make a deck presentation

How to Make an Engaging Slide Deck (+ Example & Templates)

Learn how to create a slide deck step-by-step. Get tips, examples, and templates to make a slide deck presentation that stands out beyond any PowerPoint.

7 minute read

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Short answer

How to make a slide deck in 7 easy steps?

The main steps for creating a slide deck are:

• Define your slide deck goals
• Research your target audience
• Research your topic
• Prioritize what you want to say
• Write your slide deck narrative
• Create or collect visuals that support your narrative
• Use a template to set up your slide deck design
• Bonus: Use an AI slide deck generator to do it all for you

Most slide decks bore the audience because they fail to tell a story

Imagine standing in front of an audience, only to watch their attention fade as you click through slide after slide. It's a disheartening experience, and it's more common than you might think.

The truth is, a slide deck without a clear narrative will bore your audience and leave your message unheard.

Worse than that, a storyless slide deck may leave people disappointed and feeling like they wasted their time. And you probably wouldn’t want such feelings to reflect on you.

But a good story makes your slide deck memorable, enjoyable, and perceived as more valuable by your audience. This is the power of a good story, and this is what this post will teach you to harness.

Let me show you the techniques to turn your presentations into compelling narratives . Learn the process, get insights, and tips, and grab a slide deck template to get you started.

Let's dive in!

Common mistakes to avoid when creating a slide deck

Here's a rundown of common mistakes to avoid when creating a slide deck as shared by Dan Zedek , a professor of journalism and media innovation at Northwestern University:

Overloading with visuals: Feeling insecure about visual talent often leads to overloading slides with too many photos, irrelevant images, colors, or typefaces. Simplicity adds clarity.

Long slide duration: A slide that stays up for 5 or 6 minutes can cause the audience's mind to wander. Aim for 30 seconds to a minute per slide to keep engagement high.

Irrelevant animations and colors: Using animations and colors that don't serve the content can be distracting. Use them sparingly and consistently to highlight important concepts.

Ignoring the audience: Understanding who's in the audience and what they expect from your presentation is key. Tailor the contents of your presentation to resonate with them.

Reading from the slide: This is considered one of the worst sins in slide presentations. Your slides should complement your speech, not repeat it.

Lack of pacing: Research shows that people's patience lasts about 6 or 7 minutes. Pacing your presentation and breaking down big ideas into smaller pieces can keep the audience engaged throughout.

Failure to inject personality: You're not just presenting facts; you're telling a story. Let your personality shine through, whether it's your authority, humor, or passion for the subject.

How to prepare for creating a slide deck?

The difference between a forgettable slide deck and a memorable one lies in the groundwork you do before you sit down to build the slide deck.

In the words of Nancy Duarte , the author of the book “slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations”: “Audience interest is directly proportionate to the presenter's preparation. You better spend time and energy on any presentations where the stakes are high.

An audience can tell how much energy you spent on your presentation, which is a reflection of how much you valued their time.

If they gave you an hour of their time, you need to make it worth it to them by treating their time as a valuable asset by making the content valuable to them.”

Here's a guide to laying that foundation for a slide deck that not only informs but engages:

1. Define your slide deck goals

What's the aim of your presentation? Are you looking to educate, convince, engage, or motivate? Pinpointing your goal is like setting your GPS; it guides everything that follows.

2. Research your target audience

Understanding your audience's needs, expectations, and pain points allows you to tailor your message. Speak their language, address their concerns, and you'll capture their attention from the first slide.

3. Research your topic extensively

Dive into your subject with the curiosity of a child and the diligence of a detective. This depth of understanding will shine through in your presentation, building credibility and allowing you to address questions and objections with confidence.

4. Choose the right delivery format

Most slide decks are delivered using the PowerPoint slide format, a common 9:16 ratio that we all know. This includes presentations made with tools like Google Slides and Canva. You may even think this is the ONLY way.

But the ppt slide format is a bad format for engagement. It’s static, limited in space, and prone to all the common slide deck mistakes .

On the one hand, a static slide deck is the most common and recognized format, which makes it “safe”. But the fact it’s recognizable also makes it indistinguishable and boring.

On the other hand, an interactive slide deck invites your audience to explore with you, turning the presentation into a conversation.

Which deck would be more likely to get your attention, the static or the interactive one?

How to organize the contents of your slide deck?

A slide deck's effectiveness isn't just about the content; it's about how that content is organized.

The way you structure your slide deck can mean the difference between your audience walking away with valuable insights or leaving halfway into your presentation.

Here’s how to organize the contents of your deck for maximum impact:

1. Prioritize what you want to say

The reality is that people forget 90% of what you present after 48 hours , and the 10% they do remember is often random.

So, how can you control that crucial 10%? By prioritizing your content, focusing on the key messages that align with your goals, and crafting your content to ensure that the right bits of information become part of that vital 10% that sticks.

2. Build anticipation

Engage your audience's natural curiosity by leveraging information gap theory . Create intentional gaps in your narrative, pose questions, and hint at answers to come.

It's like leaving breadcrumbs along the path, guiding your audience through your narrative and keeping them hungry for more.

3. Create a slide deck narrative

Humans think in stories; we relate to them, and we remember them. The secret to an engaging slide deck is using a storytelling structure.

If it's a business presentation, follow with an execution plan, and close with clear next steps. The storytelling framework helps your audience flow through your slide deck like a good book.

Here’s our recommended storyline structure:

How to design your slide deck for engagement

If you want to design your slide deck for engagement, think beyond text.

Create original visuals that breathe life into data. Complement your words with multimedia elements like images and videos. Incorporate interactivity and narrated design to transform a monologue into a conversation.

5 magical steps to create your best-ever slide deck

Creating a slide deck that stands out might seem like a complex task, but with AI as your creative companion and a clear roadmap to follow, it turns into a seamless and magical experience.

Here's how you can breathe life into your ideas and make a captivating slide deck with a few easy steps:

1. Tell our AI about your presentation goals

Begin by telling our AI assistant about the slide deck you wish to create. This first step sets the tone, allowing the AI to align with your goals and craft the perfect content structure.

2. Introduce yourself and your brand

Briefly share details about yourself, your company, and the topic of your presentation. This personal touch helps the AI fine-tune the content, making your slide deck resonate with your audience.

3. Select your slide deck design and style

Choose a design that reflects your brand. Our AI assistant will take it from there, crafting a deck that's visually cohesive and appealing.

4. Customize your slide deck

Add your text and design touches, and let the AI adapt the design to your content. You can also use it to enhance your copy, brainstorm ideas, or even generate original visuals.

5. Review and refine your slide deck

Take a final look and make any last-minute changes. If any tweaks are needed after sending, no worries—you can still make them. Your deck lives online, so you're in control of the version your audience sees, always.

How to personalize your slide deck

In the world of presentations, personalization is the magic ingredient that turns a standard slide deck into an engaging dialogue.

It's the subtle art of making each viewer feel like you're speaking directly to them, understanding their unique needs and interests.

But how can you achieve this level of personal connection? Here’s how you can do it with Storydoc -

3 steps for easy slide deck personalization:

Add information about your prospect: Add names and company details with a simple click. Your audience will receive a deck that feels crafted just for them, enhancing engagement.

Add dynamic variables: Using dynamic variables, you can address your reader by name throughout the presentation, turning it into a personalized conversation.

Advanced: Integrate Storydoc with your CRM: Storydoc seamlessly integrates with your CRM, allowing you to pull information directly into your decks. It's personalization at scale.

How to measure the effectiveness of your slide deck

Measuring the success of a slide deck goes beyond numbers; it's also about understanding the connection you've made with your audience. It's about knowing what resonates, what inspires, and what lingers in the minds of those you've reached.

Every slide deck created with Storydoc comes with an analytics panel that provides real-time insights -

Are viewers spending time on the slides that contain your key points? Who are they sharing your presentation with? Are they taking the next step, like visiting your website to learn more or looking through your portfolio?

By understanding how your audience interacts with your content, you can turn a standard presentation into a powerful tool for connection and influence.

Here’s a quick video showing how it works:

Slide deck templates

While following best practices is essential, standing out requires something more. It requires going from static to interactive, and from fact-led to story-led slide decks.

But interactive storytelling slide deck templates are hard to come by. Or at least they used to be.

Below you have designed templates that will make your next presentation something to remember.

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

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10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea, from TED’s in-house expert

When your slides rock, your whole presentation pops to life. At TED2014, David Epstein created a clean, informative slide deck to support his talk on the changing bodies of athletes . Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED

Aaron Weyenberg is the master of slide decks. Our UX Lead creates Keynote presentations that are both slick and charming—the kind that pull you in and keep you captivated, but in an understated way that helps you focus on what’s actually being said. He does this for his own presentations and for lots of other folks in the office. Yes, his coworkers ask him to design their slides, because he’s just that good.

We asked Aaron to bottle his Keynote mojo so that others could benefit from it. Here, 10 tips for making an effective slide deck, split into two parts: the big, overarching goals, and the little tips and tricks that make your presentation sing.

Aaron used this image of a New Zealand disaster to kick off a slide deck from TED’s tech team — all about how they prepares for worst-case scenarios. He asked for permission to use the image, and credited the photographer, Blair Harkness. View the whole slidedeck from this presentation.

The big picture…

• Think about your slides last . Building your slides should be the tail end of developing your presentation. Think about your main message, structure its supporting points, practice it and time it—and then start thinking about your slides. The presentation needs to stand on its own; the slides are just something you layer over it to enhance the listener experience. Too often, I see slide decks that feel more like presenter notes, but I think it’s far more effective when the slides are for the audience to give them a visual experience that adds to the words. .
• Create a consistent look and feel . In a good slide deck, each slide feels like part of the same story. That means using the same or related typography, colors and imagery across all your slides. Using pre-built master slides can be a good way to do that, but it can feel restrictive and lead to me-too decks. I like to create a few slides to hold sample graphic elements and type, then copy what I need from those slides as I go. .
• Think about topic transitions . It can be easy to go too far in the direction of consistency, though. You don’t want each slide to look exactly the same. I like to create one style for the slides that are the meat of what I’m saying, and then another style for the transitions between topics. For example, if my general slides have a dark background with light text, I’ll try transition slides that have a light background with dark text. That way they feel like part of the same family, but the presentation has texture—and the audience gets a visual cue that we’re moving onto a new topic. .
• With text, less is almost always more . One thing to avoid—slides with a lot of text, especially if it’s a repeat of what you’re saying out loud. It’s like if you give a paper handout in a meeting—everyone’s head goes down and they read, rather than staying heads-up and listening. If there are a lot of words on your slide, you’re asking your audience to split their attention between what they’re reading and what they’re hearing. That’s really hard for a brain to do, and it compromises the effectiveness of both your slide text and your spoken words. If you can’t avoid having text-y slides, try to progressively reveal text (like unveiling bullet points one by one) as you need it. .
• Use photos that enhance meaning . I love using simple, punchy photos in presentations, because they help what you’re saying resonate in your audience’s mind without pulling their attention from your spoken words. Look for photos that (1) speak strongly to the concept you’re talking about and (2) aren’t compositionally complex. Your photo could be a metaphor or something more literal, but it should be clear why the audience is looking at it, and why it’s paired with what you’re saying. For example, I recently used the image above—a photo of a container ship about to tip over (it eventually sank)—to lead off a co-worker’s deck about failure preparation. And below is another example of a photo I used in a deck to talk about the launch of the new TED.com . The point I was making was that a launch isn’t the end of a project—it’s the beginning of something new. We’ll learn, adapt, change and grow.

Here, a lovely image from a slidedeck Aaron created about the redesign of TED.com . View the whole deck from this presentation .

And now some tactical tips…

• Go easy on the effects and transitions . Keynote and Powerpoint come with a lot of effects and transitions. In my opinion, most of these don’t do much to enhance the audience experience. At worst, they subtly suggest that the content of your slides is so uninteresting that a page flip or droplet transition will snap the audience out of their lethargy. If you must use them, use the most subtle ones, and keep it consistent. .

• Try panning large images . Often, I want to show screen shot of an entire web page in my presentations. There’s a great Chrome extension to capture these—but these images are oftentimes much longer than the canvas size of the presentation. Rather than scaling the image to an illegible size, or cropping it, you can pan it vertically as you talk about it. In Keynote, this is done with a Move effect, which you can apply from an object’s action panel. .
• For video, don’t use autoplay . It’s super easy to insert video in Keynote and Powerpoint—you just drag a Quicktime file onto the slide. And when you advance the deck to the slide with the video that autoplays, sometimes it can take a moment for the machine to actually start playing it. So often I’ve seen presenters click again in an attempt to start the video during this delay, causing the deck to go to the next slide. Instead, set the video to click to play. That way you have more predictable control over the video start time, and even select a poster frame to show before starting. .

Lastly, I’d love to leave you with a couple book recommendations. The first is Resonate , by Nancy Duarte. It’s not so much about slides, but about public speaking in general – which is the foundation for any presentation, regardless of how great your slides are. In it, she breaks down the anatomy of what makes a great presentation, how to establish a central message and structure your talk, and more. (One of her case studies comes from Benjamin Zander’s charming TED Talk about classical music, a talk that captivated the audience from start to finish.) Think of this as prerequisite reading for my second recommendation, also by Duarte: Slide:ology . This is more focused on presentation visuals and slides.

Happy slide-making.

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Home Blog Design How to Create a Slide Deck in PowerPoint

How to Create a Slide Deck in PowerPoint

A commonly used term when working with presentations is “slide deck,” but what exactly do we mean by that? Should you be familiar with some core terms before making your first presentation?

As we believe continuous education is key for presenters, regardless of their presentation skill level, today, we will talk about presentation deck meaning, how to build a presentation deck, and which elements define success in this process. Additionally, for a broader understanding and skill enhancement in making effective presentations, our section on how to make a presentation offers valuable insights and practical tips. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What is a Slide?

What is a slide deck, what should be included in a powerpoint slide deck, recommended slide decks for any kind of presentation.

A PowerPoint slide can be defined as a digital canvas in which we organize information and ideas in a visual format, primarily oriented for professional settings like business presentations, conferences, or academic presentations. People instantly associate slides with PowerPoint due to Microsoft PowerPoint being the industry-leading software in presentation software, offering full compatibility format with free software options like Google Slides.

The starting point of any slide is a blank canvas to which you can add a title, and you’ve got plenty of space to insert images, draw shapes, add videos to your presentations, and more. PowerPoint has a standard layout for its blank slides, as shown below. This layout can be modified by accessing Slide Master in PowerPoint .

Each slide is a single page of a presentation and can be edited to meet the requirements of any presenter without meaning you alter the following slides. Remember, presentation software tends to work with destructive workflow methodologies – meaning the changes you make cannot be reverted if you save the file and try to access it later. If you want to test multiple design options on a single slide, we highly recommend you create individual slides for each design or even save them as different file names so you can revert to a previous stage without inconvenience.

A slide deck or PPT deck is a collection of slides curated for a sole purpose: serving as visual aids for a presentation topic. These slides can contain multiple tools like charts and graphs , placeholder text areas, icons, dashboard display, illustrations (in the format of vector images), and way more depending on three key elements:

• Build quality: How much effort the creator put into crafting the slides.
• Software: Although compatible, PowerPoint decks may offer some effects that aren’t available in Google Slides. For that reason, creators often flag animated slides or slide decks containing complex shadow effects as only PowerPoint-compatible.
• Topic: A presentation deck intended to present a marketing plan won’t contain the same elements as one intended to deliver a motivational talk. 

Before deciding how to start a presentation , select a slide deck compatible with the topic your presentation is geared toward.

We like to work with the method of using one topic per slide. This means not overpopulating your slides with content for the sake of showing content. Such practices affect readability and the overall understanding of your presentation.

Instead, we will teach you how to curate content in your slide decks by taking pitch deck templates as an example. 

