A presentation deck is a visual aid to help presenters effectively deliver their ideas. It can be in the form of slides or simply a set of notes that the presenter reads from. In either case, a well-made deck will help to keep your audience’s attention focused on you rather than on their phones or laptops.
But often, people fall into the trap of making a presentation deck that is ineffective and just a waste of everyone’s time. Sounds familiar?
Your presentation deck is impractical because you do not follow the basic principles of good design. To create an effective presentation, you must ensure that your content is easy to understand and visually appealing.
1. Your slide deck content is not organized well
When building a presentation deck, it is essential to organize your content in a way that is easy to understand. Your audience should be able to follow your argument without having to flip through pages of slides. Make sure each slide has one central point, and use headings and subheadings to help break up your content.
2. Your slides are too text-heavy
For your slides to be effective, they need to be visually appealing. That means including images, graphs, and charts whenever possible. On the other hand, too much text will only overwhelm your audience and make it difficult for them to follow along.
Ensure that your slides are easy to read and only include the most important information. You don’t want your audience to have to squint to try and make out what you’re saying.
Also, be careful not to overload your slides with text. Instead, include only the most critical points, and use images and graphs to help illustrate your points. This will make it easier for your audience to follow along.
3. You use too many colors or fonts on your pitch deck
Using too many colors or fonts can be visually jarring and make it difficult for your audience to focus on your content. Stick to two or three colors max, and use a simple font that is easy to read.
4. Your slide deck presentation is too cluttered
Too much information on one slide will only confuse your audience. Instead, limit each slide to one main point and use images and charts to help illustrate your points.
People also mistake including too much information on their slides, which can be overwhelming and confusing for the audience. This will make it easier for your audience to follow along.
5. You are using outdated designs
If you want your presentation deck to look professional, it is crucial to use current design trends. Outdated designs will make your deck look amateurish and not impress your audience.
Make sure all your slides are up-to-date and use modern fonts and colors. This will help to make your presentation look more professional.
6. Your slides are not formatted correctly
When creating slides, it is important to format them correctly. This means using the correct fonts, sizes, and layouts. If your slides are not formatted correctly, they look sloppy and unprofessional.
7. You are using stock photos or clip art
While stock photos and clip art can help add visual interest to your slides, it is essential to use them sparingly. They can often look cheap and tacky if used too liberally.
8. Your pitch slides are not relevant to your topic
If your slides are irrelevant to your topic, your audience will quickly lose interest. Therefore, make sure all the information on your slides is pertinent to your presentation.
9. You are using outdated technology
If you use outdated technology, such as Microsoft Powerpoint, your slides will not look as professional as they could. Instead, try using a presentation app that is more up-to-date, such as Venngage. The number one business proposal maker app out there!
10. You are not practicing your slide deck presentation
It is essential to practice your presentation before you deliver it to your audience. This will allow you to work out any kinks in your argument and ensure that your slides run smoothly.
If you want to create a compelling presentation deck, avoid these common mistakes and follow the basic principles of good design. Your audience will thank you for it!
11. Your slides are not relevant to your topic
If your slides are irrelevant to your topic, your audience will quickly lose interest. Therefore, ensure all the information on your slides is pertinent to your presentation.
Conclusion
When creating a presentation, it is essential to avoid common mistakes and follow the basic principles of good design. Doing so will build a visually appealing deck that is easy for your audience to follow. In addition, please ensure all your slides are relevant to your topic and use up-to-date technology to make them look professional. Finally, practice your presentation before delivering it to ensure everything runs smoothly.
