presentations, storytelling is a golden thread that is woven throughout to create captivating narratives that engage the audience. Building on his ‘why,’ storytelling allows Sinek to get more specific about his motives by using real-life examples. That way, he can turn abstract concepts into digestible, relatable tales that are rich with insights and lessons. Being specific about who the ‘why’ is about strikes a chord with the audience and also brings the material closer to their reality. We can see Sinek’s method of storytelling in action in his presentations, including his famous TED Talk.

TED Talk: “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”

In one of the most highly regarded TED Talks, Simon Sinek masterfully applies the Golden Circle in his presentation as he discusses the principles that make up inspiring leadership by starting with the ‘why,’ ‘how,’ and ‘what.’ Aside from the informative insights regarding leadership, the presentation is also a clear demonstration of how a strong narrative grasps the audience’s attention. His Golden Circle structure can paint a picture of successful leadership by emphasizing a deep understanding of the root motives that drive actions. This talk is a must-watch to observe the power of ‘why’ in action as it inspires action and fosters connections. You can watch the full talk right here.

What we can learn from Simon Sinek

As we watch Simon Sinek’s charismatic presenting style, we can observe several techniques that are adaptable to our presentations:

Presentations give, they don’t take

It is said that a giving hand is better than a receiving hand, and this applies to presentations as well. Often, when presenters show up with a motive to benefit themselves, such as funding, connections, or some other advantage, it is very transparent and causes the audience to disengage. The audience is much more likely to trust a giver—someone who has the intention to be of service through their presentation or otherwise share value. Reframe your speech as to how it can benefit the audience, rather than how to extract benefits from the audience.

Share what you know

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to speak about an interest of yours, such as a book that you’ve enjoyed or a personal anecdote you loved? You become so fluent and persuasive purely because you care about it! Now extend that logic to presentations, when you speak about a subject you’re passionate about, that passion is contagious and can captivate the audience.

Another trick is to speak about things you understand. We’re not all experts, and trying to sound smart about things we don’t entirely understand comes off as inauthentic. When you speak about what you know and care about, you will naturally present it more passionately and energetically, so focus on giving the best of what you have.

Own the space

When you present, taking control of the room embodies a readiness to share your ideas, fostering a deep connection with your audience. Owning the room begins right when you walk up to the stage, with a composed walk that establishes a strong presence before you even begin to speak. And once you’re on stage, rather than start right away, take a moment to absorb the room’s energy and make eye contact with the audience. This way, you have a moment to solidify your presence and use your body to complement your speech and add to an impactful delivery.

Begin with the end goal in mind

This is directly related to the start with ‘why’ premise, before you begin, know what the end goal is. By starting with the end in mind, you can tailor any story or thought you share to move you toward that destination. Rather than putting your efforts into your introduction, think about the concluding statement or the idea that sums up the whole talk. This should help you figure out how to shape your presentation in a way that strengthens the main idea.

Simon Sinek has set a benchmark for presenting styles, offering a rich reference to learn from and be inspired by, like his ‘Start with Why’ and Golden Circle principles. By learning about his strategies for engaging narratives, presenters are encouraged to form genuine connections with their audiences by digging deeper into their motivations. Using his methods, such as owning the space and working with your natural strengths, you can create rich, impactful presentations.

What if we told you that some of our favorite presenters are actually famous comedians? Comedians possess a remarkable skill that goes beyond making us laugh. After all, they manage to hold an audience’s attention for an hour with nothing but their wit and charisma. They are master presenters in their own right, powerful orators, and public speakers who know how to keep an audience on their toes. So, what can we learn from these professional jokesters?

Comedians as presenters

Comedians have a special skillset that goes beyond eliciting much-needed laughter; they know how to use humor, storytelling, and perfect timing to build a connection and create an immersive experience. By observing how these talented comedic virtuosos employ their techniques to entertain and engage, we can learn a thing or two about presenting our own stories. Their interesting approach to communication and public speaking, infused with authenticity and charisma, leaves a lasting impression on all audiences. 

Understanding the role of a presenter

Before we begin to explore all the ways comedians can make us better speakers, we first need to understand the role of the presenter. They are not just mere messengers; they are storytellers and motivators. Presenters are given the tough task of igniting inspiration in the audience through their delivery and conveying important information at the same time. And like comedians, they need to connect with their audience to create a memorable experience.  

Case Study: Bo Burnham 

Bo Burnham is considered one of the first viral YouTube sensations, and his creative approach to performing perfectly proves why. Using a brilliant combination of humor, music, and storytelling, Burnham weaves in personal stories and fearlessly explores various topics in his live shows. By playing on the audience’s emotions, he can use his authenticity to encourage embracing vulnerability.

Furthermore, he infuses his live performances with multimedia elements, playing around with the lighting, sound effects, and even adding musical interludes. This clever use of multimedia adds an immersive touch to his live performances, making them a memorable and resonant experience for his audience.