Say we select the Executive Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template . This pitch deck is intended to introduce potential investors to what the business is about. 

Rather than filling all the data in just 2-3 slides, take it easy and work with the layout this template offers:

• Title Slide: Every single presentation should list a title slide, with quality graphics and the presentation title being clear enough. Additional information can include the presenter’s name, the company’s name, logo, etc.
• About Us Slide: In business environments, companies should always introduce themselves, highlighting key information like the industry they move in, significant milestones, etc. Remember, this is an introduction to the company as an entity, the company profile presentation , not a description or introduction of team members .
• Best Services: Depending on your niche, take this as an opportunity to promote your core activities as a company.
• What We Do: This is complementary to “Best Services.” It is the section where you specify which areas your company covers and why your services stand out against competitors.
• Mission and Vision: Required for any pitch deck presentation.
• Meet the Team: This slide can either be an org chart or be presented through photos for the managers per department (the interaction points between stakeholders and management).
• Our Advantages: Ideal to complement slides 3 and 4, this expresses the competitive advantage of the company and marketing plan, and you should present your flagship product or service.
• Market Opportunity: What led your company to approach its niche, attending to customers’ pain points.
• Timeline: This slide serves to introduce significant milestones, projects, planned strategies, deadlines, etc.
• Market Size: When we have to answer the total addressable market (TAM), we can use a slide representing TAM, SAM, and SOM .
• Competitors: Two slides in this presentation deck talk about a company’s competitors and different approaches to representing that data with visual impact. 
• Data Chart: If you intend to discuss a KPI in particular, this chart slide can work to expand the talk over that point. 
• Product and Demo: This works either for e-commerce or physical products. Presenters can alter the slide to discuss services rather than products or just keep the “Best Services” slide.
• Pricing Slide: When discussing a business pitch, you must present your current pricing range to potential investors. In this case, the slide resembles the pricing tier format you can find on many websites.
• Thank You Slide: Knowing how to end a presentation with class is critical to securing a business deal. You can include a photo that resembles closing a business deal, a video that further expands your company’s history, products/services, and culture, or leave it with a minimalistic “thank you.”

With just 15 slides, you can create a powerful slide deck communicating your message to your target audience. Keeping a clean layout and following the 1 topic per slide rule ensures your presentation delivers a clean speech.

Now, we’ll move on to how to make a presentation deck from scratch. We recommend working with PowerPoint templates , as design decisions are already taken for you (font pairing, color schemes, placeholder areas, balance between text and graphs).

Select a Slide Deck

By browsing professional PPT template creators’ websites like SlideModel, you can find a vast selection of products tailored to your needs. It is as easy as to browse for the topic you want via the search bar, locate a product you desire, and download it to your account. You can also explore the available products per category through menu elements.

Insert your Content

Every single presentation deck available at SlideModel.com is entirely customizable. We can add illustrations by going to Insert > Picture and selecting the origin from which you want to upload your image into the presentation.

Also, users can customize the template and replace the image in the placeholder area by right-clicking over it and selecting Change Picture .

Text content can be edited in the text placeholder areas by clicking over it. Charts and graphs may require some extra steps depending on how they were crafted. To replace the placeholder data, simply select the chart or graph element and click on the Filter option next to it. Seek the Select Data option at the end of the contextual menu.

Modify the data used as a sample in the chart with the information pertinent to your company or project. An MS Excel spreadsheet will open up to allow that procedure.

Other Customization Options for Slide Decks

Finally, we recommend you check the following articles to learn more about aspects to edit in slide decks:

• How to change fonts in Slide Decks .
• How to change the theme in Slide Decks .
• Which fonts will make your Slide Deck stand out .
• How to insert 3D models in Slide Decks .
• How to change slide layout in a Slide Deck .
• How to rotate a slide in PowerPoint .

A clear and cohesive theme, concise and impactful text, and high-quality graphics are all you need to create a powerful slide deck, as long as it follows a logical flow that guides the audience through the presentation.

Yes, our expertise in this field tells us there are no visible differences between working with PowerPoint and Google Slides or Apple Keynote to create a quality presentation, except for some curved text effects and complex animations. When considering a Slide Deck vs PowerPoint, it’s important to note that all these tools can effectively deliver professional presentations.

– Select a theme or template that aligns with the presentation’s topic or audience. – Consider the context and setting of the presentation. – Opt for a clean and professional design that backs up your speech rather than add distracting elements.

When working with presentation software, you can format text as you would work with any text editor. Remember to stick to concise and clear language, with no technical jargon. Huge “text walls” deter the audience from your talk, as there’s a natural impulse to read the content. Opt for legible fonts rather than complex script typefaces.

Using a consistent color scheme is the first step, which can be analogous (easier to work), complementary, or bolder options as long as you stick to recommended color pairings. Avoid harsh contrasts, as they make your slides less legible. Use a maximum of 3 different fonts in your slide, best if 2 only.

1. Innovative Business Presentation Template Slide Deck

Powerful graphics with contrasting tones that add a vibrant vibe to your presentation. This slide deck is ideal for startups, tech talks, or any presentation that wants to showcase a vanguard style in touch with the latest design trends.

Use This Template

2. PPT Slide Deck Template

A semi-formal slide deck that balances many visual aids and placeholder text areas while bearing a complementary color scheme. Ideal for team meetings, introducing your company to investors, or academic presentations.

3. Business Executive Presentation Deck for PowerPoint

Sleek, formal, and with plenty of tools to repurpose this slide deck for multiple presentation requirements. A fully editable PPT presentation deck that can accommodate an alternative theme to its distinctive cool blue executive tones.

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• Communication

What Is a PowerPoint Slide Deck? (PPT Presentations for 2024 + Video)

When you've got to give a big slide deck presentation, it can be a bit daunting to get started. You might already be feeling nervous about speaking in front of a crowd. Or you could be running short on preparation time.

A PowerPoint slide deck can help!

And don't forget to prepare those speaking aids or slides! Having a visual to go along with your slide deck presentation is usually expected by an audience.

That's why we use  Microsoft PowerPoint  to build out slide decks easily. You can use a PowerPoint slide deck template from Envato Elements to build one quickly. We'll learn how to do just that in this tutorial.

Download Our Free PDF eBook on Making Great Presentations

We want to make sure you know about this resource which will help you write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation. Download our Free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations .

Now, let's dive into learning how to build PowerPoint slide decks.

About PowerPoint Slide Decks (Video)

Are you looking for the definition of a PowerPoint slide deck? Well, you've come to the right place.

The video below explains everything you need to know about slide decks and pitch decks--including handy tips to make your next slide deck presentation better.

Jump to content in this section:

What Is a PowerPoint Slide Deck?

What is a powerpoint ppt slide, 5 quick tips for making better powerpoint slide decks, what types of presentation can you give, how to build a slide deck quickly, top 5 design trends for powerpoint slide decks in 2024, common microsoft powerpoint questions answered (faq), learn more about using powerpoint (helpful tutorials on envato tuts+).

• Grab This eBook on Making Great Presentations (Free Download)

Keep reading to learn even more about PowerPoint slide decks.

A PowerPoint  slide deck  is a collection of slides that are in the same presentation. You'll hear "slide deck" used somewhat interchangeably with "presentation." Like a deck of cards, each slide is a key part of the overall package.

 "Slide deck" and "presentation" are sometimes used interchangeably. For example, you'll frequently see the term "deck" used when it comes to pitching your company or startup . 

Presentations can be supported with a slide deck. You'll approach building that PowerPoint deck differently based on the type of slide deck presentation. But the fact remains that slides are a helpful supporting tool when presenting. 

Save lots of time and make a great visual slide deck presentation by using a professional PowerPoint slide deck design  from Envato Elements.

PowerPoint has a bad reputation for being a tool that presenters lean on. While your slides should aid your presentation, they shouldn't contain every word you say. It should be used as a tool to enhance your presentation. 

If a slide deck is a collection of slides, then what is a PPT slide? Slide decks are made up of individual slides. Each slide brings something new to the table. A collection of slides comes together to build a successful PowerPoint presentation.

Think of a slide as an individual card in a deck. No matter what card game you're playing, every card has a role. You can't win a hand of poker or rummy without bringing many cards together. And you can't build a successful slide deck presentation with an individual PPT slide.

Building a PowerPoint marketing plan is much easier when you use a pre-built template. Let's learn more about the tips and skills you can use to reduce the work in building your next marketing plan.

To help you build an engaging slide deck presentation we have outlined five quick tips that you can put in place:

1. Reduce the Content on Each Slide

Less is more when it comes to presentations. Start by opening up the slide deck and then find ways to reduce the content by half. That could mean removing entire slides, reducing the number of text bullet points, or removing multimedia from each slide.

We've got the tendency to overcrowd slide decks with content. We often write a presentation while preparing the slide deck at the same time. In doing so, we run the risk of using the presentation file as an overcrowded note pad. 

A PowerPoint slide deck should only be the most important points of the presentation. Why show the points that you'll be speaking aloud in writing as well? There's no need for redundancy.

2. Build Each Slide in Phased Introductions

When you cut to a new slide, it can be a mistake to show everything at once. The same idea as the prior tip applies: the less you show, the better chance that your audience has of actually digesting the information .

Cutting to a slide with everything already showing is the fastest way to lose the audience's attention. As soon as you cut to a slide that has a wall of text, you'll lose the audience's attention. 

In the example below, there are basically four content blocks surrounding the center. Instead of showing them all at once, I'll use animations to bring them on in groups. 

To build your slides, introduce them in stages. You can use PowerPoint animations  to bring parts of the slide in stages. Instead of showing the entire slide contents, try phasing in various parts of it using animations. Don't show an entire text box. Instead, bring each bullet point on with a single mouse click. This will help to hold the audience's attention.

If you want to learn more about animating elements of your PowerPoint slides, check out the tutorial below. You don't have to use eye-popping and sophisticated animations to introduce your slide's elements.

3. Content First, Style Later

When you're preparing a slide deck, the content of the presentation is your number one priority.

Instead of starting off in PowerPoint, start off with pen and paper. Write the content and structure of the PowerPoint presentation deck first. Then you can add the supportive visuals and slides.

There's plenty more to learn when it comes to building supportive PowerPoint presentation decks. Make sure to check out Cassie McDaniel's tutorial that features 22 tips for building out great PowerPoint decks:

4. Use Illustrations & Graphics to Explain

You can explain everything in text boxes, but your audience is sure to zone out and lose focus quickly. Instead, it helps to use charts and graphs that can help you translate ideas into graphics.

Check out the two tutorials below to learn more about building engaging visuals for your audience.

5. Let the Conversation Continue

A slide deck presentation is a chance to grab an audience's attention. The last thing you want to do is let the presentation be the last point of contact with your audience.

That's why I  always  recommend that your presentation include a contact or follow-up slide. Using a slide that showcases your social media or simply asks the audience to get in touch is a great way to take the next step with your business.

Every presentation is different. There are many types of presentations that you can give to make an impact on an audience. Here are the categories that I tend to think of presentations as spanning:

• Persuasive . Presentations that are designed to change the mind of the audience.
• Decision-driven . The purpose of these presentations are to provide a recommendation or path forward in a situation or project. You will often find these in the corporate world. 
• Introductory . An introductory presentation is designed to be the first point of contact. This showcases your business and work to potential clientele.
• informative (educational) . Informative presentations are really geared around showing knowledge or new ideas to an audience.

Before you even open PowerPoint, you should understand what type of presentation that you're giving. This will help smooth out the writing process and give you a clear goal to aim for. 

For any creative project, you can cut many hours out of your work if you avoid recreating the wheel. In other words, don't build slides from scratch. Use a presentation deck template  from Envato Elements to get a head start.

Best of all: you can customize these presentation deck templates in five quick steps. Let’s learn how.

We’ll use the Visionare PowerPoint Presentation from Envato Elements in this mini-tutorial.

Let's get started:

1. Pick Out Slides to Edit

Think about how to make a slide deck support your message. Remember, slides are a visual aid, not a presentation by themselves. Choose only slides that support what you’re already discussing.

In PowerPoint, find Slide Sorter on the View tab. From here, click and drag to reorder slides in the deck. Hold Shift and click on unwanted slides, then press Delete . Start editing by clicking Normal back on the View tab.

2. Add Custom Text

Custom text is a key part of how to create a slide deck fast. Templates like this have text placeholders already built-in. To edit, click and drag to highlight any block of text. 

Then, simply start typing (or paste in words from elsewhere). It’s that simple. Repeat throughout the presentation deck as needed.

3. Add Images

How to create a slide deck that inspires audiences: it’s a common question. One of the best ways is to build an illustrated deck. Image placeholders make it a breeze. 

Simply browse to an image stored on your computer. Drag it over the placeholder and drop it into place. PowerPoint will import and scale the photo to fit perfectly.

4. Change Object Colors

Changing object colors on your presentation deck has several advantages. It lets you add contrast or share your brand’s special colors. Click on any object to get started. 

On the Home tab, find Shape Format , then choose Shape Fill . A color chooser menu opens, where you can click to preview (and apply) any color you want.

5. Delete Unwanted Objects

Pre-built presentation decks include all kinds of content. But keep in mind, you don’t have to use all of it! 

To build cleaner slides, you can click on images, text boxes, and other items to select them. Then, press Delete on your keyboard. It’s a helpful way to ensure templates always work for you.

Learn more about customizing PowerPoint template designs (or read on for more great tutorial resources): 

It's important to present modern designs in your PowerPoint slide decks. This will give your presentation the best possible chance of succeeding. To help you stay on top of modern design trends, we've got a list of the top five design trends of 2024:

1. Add Space

Add space around the different elements on your slides is an excellent way to add a modern feel. To help create this modern look, try to reduce the number of elements on your slides. This will allow you to add space to your slides that looks natural. 

2. Layer, Layer, & Layer

Layering your presentation deck designs will give your slides a more professional look. Layering the different elements on your slides will add a sense of depth. This helps create an eye catching design. Try using various color blocked shapes as the base layer and then layer on your text and images. 

3. Use Simple Fonts

Simple and easy to read fonts will instantly give your presentation deck a modern feel. Sans Serif type fonts are going to give your slides a clean look. Be sure to choose the appropriate font sizes as well. Having headings and body text make for a visually appealing slide design. 

4. Include High Quality Images

Including high quality images is a must if you want to feature a modern looking design that'll deliver. Envato Elements has a wide variety of high-quality images. You can use these images for your presentation decks. Lean towards bigger image sizes on your slides. 

5. Use a Simple Color Scheme

Simple color schemes work best for presentation decks. Picking two or three colors is plenty to deliver a trendy looking presentation. Adding more colors can make the design seem disconnected. Try using one main highlight color throughout your slides. 

Looking for even more templates? Don't miss out on the next section where we cover even more presentation templates that you can download.

Discover More Top Selling Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation Decks

Still haven't found the perfect PowerPoint slide deck for your upcoming presentation? Don't worry! There are plenty of best-selling PowerPoint presentation decks to download. Check out the articles below for more great presentation deck templates:

5 Top Presentation Deck Templates from Envato Elements (For 2024 Slides)

Envato Elements has thousands of presentation deck templates ready for you. Here are five top designs trending now:

1. Coftofee - PowerPoint Template  

When you consider how to create a slide deck, it pays to think about your message. A flexible template is a great choice because it gives you a lot of creative power. Coftofee delivers just that, with 150 slides and five custom color schemes. All you've got to do is drop in your own content.

2. Drove Creative - PowerPoint  

Think building an amazing presentation deck takes forever? Think again. Drove Creative makes it a breeze, thanks to powerful use of master slides. In essence, these let you make bulk edits in a single step. Plus, you’ll find a full set of vector icons and resizable graphics throughout.

