presentation of 7 minutes

What is the 7 by 7 Rule for PowerPoint Presentations?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

PowerPoint presentations are a powerful way of conveying a message to your colleagues, clients, and peers. The problem is if you do not know how to use PowerPoint in a way that grabs the attention of your audience, you might lose them by the second slide. This is where the 7 by 7 rule comes in handy. But, what exactly is it?

The 7 by 7 rule is a method used where each line has no more than 7 words and a slide has no more than 7 lines. This is a way of keeping your presentations easily readable and understandable to the audience. If your lines and slides are too “wordy” you run the risk of turning your audience away.

It is easy to forget the role of the audience in a presentation’s success. It does not matter how much time and energy you put into a presentation if your audience finds it a drab. If your presentation does not grab the attention of your audience, all the other qualities become meaningless.

The 7 by 7 rule lets you overcome this challenge with ease even if you are a beginner. So, let’s talk about this rule for PowerPoint.

What is the 7 by 7 Rule for PowerPoint?

I want you to think of how much effort you are putting into your presentations. Imagine all that work only for your audience to lose interest within the first few minutes. This happens more than most people think.

Using the 7 by 7 rule is the best way to keep your audience interested in the presentation. All it means is, there must be no more than 7 lines per slide and no more than 7 words per line.

The 7 by 7 rule is for presentations that have a lot of information in them. You get different rules such as the “5 by 5”, the “6 by 6”, and of course the 7 by 7. The last one being the bigger of the 3 and the focus of this article, it is used for presentations that are jam-packed with information.

While this rule helps, it is important to note that you still need to create a great presentation. The 7 by 7 rule should be used as a guideline to improve the presentation . Unfortunately, there is no secret method that can be a substitute for a well researched and well put together the presentation.

Why 7 Lines Per Slide?

When someone has a lot on their mind regarding their work and personal life, sitting in for a presentation can be a little tiring. It is easy for people to wander off into the abyss of their minds. This does not have to be the case for your presentations.

The 7 line rule is a guideline to help you keep your slides as clean and easily readable as possible. It is to reduce clutter in each of your slides so that when your audience scans the slide, they can easily navigate each point you are trying to make.

Use the guideline to help you stay on the topic through each slide. It is best to use each line as a bullet point and when you combine this with the 7-word rule below, your audience will mostly stay focused.

Another aspect that you need to keep in mind is that these 7 lines are merely points for you to elaborate on. Think of them as trigger points that will help you remember the overall discussion that you want to have for a particular slide.

You don’t want the audience to just read what is written on the slides. This will become boring pretty quickly. Keeping the points short and succinct, and directly related to the topic of your presentation is key to keeping the audience engaged. This way, the audience will also be able to absorb all the information a lot easier than if your slide was cluttered.

Why 7 Words Per Line?

When I see a presentation that has too much stuff on it, it is a big turn off for me.

A common mistake we make is to make the slide look too text-heavy, and we sound too verbose when we are trying to explain something. This is especially true when we are passionate about something. Being passionate about something is great but being too verbose is a sure-fire way to lose your audience in the clutter of words.

Using the 7-word guideline will help you be specific. You do not even have to structure your sentences, in fact, why not just get rid of sentences altogether? With the 7 word rule, you can make short statements.

Try to structure each line with small bullet points instead of long drawn-out sentences. This will help your presentation be more factual and less boring.

Remember, you want to use the slides only as visual reference to the points that you want to make during the presentation. Thus, it doesn’t make sense to stuff it with words when you are anyway going to talk about it.

How to Create the 7 by 7 Rule in PowerPoint

Great, so you are considering implementing this into your next presentation and want to know how to do it!

Making a presentation using the 7 by 7 rule is as easy as the name sounds. There is no specific option or a flip-switch that will help you create your presentation using the 7 by 7 rule in PowerPoint.

It is all about structuring the presentation according to the rule. Use the rule to structure the content on the slides in a clean a clutterless fashion. Use each line as a bullet point and the words per line should be mini statements instead of sentences.

That said, there are a few tips that can help you master this technique of presentation creation.

Tip 1 – Treat Each Line as a Reference for the Overall Point

It can not be highlighted enough that you ought to use the slides with text only as a reference to the whole story that you want to share using that slide.

Think of it this way – the slides that you are creating are like your personal short-hand notes . Only you can make a complete sense of what is written and connect the dots from one bullet point to another.

Likewise, when writing the text on the slides, make it more like short-hand personal notes that you can look at and elaborate in detail during the presentation. Keep it brief and succinct such that each line triggers the memory in your brain about what you want to convey on that specific slide.

This does 2 things –

• It makes sure that merely by reading what is written on the slide, your audience is not completely able to understand the point. Thus, they have to actively listen to your brief explanation of the point on the slide. This keeps them engaged and involved during the presentation.
• It also ensures that the audience is looking at you rather than the screen. That way, you can keep them engaged with your expressions and gestures.

Tip 2 – Don’t make it Obvious, use the Text for a Brain-tease

This one is a pro-tip!