Case Study: Hasan Minhaj 

Hasan Minhaj stands out as a true orator, effortlessly blending passionate speeches with razor-sharp wit. As a former Daily Show correspondent and host of his own show, Patriot Act, he knows how to address social and political issues while maintaining a light-hearted tone. He does not shy away from tough conversations; rather, he embraces the challenge with openness and charisma.

Minhaj’s charm comes from his ability to create a personal connection with his audience, making them emotionally invested in the stories and topics he shares. A powerful speaker, he knows how to use his voice and body language to engage audiences, keeping them on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating what comes next. 

Case Study: James Acaster 

James Acaster’s charm and appeal come from his ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. With his witty observations, he is able to make the mundane interesting by uncovering its humor, which strikes a chord with the audience. He offers a fresh perspective on familiar (or so we thought) topics through jokes and delivers them with impeccable timing. His seamless flow between his jokes and stories is both unexpected and exciting, crafting a hilarious narrative that ensures that anyone listening is hanging onto his next words. 

Transferring stand-up skills to the presentation stage

Drawing inspiration from the captivating sets of past comedians, we can recognize the level of their public speaking prowess. Aside from eliciting laughter, they are also masters in storytelling and engaging their audiences. Let us delve deeper into their techniques and see how we can use them in our own presentations.

Timing and delivery

It’s all about delivery and timing! Not just in comedy but also in presentations. Knowing when to pause, when to speak, and when to emphasize all impact how a message is received. Learning to command attention with your voice and body language injects energy and drama into your delivery, making it more impactful. Also, the key here lies in authenticity and being genuine; timing your delivery will tend to come naturally. 

Storytelling and narrative techniques

Storytelling is a primary component of many comedic sets as it engages listeners emotionally. Comedians are skilled narrators who take their audiences on an entertaining journey in their sets, making them think, laugh, or cry. They are able to use narrative techniques such as sharing anecdotes, calling back to an earlier idea, characterization, and others to turn mundane stories into memorable experiences for the audience. By incorporating these techniques to tell stories throughout your presentation, an emotional connection is established with the listeners.

Use of humor and wit to retain attention

And of course, humor is a powerful tool that can improve any presentation and lighten the mood. For example, the comedians we mentioned use humor to simplify or poke fun at more complex ideas, leading the audience to connect more with the message. In presentations, humor breaks the ice to create a more relaxed atmosphere, and when people are feeling easygoing, they are more receptive to absorbing new ideas and information. Plus, humor helps build rapport and trust, as well as making the presentation more enjoyable overall.

Presenting is a nuanced art form that blends together language, emotion, and connection. Comedians have an unparalleled ability to grip an audience and offer us a masterclass every time they take the stage. From perfect timing and passion to observant humor, they demonstrate how a successful presentation lies in creating genuine connections, authentic storytelling, and, of course, a sense of humor.

Data visualization is an art form. Picture this: you tap those dull spreadsheets once, and they transform into captivating visuals that effortlessly convey your message. In the realm of presentations, data visualization is like giving your numbers a much-needed makeover. They are a powerful tool that simplifies and communicates information and also captures your audience, leaving them spellbound by the stories hidden within the numbers.

What is data visualization?

Data visualization is all about representing data through fun and engaging visual or graphic elements such as graphs, charts, maps, infographics, and other formats. Instead of overwhelming your audience with raw data, visual representation makes information easier to digest and more visually engaging.

Why is data visualization important in presentations?

How come data visualization is so important for presentations? Simply because it’s a game-changer! It makes complex data easier to understand, helps spot trends and patterns, and enables better decision-making. When you present data in a visual format, it becomes easier to comprehend and remember, which is especially helpful for more complex data sets or data the audience is unfamiliar with. Also, visuals are like magnets for audience attention; they keep them focused and maintain their attention throughout the presentation. Moreover, data visualization elevates your storytelling by facilitating the visual communication of your message and enhancing your connection with the audience.

Types of data visualizations for presentations

Depending on the data, there are many ways to represent it through various formats. Let’s dive into the common types, including:

Charts and graphs

Charts and graphs are the true rock stars of data visualization and one of the most popular ways to represent data. They are classic, versatile, and can represent a wide variety of data. Pie charts, bar graphs, and scatter plots are just a few of the many types of charts and graphs available. As tried-and-true tools for making data stand out, they can show trends, patterns, and relationships between data points. Also, they are easy to understand and can be used to tell a story about the data.

Infographics

Infographics communicate complex data through a combination of text, images, and charts that share information easily and quickly. With the right mix of visual elements, an infographic can be a powerful tool to help audiences understand complex data clearly and concisely while effectively showcasing the data’s story.

Maps

Maps are a powerful tool for visualizing geographic data. They can showcase trends and patterns, such as sales by region or global statistics. Moreover, maps can demonstrate patterns of distribution and movement and, by extension, can be used to tell stories about the data. Another note is that a map of global statistics could show how different countries compare across several factors, such as population, GDP, or life expectancy. This could help businesses understand the global market and identify potential growth opportunities.

