What makes presentations engaging and how you can do it too

Structure, content, and slide design, along with direct communication, are the key elements in keeping the audience’s attention until the end

PowerPoint presentations are now part of the everyday professional life of so many among us: yet, there are still many who fail to exploit their full potential.

The main problem is that the risk of boring the audience is always just around the corner.

How many times have you happened to attend a presentation that did not engage you in the least? Probably, by the end of it you couldn’t even remember what message the speaker was trying to convey to you!

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way.

To make a presentation captivating, memorable, and engaging, there are a few key aspects that anyone can work on and leverage to achieve the best possible result: structure, content and slide design, and mode of communication.

Let’s take a look together at how you can improve the quality of your work by creating effective presentations so as to keep the audience eager to listen to you until the end.

Before you begin: it all starts with pen and paper

Where do you start?

I’ll surprise you: the first thing to do is not to turn on your computer.

“What?!” you might be thinking, “How can I create a PowerPoint presentation without my PC?”

Relax, you will need your computer, but not right away! The first step is to sit down with a sheet of paper and carefully plan all your content.

This is where our Lean Presentation Strategy Canvas comes into play. It’s like the Swiss army knife of presentations! It guides you in creating impactful presentations by helping you strategically structure your storyline before diving into PowerPoint.

But let’s take it one step at a time. How should you start designing your presentation?

1. Understand your audience.
   First, you need to know who you’re talking to. What awareness do you want to raise in your audience? What are their resistances? Knowing this information allows you to chart the path of change and be their guide.
2. Define your objective.
   I’m not talking about business goals. I’m referring to the communication objective. What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do after seeing your presentation?
3. Select the key information.
   Remember that “less is more.” The temptation to include every detail can be strong, but not everything needs to be shared. Focus on what truly impacts and helps you achieve your objective.
4. Structure your storyline.
   The order in which you present information makes all the difference. You can have an effective or incredibly dull storyline, just by changing the order of the information.

Remember, every presentation should be designed to persuade the audience to make a specific decision. If you have a clear idea of what you want, it’ll be easier to select the information that best supports your message and leave out the unnecessary.

So, before opening PowerPoint, take the time to plan. Your business presentation isn’t just a document; it’s a seed you plant in your audience’s mind. Make sure it blooms!

Read also: 3 ways to engage your audience during a presentation and win their interest

The number of slides doesn’t matter: what truly makes the difference is the effectiveness of the message and the design

Have you ever been told, “Hey, try to make as few slides as possible for your presentation”? I bet you have.

It seems like everyone is obsessed with minimizing the number of slides. But you know what? That’s completely wrong!

You’re thinking, “What, Maurizio? Are you telling me I can make as many slides as I want?”

Well, not exactly. But let me explain.

The truth is, it’s not the number of slides that matters, but how they’re perceived.

Imagine you have 100 slides or just 5. Do you know the difference? None! What truly matters is the impression you leave on your audience. Every slide should be like a piece of a puzzle: useful, interesting, and part of a larger story.

“Okay, but don’t I risk boring the audience with too many slides?”

Excellent question!

Actually, the risk is the opposite. If you focus too much on reducing the number of slides, you might end up creating monstrosities: slides packed with so much information that they give people a headache just by looking at them!

Instead, think of this: more slides that flow quickly can keep interest high without overwhelming your audience. It’s like watching a well-edited movie rather than staring at a single image for hours.

So, remember: there’s no magic number of slides. What matters is how you tell your story.

And the slide design? Ah, here’s another myth to bust!

Your slides don’t need to look like they came out of a Hollywood movie. The design doesn’t need to be spectacular, but functional.

“But don’t I need to impress the audience?”

Of course, but not with special effects! Impress them with the clarity and immediacy of your message.

Use the design to highlight key points. Think of your slides as road signs: they should guide attention, not distract from it.

Remember: the goal is for your audience to focus on you, not on the screen behind you (or on their own screens if you’re giving a virtual presentation).

But be careful! This doesn’t mean you can neglect the visual aspect. Quite the opposite!

Here are some tricks to make your slides impactful:

1. Use engaging images;
2. Choose a clear font (I always recommend sans-serif fonts, they’re the best for a lean presentation!);
3. Play with colors: create a palette with a few shades but good contrast.