3. Simple Work Presentation  

Whether you’re making a business or personal presentation deck, versatility is a must. Simple Work lives up to its name, with 33 slides created in beautiful HD resolution. Simply drag and drop content onto the slides. Every graphic is fully editable, letting you have full creative control at every turn.

4. Station PowerPoint Presentation  

Wondering how to make a slide deck more interesting? Station is packed with ideas and designs to help you do exactly that. Bright colors feature on each slide. There are charts and infographics that present your ideas in unforgettable style. Also included are maps and vector icon sets.

5. Be PowerPoint Presentation Template  

Be is a presentation deck made in a minimalist style. It really helps your content stand out. Choose from dozens of sleek layouts, including images and device mockups. It’s quick, easy to edit, and sure to impress even the toughest audience.

Let's now go over a few FAQ's for Microsoft PowerPoint. 

Do you have questions about Microsoft PowerPoint? Below, we've collected five of the most frequently asked questions and provided answers to them:

1. Can You Print Your Presentations?

Yes, you can! PowerPoint supports the printing of all your presentations. This makes it easy to distribute your presentation if you need to.

Printing out your slides can use quite a bit of ink. Check out our tutorial below on how to print your slides and still use less ink:

2. How Can I Be Engaging and Effective With PowerPoint?

PowerPoint can be quite intimidating if you're new to the software. But don't worry! As long as you've got a professional template, all you need to do is add your content to the placeholders. This will instantly give you a professional looking presentation deck.

For more information on how to create engaging presentations, check out the article below:

3. Does the Quality of My Template Really Matter?

Absolutely! When you use a low-quality template, your presentation will be much less impactful. The templates on Envato Elements are professionally designed. This ensures that you're only using the most impactful designs. 

For more information on how to make a slide deck from a template, check out the tutorial below:

4. Where Should You Start?

Starting a presentation deck from scratch or even with a template can seem like a daunting task. The number one priority when starting a presentation deck is the content. Before you even get into the design customization, you need to have quality content to add to your slides.

Check out this article on how to write a professional PowerPoint presentation:  

5. How Do You Change PowerPoint Templates?

Using PowerPoint templates are a must if you aren't a professional designer. Thankfully, it's very easy to switch in and out of PowerPoint templates. 

To find out how to change PowerPoint templates check out the article below:

 Looking for even more helpful tutorials on how to create a slide deck? Check out the next section where we offer up even more great resources!

This PowerPoint presentation deck tutorial showcased some of my favorite resources and tips for building a PowerPoint slide deck. There's still plenty more to learn to help you rapidly build out a slide deck that you feel confident showing to an audience.

Check out these other helpful PowerPoint tutorials:

Grab This eBook on Making Great Presentations ( Free Download )

This eBook will help you learn how to write, design, and deliver great presentations.

Download  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations  for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience.

Now's the Time! Go Make Your Own PowerPoint Slide Deck

What is a PowerPoint slide deck ? Using custom PowerPoint PPT slide templates from Envato Elements can save you a lot of time on your presentation deck. 

Select the PPT slide deck templates you like. Then, build your own PowerPoint slide deck.

How do you build your slide decks? What are your favorite tips for helping reduce the time you spend in PowerPoint? Let me know in the comments section below this tutorial.

Editorial Note : This tutorial was originally published in June of 2018. It's been comprehensively updated to include new information and slide deck examples—with special help from Andrew Childress and Daniel Strongin . A video has been added by Chamira Young . 

How to do a Pitch Deck Presentation (plus free templates!)

If you are in any kind of business or enterprise, you’re probably looking for every chance to make your company grow. Sadly, such opportunities don’t usually just fall from the sky. You need to convince your potential investors, clients, or partners to get the resources you need. And how do you convince them? With a Pitch Deck Presentation .

Here you can find a step by step guide on what your Pitch Deck should include. But since it is not always easy to do everything from scratch, here you can also find amazing templates, completely free. Their amazing visuals and diagrams will assure that you don’t only get your point across, but that you also stay on the mind of your audience after the presentation has already ended.

What is a Pitch Deck Presentation?

To get the funding you need for your company, you should look for investors. Now, there are thousands and thousands of businesses looking for wealthy investors. The way to stand out among all those other competitors is making them aware of your business potential. And how do you do this? Through a Pitch Deck.

A Pitch Deck is a brief presentation that you give to potential investors to convince them to bet their money in your company. It can be used face-to-face, or online. You can make a Pitch Deck presentation for a customer, or a client, or even a partner. The objective is to showcase your business plan, your product, and your over-all growth projections. In other words, you have to sell to your audience not only what your product is, but also what it could be .

You should plan carefully your Pitch Deck presentation. For a truly great presentation you’ll need a good understanding of both your own business and your potential investors. Consider the things that could be interesting for them. Maybe it is something that shows your business’ stability. Maybe it is the business model you’re going to implement. Or the expected ROI. But also consider the things about your company that are astounding and that differentiate it from the competition.

What to include in a Pitch Deck Presentation

There is some debate on how long a Pitch Deck presentation should be. Some say 10 slides should be more than enough to give a brief look over your business. Some say it should be 12. Others say 20 slides should be the absolute limit. So, which one is it?

One thing is for certain, it should not feel long. After all, you can have 40 slides and go through them faster than a 7-slide presentation filled with text. But, most likely, if anyone sees a 40-slide presentation their reaction will be of complete dread.  Boring your public even before you start is the worst idea, so try to keep it short and sweet as much as possible.

I suggest a 12-sections for an ideal Pitch Deck. This will allow you to give a complete overview of your business without being overwhelming. Ideally, each of these sections should have each one slide. However, this is not a rule written in stone. Maybe it is worth to expand a little more on a specific topic. The golden rule is to keep one idea per slide , even if that means making more slides. This way it will clearer for your audience, and it will be easier to keep their attention right where you want it.

On the opposite side, you don’t need to make a slide for every single one of these sections. Maybe some of these won’t apply to your business. Consider these sections more as a guideline of what you can use to show your company’s potential. Take, for example, the famous early Facebook Pitch Deck .

Early Facebook Pitch Deck from Ilya Friedman, CFA

As you can see, this Pitch Deck has no “Problem” or “Solution” sections. This is because Facebook wasn’t tackling any existing problems, but creating a new necessity. Focusing on a non-existing problem would have been useless to justify its importance. Instead, what they do is focus on what it does have: market validation. They expend several slides going through media data that shows how incredibly popular they are and their users’ demographics.

1- Introduction

Your introduction should be able to catch your audience’s attention from the get-go. Look at the Facebook Pitch Deck. Their introduction is just a quote. But it is a quote that presents them as a revolutionary idea that is changing the way people interact. This is what you should look for an introduction. A short way to present your business in a forward way, while also leaving your public wanting more. Storytelling can be a great tool for this.

Not every Pitch Deck includes a Team slide, but it can be extremely useful. Presenting the people making the decisions and showcasing their previous achievements can make investors more at ease. If you have members in your team that add a plus on how execution will be managed in your business, it can certainly be a good idea to dedicate a slide to it. Of course, it is up to you to decide if it’s useful or not. You can even change where exactly the slide should go, depending on which topic you feel it connects better.

This is a vital slide in (almost) any Pitch Deck Presentation. As Forbes mentions, it is more likely for an investor to bet on you if he can relate to the problem you are putting on the table. Or, in any case, if you can explain it well enough so he can understand its importance. The more inescapable a problem is, the more likely a solution for it will have a big demand.

4- Solution

This slide needs to be as concise and clear as possible. It should answer directly to the problem. Try to avoid offering different solutions. Even if you have a multi-faceted project, simplifying the solution you’re offering will make you look more focused and more trustworthy. Afterward, in the product description or the business model, you can elaborate on what else makes your product or services so special, but here, try to keep it as straightforward as possible.

There is also the possibility to join the problem and the solution in just one slide. You can see that in some of the templates below. This can be useful to show the direct relationship between the two of them. You can always do that, just remember that the priority is to be as clear as possible.

5- Product/Service

Here you can show your product in action. Show how it implements your solution and its effectiveness. The Facebook Pitch Deck is a great example of that. Even if there is no solution in this presentation, it makes an awesome job of portraying its product uniqueness. From its users’ profile to the networking value it offers, it gives the public a short but complete overview of what the product is about.

6- Traction and Market

This slide should also be straight to the point and data-based. There is nothing speaks better of growth and traction than a data-based graph. Slides such as this one are great to show everything you need with very few words. This is the moment to show your business is already successful, and that, with enough resources, it can become even bigger.

You should have done a good in-depth research on your target market before your Pitch Deck presentation.  Your market can determine your potential exit with investors. The market’s size, its willingness to expend their money can be a key factor when deciding where to invest. Showing statistics and customer feedback can be very useful to show how successful your product already is. Just check out the Facebook Pitch Deck. Many of its slides are focused on showing their popularity and reach. This is, after all, what attracts investors.

7- Business Model

This slide is not a requirement, but if done well, it can be a huge plus in your presentation. Show your audience how you are planning to make money. Proving that you have a concrete idea of how your whole business will operate will give you a great image in front of investors and clients. For this, slides with graphs such as funnels can be a great option to display how you plan your business to work.

8- Financial Forecasting

This section is where you show your projections to where you see your business going in the future. For example, you can present the expected growth in 3 or 5 years. Sometimes this section can be directly related to the investment section and how would you invest the money to make your company grow.  As always, this depends on your own presentation and the order you want to give it. Just remember that having a realistic, transparent approach to what to expect in the future can really make a difference for your audience.

9- Competition

Even if your idea is great, it is highly unlikely that you are the very first person who came up with something like that. In most cases, you’ll have to deal with some competitors offering similar products or services to the same target market. It is important that you have a deep understanding of your business and its differential value. Only then you can really show investors what makes your business unique and why they should be on you instead of any of the others. Yo need to know where you are standing on compared to your competitors and diagrams are a great way to showcase that. SWOT analyses are also a great way to convey both yours and your competition’s strengths and weaknesses.

10- Desired Investment

Even if everything else is great, your Pitch Deck won’t be really successful until you actually get the fundraising you need. And to get it, you have to eventually ask for it. Presenting a plan of what you expect to do with it and how it will be used to grow the business will show your audience how grounded the management is.

11- Closure/Contact

Finally, you should invest some time in making a good closure for your presentation. In Facebook’s Pitch Deck, is another great quote, that makes the presentation end at a high note. You should certainly aim for that. But even if it’s not possible, you should at least have a slide dedicated to contact information. After hearing your presentation, your audience should be completely clear on how to invest and what would be the next steps. At the bare minimum, they should know how to contact you again. After all, the whole purpose of the Pitch Deck is to build relationships with potential investors.

The 4 Best Pitch Deck Templates Online

Here you can download for free some of our best Pitch Deck Templates. Some are long, up to 24 slides. Others are sample slides that you can add in even if you are already halfway through your presentation. As always, all of these are easy to edit, so you can pick which fits better with what you’re trying to convey.  These templates will give you that little extra that will take your presentation to the next step.

If you need any help editing these templates, you can always check our Ultimate PowerPoint Template Guide .

Start-up Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

As its title says, this template is ideal for start-ups. You will find anything you’ll ever need for your Pitch presentation in this 19-slide pack. It has slides for showcasing your product, from the ideation process, to the prototype, all the way to the finance planning stages. This template has all kinds of diagrams that will help you make a consistent case to get your investors’ attention. It starts with an overview slide that will allow your audience to know exactly where they are standing on each part of the presentation. Or, you can also use the overview slide as a closing summary. As always, your imagination is the limit of what you can do with these templates.

This pack includes Venn diagrams to show innovation and start-up ecosystems, maps in case you’re aiming for a worldwide plan, pyramid visuals, and much more. It also includes a target audience slide that you can use to showcase your market analysis and several charts.

You can also find this template’s version for Google Slides here.

Copywriter Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This template is ideal for those looking to get their services as a copywriter in the spotlight. It will help you showcase your strengths and abilities as a professional, while also exposing the different types of services you offer. While this is a pack focused on copywriting it can also be edited and used for any kind of service you offer. Slides for topics such as your portfolio and your working process will be useful even if copywriting isn’t exactly what you do.

For those that do copywrite, the slide of the content writing cycle is amazing. It will allow you to show your audience in a really thorough way what is exactly what you do and how you do it. This will help your potential clients to understand your work better. But it is also a great way to showcase where you think your value is and what differentiates you from other professionals.

This template also includes slides ideal to show the Competition section of your Pitch Deck presentation. It has charts and graphs to showcase the differences between you and others. It also helps you connect pricing to the value of the services you offer.

For this one there is also a Google Slides version you can download here.

Playful Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This 10 slide Pitch Deck template will give you the tools to make a straight-to-the-point presentation, but without losing your playful side. It has great tools that will make you able to show every part of your business and get your point across. This presentation template is data-based, so you’ll find graphs and diagrams that could be useful to convince potential investors.

This slide, for example, is great for showing your business growth. Investors are more likely to bet on a business with good and stable growth. This slide could help you not only show off your financial milestones, but also your growth expectations and financial forecasting.

The playful visuals of this pack will certainly stay in your audience’s minds for a while. Take this puzzle slide, for example. It is great to connect the problems you have identified with the solution your business brings forward. It will make a memorable way to represent your solution and make sure it stands out from others.

We also have a Google Slides Template for this design.

Ultimate Product Hunt Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This megapack of 24 slides has a little bit of everything. Circle graphs? You got it. Process diagram? You got it. Bar graphs? That too. You can pick from the amazing assortment of types of slides on this pack, and use those that will showcase your business better. With this template, it is up to you to show the best and to cause a great impression on your audience.

With slides such as this, you will be able to convey what you think will give a better idea of what your business really is about. For example, this great SWOT analysis template. By showing you know you are aware of both your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll show potential investors or clients that aware of your surroundings and your own shortcomings.

This Pitch Deck pack comes with over a dozen slides of different graphs, diagrams, and visual aids. It has maps if you want to show your worldwide reach, it has different types of pyramid graphs, process diagrams, and more. It really has everything you could need for an outstanding Pitch Deck presentation.

Independent slides

These templates, while they are not enough on their own to make a complete presentation, they can be a great complement for others. All of these bring different things to the table you can take advantage of and make a better-rounded Pitch Deck.

Pitch Deck Presentation Templates

This template pack has 3 incredible slides that would fit perfectly into any Pitch Deck. First, its vision and mission slide will allow you to give your audience a more in-depth look at what your business is really about. It also has a great geometrical process diagram. And finally, it has a roadmap slide, that will allow you to showcase the steps to be taken to achieve a specific goal. All these slides have beautiful bright colors that will assure that your audience’s attention remains exactly where you want it: In your presentation.

Investor Relations Presentation Template

Even if this pack is not directly a Pitch Deck template, its slides can be extremely useful as part of one. Its slides are great to convey what kind of investment would you be interested in, and what they would get from the partnership. It has an Investing Strategy Slide that is useful for the “Desired Investment” section of your Pitch Deck. If your audiences are aware of what their resources could be used for and the impact they could have, they will be more likely to consider making an investment.

This template also includes a Company Strategy slide, which is great to show the overall workings inside your enterprise. This template is great for showing your business model and introducing your audience to your goals and objectives.

Pitch Deck 3

This is another 3-slide pack with great visual aids that would fit amazingly into any Pitch Deck. It has an introduction slide that could be used to present your company or your product. But it also has a really eye-catching business model slide. This one is a vital part of your Pitch Deck since it will allow your audience to understand how your business works and make them feel more confident in investing. It also includes a Problem-Solution slide. This will allow you to present the relationship between the two points, rather than presenting each by their own side.

Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Here you can find some more amazing independent slides, ready to be used in a Pitch Deck. You can use the Start-up Project Timeline to show the steps required to complete a specific task or goal. The introduction slide is great to give a general overview of your business or your product. It includes several icons, so you can showcase different aspects of your company. Finally, this template pack also has a Market Slide. A slide like this one is vital in any Pitch Deck, since being able to prove your knowledge of your market is a big step for being trusted by investors.