Dashboards

Dashboards are a creative way to display several data points on a single screen, providing an overview of the data at a glance. Dashboards can be used to track different data trends, allowing you and your audience to explore and analyze the data to make informed decisions.

Interactive visualizations

Traditional formats, such as charts and graphs, can help understand trends and patterns in data. However, they can be static and limiting, offering only a single perspective on the data. Here is where interactive visualizations come in. They are still a relatively new type of data visualization that invites the audience to interact with the data points and encourages them to navigate the information and engage in self-learning. It offers an immersive experience for users to zoom in and out, switch between locations, click, and reveal information at their own pace.

Best practices for data visualization in presentations

When using data visualization in presentations, it is important to follow some best practices. These include:

Keep it simple

As usual, a presentation is meant to share a message, and you cannot do that if you have too much going on. Use data visualization strategically to avoid clutter and keep the visuals themselves straightforward and easy to follow. And to keep your data visualization clean, avoid too many data points and colors.

Focus on the story

Your visuals should always be relevant and uplift your main message. They are tools designed to guide and navigate your audience on an informative journey, so any data visualization you opt for should complement and support your presentation’s story.

Use color effectively

A general rule of thumb for using color is that less is more. We’ve spoken before about the importance of an effective color palette; it is another tool to bring out the best of your data. An effectively chosen color palette can highlight key data, create contrast, and enliven your presentation.

Tools for data visualization

Several tools can be used to create data visualizations. Some of the most popular tools include:

Microsoft Power BI

Power BI is Microsoft’s software for creating different data visualizations, including charts, dashboards, and graphs. It offers a wide range of tools to help create rich, impactful reports and visuals.

Tableau

Tableau is the go-to tool for many professional data professionals. Known for its flexibility and easy interface, it also has powerful features that can create detailed and comprehensive data visualizations to help with developing better analysis.

Looker Studio

Looker Studio, a Google product, offers a free, user-friendly data visualization platform that can seamlessly integrate with other Google tools. By simply inserting your data, you can convert the information into extensive reports that are easy to customize.

Adobe Illustrator for Infographics

When it comes to creating high-quality infographics, Adobe Illustrator will reign supreme as the most effective tool. With its powerful vector graphics editing capabilities, it is the go-to software for designing visually stunning infographics that can both captivate and inform viewers.

Examples of data visualization in presentations

Still unsure about how to use data visualization? Here are some examples of how to incorporate data visualization into presentations:

Corporate earnings reports

You can bring that dull quarterly earnings report to life through appealing data visualization tools. Show trends and revenue growth, compare figures, and observe other key metrics with visually appealing analysis to make stakeholders more invested in your story.

Market research findings

Data-heavy market research can quickly amass a mountain of data. Yet with the right visuals, you can have information like market trends and customer demographics converted and communicated into clear and actionable insights.

Social media analytics

Details about social media activity, social media performance, audience demographics, and engagement can be presented through data visualization to showcase growth. They also provide thorough guidelines to determine the next steps.

When you skillfully incorporate and showcase crucial data in an engaging and clear manner, you unlock the power to deliver truly compelling arguments in your presentations. By reinforcing your narrative with impactful visuals, you allow your data to shine and ensure your message takes center stage. Data visualization tools enhance your ideas and also empower your audience with a deeper comprehension of your content.

Keeping your audience engaged while trying to deliver your key messages can be difficult. A helpful way of doing this is by telling stories where you take your audience on a journey and appeal to their emotions. In this blog, we discuss storytelling components you can incorporate into your next presentation.

Every story-driven presentation has five main components. If any of these components are missing, your story will be incomplete and won’t have the impact you are hoping for.

The five components of presentation storytelling are:

Setting

This is where you build context and set the stage for everything that is about to happen in the story. The goal is to get the audience to really step into the character’s shoes and get on the same page with them. Try to describe the world you are painting for the audience as vividly as possible.

Characters

Just like you did with the first component of “setting,” it’s pivotal to develop the characters as well as you can. Describe them in detail—what their goals were, who they were, their backgrounds, their emotions, etc. The characters here are people who the audience can easily connect with and empathize with. It’s also extremely effective to give that character a name—or, if that character is you, make that crystal clear.

Conflict

The third component is “conflict.” And as the name suggests, this is the part where your story picks up momentum and gets interesting. It is also the part that can either make or break a story-driven presentation. The focus here is to build friction and tension. Explain the point of conflict in detail and highlight key aspects of the conflict. Make it as relevant as possible to your audience so they can feel the conflict themselves and begin to empathize with the characters.

Big idea

Now that you have established the setting, the characters, and the conflict, the next step is to unveil the “big idea” that will act as a bridge toward a miraculous resolution. Drum roll….

