Slay the Slide Deck: What Works, and What Doesn’t
It’s not always about the content, but sometimes it really is.
What Made This Presentation a Hit? 3 Key Strategies That Delivered, and a Few Things NOT to do
I recently had the opportunity to create a presentation for a client, and it ended up being a smash hit. So what made it stand out? Here are the top three elements that resonated with the audience and helped it succeed:
Know Your Audience - For this project, I was told the presentation was internal and needed to speak directly to the executive leadership team, the key decision-makers. That insight shaped everything. Executives don’t want fluff; they want clarity. The presentation needed to be concise, data-driven, and focused on the value and risks. Knowing who you're talking to should always be the first step.
Make The Content Count - Fluff might look pretty, but it rarely adds value. Instead of filling space with vague statements or decorative filler, focus on meaningful content: facts, anecdotes, and purpose-driven visuals. Your slides don’t have to be dry, but they should be intentional. Every element should serve the message you're trying to convey.
Do Your Research - If your presentation involves strategy, proposals, or planning, you need to be able to back it up. Include data on risk, ROI, relevant case studies, and benchmarks. Well-researched content will always earn more credibility than a flashy deck with little substance. Consider linking sources directly within the deck or adding an appendix for reference if you’re exporting to PDF.
Now that we’ve covered what to do, here are a few things to avoid:
Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS) - It works. Don’t overcrowd your slides or make them harder to understand than they need to be. I love a good animation or visual flair, but if it distracts from the message (or the audience) it doesn’t belong. Use transitions, memes, or GIFs only if they truly add to the tone or clarity. (Looking at you, original Ling’s Cars website. There's a reason they’ve rebranded.)
Style With Intention - Simple doesn’t mean bland. Use branded fonts and colors to add polish and professionalism. Clean, consistent design not only makes your presentation more visually appealing but shows attention to detail, and that matters.
Keep Takeaways Tight - If you’re offering a takeaway, don’t print the entire deck with speaker notes or send a PDF novella. Summarize the key points into a brief, focused handout. A well-designed one-pager or executive summary makes your message more memorable and easier to share.
Of course, this just scratches the surface. There’s an art to presenting that goes beyond the deck itself, from delivery style to timing and follow-up. If you need help building a proposal or strategic presentation, we’d be happy to help. Reach out, we’ve got your six.