Instead of using the text on the slides to merely laying out what point of a research study, you can perhaps pose a question or an interesting fact!

So, for instance, if you are giving a presentation about the fastest car on the earth and you want to talk about the speed of the car on a particular slide –

Instead of stating that the car is fast, and it goes at 305 mph, you could write the text a bit differently as follows –

• Bugatti Chiron – A Rocket on Road!

This clearly highlights that you will be talking about a fast car, but they still need to hear you out completely to fully understand the speed of the car and how it feels while driving the car.

As you can see, this example also kind of ties in with the first tip.

Remember, you don’t have to be conventional with the text on the slides. It is a presentation and not a word document.

What Is The Goal Of The 7 By 7 Rule

When it comes to the goal of the 7 by 7 rule, there are 3 main goals that it is designed to help you achieve. If you stick with the guideline, your presentation will have a greater chance of selling your product. Even if you are not selling anything, it will help your audience better understand the presentation.

Below is a list of the 3 main goals of the 7 by 7 rule, we will go into more detail for each one:

• Keep your presentation on topic.
• Reduces clutter and improves readability.
• Captivate your audience from start to finish.

Now, let us take a quick look at each of these goals a little bit closer and find out how it all fits together.

1. Keeps your Presentation on Topic

Sometimes it is hard to stay on topic throughout an entire presentation. It becomes even harder if your presentation is full of non-important words.

This is especially true when we are passionate about what we are talking about or selling. So, use the 7 by 7 rule to help you stay on topic.

2. Readability

A good portion of your audience will scan a slide before you even start talking. You want them to finish their scan as soon as possible and you want them to understand as much as possible. This is so that they can turn their attention back to you.

You don’t want your presentations to be cluttered or your sentences to be drawn out. This will make it harder for the audience to scan the slide. This might lead to them feeling lost as they will have missed most of your points.

3. Captivate your Audience

This pretty much stems from the readability goal. If you lose an audience member, even just through one slide, it is hard to draw them back in. The minute they feel lost, their mind starts wandering to all the important things they could be doing.

The 7 by 7 rule, if followed and implemented in an already good presentation, is designed to not only assist you but also assist your audience. It is a great way to grab and hold their attention.

Different Variations of the 7 by 7 Rule

There are a few different variations of this rule but the concept stays the same. If you have mastered how to convey your messages with as little wording as possible you could use fewer lines and fewer words per line. Let’s take a quick look at these rules.

• 5 by 5: 5 lines per slide and 5 words per line.
• 6 by 6: 6 lines per slide and 6 words per line.
• 7 by 7: 7 lines per slide and 7 words per line.
• 8 by 8: 8 lines per slide and 8 words per line.

As you can see, the concept stays the same for each of these rules.

Rule of 7 vs 7 by 7 Rule: What’s the Difference?

Sometimes people, especially in sales, might mistake the 7 by 7 rule with the rule of 7. There is a big difference between the two and in fact, they are not related at all. We have discussed, in detail, the 7 by 7 rule so lets just briefly explain what the rule of 7 is.

The rule of 7 is a simple but old marketing concept that is tried and tested to work. It suggests that if a customer sees your product or service 7 times, they are likely to become a customer or client.

I guess you can add the rule of 7 to your presentations if you are trying to sell something, perhaps in the form of pictures of your brand. That said, it should not be mistaken for the 7 by 7 rule.

Final Thoughts

Creating presentations, especially if you are the speaker, can be a little bit daunting. I could also use the word intimidating, because, let’s be honest, it is, especially for new professionals.

Luckily, there are experts who have developed techniques that make everything easier. These techniques, like the 7 by 7 rule can alleviate a lot of the stress of potentially losing your audience.

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How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

Home Blog Design How To Apply the 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint

How To Apply the 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentations are notorious for being dull and boring. This issue is so bad that the term’ Death by PowerPoint’ is commonly used to describe this problem. You might consider keeping your slides simple when reading through any tips for editing your PowerPoint templates or using other platforms such as Google Slides templates . However, how to do that is another question. This is where the 7×7 rule can be helpful.

What is the 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint?

The 7×7 rule in PowerPoint implies that you should use a maximum of 7 lines per slide, with no more than seven words in each line, and a total of 7 slides per presentation. This can be done in bullet points to simplify the slide. In such a case, the rule recommends using no more than seven bullet points with seven words each per slide. The 7×7 rule is meant to simplify how presentations are made to ensure that presenters don’t go overboard with text-heavy slides.

Why use the 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint?

There can be a number of benefits of using the 7×7 rule in PowerPoint. For example, the rule can help make your slides simple, easy to create and grasp. Below are reasons you might want to use the 7×7 rule for PowerPoint.

1. Easy to Create Slides

Slides created using the 7×7 rule are easy to develop since they take less time and effort. Some people might find it tricky to reduce words initially, but once you get used to the concept, creating slides will seem much more manageable.

2. Easy to Present Slides

Slides with fewer words are more accessible to present than content-heavy slides. By focusing on a handful of pointers, you can focus on the key topic and avoid deviating from the core discussion points.