Creative Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Finally, you can use this creative Pitch Deck Slides pack to complement any presentation you want, whether it’s one of the above or one completely of your own. It has a market segmentation slide, great to introduce your segment to your traction/market section. There are many different aspects that can be part of your differential value. One thing that can distinguish yourself from other competitors can be the way you present yourself to your potential customers. That is why a slide for your Marketing Strategy can be so important.

Making Your Own Pitch Deck

So, which one should you use? Sadly, there is no easy answer to this question. How long your presentation should be, and what slides you should use for your Pitch Deck depends entirely on you. It depends on what you believe are your strengths, what do you think your differential value is, and so on. It depends on what numbers you have that could be eye-catching for potential investors.

Good thing is, there is no wrong answer either. Think carefully about what you want your audience to get out of it, and what specific information will convey this idea the best. Do you think one of the best things your business has is its stability? Then showing a graph of steady growth might be a good idea. Or maybe the best aspect is that there is a huge market to tap on. Then making an extra effort in the market slide is a must. Really, really knowing your business is the only way to make a truly great Pitch Deck presentation.

And, as always, remember that the slides are just a tool. There is a limit on how much a good presentation design can do when the speaker is not at their best. The delivery is a vital part of every presentation, and even more in this kind of presentations. A Pitch Deck should be highly persuasive. Whether it is to an investor, a client, or a partner, the challenge is to convince them of the potential of your business. To make them see not only what the company is but what it can become (with their help). This is why the speaker should be someone who believes in the product and is passionate about it.

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Christine vs. Work: How to Make a Presentation Deck That Doesn’t Stink

• Christine Liu

You’re staring at a blank slide deck in agony. Now what?

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

When you land your first job, you’re eventually going to be asked to give a slide deck presentation — whether it’s to propose a new idea, summarize your accomplishments, or report out metrics on a project. But how do you deliver a slideshow that really blows people away? If you’re not a graphic designer or a superstar at presentation software (you know, Powerpoint and the like), what’s the best way to approach building a deck? And how do you succeed at putting on a good show?

• Christine Liu is the innovation editor at Harvard Business Publishing’s product incubator.

Partner Center

A guide to creating great decks and presentations

At some point in your creative career, chances are, you’ll have to make some kind of deck. Used as a key communication tool in many creative roles, decks convey ideas through a carefully selected sequence of words and images. A great deck can help you explain a brilliant idea, tell a powerful story, or sell your skills and experience in one neat little package. While it can seem like a lot to balance, the process of putting one together needn’t be tricky. We take you through all the steps to create a fail-proof one.

What’s the difference between a deck and presentation?

A deck is simply a set of digital slides containing images and words, used to get across an idea. You’ll often need to make a deck when you want to persuade someone to think about something in a certain way.

A presentation is a form of communication that tells a story or expresses an idea. A presentation can include a deck, but it can also be delivered as a video, audio file, or as a speech.

You can give a presentation without a deck (for example, a Ted Talk with no visuals) and you can send a deck without having to present it (for example, sending a PDF update of a project with written notes).

Typically, a deck is:

The visual component of a presentation, without any spoken dialogue

A digital file made using the software of your choice

Presented in landscape format

Decks can be designed for the following purposes:

To be presented in person, as part of a meeting – via a laptop or TV screen

To be presented virtually, for example via Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams

To be viewed in the form of a PDF sent over email, as a live link or a downloaded file

When will you need to make one?

Depending on where you’re at in your career, you might need to make decks for different purposes. These could include:

Creating a presentation as part of a job interview task

Pitching and presenting ideas in response to a brief

Creating briefs, treatments or presenting research

Informal purposes, such as to introduce yourself at a new job

What does a deck look like?

The work of deck-making is often done behind the scenes in a studio, and for copyright or competition-related reasons, creative development decks are often kept under lock and key. 🚨 This means that great examples of decks are not easy to find online!

That being said, as soon as you start working alongside other creative people on projects, you’ll likely have a chance to check out their approach. If you’re part of a studio, you can usually check out their previous decks. And if you’re a freelancer, you could ask more established freelancers to talk you through some of their decks – it never hurts to ask!

Ultimately, the look and feel of a deck will differ depending on what it’ll be used for. You can see great examples of presentations and decks during online or in-person talks; some good examples are Nicer Tuesdays or the First Round conference, in which creative leaders talk through their work-in-progress visual identity decks.

What goes into a deck?

The slides needed for a deck will differ depending on what it’ll be used for; you might need less for a short introductory talk about yourself, and more for an in-depth pitch to a client.

Generally speaking, most decks will include a combination of some (or all) of the following slides:

Contents page

Title pages to signpost different sections

Project slides to support different combinations of images, text or moving image

Conclusion page to detail any next steps

Final page with contact details

What makes a great deck?

In a nutshell, a great deck should be:

Clear, concise and cohesive

Specific to and engaging for your audience or reader

Supporting the story you want to tell

Carefully checked for accuracy, spelling and image quality

A lot of the things that make a deck successful also apply to making great portfolios. You can find all sorts of transferable learnings and relevant advice in our guide to creating your PDF portfolio .

Before you begin: Planning your presentation

Before you start choosing colour palettes and flicking through font choices, there are some essential considerations to keep in mind:

🤔 Who is your audience? What do they need to know?

Are you pitching new ideas to a client, or updating your co-workers on a project’s process? Knowing the purpose of your deck will inform your structure, design and layout. For example, a client pitch will require you to strike a different visual tone to a catch-up with your team.

Think about the size and location of your audience. How might your approach differ for a big or small group, or whether you’ll be presenting it online or IRL?

⏰ How long will you have to present?

Knowing your exact timeframe will help you gauge the scale of your deck, how many slides you might need and how in-depth you can go with the details. While informal presentations to your co-workers may be more relaxed, running over with clients is not always an option, so be strict.

If you have a short amount of time, prioritise need-to-know info and get quickly into what you want feedback or input on. If you have more time, you can build your story gradually.

🤝 Are you working collaboratively or alone?

If you’re working on a deck as part of a team, you may want to delegate tasks. For example, one person could prepare the images while another writes the text. But remember: the text will always need to relate to the images (and vice versa) so make sure both collaborators cross-reference regularly.

If you’re presenting as a team, are you taking turns to speak? You’ll need to agree on who will be presenting each section. You can find more tips and tricks on preparing for presentations in our guide to public speaking .

How to create a structure that tells a story

Your deck needs to tell a story – whether that‘s guiding someone through different creative ideas, or taking a viewer on a journey from one point to another.

It’s vital to work out how you will explain and unpack your idea or project through your deck, as the right structure will ultimately determine how successfully your story comes across.

🕸️ Join the dots between your points

To start, write down everything you need to cover during the presentation. Create a list of talking points before beginning to build the slides or delving into image research.

Once you’ve worked out the key content to include, think about the best order in which to communicate this. Think of it as a linear process: you need to get from A to B in the clearest, most logical way.

🏁 Start and end well

The first slide of your deck should be as strong as the last. If you’re sending the deck by itself, ensure you summarise the contents at the start, and if you’re presenting, remind everyone of the purpose of the meeting so that your audience understands what you’re going to cover and what is being asked of them.

You might want to end the main section of your presentation with a memorable image, some well-chosen closing words, or a call to action inviting your audience to do something like approve a project budget, or select a creative idea for further development.

The final slides in your deck should include a short summary of what’s been covered and an outline of next steps. Don’t forget to include contact details in case the deck gets passed around.

Presenting a solution to a creative brief? This is one way of laying it out:

Title slide

Contents page: be sure to match your section titles to this

The brief or challenge: what is the specific request you’ve been asked to respond to, or what you were hoping to solve?

Starting points or initial inspiration

Your final idea(s), solutions or offerings: this can also include any alternatives

Timelines or additional information: this could include information regarding other collaborators or budgets

Conclusion or summary: a chance to reiterate the main points covered

Next steps or milestones in the process

If you’re attending a job interview or have been asked to prepare an introduction to your work – your deck structure might look like this:

• Title slide: this can include your name and role, along with a personalised greeting or message for your audience, like “Hi [name of studio], nice to meet you!”
• Contents page: you may want to skip this if you only have a few sections.
• Your background in a nutshell: this can be a short, personal statement that highlights your specific skills and interests. Don’t forget to inject some personality — this deck is meant to be about you, after all!
• Your work: only include projects that feel relevant to your audience. You might want to divide this section into several mini-sections if you have different types of work to showcase.
• Final page with contact details: let people know where they can reach you, whether that’s via email or on a social media platform.

How should you design a deck?

The way in which you combine visuals and text on slides can play a major role in how successfully you communicate your story. Remember, every image and word needs to earn the right to be included.

It can be useful to start by sketching out your rough layouts for your slides to visualise the main elements you need to cover.

🏡 Try out templates, or create your own

If you’re working in-house, there’ll likely already be set templates to follow or use as a starting point. Ask your colleagues to share different types of presentations, and familiarise yourself with the house style. If you’re a freelancer, it may be worth setting up a template using the same typefaces, layouts and colour palettes so that you can create some consistency across your decks. It will save you time in the future and bring a level of professionalism to your presentations.

Remember that a template should help you, not constrain you. Use one as an overall guide, but adjust according to the specific content you want to include — and give yourself room to play.

🔁 Consistency is key

Whether you’re following a preexisting template or setting up your own, consistency is key to putting together a cohesive deck. This is an opportunity to create system of rules that will provide you with a reliable and flexible structure, regardless of the kind of deck you need to put together.

Establishing a consistent visual language allows you to focus on telling the story at hand, rather than having to re-design your slides every time – and also helps an audience or viewer to follow your thought process. All your slides should feel like they belong to the same visual world. Here are a few key elements to consider:

• Grid, layout and treatment of images
• Colour palette
• Typefaces and treatment of text (choose one size for section headers, one for headlines, one for body copy or bullet points

💥 Create impact with your images

How might you create visual impact with your images? For example if there is a particularly strong visual that helps support the narrative of your presentation, why not make it full bleed to grab your viewer’s attention?

Or if you have a selection of images to share, think about what layout will help convey a variety of options without looking too cluttered. Remember that images should be captioned where necessary – describing to viewers what they’re seeing – without over-explaining.

Ensure your images have a high enough resolution that they look sharp, but not so large that they take ages to load! Exporting images as PNG files can be more reliable than JPEGs in terms of consistent quality.

👾 Know where it’s relevant to use GIFs

Videos or GIFs can be a great addition to a deck. If you have a shorter amount of time to present, a piece of moving image can quickly set the tone – whether poignant or humorous. They usually require less explanation than a still image, and the audience can watch clips and GIFs while the presenter is speaking.

In a longer presentation, you may be able to include a full-length video that will form a distinct chapter in the deck.

🔠 Be selective about how much text you include

The amount of text you use will depend on whether you’ll be talking through the deck, or sending it as a link or attachment for your audience to read in their own time. Think: how are you presenting?

As part of a meeting You may want to use less text in your slides (no one can read and listen at the same time). The fewer words on screen, the stronger the visual effect and overall impact.

Remember that if you’re presenting your deck to an audience, depending on the platform you use, you could always use speaker notes (additional details that no one else will see on screen) with additional information to elaborate on certain points or offer additional detail. This can also be a great tool to help you remember your cues.

Sending via email You might want to include more text on your slides so that the reader has all the information they need to understand the story without you there.

With all that said, be wary of where you place your text – avoid adding your copy over busy images or backgrounds to ensure everything is easily legible and to create maximum impact.

🌍 Opt for accessible typefaces

Choose a typeface that’s easy to read, and easily accessible – regardless of whether you’re presenting it from your laptop or sending it over email. You don’t want to spend hours designing your slides only for your text to appear in a default typeface later on. Have a look at our article to find a range of free fonts and typefaces for inspiration.

Once you’ve made your selection(s), ensure your text is large enough for people to read on a screen – whether in person or online.

🔺 Consider information hierarchy

A list may be easier to digest than a paragraph. Using a combination of the below can help make your content more digestible:

• Subheadings
• Bullet points
• Image captions

🚪 Use page furniture

This is information that consistently sits at the top or bottom of a slide. It can be a useful way of presenting information such as the date, project title, slide number and section title.

What can you use to actually build a deck?

How you make your deck depends on how your audience is going to receive it. Will you be presenting in person or online? Or do you need to send it via email?

There are a wide variety of deck-building platforms to choose from. Below are some of the main players. You can find more in our article on platforms and programs to make decks on .

Google Slides

Adobe InDesign (then export as a PDF)

Presented (service)

You could also use a mixture of these. If you’re creating your deck as a team effort, Google Slides or Pitch allows for seamless collaborative working and is easy to share as a link to a live file. Or you could use InDesign and then export the slides as a PDF, or individual jpegs to be dropped into another program.

You now have everything you need to go out and make amazing decks. Creating these takes practice, so don’t worry if you don’t nail it the first time. As you develop your deck-making skills, you’ll find a style you gravitate towards. Now go out there and dazzle the room with your sparkling slides!

With special thanks to Philippa Leguen de Lacroix, Director, Presented

Written by Creative Lives in Progress

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APPROACHABLE DESIGN

How to create slide decks that don't put people to sleep

Great slide deck presentations are just great stories. Learn how to avoid over-designing your deck and stuffing it with useless information.

By Nate Kadlac

Slide deck presentations are broken.

I once sat through a presentation by a CEO who had prepared two 50+ page slide decks for an important all-hands meeting.

Just the act of building two decks ensured the message would be messy. And using 50+ pages to tell a company story left everyone in the room exhausted (and confused).

Why are building slide decks so tricky? Most people think each slide needs to describe every thought in their head, even if they know better. And I bet you have read all of the articles about preparing slide decks and know this. Yet, you’re still wondering how to communicate the inspiring quote, the graph with all of this detailed data, and the story of how big your company will be if you just owned 1% of the trillion-dollar TAM.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can build beautiful, simple, and effective slide decks that will engage your audience and help you make your point.

And in this article, I will show you how to avoid retrofitting your content into giant presentation templates like this. (This gives me nightmares)

First, avoid opening up your slide deck app

If building a slide deck was the length of a 10k race, opening up the slide deck software would put you at the 8k mark without all of the preparation. You just skipped all of the most important work, which all happens outside of Powerpoint. (I use Figma!)

It can feel compelling to open up Powerpoint, Google Slides, Keynote, or any other fun piece of software. (I lied, Powerpoint is not fun.) But this forces you to think about the design of your slides and everything else that doesn't matter at this point.

So here's what to do first: Open up your favorite writing app and start thinking about the story you want to tell, not how your slides should look. (We'll get to that in a moment.)

Now, we'll look at ways to think about building your slide decks.

Seven tips for structuring your content for an effective slide deck presentation

Even if you're running a company and your employees are being paid to listen to your presentation, they won't. It's you against the audience, and they don't owe you anything.

Now that many presentations are given virtually, it's more important than ever to make sure every slide needs to be there. It's too easy for someone to shut their camera off and tune out.

Tip #1: Build your slide deck like a book

For a moment, think about holding a book in your hands. Just holding it in your hands, it reveals several characteristics that tell us a bit about it.

The cover creates intrigue and hints at the story before opening it.

The size of the book tells us how much time it might take us to read it.

The inner flap humanizes it by telling us about the author and showing a portrait of them

The table of contents gives us an idea of the themes discussed in the book, or the adventure it's about to take us on.

Each chapter is a milestone, asking us to pause before we continue on

Each chapter has subheaders breaking up the ideas and stories within the book.

The back of the book gives us a summary of the content and more info about who worked on it, and testimonials of the content inside.

Books are great examples of setting expectations before we even flip to the first page. Our presentations—no matter how big or small—should help our audience similarly.

