We have had many experiences of clients coming to us for help on their fully completed deck which did not look quite right. Some needed finishing touches or simple design details while others wanted their presentations to be redesigned.
Most often, these clients create their decks blindly and do not have much experience in design. They later on realize that there’s something a bit off in their presentation but can’t pinpoint the problem.
Our experience has gifted us with a good eye for design and we can instantly tell what needs to be refined and what details are missing. If you are struggling with the same issue, read our simple guideline below.
Check if your pitch has these 5 big no-no’s. If they do, be ready to do some revisions:
1. Awkward Flow.
There’s a certain structure that you have to follow so that your presentation will look refined and easy to read. Figure out the most important points and build a flow that highlights them. Your audience should be able to easily see the heart of your message so you can influence them better. To achieve an effective ‘flow’, make sure your slides have proper succession. For example, your ‘About Us’ should not be placed as the starter slides in your deck. Improper placement can distract people from your real message.
2. No Call to Action.
No matter how good your presentation deck is, it won’t be that effective if it is missing a call to action. Those visual aids, animations and long bulleted lists will be wasted without a strong closing. Ultimately, the goal of your presentation is to convert your audience into customers. If you really want conversions, do not forget to include a call to action message at the end of your pitch.
3. Focusing on the Less Important Details.
Most presentations have around 15-20 slides. Anything beyond that can be too long and boring. To ensure your slides are maximized, it is essential that you use them wisely. Do not dedicate more than 3 slides to unimportant details like team members, for example. Some companies make the foolish decision of using too many slides to introduce the team members and showcase their accomplishments. Your listening audience doesn’t really want to see this. Just stick to crucial details and the key players in your team.
4. Too complicated.
No audience wants to sit through an overly complicated presentation. Complex pitches can just turn off potential customers. What your audience needs to hear is your proposed solution to the issue and what they can do help. Too much unnecessary details can just confuse your listeners, leaving them with more questions than answers.
5. Copycat designs.
It might be tempting to use a generic design that’s popular among other presenters but this can have its disadvantages. While it may be a safe and easy choice, your presentation is not going to stand out. If you really want to amaze your audience, don’t just copy what everyone else is doing. Be brave enough to take calculated risks and break some of the rules. Or if you can’t do this yourself, hire someone who can!