3. The 7×7 Rule can Help Improve Presentation Skills

You can quickly get right to the point by showcasing information in just seven lines. This can help improve your skills as a presenter, as you will rely more on the depth of your knowledge than what’s written in the slides.

4. Attention Grabbing Slides

It can be arguably said that slides with less text can be better at grabbing the audience’s attention than lengthy blocks of text that might lead to people losing interest in your slides.

5. The 7×7 Rule Saves Time by Avoiding Verbiage

The 7×7 rule can help save time and avoid jargon. Using this simple rule, you can save your time and that of the audience with a simple and to-the-point presentation.

6. Clarity Regarding the Discussion Topic

The 7×7 rule can help clarify the topic under discussion by ensuring that the presenter sticks to the point with concise information.

7. Focused Presentation

The 7×7 rule for PowerPoint can be a great way to create a focused presentation that can help dig deep into the most essential bits of the discussion points. This can also be helpful to avoid deviation from the core topic that can often occur due to lengthy presentations with unrelated information or Q&A sessions going off track due to a member of the audience discussing something unrelated to the core topic.

8. Improved Efficiency in Communicating Information

You can make communication efficient by making the topic concise regarding slides and explaining the concept yourself. This is one aspect that many presenters usually struggle to ensure when giving presentations, as one can easily get lost in translation when creating and presenting PowerPoint slides.

9. Adaptability for Different Presentation Topics

The 7×7 PowerPoint rule can be adapted for any presentation topic. The universal nature of the rule helps make any presentation topic concise and focused. The rule is not designed for a specific presentation topic or concept.

10. Professional Looking Presentation Slides

A simple, to-the-point presentation will likely look professional and polished, with the information as plainly as possible for the audience’s ease. While many consider content-heavy and flashy presentation slides a good option, any public speaking expert would tell you that ‘less is more.’ An example is the 10/20/30 rule by Guy Kawasaki.

How to Use the 7×7 Rule in Presentations

If you want more precise guidelines for PowerPoint slides using the 7×7 rule, consider following the tips below.

1. Fewer Topics Per Slide

Using multiple subtopics with the 7×7 rule might not always be a great idea; it is best to try accommodating a single or fewer topics per slide. While you can build upon previous slides to assist your topic across multiple slides, trying to connect too many references and data points can lead to confusing slides. The 10-20-30 rule of Presentations also puts emphasis on this point.

For example, if we take an agricultural retailer as an example, they can express their customer’s journey cyclical process by using a 5A Customer Path Circular Diagram, a framework derived from the traditional AIDA model. The concepts can be simplified in one slide, and the presenter can dialogue about the components of the diagram.

• Aware: “Farmers learn about our high-yield seeds and organic fertilizers through agricultural fairs and social media.”
• Appeal: “Testimonials from successful harvests and competitive pricing capture the interest of the agricultural community.”
• Ask: “In-field demonstrations and Q&A sessions help farmers understand the benefits for their specific crops and soil types.”
• Act: “Farmers purchase our products with guidance on best practices for use to ensure improved yields.”
• Advocate: “Satisfied farmers share their success stories, recommending our products to fellow growers.”

2. Improve Text Legibility

One of the advantages of having less text is that you can increase the font size to make your slides easier for the audience to read. Try to use a clean-looking font with a large font size to help everyone in the audience read the text conveniently, especially the people located at the end of the room or venue.

3. Use Impactful Words

Since you will be using fewer words, you should try to use terms that might be more impactful instead of run-of-the-mill definitions and lengthy introductions. Be it terms associated with the topic, the line of work you are engaged in, or phrases derived from famous quotes, you should use words that hold meaning, captivate the audience, and help make information memorable.

4. Let Images Speak for You

Reducing text allows you to accommodate a few images or illustrations to do the talking for you. Self-explanatory or complementary imagery can help give the audience a picture of the topic under discussion without using much text or a lengthy speech. This will be particularly useful since you must work with no more than seven slides.

5. Avoid Cluttered Slides

While fewer lines of text should reduce clutter, the opposite can be true if you include too many images, icons, tables, or text with an untidy-looking font. Ensure your slides look clean since fewer words would not guarantee that automatically.

6. Avoid Unnecessary Information

Sometimes, people add unnecessary information in slides even when the audience knows the added details. For example, you don’t need to add an introduction for a project every time you present it to your colleagues since they will be familiar with the project’s background.

7. Plan Your Slides

It will not be easy to create seven slides, with seven lines of text, with seven words per line every time. It is best to consider the sequence of your presentation and plan how to create it to accommodate relevant information best. You can also look for visual aids that might help shorten your slides to get the job done.

8. Consider Other Simplification Methods

Most design languages today emphasize using less content to make the primary information pop out. A few examples include the material design used in smartphone UIs and the modern design introduced by Microsoft since Windows 8 was introduced in 2012. You can also consider wisely using colors, as mentioned in our article about color theory , and using AI tools to design your slides, such as the Designer feature in PowerPoint.