We want people to know where they are, and how much time they have left. These unanswered thoughts are running through the minds of your audience, and creating a basic structure like this puts them at ease.

Your slide deck presentation should include:

Cover slide with a clear title (or hook!) of the story

Table of contents

Chapter pages highlighting where you are in the deck

Slides with a single takeaway (and supporting evidence)

An end slide with how to contact you and follow-up

Tip #2: Every presentation deck should tell a story

Most people immediately start putting too much information into slides. It's easy to make the mistake that your slide decks need a lot of information.

Instead, the story arc of a slide deck presentation should mimic a movie. You'll have a beginning, middle, and end. Each deck should communicate one large idea, and within that, you're sharing supporting ideas, each on its own slide.

How you organize your slides is up to you to create the narrative you want. If you're designing startup pitch deck templates for your business, your story will take up a large percentage of the presentation.

“Storytelling is an art combined with science. The artistic part is to understand that a story’s goal is to persuade an investor who most likely starts with the fear of losing their money, and to transition that through your story to a fear of missing out.”— Keith Teare, Accelerated Digital Ventures’ US Managing Partner

Even when trying to persuade investors, if you present a deck with too much information, it will complicate the overall story you're telling.

As Keith lays out for executing a great pitch deck to investors, the key is to answer the following questions:

What is your end game?

Why is it worth the effort?

How will you make it happen?

Tip #3: Present one takeaway per slide

It's better to have five slides, each with one main point, versus one slide with five points. One way to focus on this strategy is to title the slide with the ultimate takeaway.

This helps the overall flow of your slide deck and enables you to think only about what the audience needs to hear.

A trick is to view the slide deck presentation in outline view and read through the titles. It should have an overall flow that your audience can understand, as well as be incredibly informative.

If there's one piece of text your audience will read, it's going to be the title. Make sure it summarizes the insight.

Tip #4: Communicate your ideas using the Pyramid Principle

Your audience is busy. If you're presenting to the C-suite, you might not get through all your slides. The Pyramid Principle was created by Barbara Minto at McKinsey as a method for logically structuring your arguments.

Start with the answer first

Group and summarize your supporting arguments

Order your supporting ideas in a logical way

Starting with the answer first and then sharing your supporting ideas seems counterintuitive for many people. But it skips the preamble and delivers the message clearly while giving you time to explore the supporting ideas if there's time.

Tip #5: Avoid too many bullets (stick with 2-3 per slide)

Forgetting what to say is a common fear of giving a presentation. One bad presentation will leave you stuffing your slides with every thought you have, to avoid forgetting everything.

This is how slides with too many bullets create a false sense of safety.

When you're presenting every single thought you have, the audience has to choose one. Should they listen to you or read the words on your slide? When you're reading aloud, it will create a conflict between your voice and their internal dialogue.

This division makes for a poorly formatted presentation, making the audience choose one or the other.

Tip #6: Aim for 10 slides or less 

We should all have reasonable goals when creating a slide deck. Giving ourselves a goal to have less than 10 slides might feel impossible, but most slide deck templates tempt you to create more than necessary. 

10 slides is a good number to aim for because it forces us to focus on the most important takeaways. Remember, our slide deck creation does not need every thought we have, so start by creating your deck template with just 10 headlines or less, and see if you can still communicate what you need. 

Most of the time we spend on our presentation template is due to the number of slides we have. Also, the more slides, the longer it takes to deliver. 

Having just 10 slides means we can usually keep the presentation under 20 minutes. 

Tip #7: End with a free call-to-action reward

Aside from the main theme you want to articulate in your presentation, what action do you want them to take?

One of the biggest missed opportunities is to leave the audience without something to do at the end. Maybe it's a URL to fill out a form, or simply a way to contact you. Whatever you do, make sure you use this as the reward for listening to you speak

While asking for their information is the default use case, you can take this further and create something for your audience. If you're giving a talk about being more productive in the workplace, create a list of free ideas for them to do just that, and give them a way to download it after the presentation.

Showing up for your audience shows that you care, and it's a way to connect with those afterward.

How to design your presentation slide deck without relying on free templates

I once redesigned a website for a client, and they had never thought about creating one from scratch before. "I just thought you picked a template and filled it in."

This is what most people do with their own slide decks, which leads to an inconsistent experience and stuffing their slide decks with too much info.

My general advice is not to rely on free slide deck templates. Most are over designed, gaudy, and dated. You're also overthinking the layout , and how to retrofit your content into the templates.

This is difficult, and a waste of time.

Instead, start with one idea per slide, then we'll make simple, timeless design decisions to prevent you from redesigning your templates from scratch in the future.

Creating a simple presentation deck template using 2-3 colors, 1-2 fonts, and a basic content structure is all you need to design a slide deck that stands out.

Don't over-design your slide deck presentation

It doesn't matter what kind of slide deck presentation you're giving, you don't need to over-design your slides. This applies to all types of deck formats. A pitch deck template, a strategy deck, an informational deck... these all should be using timeless design principles.

Stick to the basics. Where do you start?

Start with a blank template

While this might seem like I’m adding more work, in the end, this reduces the amount of design decisions most slide deck apps force on you. 

Add your titles to each slide

In most apps like Powerpoint or Keynote, you can change the view to “Outline” which will let you see the title of the slide. This is another way to avoid thinking about design for as long as possible, and start putting your content into the slides. 

Even if your presentation doesn’t look great yet, don’t worry! We’ll get there, and we won’t even worry about gradients, drop shadows, video, text effects or animations to build a good looking slide deck. 

Colors: Use three colors + light and dark versions for the body text

Three colors are all you need when designing a presentation deck. If you have a brand deck, please use those colors and don't deviate from them. Building reputable brands means using the same consistent choices over and over.

Applying brand decisions should be boring.

Here's the simple formula:

One primary color (pick this first)

One neutral color (pick this second)

One accent color (pick this third)

Optional: A custom black for text and a custom white for reversed white text

I always use this combination of

Primary color

Your primary color is your main brand color. You can use this for your dark backgrounds or any other primary instances. 

This will be the color you use in 80% of cases. When in doubt, use this color for your design decisions. 

I usually bookend my slide decks with this color, using it for the cover slide and end slide. I might also use it for the Table of Contents, and then use a lighter background for the interior pages, just like a book. 

This adds a bit of personality and the sterile look and feel most slide decks have. 

Neutral color

Neutral colors are great for lowering the amount of contrast in a slide. I like to use my neutral color instead of a pure white background, which often gives the presentation a sophisticated feel.

Feel free to experiment, but neutral colors are almost white. In the example above, I'm using the hex value #F9F5F3.

Accent color

An accent color is useful when you need to call out or highlight an important word or section. If you're trying to highlight one of the most important takeaways, try using this as the slide’s background.

The purpose is not to overuse this color, but to use it strategically when necessary.

Avoid using true black and white for body text

Most templates will use pure black and white for body text. But these colors are high-contrast, and demand unnecessary attention. Pure black and white don't exist in the world because of the way light reflects off surfaces. Even shadows aren’t pure black because they absorb the color of the surface. (Unless maybe you're in a pitch-black float tank?)

Instead of just going with the defaults, I’ll pull in the ends of each just slightly, so to soften the intensity overall.

Imagine a spectrum of white and black on opposite ends. I choose colors that sit at around 95% of each end. It's hard to notice without comparing them, but that's the point. It creates a more soothing experience, even if no one can tell you're not using pure black and white.

Fonts: Choose a maximum of one or two fonts

First, if your company or brand already uses specific fonts, use those and forget this section! Consistency matters, and you'll only make it more difficult when everyone is choosing a font that matches their attitude that particular day.

You only need one typeface, as long as it has multiple weights. A typeface with multiple weights means it has bold, regular, semi-bold, black , and so on. Those give you a much more flexible family to work with than typefaces with just one.

If you need to use two fonts, you'll want to pick fonts with contrast. This creates visual intrigue, and it’s easy to accomplish using a serif or sans-serif combination. Like, Helvetica and Georgia. 

Avoid picking two fonts that look too similar, like Helvetica and Arial. These two in particular look similar, but they’re slightly different. This makes the overall design look confusing or off .

Use images that have a clear meaning

If you're in a pinch for a photo, try to resist the temptation to find a generic or cheesy stock photo. They make your slide deck look unprofessional and dated. It's better to use no photo than one that adds skepticism to your presentation deck.

If you do use images, make sure they support your story. They should also touch the edges of your slide deck, without any white padding. This will help give your slide deck a more polished feel and help the placed images avoid looking like clip art. 

Illustrations can be useful

I won’t lie and say illustrations can’t be powerful and creative. I’ve used them in my decks. But they aren’t necessary to communicate a good story. The problem with stock illustrations is that they usually look off-brand, or confuse the message more than anything. I try to avoid them at all costs unless you have the budget to hire an illustrator to build them specific to your business. ‍

Charts and graphs

Charts or graphs can be extremely useful to tailor a story with data. Most of the time you’ll end up using screenshots or displaying other existing work, but if possible, try to create these yourself using your brand colors and aesthetic. 

I use Figma to create all of my charts, but there are plenty of great creative tools like Canva, Keynote, and Figma. (If you want to learn more about using Figma, you can learn more here .)

Use simple grid layouts in your slide deck

Laying out content can always cause a bit of a struggle. It’s best to keep things simple for your content. 

Use a simple grid structure

Imagine your slide deck divided between 1-4 equally spaced columns. This gives you a basic grid when planning how to lay out content in your slide deck. 

Don't add a logo or copyright information on every page

Many slide deck templates will have a spot for brand logos, page numbers, and other elements to make your slide deck feel more professional.

If you need to add copyrights, page numbers, or disclaimers, reserve that for a printed copy of the slide deck. Or go ahead and make a duplicate deck for sharing purposes, because that won't help you during a live presentation, and gives the audience more to look at during your presentation.

Presentation takeaways

During that long presentation with two prepared slide decks and over 100+ slides, we all left that conference room confused and unsure of what we should do next.

So in your next slide deck presentation, remember to do these things:

Start by writing a list of insights to talk about, in a story format. (These will be your slide deck titles)

Add any supporting details under each point.

Use the Pyramid Principle to make better arguments

Aim for 10 slides of less, and one insight per slide

Add your cover slide and a closing slide with a CTA

Open your slide deck software and pick 1-2 fonts (Don’t use a deck template)

Choose 3 colors (Primary, neutral, and accent)

Layout your slides using 1-4 columns

Use accent or primary colors for your most important slides

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What makes a good slide deck?

What is a Slide Deck? Everything You Need to Know!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

In my personal experience alone, I’ve seen people use very many different words including the word “Slide Deck” for a presentation. I always wondered what is the meaning of Slide Deck, and how is it different from other words commonly used to describe a presentation. So, I did a little research, and here’s what I found out!

A Slide Deck is a term assigned to a group of slides that together form a complete presentation. A slide deck is usually created using a presentation design application. A slide deck is often used as an aid for storytelling or presenting information about a topic or an organization.

But, how is a slide deck different from a slide show or a PowerPoint? In this article, we will understand the nuances of the various presentation terminologies used. Plus, I will also help you understand why is a slide deck really called a slide deck!

So, let’s get started.

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

What is a Slide Deck?

When it comes to describing a presentation, there are several words that are used. One word that is often used is a “Slide Deck”.

As mentioned above, a slide deck really is a collection of slides put together to form a presentation. A slide deck is used in many organizations to give an overview about their organization, to share strategies or plans, or showcase performance updates, or even just sharing a piece of interesting information about a topic. There are several use cases for a slide deck!

You may wonder, “Is slide deck not just the same as a presentation?”. If so, then why not just call it a presentation instead of a slide deck? Why use the term slide deck at all?

Pro Tip: All slide decks are presentations, but not all presentations can be classified as a slide deck!

A presentation is usually a much broader term. For instance, when you are displaying a physical product and verbally sharing nuggets of information about that product, it is still referred to as a presentation. More specifically, it is called a product presentation.

The key difference between a slide deck and presentation is that a presentation is an act of delivering information such as a speech or a talk. Whereas, a slide deck is the visual aid used while giving a presentation!

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, a slide deck and a presentation are actually two different terms!

Why is a Slide Deck called a Slide Deck? A Brief History!

The term slide deck evolved from an old technology that was used for projecting the slides on the wall. A physical 35 mm slide was inserted into a carousel slide projector . All the slides that were used during a presentation were collectively known as a slide deck (as in a deck of cards).

The term “slide deck” stuck around and became synonymous with a presentation even after the technology evolved . Thus, even today, many people refer to a presentation as a slide deck.

If you are wondering how this projector really worked, then you would be amazed to know that each model came with slots for 40 or 80 slides that could be inserted at a time.

Each slide would be placed upside down and backward in terms of the chronological order so that the image projected is in the correct orientation and order. The slide themselves were usually photographs and not much could be done on the slide.

Difference Between Slide Deck and Slide Show?

Another term that people often use interchangeably is a slide deck and a slide show.

A slide deck is the group of slides used to create a presentation. However, when these slides are displayed or shown to an audience while giving a presentation, the process is known as a slide show.

In other words, a slide deck is usually a presentation file whereas a slide show is a process of showing the contents of that file to an audience.

Slide Deck vs PowerPoint: What’s the Difference?

I’ve also seen people get confused between a slide deck and PowerPoint. Again, these are also another set of terms that are used interchangeably. But, there is a difference.

As mentioned before, a slide deck is usually a group of slides collectively put together to give a presentation. The term slide deck has existed even years before PowerPoint was introduced. As we learned above, a slide deck was initially used to describe the batch of physical slides used in a projector.

PowerPoint, on the other hand, is a presentation design software. Unlike a slide or a presentation, PowerPoint is actually a program that is used for designing a slide or creating a presentation.

As the technology evolved and a computer started to have more computing power, complex applications were designed to enable the ease of leveraging technology.

Contrary to the common opinion, PowerPoint was not created by Microsoft. It was first released by Forethought Inc in 1987 initially only for Mac OS. However, Microsoft acquired PowerPoint 3 months after its initial release and rebranded it as Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is the Difference Between Slide Deck and a Pitch Deck?

Another term that you may hear often, especially in the more recent times, is a pitch deck. It is important to note that using the two interchangeably might not be the correct thing to do. Here’s why –

A slide deck is basically all the final slides put together to create a presentation. However, a pitch deck is a type of a slide deck created with a very specific purpose of pitching an idea or a business model to an investor with the intention of raising funds for implementing the idea.

In this era of start-ups and entrepreneurs, a pitch deck is quite common. In fact, every time an organization is looking to raise funds for the project or business, a pitch deck is required.

Simply put, a pitch deck can also be called a slide deck, but not all slide decks can be referred to as a pitch deck!

What is a PowerPoint Slide Deck?

There are multiple ways of creating a slide deck. As we learned earlier, traditionally a slide deck was created using actual physical slides.

As the technology evolved, sophisticated computer applications were used to create a slide deck. One such application is Microsoft PowerPoint.

A PowerPoint slide deck is a term used to describe a slide deck or a presentation that is created using Microsoft PowerPoint as the presentation design application. A PowerPoint slide deck usually consists of multiple slides put together to create a presentation.

That said, a PowerPoint slide deck is more commonly referred to as a “slide deck” or just “Presentation” as PowerPoint is not the only presentation design application available to a user.

What is a Slide Deck in Google Slides?

Although PowerPoint has been one of the most well-known and commonly used presentation design programs, another application that has been gaining in popularity amongst the users is Google Slides!

The idea of a slide deck in Google Slides is pretty much the same. When you put together all the final slides that are going to be used in a presentation using Google Slides, it is known as a slide deck in Google Slides.

If you are not sure what exactly is Google Slides and would like to understand this a bit more in detail, I’ve written a detailed post on this topic. Make sure you check it out! Click on the below link.

What is Google Slides? The ULTIMATE Guide!

How to Make a Slide Deck in PowerPoint?