This “big idea” is the one you want your audience to remember and take away from the presentation if they forget everything else.

The big idea could be something like:

It was time for us to rethink our decades-old sales process because what we had was painfully flawed and ineffective.

Or

We needed to find better ways of listening to our customers.

Or

The industry was dying quickly, and so were we as a company. It was time for us to change direction and do it fast.

Structuring your presentation around one big idea is so important that we wrote a whole blog about it: How to effectively structure a “big idea” pitch for maximum impact.

Resolution

The resolution part is where you safely carry your audience through the conflict, using the bridge of the big idea and into the “resolution.” It is where you tell the audience how everything resolves with the help of that one big idea.

Most presentations make the mistake of stating their presentation design efforts with a resolution that makes the entire presentation boring and potentially could have the opposite effect since they already know that things will eventually end well. There is no conflict, therefore no interest, and therefore no impact.

We often see designers get carried away with visuals and graphics and completely neglect their stories. Remember that even the best-designed presentations will not have half the impact they could if there isn’t a solid story behind them. Don’t get us wrong. We are huge fans of presentation design ourselves, so much so that we wrote an entire blog on it How great PowerPoint design impacts your presentation.

If you are looking for a story-based presentation that cuts through the noise and delivers your message with nuclear-level impact then drop us a line. We are more than happy to help you define, outline, and present your story most effectively.

Introduction

Whether you are just daydreaming of one day creating your own brand or are just starting to get your brand out there, or maybe you have already reached your goal with your brand and want to build on your success. Regardless of what level you are at, going back to the basics is always best.

Do You Really Know What Branding Is?

Our definition is: “Your brand is your promise to your customer.”

In a general sense, your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be, and who people perceive you to be. All these factors fulfill a certain promise that your ideal customer can understand, like, and trust. The best brands trigger emotion; it’s not always about the product or service.

If you think about it, Nike doesn’t market its product. They market the emotion you get when you purchase their product. You feel empowered, energetic, unstoppable, etc.

So, what’s your emotion?

However, let’s make one thing clear.

A BRAND IS NOT ONLY A LOGO.

The logo represents the brand. The brand creates the experience.

Unlike services or products that have a shelf life, a brand can last forever. A brand is a promise. They are either something to aspire to or something we can outgrow.

Consumers do not just buy products and services from a brand; they buy the brand’s image to create better versions of themselves. And at that point, the brand identity becomes part of theirs.

3 Proven Ways Coca-Cola Mastered Its Branding Strategy

Coca-Cola didn’t become a global brand overnight, and they have made their share of marketing mistakes. However, its success offers a lot of insight into businesses looking to build a solid and successful brand.

1. Consistency is King

Coming up with fresh marketing campaigns is of vital importance. However, within these different marketing campaigns, one clear, consistent message is always apparent. In the case of Coca-Cola, their brand is built on the idea of “enjoying a coke.” It is the one emotion you can count on to appear in any marketing material, even as the product range changes and adapts to emerging trends. The company has maintained this script for branding by featuring happy people smiling throughout their content marketing efforts.

2. Brand Over Product

“One of the most successful ways in which Coca-Cola has marketed itself is that it puts the focus on the brand rather than its product. Coke is described as something that brings family and friends together, encourages sharing, and brings happiness, rather than just a soda.”

Research highlights how beneficial this brand strategy is for global brands that have a variety of products (and services) and use different packaging for different countries. Instead of going for a complicated marketing plan that focuses on each product, Coca-Cola sells the lifestyle, the emotion, and the association of the brand that people can relate to. It ensures that the brand is universal and understood across all cultures and languages. What better concept to translate than the concept of happiness?

We understand that not all companies operate on a global scale like Coke, but they can still consider selling their brand as an experience rather than a product. Not only will this make your content creation and marketing efforts more focused, but it also ties into consistency.

3. Remain Relevant

Consistency does not walk this road alone; relevance is its companion. Both go hand in hand. Otherwise, Coca-Cola wouldn’t have been able to keep it up for over 100 years.

“While Coke is built around the same positive experience as it was upon conception, it also remains modern and topical, making the most of popular culture to remain relevant.”

This is the best explanation of what Coca-Cola does to ensure consistency and relevance throughout its marketing:

“However, the brand doesn’t simply take a popular subject and replicate it; Coke’s success comes from putting its own spin on a topic while still maintaining the idea that it’s all about sharing and happiness. Not only this, but it uses relevant trends from each of the countries it is present in, understanding that what is relevant for one culture may not be for others.”

The Importance of Branding in the 21st Century

This quote sums up our approach when it comes to branding in today’s world:

“No one cares about your brand. It is not loved. It is not important. It is not invited anywhere but to your company picnic. That is, unless you can make the brand relevant to people’s lives. To the way they understand things… No one cares about your brand unless you find a way to speak to why you care about it.”