9. Use Speaker Notes

While you can use a brief slide, this does not mean you can’t use speaker notes . In fact, using speaker notes might be necessary to ensure that you can remember critical information, such as figures and data that might not be included in the original slide. It is essential not to make your speaker notes lengthy, as that would defeat the purpose of simplifying the presentation with fewer words.

10. Try to Engage Your Audience

By making brief slides, you can spare more time for engaging activities such as polls and quizzes to engage your audience . This can help make your presentation effective by breaking the monotony, improving the attention span of your audience, and helping you get insight from them regarding crucial discussion points.

Final Words

The 7×7 PowerPoint rule is among the guidelines presenters use to simplify their presentation creation tasks for effectiveness. This is similar to other concepts, such as the 10/20/30 rule made famous for pitch decks by Guy Kawasaki. While the PowerPoint 7×7 rule can be pretty handy, one must not limit one’s creative approach to a single rule. If you think you need more than seven slides, there is no reason to limit yourself unnecessarily. However, rules like 7×7 can be good guidelines for creating effective presentations.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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7 Tips for the 7-Minute Attention Span

• In Organize Content

“People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.” – Steve Jobs

7 minutes. The attention span of a typical audience lasts about 7 minutes before you run the risk of losing them. You might get 10 minutes if the topic is especially of interest, or just 5 minutes if you’re lucky enough to be presenting in that sleepy post-lunch period.

Imagine you’re on deck to present at an update meeting on a glorious summer day. Audience members are dreaming of sipping fruity drinks from a chaise beside the pool, or twirling their toes in a white sand beach as turquoise waves crash against the shoreline. Their minds are lying under palm trees, but you’re stepping up to the front. What to do?

Here are 7 tips you can deploy about every 7 minutes during your presentation to combat 2015’s hyper-short attention spans:

1. Ditch the PowerPoint

Your audience has seen more PowerPoint presentations than they care to remember. As soon as the lights go down and the projector fires up, it’s instantly harder to keep their attention. If you absolutely must use slides, less is more. Limit the quantity, start and end with the screen blanked out (by using the B button), experiment with using more images versus text.

2. Ask Questions of the Audience

Engage your audience in relevant conversation, ask them for real-time input on your topic, and have them share their experiences. Adults like their knowledge acknowledged.

3. Use Transitions

Transition phrases can help signal audience members’ brains to tune in and pay attention. They also make it easier for your audience to follow along with your story. Think about saying transitions between main points, each slide and different speakers.

4. Be a Storyteller

Everyone loves a good story – whether in preschool or the presentation room. Prepare a relevant, engaging story to accompany your presentation – and plan to channel your inner storyteller at a strategic moment to draw your audience in.

5. What’s in it for Them

Why should those people perched in the conference room chairs give their eyes to you instead of their smart phones? What’s in it for them? In your opening, answer that question. Use that knowledge to connect with your audience, to make your content relevant, and to hold their attention.

6. Get Your Audience Laughing

Laughter is a remarkably powerful tool for engagement. Plan to inject some relevant laughs into your presentation – a funny story or a bit of self-deprecating humor can go a long way.

7. Change is Good

When in doubt, change it up. Are audience eyes getting glassy, no longer able to resist the magnetic pull of those smart phone screens? Change something. Your speaking location, rate of speech, body language, or visuals. It is hard to stay engaged with something that looks and sounds the same for a long period of time.

Audience distractions, from summer daydreams to incoming text vibrations, are here to stay. By deploying the tips above, you have a better opportunity to capture and keep your audience’s attention.

5 Tips to Grow Your Presentation Skills

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Impactful Presentations – A 7-Minute Guide

“I am the most spontaneous speaker in the world because every word, every gesture, and every retort has been carefully rehearsed.” – George Bernard Shaw

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What is 7×7? The Golden Rule For Your PowerPoint Presentation in 2024

Jane Ng • 05 Apr 2024 • 7 min read

What is the 7×7 rule PowerPoint? Have you ever found yourself caught in a dilemma when preparing a presentation? On the one hand, you fear that providing too little information might leave your audience confused or unsatisfied.

On the other hand, you worry that bombarding them with an abundance of words will only lead to disinterest and fatigue, leaving vital content forgotten. It’s a predicament that many presenters face. Don’t worry! The 7×7 rule is here to rescue you from this. 

In this blog post, we will explore what is 7×7 , offer you invaluable best practices and examples in actions, and equip you with the right tools to transform your presentation into an engaging and impactful experience. Get ready to captivate your audience and deliver a truly memorable performance.

Table of Contents

What is 7×7 rule in powerpoint presentation, best practices for 7×7 rule in presentation.

• Examples Of the 7×7 Rule In PowerPoint Presentation
• Tools To Make Your Presentations Shine 
• Key Takeaways 

What Is 7×7? Or, more specifically, what is the 7×7 rule in PowerPoint?The 7×7 rule in PowerPoint is a guideline that suggests keeping the quantity of text on each slide to no more than seven lines – or bullet points and no more than seven words per line. 

