If you are just starting out in your journey to become a speaker and sell from stage, you may be feeling daunted by the prospect of preparing your slides presentation… I know it can be easy to spend so much time focusing on your content that you may overlook the finer details that bring the presentation together.
So today, I want to go back to basics and talk to you about the core details that you should be including in your own slides before you begin to consider the content itself.
Now, your presentation is representative of your business, so firstly, ensure that images and fonts are consistent with your business branding. The overall look and feel of your presentation should remind your audience of your business… don’t create the slides as a standalone piece of promotional material… treat them as an extension of your existing marketing.
Does that make sense?
To Begin…
So, open a blank slide and begin by placing your logo in a corner of the slide. Don’t make this image too large… your audience need to be able to see it there but you don’t want it to be their prime focus of attention. After all you want them to see your awesome content.
Add your website URL or telephone number to another corner… if your logo is in a bottom corner, perhaps add your website or telephone number to the opposite corner at the top of the slide to balance it out.
Depending on the slide template you select to work with, there is often a title box and content box already in place in the slide. Edit the layout of these boxes if you need to and edit the font to be the same one you usually use in your marketing. You may
also need to amend the font size too but remember it needs to be large enough to read from a distance.
If you copy this slide you will see a second slide appear which is an exact duplicate of the one you just customised. Continue copying the slide until you have the required number for your presentation.
If this is your first presentation, I’d recommend you create a set of template slides so they are available for you to add content for future presentations… I’d suggest a template of about 20 slides is a reasonable size.
Titles
At this stage you should return to slide one and create the title slide. Remember to use an attention grabbing title… think of the problem your audience have and in your title share how your presentation will solve this problem for them.
You may also want to add a colourful graphic image on your title slide too. This could be a larger version of your logo (if so, I’d recommend you remove the smaller logo you have already inserted in this slide) or perhaps a picture that depicts the problem being addressed in your presentation.
TIP: It is important that you own the rights to use any images in your presentation. Source images from reputable image libraries (E.g. iStock or other similar sites) and never just copy an image you have found in a Google search. You may have to pay to use the image but copyright infringement is a serious matter.
Content
You are now ready to being adding your content to the slides. If you’ve got this far and are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to build your content, I’ve got loads of resources to help you;
You may like to go back over some of my older blog posts where I share some of my strategies for building a successful presentation. Go here to return to my blog.
Visit my YouTube channel where you will find a wealth of videos where I talk you through the individual strategies I use to build my own presentations. Go here to see my YouTube channel and watch the videos.
I am also running a series of “Presentation Secrets” events in London this May… in these intensive 1 day events I will walk you through my elegant business model that made me a millionaire in just 12 months. You can learn the secrets of a successful presentation with me in person and come away fully equipped with the skills to sell from stage. Go here for more details and to book your place.
What techniques do you use to create your presentations? Please share your stories in the comments box.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr Joanna Martin
Dr Joanna Martin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and sought-after educator who has taught over 40,000 people on three continents. She is also the author of the new book “The Presentation Profits Blueprint”.
Today, she trains entrepreneurs and professionals alike in key communication, leadership, and presentation skills. With her partner Greg, through their business, Shift Lifestyle they provide strategy and support for business owners who want a lifestyle, not just a living.
For more information go to: www.ShiftSpeakerTraining.com