If you are using PowerPoint, one of the things that you may often be asked to do at work is to make a slide deck in PowerPoint. But, how exactly do you do that? Let me try to answer this question.

Here’s how to make a slide deck in PowerPoint –

• Open a PowerPoint Presentation
• Create a structure for your content
• Create a Title Slide
• Design the Other Remaining Slides
• Use Images relevant to the content
• Add Animations and Transitions
• Create a Thank You Slide
• Save Your Slide Deck
• Share the File with your team

Honestly, this topic deserves a separate article in itself. Perhaps even a single article may not be complete enough to cover this topic.

How to Make a Good Slide Deck?

Let’s face it – most of us don’t want to come across as incompetent. Thus, making a good slide deck is almost always important. But, how exactly does one do that?

There are actually several things that you can do to make an attractive presentation. I actually wrote a detailed article on how to easily create a good slide deck. The tips that I share in that article are also relevant for beginners. So, make sure you check out that article as well! The link is mentioned below.

7 EASY tips that ALWAYS make your PPT presentation attractive (even for beginners)

More Helpful Resources –

• Should You Add Table of Contents in your Presentation?
• How to Give a Presentation When You Are Not Prepared?
• A Quick Guide to Using Animations and Transitions in PowerPoint

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Introducing Slide Deck 101: A Comprehensive Guide For You

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Are you tired of spending hours trying to create an effective slide deck for your next presentation? Look no further! Our skilled designers can help. We make presentations with awesome graphics and content that grabs attention. Perfect for business pitches, conferences, or sales talks . Let us help you make a presentation that stands out. Say goodbye to the stress of creating a slide deck and let our skilled designers take the reins. With our help, you can confidently step into your next presentation knowing that you have a top-notch one to back you up. Our comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know. Learn what a slide deck is, the different types, design principles, get tips on slide design, and more!

What is a Slide Deck?

A slide deck is a collection of slides for presentations, often used in business or education. In business, it's often also called a pitch deck and the presenter uses it to present new ideas or plans to investors. It includes attractive slides with important info, data, and images to grab the audience's attention. Simply put, it's a visual tool that supports the spoken part of a presentation. There are different types and we’ll learn about them in the next section.

Types of Slide Decks

Slide decks are powerful tools for delivering information in a visually engaging way. Whether it's for business, education, or marketing, the right slide design can make a big difference in how people receive your message. Here's a look at 10 different types, each tailored for specific presentations and needs.

1. Pitch Decks

Perfect for business presentations, the presenter may use a pitch deck to introduce new ideas or plans to investors. They are concise, focused, and designed to persuade.

2. Sales Decks

These are key in sales presentations . They highlight product benefits, pricing, and why it's a great choice for the customer.

3. Educational Decks

People use these in teaching and workshops. They have clear, easy-to-understand information to help people learn.

4. Corporate Decks

Organisations use these decks to share company news, overviews, or yearly reports .

5. Conference Decks

These help experts talk about their knowledge at events. They're interesting and focus on specific topics.

6. Marketing Decks

Used in marketing, these decks show off plans, campaigns, and what they achieved, all in an attractive package.

7. Project Proposal Decks

When you want to start any new projects, use project proposal decks. They explain your goals, plans, and what you hope to achieve.

8. Financial Report Decks

Used for presenting financial data like earnings or forecasts. They make complex data understandable.

9. Product Demo Decks

These are great for introducing new products. They spotlight what the product does and why it's good.

10. Storytelling Decks

Less about data, these are used to tell a story, often more narratively and engagingly.

The right design can improve your presentations, making them more impactful and memorable. Whether you're pitching an idea or teaching a class, there's a type that's just right for your needs.

Slide Deck and PowerPoint Presentation - What's the Difference?

Though often used the same way, there's a small difference between a slide deck and a PowerPoint presentation. A slide deck is a collection of slides made with any presentation software, and it helps in giving a talk.

But, a PowerPoint presentation means the designer used Microsoft PowerPoint to create it. The big difference is the software used. You can create slide decks with different presentation design software such as Google Slides, Keynote, or Prezi. This gives you more choices in design and features. Using PowerPoint means sticking to what that program can do. Knowing this can help you make your presentation better, fitting what you need and like.

Slide Deck Vs. Slideshow - Are There Any Similarities?

When it comes to giving presentations, slide decks, and slideshows are both key in showing information visually to people. They sound similar, but they're a bit different.

A slide deck is a bunch of slides you plan to show one after another. You can make them using programs like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. A slideshow, though, is when you show these slides to people, like in a meeting or a class. You can enhance a slideshow by using animations, transitions, and timings in each slide.

How to Create Slide Decks?

Creating an impressive slide deck is key to nailing your presentations. Whether it's for a corporate deck or a classroom lecture, a well-designed one can make a big difference. Here's how to do it:

1. Understand Your Audience

Know who you are presenting to. This helps tailor your slide deck design to their interests and needs, making your presentation more engaging.

2. Define Your Message

Be clear about what you want to say. A focused message helps keep your presentation on track and your audience tuned in.

3. Choose a Simple Design

A cluttered slide deck can distract your audience. Use simple designs and colors that make your slides look professional and easy to read.

4. Use Visuals Wisely

Images, charts, and graphs can make your slide design more interesting. But use them wisely – too many visuals can be overwhelming.

5. Keep Text Minimal

Avoid cramming too much text into your slides. Use bullet points to make key points stand out.

6. Tell a Story

People remember stories. Use your slide deck to tell a story that connects with your audience, especially in corporate deck presentations.

7. Practice Your Delivery

Knowing your content well helps you deliver a smoother presentation. Practice beforehand to get comfortable with your presentation.

8. Get Feedback

Before the final presentation, show your slide deck to someone else. Feedback can help you improve and refine your design and content.

It's important to note that an effective slide deck is more than just slides – it's a tool that, when designed and used correctly, can greatly enhance your presentations. By following these steps, you can create one that not only looks good but also communicates your message clearly and effectively.

Important Slide Deck Design Principles You Need To Know

Creating a strong and impactful slide deck is essential for effective presentations. Understanding key design principles is crucial for making yours stand out. Here's a rundown of important design principles you should know:

a. Consistency in Design

A consistent design keeps your slide deck looking professional. Use the same fonts, colors, and layouts throughout. This not only makes your presentation impactful but also helps in maintaining a cohesive look.

b. Visual Hierarchy

Your slide layouts should guide the audience's attention to the most important parts. Arrange elements in a way that leads the eye from the most to the least important information. This hierarchy makes your presentation easy to follow.

c. Color and Typography

The right combination of colors and fonts can make your slide deck lively and engaging. A colorful presentation attracts attention, but remember to keep the contrast high for readability. Choose fonts that are easy to read and fit your presentation's tone.

d. Using Images and Graphics

Well-chosen images and graphics can enhance your message. They help you create a more dynamic and visually appealing presentation. Make sure the visuals are relevant and support your content.

e. Incorporating Data and Charts

When presenting data, use charts and graphs for clear data visualisation. They help in making complex information easier to understand. Ensure that these visual elements are simple and not overloaded with data.

In short, knowing these design principles is important for making good presentations. They help your slides look nice and get your point across clearly. A well-designed one can impact how people see and remember what you present.

Design Tips for Better Slide Decks

Designing a great slide deck can be a game-changer for your presentations. Here are 10 simple tips to help your slides stand out and leave a lasting impression:

• Keep It Simple: Avoid clutter. Use clean layouts and minimal text for clarity.
• Consistent Theme: Stick to one theme throughout for a cohesive look.
• Contrasting Colors: Use colors that stand out against each other for easy reading.
• Readable Fonts: Choose large, clear fonts so everyone can read your slides easily.
• Quality Images: Use high-resolution images that relate to your content.
• Limit Bullet Points: Too many bullet points can overwhelm your audience. Stick to key points.
• Use Charts Wisely: Charts are great for explaining data, but keep them simple.
• Engage with Stories: Use storytelling elements to make your content more engaging.
• Slide Deck Templates: Consider using slide deck templates for a professional start when creating your slide deck.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse prior to presenting to ensure smooth delivery.

Remember, the goal here is to support your message, not overshadow it. With these tips, you can create one that’s both effective and memorable.

Get Premium Slide Deck Design with Deck Sherpa

After reading through "Slide Deck 101," you now know how to create a great one. But if it's still tough or you want to do even better, Deck Sherpa can help. We're a top agency for creating unique presentation design  for all kinds of businesses, both locally and globally. Our skilled designers are ready to turn your ideas into reality. We make sure your presentations look amazing and share your message well. Need a standout slide deck for a big business meeting, a school talk, or a sales pitch? Deck Sherpa is here to help. Get in touch with the team, and let's make your next presentation one that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Your audience is waiting for something great – let's create it together! You can email - [email protected] , call - 1800 121 5955 (India), or even WhatsApp , to speak to someone from the team.

Slide Deck FAQs

Q. Why do people call it a 'slide deck' ? A. People call it a slide deck because it's like a deck of cards; each slide is a different "card" with information, presented in order. Q. What does a good slide deck look like? A. A good slide deck is clear, visually appealing, and concise. It has easy-to-read text, relevant images, and a consistent design. Q. How many slides should a slide deck have? A. The number of slides in a slide deck depends on the topic and presentation length, but generally, it should be as concise as possible. A standard presentation contains around 10-20 slides.

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Presentation Deck Meaning: What is a PPT deck?

The easiest way to understand the presentation deck meaning is that it is a set of slides put together in the form of a presentation, usually for business purposes but also often used in other areas like academic environments or public speaking events. The term “deck” derives from the old analog technology by which a physical set of semitransparent slides (the deck) was placed inside a projector that shone light throw them. That is the root of the slide deck meaning.

These old projectors were later replaced by presentation software and digital projectors, but the term stuck. Microsoft PowerPoint has been one of the most widely known presentation deck tools since its release in 1987. Since then, a deck presentation has almost been a synonym for a PowerPoint deck.

A PPT deck quickly became the industry standard to present information due to Microsoft’s mainstream commercial success in the following decades. Apple products were still considered to target a niche in the market then, and their slide deck software, Keynote, would never harness the massive popularity of PowerPoint decks.

A Power Point deck is one of the most effective ways to navigate different topics, from all-hands meetings to investor presentations. The human brain struggles to remember a lengthy or complicated topic when you are presenting. In equal measure, your audience needs smaller bites of information they can process more easily and effectively.

A slide deck is also one of the most popular ways to introduce a business in a fundraising process in what’s commonly known as a pitch deck, or investor deck. These 15-20 slide decks help tell the story of startups and small businesses, what their value proposition is, and what their companies expect to achieve by raising money.

You can check out our pitch deck templates gallery here.

Regardless of the topic for which it is used, a deck presentation should follow storytelling best practices:

• It should tell a story in a way that makes it easy for the audience to understand and follow
• A good presentation deck typically builds momentum toward the last third of the slides, usually called the climax of your presentation
• Slides on your deck should not tell everything you wish to communicate. The focus should always be on you and the valuable information outside the presentation you possess
• The best decks are the ones that help guide the speaker but don’t get in the way of their message. One could argue that the slides are mainly for the sake of the presenter
• When it comes to slide deck presentations, less is definitely more. The more visual and concise the slides are, the better

Hopefully, this short guide will help you understand the deck presentation meaning and will work as a starting point to build your next presentation.

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A pitch book is a document that describes a company's business. It provides current and historical financial data, projections, assets, and company transactions.

Comprising 10-20 slides, a pitch presentation highlights key aspects like the business model, traction, and roadmap. This guide outlines the essential structure of a pitch deck, including sections like introduction, status quo, product, market, why us, and the ask. It emphasizes the importance of narrating your company's story, persuading investors of its profitability, and achieving this within 4 minutes.

This is a functional model you can use to create your own formulas and project your potential business growth. Instructions on how to use it are on the front page.

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🗣️ Active participation An interactive slide deck gives your audience cool things to click on and discover, boosting learning and engagement.

👂 Multi-sensory experience Audio, video, animations, and mouse interactions make your content immersive, entertaining and accessible.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 People-friendly format Pop-ups and embeds condense more material into fewer slides so you can break information down into digestible chunks.


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What’s an interactive presentation?

Interactive slides contain clickable hotspots, links, buttons, and animations that are activated at the touch of a button. Instead of reading or watching passively, your audience can actively interact with the content.  

Genially’s interaction presentation software allows you to combine text, photos, video clips, audio and other content in one deck. It’s a great way to condense more information into fewer slides. 

If you’re a teacher, you can share multiple materials in one single learning resource. Students can create their own projects using digital media and online maps. For business or training, try embedding spreadsheet data, PDFs, and online content directly in your slides. 

An interactive slide deck is more user-friendly than a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation or Google Slides document. That’s because you can break information down into chunks with pop-ups, labels, voiceovers and annotated infographics.  

The other benefit of interactive content is increased engagement. It’s easier to keep your audience’s attention when they’re actively participating. Try Genially’s presentation software and free slideshow maker to see how it’s better than other presentation websites. You won’t go back to standard presentation apps!

How do you make a clickable slide?

The best way to make slides clickable is to use Genially’s free interactive presentation program. Design your slide then apply an interaction. In a couple of clicks, you can add popup windows, hyperlinks, close-up images, games, animations, multimedia and other content. 

Choose from the library of hotspot buttons and icons to show people what to click on. Go to Presenter View to get a preview and see how your content will appear to your audience.

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You’ve got a deadline looming and you’re staring at the screen with a blank presentation. We’ve all been there! Starting a presentation design from scratch is tricky, especially if you’re short on time. 

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How can I create an effective pitch deck for my conference presentation?

July 9, 2024 /

Creating an effective pitch deck for your conference presentation involves several key steps to ensure your message is clear, engaging, and persuasive. Here are some practical tips to help you craft a compelling pitch deck:

• Understand Your Audience : Tailor your content to the interests and needs of your audience. Research their background, industry, and what they value most. This will help you create a presentation that resonates with them.
• Clear Structure : Organize your pitch deck with a logical flow. Start with a strong introduction that captures attention, followed by a clear problem statement, your solution, market opportunity, business model, and end with a compelling conclusion or call to action.
• Visual Appeal : Use high-quality visuals to support your message. This includes professional graphics, charts, and images that enhance understanding and retention. Avoid clutter and ensure each slide is visually balanced.
• Concise Content : Keep text to a minimum. Use bullet points and short sentences to convey key points. Your slides should complement your verbal presentation, not duplicate it.
• Engaging Storytelling : Weave a narrative throughout your presentation. Stories are memorable and can make complex information more relatable. Highlight real-world examples or case studies to illustrate your points.
• Practice Delivery : Rehearse your presentation multiple times. This will help you become more familiar with the content, improve your timing, and boost your confidence. Consider recording yourself to identify areas for improvement.
• Feedback and Refinement : Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors and be open to constructive criticism. Use their insights to refine your pitch deck and make it more effective.

By focusing on these elements, you can create a pitch deck that not only captures attention but also effectively communicates your message and persuades your audience. For those looking for a polished and professional touch, collaborating with experts in presentation design can make a significant difference in the impact of your pitch deck.

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How to Craft Memorable and Effective Slide Decks

• July 23, 2024
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless variations of sales presentations and struggling to create impactful, memorable content for your pitches, then you are not alone!

Imagine discovering the unexpected secret behind creating impactful sales presentations. It’s not just about the content, but the science of how our brains process, retain, and act on that information. But that’s not all. There’s a powerful link between sales and marketing that can revolutionize your approach. If you want to uncover this game-changing insight, then keep your eyes peeled because the secret to unlocking more sales success is about to be revealed. Stay tuned for the surprising revelation that will transform your sales game forever.

Have you heard the myths about sales presentation design? Let’s debunk three of them. But hold on, I won’t reveal the strategy just yet. Stay tuned for the truth.