This rule is widely embraced as it forces presenters to distil their content into concise, focused messages, making it easier for the audience to understand and retain key points.

In addition, by adhering to the 7×7 rule, you can complement their text with meaningful visuals, such as images, charts, or diagrams. This visual variety engagement aids comprehension and makes the presentation more seemingly appealing.

Whether you deliver a formal business presentation, a sales pitch, or an educational seminar, the 7×7 rule can be applied universally. It provides a framework for structuring slides effectively, regardless of the content or purpose of the presentation.

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You may now have many questions about applying the 7×7 rule in your presentation efficiently. For example, what will help make presentation slides appear uncluttered? Here are some tips to maximize the impact of the 7×7 rule in presentations:

#1 – Simplify and Focus

The 7×7 rule is all about simplicity and focus. By following this guideline, you can effectively convey your key messages and prevent overwhelming your audience with excessive information. Here are some of the key elements involved:

• Prioritize your key messages: Identify the main news or key takeaways you want to convey to your audience. Or core ideas or concepts that you want them to remember. Prioritizing them helps you maintain a clear direction and ensures that your presentation is focused.
• Condense information: Once you have identified your key messages, condense them into concise statements. To follow 7×7 PowerPoint rule, you should strip away unnecessary details and extraneous information that can dilute the impact of your message. 
• Avoid information overload: Overwhelming your audience with too much information on a single slide can lead to confusion and reduced engagement. By using the 7×7 rule, you can limit the number of lines and words on each slide to prevent information overload.
• Clear and concise communication: Simplicity and focus go hand in hand with clear and concise communication. Craft your statements using language that is easy to understand and avoids unnecessary jargon or complexity. Aim for clarity in your messaging, allowing your audience to grasp your points quickly and effortlessly.

#2 – Make Use Of Visuals To Improve Understanding

Visual elements can significantly contribute to the clarity and impact of your presentation. You can select visuals, such as images, charts, or diagrams, which are directly related to the information you are presenting to help reinforce your message.

In addition, visuals can simplify complex concepts and make them more accessible. Use visuals to illustrate relationships, demonstrate processes, or highlight key trends. This visual representation can aid comprehension and make your content more engaging.

#3 – Embrace White Space

How can the use of white space make a presentation more effective? White space , also known as negative space, refers to the empty areas between and around elements on a slide.

• Improve readability: Ample spacing between lines of text and paragraph legibility, making it easier for the audience to read and comprehend your content. It prevents the text from appearing cramped or overwhelming.
• Enhance visual appeal: White space adds elegance and sophistication to your presentation. It creates a clean and uncluttered look, allowing the content to stand out.
• Focus on essential elements: White space allows the audience to focus on the main content without distractions, improving their understanding and retention of information.

When incorporating white space, consider the following tips:

• Use generous margins and spacing around text and visual elements.
• Avoid overcrowding slides with too much content.
• Leave empty areas around images, charts, and other visual elements.
• Maintain consistency in the amount of white space throughout your presentation.

#4 – Streamline Slide Content

Streamlining slide content is a key principle of the 7×7 rule in PowerPoint. It requires organizing your slides in a way that ensures clarity, avoids information overload, and maintains a logical flow as follows:

• Each slide should focus on a single idea, concept, or message. Avoid overcrowding slides with excessive information or trying to convey multiple ideas on one slide. 
• Maintain a logical sequence and transition smoothly between slides. Each slide should build upon the previous one and prepare the audience for the next. This helps the audience follow your train of thought and understand the progression of ideas.
• Ensure that the visuals are directly related to the content being presented and add value rather than just serving as decorative elements.

📌 Learn to use idea board to organise opinions and idea better!

Examples Of The 7×7 Rule In PowerPoint Presentation

Here’s a slide that deviates significantly from the 7×7 rule in PowerPoint and how it can be transformed after applying the rule:

This is the original slide, which, as you can see, has a lot of information and text, making it difficult for the audience to absorb and less visually effective.

This is after you identify the key message of each line and truncate the extra words and unnecessary information.

Applying the 7×7 Rule makes the slide clear, allowing the audience to absorb and remember the content more easily.

Tools To Make Your Presentations Shine

Besides 7×7 rule, There are several tools available that can help make presentations more effective. Here are a few popular ones:

#1 – Google Slides

Google Slides is a web-based presentation tool allowing easy collaboration and sharing. It offers a range of templates, themes, and formatting options. Google Slides also allows real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to simultaneously work, comment, and chat on the same presentation.

#2 – Prezi 

Prezi is a dynamic presentation tool that allows for non-linear storytelling. It offers a zooming user interface, enabling presenters to create more engaging and interactive presentations. Prezi provides templates, animations, and collaboration features to make presentations visually captivating.

#3 – Canva

Canva is a versatile graphic design tool that can be used to create visually stunning presentations. It offers many templates, fonts, images, and illustrations. Canva also provides various design elements and customization options to make presentations visually appealing.