Scott Goodson, Author of Uprising and Forbes Columnist

Over time, the concept of branding and the perception held by marketers have changed. Earlier, it was used solely to differentiate the product or service from others in the market. While that remains one of the most important pillars in today’s oversaturated markets, branding adds a set of personality traits to the products that are automatically positioned in the marketing according to what position the brand occupies in the minds of the target audience.

Again, it’s no longer just about the product. It’s about the experience, the identity, and the association.

Prezlab’s Promise When it Comes to Branding

Prezlab is not your usual design agency. We care about telling your story through visual content. Your brand is your story. What better way to tell a story than visually?

From logo design to visual identity development, we help businesses elevate their visual identities and brand strategies to help them achieve their business goals while effectively speaking to their audiences.

Kicking this subject off with the basics, we decided to use this opportunity to explain to you how each service that we provide can help elevate your brand, one design element at a time.

Let’s begin with a short preview of what we offer, and then throughout the article, we will take you deeper into our design world:

1. PPT Design:

Presentations are our core specialty, and we have been creating visually stunning presentations for our clients for their top conferences, achievements, product reveals, and deliverables for their clients and partners.

2. Books and Report design:

Inline. Online. Bottom line. We craft your brand’s books and reports from cover to cover and ensure 100% smooth flow and coverage of key information.

3. Social Media Management:

Strategies, content, and designs that are up-to-date and result-driven will make your social media stand out and deliver your marketing results.

We understand the pressure of standing out when it comes to an online presence. Whether your business is offline, online, B2B, or B2C, our visual production capabilities keep your brand up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

4. Digital Marketing:

Finding the right tactic to help your business grow and excel depends on the kind of approach we take.

We encompass a wide range of digital marketing strategies that form the backbone of a comprehensive digital approach to generating more leads for your business

5. Infographics Design:

Visualizing data that converts and content that leaves an impact while getting the right message across is the basis of infographic design. That is what we do.

6. Motion Graphics:

We don’t just tell your story. We show it by creating an easier connection between your business and users.

We create videos that drive results and boost your ROI.

Our video services help marketers and businesses cut through the noise and boost marketing results and strategies.

In a matter of minutes or even seconds, we help you highlight your services and products, drive awareness, and educate your audience with our top-class animations and experienced voice-over artists.

7. Web and App Development:

We develop high-performing and intuitive web and app solutions that support business processes and serve users globally.

Prezlab transforms brands through visually compelling storytelling, echoing Coca-Cola’s timeless branding strategy, focusing on consistency, emotional connection, and relevance to create memorable presentations that resonate with audiences and elevate brand identities. Get in touch with the best PPT design company in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and across the UAE!

If you believe communication is either one or the other, you are wrong. Here is why:

Every great communicator, regardless of whether they are a politician, a sales wizard, a marketeer, or a teacher at a high school, understands that there is more to great communication than just the structuring of words and sentences. It’s obvious that the left brain’s rationality is super important when it comes to communication, but numerous studies have shown us that what makes good communication great happens in our right brain. Aspects of communication such as spontaneity, authenticity, and intuition come from our right brain.

So is communication more art than science? It’s both. However, not only do great communicators have a firm grasp on the mechanics of communication (science), but they also tap into the reservoirs of creativity emerging from their right brains. When Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, it was more of an artistic endeavor than a scientific one.

This is as true for marketing and design as it is for leadership. Think of any advertisement that still lingers in your memory. It will become clear that its artistic (creative) features are the reason you still remember it.

Having said that, successful marketing messages should consider the points below. Without them, even the most creative and ingenious touch will seem like an unsolved jigsaw puzzle.

One of the problems of marketing messages nowadays is that most of these focus on one or the other but very rarely do you come across an ad or a presentation that does both. The jaw-dropping Apple keynote presentations are not just brilliant from a creative point of view; they are also structured and delivered in a way that’s scientifically proven to be better. The Nike commercials are not just brilliant creative ideas, they are also an example of the perfect execution of well-known (and mostly ignored) scientific best practices.

Best Practices for Presentation Communication

1st best practice

Each slide should communicate just one thought or idea—this is proven good advice because the human brain can only focus on one idea or thought at a time.

2nd best practice

Declutter your slides—less is more. Resist the urge to stuff “as much as possible.” It’s proven that too many visual elements lead to the audience remembering none.

3rd best practice

Try to tell a story. Humans are wired to love stories—we all know that.

4th best practice

Build on your previous points one at a time while keeping the progression of the presentation systematic and logical.

5th best practice

Find the ideal emotion you would like to evoke and try to strike it. No presentation has to be dry and devoid of life. Even corporate presentations should have an element of emotion in them—after all, you are pitching/selling/persuading humans.

6th best practice

Keep it short and sweet.

7th best practice

Use design best practices (right fonts, colors, sizes, spacing, etc.) to create maximum visual impact. Yes, the default PowerPoint templates are a surefire way to bore your audience.
We hope this settles the science vs art question when it comes to communication, and the next time you sit down to create a marketing campaign, make sure you get both the science and the art right.