This is Tom Martin’s story:

Tom Martin’s journey into sales presentation design was born out of adversity. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina resulted in the loss of his agency’s clients and his business, propelling him into a quest to comprehend why people forget 90% of a presentation within two days. This eye-opening realization became the catalyst for Tom’s deep dive into the science of how the human brain processes and retains information. His passion for understanding the intricacies of impactful communication was ignited by the need to empower himself and his clients in pitching scenarios. Tom’s narrative-style story draws the reader in, painting a vivid picture of his determination to unravel the secrets of crafting truly unforgettable presentations.

In this episode of The Modern Selling Podcast, Tom Martin, the founder of Converse Digital , provides valuable insights on sales presentation design and delivery. He shares how his background in the agency business led him to understand the importance of creating digitally centric business development programs. The conversation dives into the challenges of traditional slide deck presentations, emphasizing the need for a shift towards more interactive and engaging approaches.

The best slide deck should be invisible. I shouldn’t remember your slide deck. I should remember you and what you said. – Tom Martin

With years of experience in the agency business, Tom’s expertise extends to business development and prospecting . He’s the author of “The Invisible Sale” and has a passion for teaching individuals and organizations how to create digitally centric business development programs. Tom’s background and achievements make him a valuable source of insights on sales presentation design and delivery, offering a unique perspective on how to turn conversations into customers.

Tom’s expertise shines through as he discusses the cognitive limitations of the human brain and the significance of concise messaging in sales presentations. With an eye-opening stat revealing that audiences forget 90% of presented information within two days, regardless of presentation length, Tom delves into the science behind memory retention.

His practical tips and strategies for creating impactful and memorable sales pitches make this episode a must-listen for sales professionals seeking to enhance their presentation skills and deliver more effective pitches. With Tom’s expertise and actionable insights, this episode offers a compelling exploration of challenges and opportunities in sales presentation design and delivery, providing valuable guidance for creating more engaging and impactful sales presentations.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Craft compelling sales presentations that captivate your audience and drive results.
• Elevate your sales pitch decks with effective strategies to leave a lasting impression.
• Enhance memory retention in your presentations to ensure your message sticks with your prospects.
• Integrate sales and marketing seamlessly to create powerful, cohesive presentations.
• Master techniques for delivering sales pitches with confidence and poise.

You can watch the video for this podcast episode here:

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:09 – Introduction to Vengreso and FlyMSG

00:00:48 – Sales Presentation Design

00:01:17 – Tom Martin’s Background and Converse Digital

00:05:13 – Revealing a Juicy Secret

00:09:56 – The Challenge of Slide Deck Presentations

00:12:36 – The Science of Presentation

00:14:22 – Biological Limitations

00:17:36 – The Three T’s

00:19:31 – Show Up and Throw Up Syndrome

00:23:09 – The 10% Slide

00:25:21 – Improving Slide Decks

00:26:14 – Persuasive Presentations

00:28:15 – Uncomfortable Sales Engineer

00:31:24 – Training for Presentation Skills

00:37:00 – Standardizing Sales Decks

00:39:37 – Understanding Salespeople’s Needs

00:40:15 – Embracing Salespeople’s Preferences

00:43:56 – Leveraging Website and Follow-up

00:47:39 – Aligning Sales and Marketing

00:49:31 – Favorite Movie and Personal Insight

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:09 – Introduction to Vengreso and FlyMSG Mario Martinez Jr. introduces himself as the CEO and founder of Vengreso and creator of FlyMSG.io. The podcast aims to help sales professionals grow their sales numbers at scale.

00:00:48 – Sales Presentation Design Mario introduces Tom Martin as the founder of Converse Digital and discusses the topic of sales presentation design. They emphasize the importance of effective sales presentations for driving business growth.

00:01:17 – Tom Martin’s Background and Converse Digital Tom shares his background in the agency business and the founding of Converse Digital. He discusses the evolution of the agency’s focus on social selling and digitally centric business development programs.

00:05:13 – Revealing a Juicy Secret Tom shares a fun fact about appearing on the Food Network’s “Food 911” show hosted by Tyler Florence, where he made up a dish to be featured on the show. This showcases his creativity and storytelling skills.

00:09:56 – The Challenge of Slide Deck Presentations Tom discusses the challenge of slide deck presentations and how research shows that audiences forget 90% of the content within two days. This insight prompts his exploration of the science behind effective presentation strategies.

00:12:36 – The Science of Presentation Tom Martin discusses the lack of training in writing effective PowerPoint presentations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how the brain processes and retains information in verbal presentations.

00:14:22 – Biological Limitations Tom explains the biological limitations of memory retention and the impact of presentation design on information processing. He highlights the significance of building presentations scientifically to improve information retention.

00:17:36 – The Three T’s Tom identifies time, talent, and training as the reasons for poor sales presentations. He emphasizes the need for concise messaging and separating signal from noise in presentations.

00:19:31 – Show Up and Throw Up Syndrome Tom discusses the challenges of fast-paced environments and the lack of concise messaging in sales presentations. He emphasizes the importance of training and investing in workshops to improve presentation quality.

00:23:09 – The 10% Slide Tom highlights the importance of being able to present the main idea of a presentation in one slide. He also discusses the role of time in determining the number of slides in a presentation and the importance of building the slide deck with the main message in mind.

00:25:21 – Improving Slide Decks Tom discusses how they improved a 35-slide deck to 18 more impactful slides, resulting in a tighter elevator speech and clearer client benefits.

00:26:14 – Persuasive Presentations Tom explains the science behind persuasive presentations, including how hesitation words can impact credibility and how tense affects persuasiveness.

00:28:15 – Uncomfortable Sales Engineer Mario shares a story of an uncomfortable sales engineer resorting to vaping during a challenging sales discussion, illustrating the impact of confidence on sales presentations.

00:31:24 – Training for Presentation Skills Tom emphasizes the importance of training in handling challenging questions, buying time, and using content to build credibility and trust in sales presentations.

00:37:00 – Standardizing Sales Decks Mario and Tom discuss the challenges of customizing sales decks for each customer and the need for standardization to avoid multiple versions and ensure consistency in messaging.

00:39:37 – Understanding Salespeople’s Needs Tom emphasizes the importance of providing salespeople with the slides they need. He discusses the value of listening to salespeople and creating custom slides to meet their needs, rather than forcing them to use generic slides.

00:40:15 – Embracing Salespeople’s Preferences Tom discusses how salespeople prefer to have ready-made slides that they can easily use, rather than creating slide decks themselves. He shares a success story of a biotech client who saw fantastic results by providing their salespeople with the slides they needed.

00:43:56 – Leveraging Website and Follow-up The conversation shifts to the importance of salespeople knowing how to use the website to direct prospects and using follow-up messages effectively. Tom highlights the value of behavioral emails and using content to drive prospecting and sales.

00:47:39 – Aligning Sales and Marketing Tom emphasizes the need for alignment between sales and marketing, with a focus on creating deep, valuable content for salespeople to use. He shares a success story of using content to effectively prospect and close sales, emphasizing the power of combining sales and marketing efforts.

00:49:31 – Favorite Movie and Personal Insight The conversation ends with a lighthearted discussion about Tom’s favorite movie, “Dead Poets Society,” and a humorous anecdote about salsa dancing.

Sales Presentation Design and Delivery

In this episode of The Modern Selling Podcast, Tom Martin, the founder of Converse Digital, shares his expertise on sales presentation design and delivery. Drawing from his background in the agency business, Tom emphasizes the need for a shift towards more interactive and engaging approaches in sales presentations. He discusses the cognitive limitations of the human brain, highlighting the importance of concise messaging and the science behind memory retention. With practical tips and strategies, Tom offers valuable insights for sales professionals looking to enhance their presentation skills and deliver more effective pitches.

Enhance Your Professional Presentations

The episode provides a compelling exploration of challenges and opportunities in sales presentation design and delivery, making it essential listening for those seeking to create impactful and memorable sales pitches. Tom’s expertise and actionable insights offer valuable guidance for improving engagement and memory retention in the sales process , making this episode a must-listen for sales professionals and organizations looking to enhance their presentation skills.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Connect with Tom Martin on LinkedIn by searching for Tom Martin at Converse Digital and send a message mentioning that you heard him on the Modern Selling Podcast.
• Visit the Converse Digital website and fill out the contact form to get in touch with Tom Martin and his team for sales presentation and content marketing expertise.
• Download FlyMSG for free to save 20 hours or more in a month and increase your productivity with a text expander and personal writing assistant.
• Leave a 5-star rating and review for The Modern Selling Podcast on iTunes to show your support and help others discover the valuable content.
• Watch Dead Poets Society, Tom Martin’s all-time favorite movie, for a memorable and inspiring experience.

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Improving Clarity and Engagement in Presentations

Improving Clarity and Engagement in Presentations

Whether in the academic or professional landscape, effective presentations can make you stand out from others. In this regard, clarity and increasing engagement can further enhance the effectiveness of your presentations. They can help you gain viewers' praise and trust.

Well, crafting an engaging and clear presentation is not as easy as it sounds. It requires more than just making generic slides. You have to adapt strategic and professional approaches to make your presentation content more influential and attention-grabbing.

In this article, we will walk you through some best-working practices that can make you master creating appealing and comprehensible presentations. Therefore, continue reading this article till the end, and don't miss out on anything. Ready to learn those effective techniques? Let's get started.

Know Your Audience

Remember, you cannot estimate the extent to which you should simplify your presentation content without knowing your audience. If you are unfamiliar with potential listeners, you might oversimplify your content or create extra complexities. That's why you should dive deeper into the target audience.

Know their educational background and knowledge level about the topic you are going to present. Figure out what problems they expect you to address and what their understanding level is. All these things together help you create an engaging and relevant presentation tailored to the audience.

Organize The Details

If you want your audience to digest your presentation easily, you should organize your content in a logical flow. This produces consistency and coherence in the ideas you want to convey. Also, decently flowing information keeps the audience engaged and curious about the next details.

To arrange details better, create a comprehensive outline that clearly shows where to start, what to say in the middle, and where to end. Structuring your presentation allows you to divide the entire information into easily deliverable and comprehensible knowledge.

Include Valuable Data

Include valuable data in your presentation to make your audience curious to learn while you present the topic. This not only keeps people engaged but also shows your expertise and command of the topic. Therefore, enrich your content with helpful insights that are capable of making a mark on minds.

For this purpose, conduct detailed research on your topic and find the stats, figures, expert quotes, and other statistics that can back your points. In this regard, make sure that the data you include is authentic and from credible sources. You can also mention the sources to enhance your credibility.

Keep Things Concise

If you have already made a presentation, you should know that you can include specific details due to limited space. That's why don't overfill the slides with unnecessary data. Rather, mention only the information that matters the most and add to the value of your work.

When preparing your presentation, first note the ideas and concepts that are most important to discuss. Then, state each of them using as few words as possible. Avoid overexplanations and try to stay to the point. The more concise your content is, the more it becomes understandable.

Use Simple Language

Simplicity is the key to clarity. Keep your presentation content easy to understand by using simple language. Complications might ruin the effectiveness of your work. So, use the most appropriate words and phrases to best define the ideas. Well, if you struggle to brainstorm the right words, don't worry.

To come up with the right words, you can capitalize on an efficient paraphraser . With an online paraphrasing tool, you can generate distinct versions of your presentation content, each with varied word choices. Then, you can easily choose the variant that has the easiest words and phrases.

Add Stunning Visuals

High-quality, relevant visuals can elevate the engagement of your presentation significantly. They help the audience consume the content without getting bored. That's why you should make sure that every slide has a stunning picture that reflects the theme of the information placed on it.

For this purpose, you have different choices. You can include infographics , visual charts, illustrations, and meaningful photography. Moreover, you can create or source such visuals easily, as many online graphic editing tools and stock image platforms are available on the internet.

Use Elegant Design

The design you use to visualize your data matters greatly to keeping your audience engaged. A decent visualization also makes your content more accessible. That's why your presentation's design should be highly captivating and contribute to enhancing overall clarity and engagement.

Also, the design should be consistent across all slides. Don't use varying design elements in different slides, as they look unprofessional and create a mess in your presentation. You can find hundreds of elegant presentation templates on the Internet with consistent designs.

Include Transitions

Another way to make your presentation fun to view is by adding transitions to your slides. The right transitions further enhance the interactiveness of the visuals included in each slide. A transition can be added between two slides and to each design element used in the presentation.

By using them wisely, you can make particular text, images, or graphical elements appear before others. It allows you to chronologically display the details on the screen. The moving effect that transitions create in presentations makes the audience stick to your presentation.

Proofread All Data

Remember, minor mistakes can create major problems for your presentation. From lowering your credibility to ruining engagement and clarity, the inaccuracies can have multiple consequences. Therefore, when you finish your work, make sure you proofread all the data carefully.

While reviewing the content, look for information and lingual flaws. Read every point attentively and ensure that it is correct both grammatically and factually. By all means, your proofreading should aim to make your presentation completely free from every type of error.

To put it in a nutshell, improving engagement and clarity in your presentation is easy if you know the right practices. For your convenience, we have stated above nine proven strategies to make your presentation more appealing and understandable. We hope that you have gone through all of them and will apply them whenever you need to create a compelling presentation.

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Improving Clarity and Engagement in Presentations Whether in the academic

Include valuable data include valuable data in your presentation to, for this purpose, you have different choices. you can include.

20 Deck-Building Secrets From a Pro

These useful tips from a pro will help you build faster, better, and more safely.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

While those are good topics, they are only half the discussion. The other half of deck building surrounds the working knowledge that you gain through experience–either your own or the experience of a carpenter who has built a large number of decks.

This brings us to Mark Clement, a carpenter, deck builder, remodeler, contributor to our website and magazine, and co-proprietor with his wife Theresa of the website myfixituplife.com .

I spent a couple of days deck building with Mark and my takeaway is that there are dozens of insider tips and tricks that propel the job forward efficiently. Mark is a fountain of these, and they come pouring out of him so rapidly that I felt like my notebook, pen, and phone were going to smoke as I tried to record them.

Here are some of what we covered over those days while building a deck slightly above grade.

1. Setup a Command Station

You’re going to need a large, flat surface to keep power tool batteries charged, sort through hardware, look over your plans or cut list. This is your command station. It doesn’t need to be anything more than a piece of plywood on a pair of sawhorses.

2. Crosscut Downhill

In the course of building even a small deck, you could make a hundred or at least several dozen crosscuts, on various types of lumber. Use a miter saw wherever you can, for safety, speed, and accuracy. But in other cases, get comfortable with traditional carpentry methods. One method is to support lumber on your left foot so it slopes downhill, and make the cut with your right hand. Cordless rear handle circular saws and corded worm gear circular saws excel at these. Note: All carpentry cuts with a circular saw are inherently dangerous. Pay careful attention where that blade is relative to your left foot and left hand.

3. Master Your Trash

Deck building creates an unbelievable amount of trash: lumber offcuts, packaging, lunch wrappers. You name it. Keep a large trash can handy and a roll of contractor-grade bags in the bottom of the can so that you can replenish them as needed. Keep one of these cans near the miter saw station. Put scraps from the saw directly into the trash can. Master your trash, and you can spend less time concentrating on cleanup and more on carpentry.

4. Make a Recycling Center

Building a deck also creates recyclable waste: clean paper, cardboard, aluminum, and steel scraps that may need to be separated and recycled separately. A cardboard box makes a handy recycling container. Steel nails, screws, bolts, brackets, or thick pieces of aluminum can go in here too, but they will probably have to be recycled separately through your municipality’s recycling center. The box itself can be recycled after the project is complete.

5. Lock Pavers in Place

It's not unusual for decks and deck stairs to abut concrete pavers. Mark showed me a great way to hold pavers firmly in place: Use a piece of pressure-treated lumber (rated for ground contact) to form a curb, drill a hole through the lumber and into the pavers with a masonry bit, then lock the two together with a masonry screw.