📌 Related: Canva Alternatives (Best 12 Free and Paid Plans) in 2024

#4 – Powtoon 

Powtoon is a platform for creating animated videos and presentations. It provides a user-friendly interface and a library of pre-designed templates, characters, and animations. Powtoon allows you to add animated elements to your slides, making your presentations more dynamic and engaging.

#5 – Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck is a simple and intuitive presentation tool focusing on visual storytelling. It encourages minimal text on slides and emphasizes the use of high-quality images. Haiku Deck helps create visually stunning presentations with a clean and elegant design.

#6 – AhaSlides 

AhaSlides is a powerful tool for creating interactive and engaging presentations, fostering audience participation, and making your content more memorable. With a template library and features like live polls and word cloud , you can gather instant audience feedback, opinions, and insights, elevating the engagement level of your presentation. Also, live Q&A sessions allow the audience to submit questions through their devices, creating a dynamic and interactive environment.

For educational or training presentations, AhaSlides offers the option to create interactive quizzes and games like spinner wheel , adding a fun and competitive element to the session while reinforcing learning. These features enhance audience engagement and help them retain key information effectively.

AhaSlides also provides reporting features, allowing you to track and analyze audience responses and engagement. This valuable data shows your presentation’s effectiveness and enables you to make data-driven improvements for future productions.

Key Takeaways

What is 7×7? The 7×7 Rule in PowerPoint is a valuable guideline that promotes effective and engaging presentations. By limiting the amount of text on each slide, presenters can distil their content into concise and focused messages, preventing information overload and keeping the audience’s attention. 

By following the 7×7, presenters can create impactful and memorable presentations. So, remember to embrace simplicity, prioritize key messages, utilize visuals, and streamline the content to make your presentations shine with the power of the 7×7 Rule.

A writer who wants to create practical and valuable content for the audience

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The Seven Minute Presentation

“It takes seven hours to prepare a seven minute presentation”

For a 7 minute presentation I would use all of the techniques of the five minute presentation, but would briefly introduce three points into the middle section of the presentation.

The rule of three works well for the middle section of a presentation – people tend to remember three points. Think of some of the things that have been said in the teaching profession. The three ‘R’s – “Reading Writing and Arithmetic” or Tony Blair’s slogan about the priorities for the government “Education, education and education”.

Seven minutes may not seem like a great deal of time, but think what can be achieved in seven minutes. And remember nobody ever complained of a presentation being too short.

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How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

• Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
• How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
• How much interaction you want from the audience
• Any time constraints there are for your talk
• What setting you are in
• Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

• What is your presentation’s aim?
• Who are the audience?
• What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

• Introduce your general topic
• Explain your topic area
• State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
• State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
• Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
• Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

• The length of the talk.
• Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
• If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

• Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
• Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
• Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
• Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

• Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
• Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
• Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
• Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
• Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

• Explain why the product is valuable.
• Describe why the product is necessary.
• Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
• Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
• Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

• Briefly frame the issue.
• Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
• Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
• Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

• Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

• Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
• Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
• After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

• Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
• First, let’s begin with…
• I will first cover…
• My first point covers…
• To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

• In the same way…
• Likewise…
• Equally…
• This is similar to…
• Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

• What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
• What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
• How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
• What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

• An intro slide outlining your ideas
• A  summary slide  with core points to remember
• High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

• Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
• A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
• Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
• Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

• 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
• 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

• Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
• Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
• Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
• The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

How to Prepare a 7-Minute Speech in 5 Minutes or Less

• Think of your audience. If you have just 5 minutes to prepare, chances are you’re in the room with them already. Look around.
• Decide what you want to tell them.
• Add 3 stories relevant to your audience and to what you want to tell them. You’ll have about 90 seconds for each of them.
• For each story, add what it means to the audience in the context of what you want to tell them.
• Add a call to action to the end.
• Add an opening statement (yes, this does belong to the end).
• Time’s up. Go give the speech!

The quality of your speech will depend mainly on the following two factors:

a) The relevance of your stories and

b) How well you’ll be able to tell them

To improve a): Collect your stories. Keep adding to your storybook.

To improve b): Refine your stories. Keep telling them, improving them and telling them again.

There’s a lot of preparation behind impromptu speaking.

Start working on your stories now.

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Monthly Newsletter – June 2021

Pecha kucha – the 7-minute professional development.

Remember the 8-minute abs craze? We can beat that. Here’s 7-minute professional development (PD)! Pecha Kucha is Japanese for “chit chat.” It’s a storytelling format where the presenter shares 20 slides with 20 seconds of information for each slide. The entire presentation is only 6 minutes and 40 seconds!

Benefits of Pecha Kucha as a Professional Development Platform

• Bite-sized PD – How many professional development sessions have you attended that go on and on and on…Pecha Kucha forces the presenter to highlight the most important information without the fluff. 
• Jack of all trades – You can learn a little about lots of things, and then decide if you want to delve further into the topic with more traditional PD.
• Informal and on-demand – Because Pecha Kuchas are pre-recorded, you have 24/7 access to the presentations that interest you. 