Presentation design is at the very core of what we do, what we love doing, and what we are extremely good at. If you are struggling with your existing sales presentation or need to spruce up an existing pitch deck to land that next round of funding, or maybe you need a presentation that hits home with a client, then feel free to talk to us about it.

Check out our presentation design solutions!

Presentations and presentation design are a tool and an opportunity to project the brand’s image onto an audience and showcase who you are. In presentation design, every slide, color, and phrase shouts out a brand’s personality. Adequately showcasing your brand creates brand awareness and visibility, leaving an imprint in your audience’s mind. With presentations, it is a platform to tell your brand’s story, share your values, and build a relationship with your audience. Whether the presentation is sharing an initiative, project, or research, the brand’s essence should shine through. This blog will discuss how to effectively incorporate your brand elements into your presentation slides.

Understanding your brand 

This is where it all begins! By understanding what your brand is at its core, you can begin to use that as a guidepost to design and produce your presentation.

Define your brand identity

A brand is much more than a bold logo and a quirky catchphrase; rather, it refers to the brand’s very essence and character. A company’s branding is rooted in its values and missions, which are the guiding principles that inform every decision, big or small. Then comes the second aspect of branding, which is the more recognizable external features, like the logo and color palette. These elements are the visual representation of the brand’s voice and personality. When thinking about your brand, you need to truly dive into its core nature to be able to represent its foundational principles.

Recognizing brand voice and tone

Similar to people, a brand’s personality leaves an impression on an audience. Every brand will have its own unique voice, which you can tease out by asking yourself what you want to sound like. Lively and friendly? Professional and informative? By identifying your brand’s key attributes, testing your tone, and deciding on a guideline, you will begin shaping a solid brand voice that builds a relationship with its listeners. The key here also lies in the consistent delivery of this personality across all messaging. The persistent tone builds familiarity with the audience and establishes you as a reliable entity.

Visual branding elements in presentation design

Visual branding creates a distinct image that is recognizable in the audience’s minds. There are many visual branding elements that you can weave into your slides; here are the most common:

Color palette

The use of the brand’s color palette isn’t merely an aesthetic choice; it’s a strategic one. Colors can play with an audience’s emotions and sensibilities. When used cleverly, utilizing your brand’s colors would play into your audience’s sensibilities and let them resonate with you on a deeper level. Moreover, incorporating a brand’s colors is important for maintaining a cohesive look that guarantees a perceptible identity. Not to mention, while weaving in your color palette, maintaining balance is crucial to ensuring a harmonious and soothing experience for viewers.

Typography and font choices

Often overlooked, typography and font selection showcase the fashionable side of a brand and quite literally make a statement. When choosing a font, it’s important to balance readability and the overall brand identity. Opt for fonts that prioritize readability and are easy on the eyes; a little style doesn’t hurt. And don’t be afraid to mix and match font pairings that complement each other, which makes for an engaging and pleasant experience for readers.

Images and icons

We often emphasize how visuals tend to be that crucial element that takes any presentation from great to unforgettable. With brand-aligned visuals, you can reflect your brand’s core aesthetic in an exciting way. When curating images and visuals, choose examples that resonate with the brand’s core message. Similarly, any branded icons, graphics, and templates are distinctive elements that serve your brand’s image, so incorporate them into your slides. All these elements reinforce your brand’s identity in your audience’s mind and contribute to the visual narrative you’re telling.

Logo placement

It goes without saying that a branded presentation must include your logo. It is, after all, the fundamental symbol that represents your brand. Which is also why you might be tempted to slap it on everywhere you could and flaunt it, but it’s important to restrain yourself and maintain a balanced approach. The way you choose to display your logo comes down to how you’d like to represent yourself. A corner placement is elegant and subtle while positioning it right in the center is bold and audacious. Regardless of how you choose, it is necessary to incorporate the logo in a prominent position throughout your presentation to bolster your brand’s identity.

Content branding in presentations

As we mentioned earlier, branding goes beyond the visual aspects. The content you share is another essential way to reflect your brand’s voice and essence. Here are the most common ways to use content:

Maintaining a brand voice

Keeping a consistent voice throughout your presentation is vital. That brand personality we touched on should be echoed in every slide and sentence. The content’s tone should align with the brand’s personality and ethos, whether you are sharing deep research or simple, informative tidbits. When crafting messages to line up with your brand’s values, every word counts; they should be smooth and intentional. The tone of the presentation should mirror the language used in other marketing materials and other communication channels to maintain a unified personality.

Storytelling and brand narrative

Every audience member has an inclination toward a good story. Building a compelling narrative and slipping in your brand’s unique journey makes for an engaging and unforgettable presentation story. You could also add confirmation of your brand’s milestones through case studies and success stories that suggest relatable beneficiaries. Basically, stories that reflect and demonstrate the brand’s ethos create a deeper connection with the audience and leave them with a powerful impression.