You make a lot of measurements building a deck, but not always in a manner where you can hook the tape on the end of a piece of lumber. You’ll notice that the hook of a typical tape measure has a thin slot in it. This is to allow you to hook the tape to a screw or the head of a roofing nail. Place the screw or nail where needed, hook on and measure.

7. Use a Post Protector

Pressure-treated lumber, even that rated for ground contact, can use some help. That help comes in the form of plastic sleeves called a Post Protector . It prevents ground-to-post contact. Why are these necessary? Because as good as pressure treatment is, not every post leaves the facility perfectly treated. We admit that the sleeves are expensive. On the other hand, replacing a post that’s prematurely rotting is even more expensive.

8. Use Homemade L Brackets

When Mark first told us about his method of single-handedly installing guard rail posts, we were doubtful about it—until we saw how rapidly it speeds the process. It seems to us that these temporary L brackets made from lath more than make up for their construction and installation. Butt the bracket up to the post, plumb the post and lock the post in place by driving a small screw through the bracket into the post and into the rim joist.

9. Block Critters

It’s a deck to you but, to a critter, it’s a cozy hideaway. Especially when building a deck at or slightly above grade, you need to keep critters out with some artfully placed wire mesh. The more thorough you are with this, the more likely that you’ll have peace with critters.

10. Mark the Door

People have been severely injured stepping out a back door after the deck has been removed. Block access to the door leading to the deck, keep the door locked, and mark the storm door with caution tape. Whether you arrange the tape in a smiley face is up to you.

11. Plan on Peripherals

As Mark likes to say, “A deck effects every part of the house.” With that in mind, plan on what you’re going to do with gutter downspouts, air conditioning equipment, and roof drain bubblers—to name a few of the common things that may be affected by the deck’s construction. There may also be buried wires for lighting or outdoor outlets, gas pipe for a grill, or a building sewer exactly where you were planning to put a post footing. This compressor-condenser was later lifted up and reinstalled, resting on the deck.

12. Shoot Fasteners

Most of us don’t swing a framing hammer everyday. If you’re building a deck, it pays to buy a pneumatic framing nailer or rent one. It makes for a more precisely-driven fastener, can shave hours off the job, and at the end of the day, your forearms will thank you. If you don’t think you’ll use the nailer again, sell it after you're done.

13. Shoot Fasteners Safely

Ask anybody who works with a framing nailer and they will tell you that they’ve had a close call with the tool. The most basic safety procedure is to keep your lumber-holding hand far enough back so that a mis-driven can’t possibly hit it. Holding the lumber on the side immediately opposite the gun is asking for a nail driven straight into your hand.

14. Run Long and Mark

It’s more accurate and more efficient to take an overly long piece of lumber, set it place and mark its cut length directly. Remember to cut on the outside of the cutline, otherwise the piece will be short by the width of the saw blade.

15. Wherever Possible, Use Power Lags

There are five types of connections used on decks: nails, screws, bolts, nails and hangers, and lag screws. Mark is a particular fan of Power Lags , a well-known and well-regarded construction screw by the German manufacturer Spax. These German-engineered and US-made fasteners are used in wood-to-wood connections, and they won me over in the course of our construction project. Although I have used them on small projects and repairs, and have also use them to test power tools such as impact drivers, I have never used them as extensively as I did on the last project. Power Lags meet many code requirements (check your local code) and are easy driving, without a pilot hole. Bonus: they’re faster than bolting. Unless your code requires a bolted connection, consider Power Lags.

16. Anticipate Fastener Placement

There are many instances in deck construction where lumber is fastened in layers or at corners where previous fasteners may block the next round of fasteners. Always consider when fastening whether a fastener that comes later in the sequence will be blocked by the one you just drove.

17. Start Square, Stay Square: Brace

A great way to keep a deck square as you build it is to use diagonal bracing made from 5/16-inch x 1-1/2-inch–wide wood lath (a bundle of 50 costs about $32). It’s inexpensive insurance that what starts out square stays that way as the project proceeds.

18. Build Rugged Post Pockets

The last place you want to skimp on lumber is where a post is socketed into the deck frame. Cut and fit blocking so that there’s little wiggle room.

19. Store Deck Hardware in a Plastic Tub

Important hardware can disappear into the grass, fall behind lumber, get buried under sawdust, or get soaked by rain or sprinklers. Keep all of your deck hardware (and there is a lot to keep track of) in a large plastic tub with a lid. The hardware will be cooler to handle if you keep the tub in the shade. When you withdraw some hardware, remember to put the lid back on.

20. Support Joists on Lath Blocks

You can hold joists temporarily in place by screwing a short block of lath to the top of the joist. This is a particularly valuable workaround when you’re working by yourself, but it’s handy even if you have helpers. Situate all your joists, place your hangers and nail them off or fasten them with screws. Remove the lath block.

Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.

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11 Best Presentation Deck Templates for Startups in 2024

Written by: Orana Velarde

Startups are always on the lookout for new opportunities to share their ideas with the world. In order to do this, many rely on presentation decks as a way of showcasing what their startup is all about.

From pitch decks to find angel investors, to quarterly reports to share with the team, presentation deck templates are in high demand .

A boring and dull presentation will not just bore an audience , it will also kill a startup’s opportunities. It’s much better to show an idea creatively than just how everyone else has done it before. 

For that reason, we’ve put together the 11 best presentation deck templates for startups. They are all available inside the Visme template library.

If you’re still using PowerPoint, it’s time to take a step back and try something new! But if for some reason you cannot, all these examples can easily be used as business pitch PowerPoint templates. Open one in Visme and download it as a PowerPoint file. We still believe you’ll have a better experience with Visme.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit presentation deck templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

Pitch Deck Templates

The most common presentation decks for startups are pitch decks. These are a set of slides that introduce the company and incite investors to fund further growth.

In a pitch deck, a startup needs to showcase their idea and their vision in a way with inspires and incites action from the viewer.

These Visme pitch deck templates are inspired by real-life pitch decks used by startups which are now big companies. Try these business pitch PowerPoint templates for your next presentation deck design.

1. Presentation Deck Template Inspired by AirBnb’s Pitch Deck

The design for this presentation deck was inspired by one of AirBnb’s first pitch decks . It has been featured in many articles and roundups about the best pitch decks in startup history. The slides follow a minimal layout with a fun color combination.

The facts are displayed in short and sweet snippets, making the information easy to grasp and understand.

Customize this presentation deck template and make it your own! Edit and Download

2. Presentation Deck Template Inspired by WeWork’s Pitch Deck

The WeWork pitch deck which inspired this presentation deck template is easily one of the most amazing sets of slides you’ve ever seen. They go through every step of growth for the startup, from the original idea to how they plan to take over the world.

Use this presentation deck template if you need lots of slides to show off your startup’s amazing idea. It covers financial data, geographic data, growth charts and much more.

3. Presentation Deck Template Inspired by SEOMoz’s Pitch Deck

This professional-style presentation deck template was inspired by a SEOMoz’s pitch deck. The slides have a minimal look and feel to them but cover large amounts of data.

The charts and data widgets visualize all sorts of information about the startup’s growth and how they plan to scale up even higher.

Use this template if your startup is already established and you have lots of data to display. These slides are inspiring and can take your startup to the next level.

Report Presentation Deck Templates

Every company needs a report deck to show investors or their board of directors. When making presentations, startups can get as creative as possible with their report slides.

Below is a collection of the best presentation deck templates for reports, from annual reports to market trends reports . 

4. Sales Report Presentation Deck Template

This Sales Report presentation deck template has just enough slides to showcase monthly and yearly sales percentages. The charts and data widgets can be duplicated to show other metrics unique to your startup.

With lots of white space, this sales report is easy to follow and will make a great impression during your meeting.

Start customizing this presentation template now!

• Add your own text, images and more
• Quickly change colors and fonts
• Add interactive buttons and animations
• Customize anything to fit your design and content needs

5. Market Trends Report Presentation Deck Template

Market trend studies are a key factor in getting to know your startup’s ideal client and how they consume products like yours. Showing your team about the market trend research will inspire them to work harder and better for a common goal.

This presentation deck template has 9 no-nonsense slides where you can easily show data and figures easy to use charts and data widgets.

6. Financial Report Deck Presentation Deck Template

Financial reports are essential when presenting your investors with the facts they want to know. A financial report deck can also double as a pitch deck or be part of a pitch deck. It concentrates solely on the company’s finances and the aspects related to it.

This financial report presentation deck template has 10 slides ready to be customized by your team to make them your own. This presentation deck will make your data beautiful .

7. Annual Report Presentation Deck Template

As soon as your first year is over, your startup needs an annual report .

Why not do it in a presentation format? It’s easier to share with your board of investors and future collaborators. You just need to send them a link of the finished slide deck and they can look at it on any device.

This presentation deck template has 10 beautifully designed slides with a hexagon design which you can color code according to your brand.

Take a cue from Mike in the Visme video team. He’ll help you create better report decks with these valuable tips.

Product Presentation Deck Templates

Product presentation templates are a unique style of presentation. Their sole purpose is to present your product to the world. This isn’t a financial report or a pitch deck but more of a showcase of what your product can do and how it’s performing in the market.

Here are some great presentation deck templates to showcase your products professionally.

8. Creative Product Presentation Deck Template

This creative product presentation deck template is a little different than a standard corporate style presentation. The shapes are round and freeing and easy on the eye.

Use this presentation deck if your product is unique in its niche and uses storytelling techniques to show off its assets.

This presentation deck has 10 templates with different tools to display your product’s features. Change to colors to fit your brand and share it with prospective clients with an easily accessible link.

9. Colorful Squares Business Pitch PowerPoint Template

Sometimes you need a minimal style presentation deck template. This colorful square design is perfect for that. It's simple, clean and to the point. It has 15 slides, but you don’t need to use them all. Show off your product seamlessly with this business pitch PowerPoint template. 

Business Stats Presentation Deck Templates

Similar to a pitch deck, a business statistics presentation deck is an important resource for all startups. There are lots of different statistics that make up a business, ROI, and KPI among others .

These need to be presented in an orderly fashion that everyone can understand, from the marketing team to the high-level investors.

Here are the best business statistic presentation deck templates in the Visme template library.

10. Business Proposal Presentation Deck Template

Business proposals are all about data . This presentation deck has all the slides you need to present statistics for all areas of your company. The design style is minimal so that you can give it your own aesthetic. 

The data widgets and graphs are easy to customize and can also be color-coded.

11. Statistics Presentation Deck Template

Presenting statistics doesn’t need to be boring and dry. With this presentation deck template, your stats will be easy to grasp by everyone in the meeting room. Your financial stats will look great in these slides, you just have to add your data to the charts.

Add your brand images to the cover to personalize the design and don’t forget to add your logo .

Frequently Asked Questions about Presentations for Startups and Businesses

What is a slide or presentation deck.

The slide deck or presentation deck is essentially the same but has different names. Both instances describe a collection of designed slides in a digital presentation format; organized to show a story from beginning to end .

Their ultimate purpose is to present information  to an individual or a group about a specific subject, idea or project.

Why Is a Presentation Called a Deck?

To answer this question, we must go back in time. Before you could get on Google and search for business pitch PowerPoint templates, teachers and business people had other solutions for presenting topics , ideas or research.

Before computers, slide decks and presentation decks were two different things, not interchangeable as they are today. The term “deck” comes from playing and/or tarot cards, as both are piled into decks. ‘Deck’ essentially means; a pile or collection of same-sized cards stacked together in an orderly fashion.

In advertising and marketing meeting rooms of the 50s and 60s, presentation decks were big and bulky cardboard designs on stands. These were used to visually accompany pitch speeches. When slide projectors came into the scene, the cardboard presentation decks made way for slide decks.

A slide deck in the 70s was a rectangular box with clear slides mounted on cardboard frames, kept in the order they were to be presented. The slide projector magnified the design onto a large white wall or projection screen.

With the introduction of PowerPoint, the presentation deck and slide deck became one digital sameness.

How Do You Make a Presentation Deck?

To make a presentation deck, you must take care of a few things. Here’s a rundown, all doable with Visme;

• Define a purpose and goal.
• Collect data and research to present.
• Write a clear presentation outline .
• Mind map the presentation slides design.
• Find and brand presentation templates . Set it all up with your data, content and brand assets.
• Make it interactive .
• Share with your audience, and track performance.

Here’s a video that will help you design a presentation deck:

What Is a Deck vs Presentation?

There isn’t much difference between a deck and a presentation. Decks are a collection of slides used as a visual aid during presentations. On the other hand, a presentation can be done with or without slide decks.

For example, presentations can come in the form of audio, video, and other formats. Also, presentations can be pre-recorded and shared in different formats or done in-person.

Create Your Own Presentation Decks For Your Startup

Creating a good looking presentation is easy with Visme. All you need to do is choose a presentation deck template and insert your own content and data. With the integrated brand kit , anyone in your team can do it.

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Adult BMI Calculator

Obesity and Excess Weight Increase Risk of Severe Illness; Racial and Ethnic Disparities Persist

Food Assistance and Food Systems Resources

This calculator provides body mass index (BMI) and the corresponding BMI weight status category for adults 20 years and older. For children and teens, 2 through 19 years, use the BMI Calculator for Children and Teens .

( English | Metric )

Note: this calculator uses JavaScript. If you have JavaScript turned off or have problems using the calculator, use the formula for calculating BMI on About BMI for Adults .

Recalculate BMI

Please check the accuracy of the information you entered:

Both height and weight are needed for a BMI result.

For the information you entered:

Your BMI is   , indicating your weight is in the    category for adults of your height.

BMI is a screening measure and is not intended to diagnose disease or illness. For more information, visit About Adult BMI .

Discuss your BMI category with your healthcare provider as BMI may relate to your overall health and well-being. Your healthcare provider might determine possible reasons for underweight and recommend support or treatment.

Maintaining a weight in the healthy BMI range is one way to support overall health as you age. For more information about lifestyle approaches, visit Healthy Weight .

Your BMI is   , indicating your weight is in the    category for adults of your height. BMI is a screening measure and is not intended to diagnose disease or illness. For more information, visit About Adult BMI .

Discuss your BMI category with your healthcare provider as BMI may relate to your overall health and well-being. Your healthcare provider might determine possible reasons for overweight and recommend support or treatment. Having excess weight can increase risk for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Take this 1-minute  prediabetes risk test .

Discuss your BMI category with your healthcare provider as BMI may relate to your overall health and well-being. Your healthcare provider might determine possible reasons for obesity and recommend support or treatment. Having obesity can increase risk for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Take this 1-minute  prediabetes risk test .

Related Resources

• What is BMI?
• How is BMI used?
• What are the BMI trends for adults in the United States?
• Why is BMI used to measure overweight and obesity?
• What are other ways to assess excess body fatness?
• How is BMI calculated?
• How is BMI interpreted for adults?
• Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?
• How good is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?
• If an athlete or other person with a lot of muscle has a BMI over 25, is that person still considered to be overweight?
• What are the health consequences of obesity for adults?

Share the Adult BMI Calculator Widget

A widget is an application that can be used by partners to display featured content directly on their desktops, websites, or social media. Widgets can also be shared with friends.

BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Including this widget on your application will allow people to calculate their BMI and see the corresponding weight category. It also provides information on what BMI is.

Adding the code below to your web site will generate the widget.

BMI For Adults Widget

<h3>BMI For Adults Widget</h3><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><iframe src=’https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/adult-widget/iframe.html’ style=’border: 0px;’ width=’170′ height=’395′></iframe>

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• Physical Activity
• Overweight & Obesity
• Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity
• Breastfeeding
• Micronutrient Malnutrition
• State and Local Programs
• Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
• Prevent Heart Disease
• Healthy Schools – Promoting Healthy Behaviors
• Obesity Among People with Disabilities

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