Using Pecha Kuchas in the Classroom

We know the average attention span of our students is 10-15 minutes. Pecha Kucha presentations capitalize on this knowledge, giving students information in chunks they can process and handle. These presentations are excellent for ”station rotation” models when students are at the independent station. They also work well in hybrid or virtual classroom settings. 

Even better, you can have students create their own Pecha Kuchas. You will be incorporating speaking and writing skills, as well as asking students to locate the main ideas and most important information related to their topic. They have to learn to be very concise and clear. 

CCSS Speaking and Learning Standards, Grade 5

Here are some examples of student-created Pecha Kuchas:

• Southern Lehigh Middle School
• Durango High School
• Catherine Cronin

Creating Pecha Kuchas

When you decide you want to make your own Pecha Kucha, here are some helpful tips so you can try to perfect the flow of your presentation:

• Find great quality images (make sure to give proper attribution, or use sources such as Pixaby or Unsplash ). 
• Minimize your use of text.
• Use the auto-advance feature in PowerPoint to keep your slides moving every 20 seconds.
• Keep talking, even if your slides don’t match perfectly with your speech. Don’t interrupt the flow.
• Tell a story. Pecha Kucha is an art form, so be creative. 
• Practice until it feels natural. Don’t script your presentation; create an outline that lets your story shine.

Pecha Kuchas about Pecha Kuchas

If I haven’t mentioned “Pecha Kucha” enough, then here are some Pecha Kuchas about Pecha Kuchas:

• Matthew Bird
• Heike Philp

A Few of Our Own

Interested in giving it a try? Share your creations and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

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Do you wonder how long it takes to deliver your speech?

This website helps you convert the number of words into the time it takes to deliver your speech, online and for free. This tool is useful when preparing a speech or a presentation. The number of minutes you will take is dependent on the number of words and your speed of speech, or reading speed.

Note: This calculator provides an indication only.

Enter details below

The overview below provides an indication of the minutes for a speech (based on an average reading speed of 130 words per minute):

• Words in a 1 minute speech 130 words
• Words in a 2 minute speech 260 words
• Words in a 3 minute speech 390 words
• Words in a 4 minute speech 520 words
• Words in a 5 minute speech 650 words
• Words in a 10 minute speech 1300 words
• Words in a 15 minute speech 1950 words
• Words in a 20 minute speech 2600 words
• How long does a 500 word speech take? 3.8 minutes
• How long does a 1000 word speech take? 7.7 minutes
• How long does a 1250 word speech take? 9.6 minutes
• How long does a 1500 word speech take? 11.5 minutes
• How long does a 1750 word speech take? 13.5 minutes
• How long does a 2000 word speech take? 15.4 minutes
• How long does a 2500 word speech take? 19.2 minutes
• How long does a 5000 word speech take? 38.5 minutes

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The 7-minute rule that will save your business presentation – john brandon.

Now, before I explain what to do for the seven minutes, let’s address the elephant in the room. His name is TED . The rule for every TED talk is to explain yourself in 18 minutes. Chris Anderson, the founder of the conference, has explained that 18 minutes is about the right length for the talks, and I tend to agree. That is, if you are Bill Gates or Elon Musk. However, for 99% of the people in business who need to hold the attention of the crowd, I’d cut that down to seven minutes.

I’m basing this rule on a few interesting findings of my own. First, when I created the seven-minute morning routine , I was relaying what I’ve done in my personal life for two decades. It works. And, as 200,000 people have read about so far and thousands have tried for themselves, it’s about the right length. My theory is that readers were drawn to the seven minutes. It isn’t such a long period that your work will suffer or you can’t commit to doing it consistently, yet it’s long enough to become truly contemplative. The same length of time works for presentations, especially if you are an entrepreneur. In hyper-connected world of texts and tweets, seven minutes is about the right time to make a point.

I’ve also given hundreds of talks, and seven minutes is about right. I’ve participated in dozens and dozens of startup sessions listening to entrepreneurs explain a new idea. In the first few minutes, you are still getting your head around the idea. After seven minutes you start tuning out. Your audience wants you to explain just the right amount to engage them.

So, seven minutes for a presentation. Here’s how to do it.

• Before you start: Prepare.

The first step is to decide how you will make sure the talk fits into seven minutes. That means using a stopwatch or the timer on your phone. It means planning out what you will say during each minute of the talk right down to the first minute, the last minute, and everything in between. With notes or without, with visuals or without–that’s your call. Just make sure you use all seven minutes. The only way to do that is to practice and time yourself. Find a place and a few hours to make that happen.

• Minute one: Get their attention.

Every great presentation I’ve ever seen started with a bang. It’s important that this “bang” actually ties into the topic or idea you will address. A quick animation, a clip from The Office –the “bang” doesn’t matter, just pick something that takes up the first minute. Time it. Practice it. Get your “bang” down perfectly. Anyone listening should be ready to hear the main point. Never start with the main point, though. People need an adjustment period to your speaking style, the environment, and even the lighting. You are preparing them for the topic. The 60-second restriction helps you hone everything down.