Consistency is key

When crafting an impactful branded presentation, consistency is king. The idea of “less is more” especially applies when communicating a vital message, as you don’t want the audience to get lost in the clutter. Threading a consistent strand of layout and design enhances the message’s clarity and the presentation’s polished look. Using a brand-aligned template is a common strategy for achieving uniformity across slides. This uniformity is necessary to amplify the presentation’s professionalism and sophistication.

And since brands are living entities like the people behind them, they will naturally evolve and grow over time, and updating the slides to mirror that evolution becomes crucial to guarantee that the brand’s messaging is always resonant and fresh. Additionally, considering our digital age, the presentation’s platform, whether on a boardroom screen or over a Zoom call, shapes how it will be perceived. Adapting the presentation to the platform ensures that the brand’s representation remains consistent.

Remember, when presenting, you aren’t just sharing data or prospects; you share a brand’s soul. From using the right visual elements and tone of voice to shaping strong content, every detail matters when developing a presentation that adequately represents your brand. Maintaining consistency throughout your slides is another important detail that influences how your brand is perceived, establishing you as a reliable and trustworthy source.

Steve Jobs was one of the most innovative leaders of our time. Among other things, there is a lot that can be learned from him when it comes to presentation design and what aspects of his presentations made them so memorable and entertaining. Some would argue that he was the one person who completely changed our minds about what makes a presentation great—in a world of long, boring, and unimaginative slides, he used presentation techniques that followed a completely different approach.

In this piece, we thought it would be a good idea to go over the five principles that Steve Jobs followed when it came to presentation design and delivery. So let’s jump right into it.

How did Jobs give incredible presentations? 

Steve Jobs was known for the friendly and open demeanor he had while presenting. He avoided technical vernacular and kept his ideas straightforward with quick, memorable titles. Jobs was a showman. He was enthusiastic and told stories, he had confident body language and told jokes, which made him appear more approachable. What can we learn from him as we practice and prepare our own presentations?

01 Use a compelling theme & title

Come up with a headline and general theme for your presentation that run through the entire deck as an underlying message. This headline should be short enough to be easily memorable and tweetable. Think back to Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch in 2007, when his headline was “Your life in Your Pocket.” This quick slogan summed up his whole message and was memorable enough for the audience to carry with them even after the presentation. Think about the theme of your presentation. What do you want the audience to walk away remembering? Now simplify it into one, all-encompassing catchphrase.

02 Engage the audience by telling a story

Tell a story that hits people at an emotional level. It’s a well-known fact that stories are one of the most powerful tools that leaders use to inspire, motivate, and educate. This is because stories are far easier to remember than facts and figures. And research, according to psychologist Jerome Bruner, points to the fact that facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered if they are embedded in or contextualized with a story.

Like Steve Jobs, you could frame your narrative around defeating an antagonist—the problem at hand. Introduce yourself or your company as the hero. Paint a picture of how your product or service defeated this problem and emerged victorious.

03 Simplify bigger numbers

Simplify large numbers. This ensures that people can grasp the facts better. For instance, Steve Jobs would say, “We sold 2 million iPods in the first 59 days.” And then he would give context by adding, “That’s nearly 34 thousand iPods sold every single day.” In February 2013, Apple reached 25 billion songs downloaded from iTunes, and he simplified the number so it was easier to understand. For instance, he’d say, “On average, that’s 15,000 songs every minute.” His whole approach was about simplifying big ideas. Don’t leave the audience confused, connect the dots and explain the relevance these numbers have to them.

04 Use compelling visuals

Studies find that using images boosts information retention. Since most people are visual learners, they can pick up on the information shared in a presentation when shared as an image.

Jobs used big, bold, and clear pictures and rarely used more than two images on a presentation slide. In the 2007 launch of the iPhone, he used three images to highlight that the iPhone could do all three things—be a phone, a music player, and give you internet access. Then he quickly moved on to his normal procedure of using one striking image.

05 When it comes to words, less is more

Use fewer words. If you want a presentation like Steve’s, you will have to edit and re-edit your words. Leave only the most important phrases and cut out everything else. The idea is to communicate your message in the most impactful and memorable way possible, rather than having your audience read slides full of text. So he would use words like “magic” instead of the full, grammatically correct sentence “it works like magic,” and similarly, he would use “no stylus” instead of “it has no stylus.” You get the idea!

Jeff Black, the founder of the leadership development company Black Sheep, says that Steve’s presentations boiled down to three key factors: powerful storytelling, emotional connection, and obsessive preparation. Black says the late Steve Jobs was a masterful storyteller. “He was the messenger, he was the star of the show — not the PowerPoint slide.”

And one more thing… the average PowerPoint slide has on average forty words. Steve Jobs would use an average of nineteen words across 10–12 slides. That’s the presentation zen.