Engage the audience with personal stories and simple, direct language to keep attention high

Have you ever wondered what the most valuable thing your audience gives you during a presentation is?

No, it’s not applause (although that’s always nice). It’s their time!

Think about it for a moment: every minute they give you is like a gift. And you know what you do with gifts? You appreciate them and don’t waste them!

Here are some professional tips to appreciate their time, involve them effectively, and make sure they stay glued to your presentation:

1. Carefully plan the length of your presentation.
   Imagine you’re in the audience. Would you prefer a presentation that finishes in a reasonable time or one that drags on past the scheduled time? Exactly, the first! No one has ever complained about a presentation that ends in 30-40 minutes. But if you go over, talking for two or three hours straight… well, you risk losing everyone’s attention and patience!
2. Summarize, summarize, summarize!
   The ability to summarize is a superpower. It shows you understand how valuable your audience’s time is. But be careful: summarizing doesn’t mean cutting out important information. Think strategically about which data is truly central and which can be put in the background.
3. Keep the attention high.
   “How do I keep everyone awake and attentive?” Ah, here’s the million-dollar question! The truth is that it’s normal for attention to wane at times. Your job is to ensure these moments last as little as possible. How? Let me explain.
   • Tell stories.
     People love stories, especially ones they can relate to. Talk about human experiences, share personal anecdotes. It’s like building an emotional bridge between you and your audience.
   • Show how your message intertwines with their problems and goals.
     Make your audience feel part of the story. They should think, “Hey, they’re talking about me!” When this happens, you’ve won: they’ll be more inclined to embrace your ideas and put them into practice.
   • Use simple, direct language.
     No big, complicated words to impress, please! The audience prefers someone who speaks clearly and precisely. Think of explaining your concept to a friend: simple, direct, effective.
   • Act humbly and encourage the audience to be an integral part of the experience.
     In a presentation, the real star isn’t you. It’s your audience! A good presentation is like a conversation, not a monologue. Listen actively to the audience, be open to suggestions, and observe their reactions. If you see eyes closing, switch gears! Active listening helps you understand the audience’s needs and adjust your message in real time.

In short, the secret to an engaging presentation lies in respect: respect your audience’s time, respect their intelligence, and respect their needs.

Read also: AI Data Storytelling

Final Thoughts

Creating an effective presentation and making it truly captivating requires a combination of strategy and attention to detail, but as you have seen, with the right tricks it is absolutely within your grasp.

Now that you know the secrets to increasing the potential of your slides and designing an engaging speech, it’s time to put these tips into practice and make a difference in your next presentations.

Try implementing these tips and observe the change in the way your audience responds and in the results you will be able to achieve. Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments: it will be interesting to find out how you integrated my tips into your workflow and to know what impact they had!

Key Takeaways

• Before creating the slides, take a sheet of paper and plan the content. Decide what to say and what to avoid, focusing on the presentation’s goal. This will help you avoid overwhelming the audience and keep their attention.

• Focus not on minimizing the number of slides, but on the effectiveness of the message. Quick and clear slides hold the audience’s attention better than a few dense, information-packed slides.

• A simple and clear design, with a readable font and a well-balanced color palette, helps keep the focus on the message. The slides should support the speech, not distract the audience.

• Telling anecdotes and using straightforward language helps establish an emotional connection with the audience, making the message more understandable and memorable. People appreciate clarity and simplicity.

• Listening to the audience and adapting the presentation in real time fosters engagement. People need to feel like part of the conversation, and you should be open to their feedback.

FAQ

What aspects should be considered when designing a presentation?

It’s important to consider the structure, content, and design of the slides. Clear communication and the ability to engage the audience are essential to maintaining attention and achieving your desired outcome.

What is the ideal number of slides for an engaging presentation?

There is no ideal number of slides. The key is that each slide serves the message, and the presentation flows smoothly and remains interesting to the audience without overloading them with information.

How can you engage the audience during a presentation?

Telling personal stories and using simple, direct language are key to building a connection with the audience. Respecting the allotted time and encouraging interaction also helps to maintain attention.