• Minute two: Summarize the topic or idea in exactly 60 seconds.

Now, forget about any other jokes or segues. You already have the attention of everyone in the room. Now make sure you use it wisely. Explain exactly what you are selling, suggesting, explaining, or discussing with the group within the next 60 second window. Get it polished but not overly scripted. Watch a few Jimmy Fallon monologues and notice how he holds your attention. Listen to TED talks. Look up how Steve Jobs worked the room so effectively. Follow those models. If you can’t explain your idea in 60 seconds, you’ll need to revise it so that it can be explained in that window.

• Minute three through six: Give them the meat.

If you followed my advice so far, two things have happened. People have started paying attention (the first minute) and they’ve heard the gist of your point (minute two). Keep an eye on the timer because, for the next four minutes, you are going to add some supporting material. This is where you can experiment. No need to stick to a three-point plan. You could have three points or eight. You just need to fit your supporting comments into all into four minutes. And, the really important point here is to spend the time wisely. Give them stats, quotes, quips–whatever it takes.

• Minute seven: Summarize it again.

Now you are on the homestretch. This is where you need to summarize what you said. You might notice that my rule for presentations follows closing with the seven-minute morning routine. That’s intentional. In your last minute, you are debriefing the crowd. You grabbed them, you gave them the summary, you proved the summary, now you are closing the deal. One minute can take forever when you have already digested information for six minutes straight, so keep this lively and fast-paced. Don’t lose the crowd by closing with a funny story. Leave them with a take-home idea. That’s what they will remember.

And…that’s it. You’re done. Seven minutes. If you are giving a talk at a bread-making club or a nuclear symposium, know that this rule of presentations still works because we tend to tune out from anything after seven minutes. Maybe you can move on later to more discussion (or more slides) but just know that you won’t have people hooked as much as you did for seven minutes.

Now, will you agree to at least try this rule once for a presentation? Practice it and perfect it, then see how it goes. Then, let me know if it worked . You can feel free to challenge the idea, the length, or the structure. Just post in comments so everyone can participate. And, if anyone wants to start a 7-Minute Conference, be my guest. Just make sure you invite me and stick to the formula. I’m excited to see what happens.

Reprinted from: Inc. – Productivity – www.inc.com – 8.20.15

•   March 21, 2016
•   Posted by dherrig1 at 1:38 pm
•   Comments Off on The 7-Minute Rule That Will Save Your Business Presentation – John Brandon
•   Career Success , Social Skills

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Tuesday briefing: Trump’s hush money trial; Jan. 6 Supreme Court case; coral bleaching; Caitlin Clark at the WNBA draft; and more

Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York got underway yesterday.

• What happened? Lawyers spent hours arguing about how much of the former president’s sex life should be described to the jury . At times, Trump appeared to briefly fall asleep .
• What now? Jury selection will continue today . Dozens of potential jurors were dismissed yesterday after they said they couldn’t be impartial when it came to judging Trump.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a key Jan. 6 case today.

• The issue: Whether prosecutors were correct to charge rioters with obstruction after the 2021 Capitol attack . Defense lawyers argue that the law does not apply to election results .
• Why it matters: The ruling, expected in June, could undo charges against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants — including Trump .
• Yesterday: The court allowed Idaho to enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a plan to break the deadlock on Ukraine aid.

• The plan: To advance separate aid packages for Ukraine and Israel. It’s a gamble for Johnson, whose Republican colleagues have warned him not to move forward on Ukraine aid.
• Why it matters: Ukraine has been waiting for months for Congress to approve more aid. It’s urgently running out of supplies needed to keep up its defense against Russia .

The “Rust” armorer was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday.

• Why? Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March for her role in the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
• What’s next? The film’s star, Alec Baldwin, who was handling the weapon when it discharged, is facing trial this summer on involuntary manslaughter charges.

The world is experiencing a mass coral bleaching event, scientists say.

• What that means: Record-high ocean temperatures have put more than 54% of the planet’s reef areas under stress, starving them and turning them white, in the past year.
• Why it’s worrying: The percentage of reefs experiencing heat stress could hit a record high in the next few weeks . Thousands of species depend on coral for their survival.

Caitlin Clark was selected first by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft.

• It was no surprise: College basketball’s all-time leading scorer was long expected to be the top pick last night in Brooklyn. She’s joining a team that finished 10th last year .
• What’s next? Clark’s first pro season starts May 14 — and she’s already boosting ticket sales . It’s unclear if she’ll also join Team USA at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Abba, Biggie and Green Day made it into the National Recording Registry.

• What’s that? The Library of Congress’s collection of important audio recordings . It announced its 25 new additions this morning — find the full 2024 list here .
• Some of the best: Abba’s “ Dancing Queen ,” the Notorious B.I.G.’s “ Ready to Die ,” Green Day’s “ Dookie ” and Blondie’s “ Parallel Lines ” will all be preserved.

And now … want to know which colors look best on you? These tech tools claim to know.

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