If you are interested in learning more about designing a presentation like Steve Jobs, we recommend the book “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience.” Or you can just reach out to professional presentation design services in Dubai and across the GCC—we specialize in not only delivering your message but also helping you tell your story and push your brand forward.

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Presentation templates are a standard resource for many presenters, especially in our fast-paced digital world where time is of the essence. They have become an indispensable tool for many as they save valuable time and still provide polished results. But are they truly the answer we want for creating memorable presentations, or are there drawbacks? In this blog, we will look into the advantages and disadvantages of using templates for your presentations.

What is a presentation template?

A presentation template isn’t just a background for your ideas; rather, it is a tool meant to visually enhance and structure your message. At its core, a template is a tool made of pre-designed slides meant to give you a unified, clean look and also help you outline your content thoughtfully and effectively. Templates are often used in professional settings; they come pre-made with their own specific fonts, color schemes, layouts, and icons. Plus, they typically include placeholders for text and images, making it easier for the user to insert and customize their own material.

Advantages of using presentation templates

Presentation templates offer many benefits to those who use them; among the most common are:

They save time

As deadlines loom, upcoming presenters might feel the pressure start to set in. This is why templates seem like the perfect hero in a time crunch; they offer a headstart. Rather than coming up with a complete presentation design and layout from scratch, templates offer a blueprint where all you need to do is fill in the blanks, reducing what would be hours of design time. Simply put, when it comes to saving time, templates are a valuable resource.

They have consistent branding

Conveying a brand’s message clearly requires consistency across all visual elements, from logos to slides, to effectively demonstrate the reliability of a company. When slides feel disjointed and not connected, it comes across as quite jarring. Templates provide a uniform presentation design that remains uniform and recognizable throughout the entire deck. With their centralized appearance, templates establish a brand’s visual identity, ensuring that the audience gains a clear understanding of your brand.

They are easy for beginners

We get it; not everyone has the same eye and expertise as a professional presentation designer. Templates offer an easy way out of the thorny task of designing a clean and appealing slide deck. Since they are tailored for those outside of the design world, templates are a quick solution for beginners to create polished slides without needing advanced design skills.

They are versatile

With the extensive array of options available, you can find a template related to any field or topic. Whether you need real estate or business-related slides, you can find a suitable and engaging template for them. This offers a lot of adaptability for presenters, who can now switch between styles that are appropriate for their audience and theme instead of starting from scratch each time. Templates then provide a backbone to build on, allowing presenters to prepare stylish and relevant slides.

Disadvantages of using presentation templates

Although there are many benefits to using presentation templates, there are also many obstacles to be cautious of. Here are some of the most common:

They lack originality

With presentations, there’s always the looming anxiety of looking generic. Yes, templates are convenient, but their popularity also means your audience will recognize your slides. The overuse of templates has led to a lack of originality that will risk having your content lose its unique identity and blend in with the dozens of other presentations. Using a template that is too common will lead to you just being another face in the crowd.

They have limited customization

After becoming accustomed to templates, you quickly realize that they aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. Not every template will be able to evoke the feeling you truly want your slides and brand to convey. Though they are adaptable, they also have inherent limitations regarding their design elements. You will find that customization features for templates are limited when you are working within a brand guideline, meaning that though they can speed up the design process, you will not necessarily have the result you wish for.

There are potential quality issues

While there are sleek and dazzling templates, many fall short due to quality issues. Behind the appeal of some templates are the risks of poor or low-resolution graphics. When using a low-quality template, you could then risk finding pixelated visuals or layouts that don’t suit a professional presentation. Keeping a discerning eye open is necessary when scoping out a template to ensure that your presentation reflects the quality and professionalism you’re aspiring for.

Over-reliance can hinder skill development

When you rely on templates, you get used to convenience and may miss out on the opportunity to build your own presentation design skills. By constantly using templates, you will never learn the necessary skills to craft a slide deck from scratch when needed. These are the skills needed to truly be adaptable and flexible in your process and save yourself from the stress involved. An over-reliance on templates could leave you unprepared for whipping up a satisfactory presentation on short notice.

Using a template

If you find yourself in a bind and need a shortcut, here is how we suggest using a template. Use the template as the guiding foundation for your presentation, and infuse it with your deep knowledge and insights. Instead of relying on the default structure of the template, add your own original images, graphs, and icons that are more relevant to your brand.

You can also use the template as a narrative tool by rearranging slides to relay a more productive plot. Be creative with how you customize the template; reimagine the color palette, the font pairings, and even the slide transitions into ones that align more accurately with your presentation’s goals.

Wrapping up, it’s vital to consider the advantages and disadvantages of presentation templates for your unique presentation needs. Templates are certainly a helpful tool that offers an accessible and mostly painless way to create presentations in a pinch. Yet, the effectiveness of templates comes down to being frugal with your use; otherwise, relying on them can harm the essence of your presentation and make it forgettable. And of course, you could always outsource your presentation needs to a group of experts, such as our team at Prezlab.