How to Make a Good Presentation? Tips to Help You Succeed

You’re standing in front of a room filled with colleagues, feeling the weight of their expectations. Meanwhile, a blank presentation is projected on the screen behind you.

Perhaps you’re a student, pitching a bold idea to your professor, hoping to stand out amongst your peers.

Maybe you’re a freelancer, about to present your creative vision to a potential client, knowing this could be the deal that changes everything.

In these moments, your Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation isn’t just a tool: it’s your voice, your story, your chance to make an impact.

But the nerves? They’re real. Your palms are sweaty, your thoughts are racing, and that little voice in your head whispers, “What if I mess this up?”

You’re not alone. Everyone sometimes feels overwhelmed when they set out to create a presentation, thus wondering:

• What should be on the first slide?

• How to structure ideas?

• Will audiences stay focused or drift off mid-way?

Whether you’re ready to present for a pitch, a classroom assignment, or a major business meeting, the right strategies can turn your nerves into confidence and your slideshow into a story that captivates.

In this article, you’ll learn what every PowerPoint presentation should include, how to create presentations for different scenarios, and the secrets to engaging and inspiring your audience beyond the slideshow.

What should every PowerPoint presentation include?

A memorable PowerPoint presentation is simple enough: it includes great slides and a cohesive story that resonates with audiences. Successful PowerPoint presentations strike a balance between structure, visuals, and storytelling.

Here are the six essential elements every presentation should include.

Start with a clear plan

Your slideshow should flow logically and seamlessly guide your audiences from the introduction to the conclusion.

Think of your talk as a journey: decide where to begin, how to build your narrative, and the key takeaway you want to leave your audience with.

Avoid overwhelming them with too much information. Instead, focus on depth and clarity, using specific examples to illustrate your points.

Stories captivate and connect

Humans are wired to respond to narratives, so brainstorm relevant anecdotes or case studies to add to your PowerPoint presentations. Whether it’s a personal experience, a customer success story, or a fictional example, storytelling makes your message relatable and memorable.

Lead your listeners through challenges and solutions, and create an “aha” moment where everything seems to click together.

A strong opening

Use a compelling question, a striking statistic, or a powerful anecdote to hook your audience. First impressions matter, so set the stage for an engaging and impactful slide show right from the start.

Relevant content (based on research)

Before you even create a presentation, research your audiences' needs, interests, and level of knowledge. Skip the fluff and focus on delivering content that provides value.

The more your audiences feel that the presentation is for them, the more engaged they’ll be.

Engaging visuals

Your slides should support, not overshadow, your message. Use high-quality pictures, videos, and charts that clarify and enhance your points.

Avoid overcrowding slides with text: opt for bullet points, concise phrases, and visuals that present themselves. A visually appealing design keeps your audience focused and engaged throughout your presentation.

End with impact

Summarize your key points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway or a call to action.

Whether it’s an inspiring thought, an actionable step, or a thought-provoking question, your conclusion should resonate long after the final slide.

How to create presentations for different scenarios

Tailoring your PowerPoint presentations to a specific context can make all the difference in how your message is received.

Whether you’re addressing colleagues in a meeting, classmates in school, or a thesis committee, here’s how to adjust your approach for each scenario:

Office

Create a clear agenda: Start with an agenda slide that outlines your objectives, ensuring your audience knows what to expect.

Use data wisely: Incorporate graphs to support your points, but keep them simple and easy to understand.

University

Simplify complex content: Use concise bullet points and diagrams to present theories or data clearly and effectively.

Engage with examples: Include relevant examples or case studies that resonate with fellow students and professors.

High school

• Focus on storytelling: Use personal anecdotes or relatable examples to make your presentation more engaging for classmates.

• Check visual appeal: Incorporate simple graphics and photos while avoiding cluttered or overly text-heavy slides.

Speech

• Keep slides minimal: Use slides only to support your key points with pictures or one-liners, not to convey your entire speech.

• Practice delivery: Rehearse multiple times to sound confident and natural, even without relying on slides.

Bachelor's thesis

• Focus on one point per slide: Present your research findings one idea at a time to avoid overwhelming the committee.

• Use professional design: Stick to clean fonts, consistent layouts, and compatible colors to convey professionalism.

How to create a cool presentation design

Designing your visually stunning PowerPoint presentation is about effectively communicating your ideas.

With tools like PowerPoint and alternatives like MobiSlides, you can design presentations that are both professional and engaging.

6 steps to crafting your presentation design

Choose from the available templates

Start with a cohesive design by selecting from the available themes or customizable templates.

When you open PowerPoint, go to File → New → choose from the built-in themes.

Customize your theme with a preview of color variations on the right, and then click Create to begin.

Insert a new slide

Use the dropdown to pick a layout that best fits your content, whether it’s a text box, image placeholders, or a mixture of both.

Add text and format it

Highlight your text and use the Shape Format tab to apply colors, effects, or outlines.

Add emphasis with shadows or reflections from the Text Effects menu.

Incorporate visuals

Choose high-resolution images from your device, stock libraries, or online.

Ensure visuals are relevant and support your message without cluttering your slides with too many elements.

Save as you go

Avoid losing progress by saving frequently.

Use Ctrl + S or enable AutoSave for peace of mind.

Play the presentation

Use the Esc key to exit and make adjustments as needed.

Now that we've covered the basics of how to create a customizable design for your PowerPoint presentation templates, let's look at some basic design principles.

Basic rules for presentation design

There are four rules to keep in mind when creating your presentation templates.

1. Use clean and consistent fonts

Ensure all text is readable from a distance by using a font size of 30 or larger.

Avoid mixing too many font styles to maintain a cohesive look.

2. Choose minimalist backgrounds

Opt for subtle, clean backgrounds that don’t compete with your content.

3. Be mindful of transitions and effects

While animations can add flair, overusing them can distract your audience.

4. Check spelling and grammar

Errors can detract from your credibility: proofread your deck to ensure it's polished and professional.

A good presentation is more than just PowerPoint

Creating a presentation that captivates your audience takes more than just putting together images and text. In essence, you need to be able to deliver your message with impeccable clarity, confidence, and persuasion in a few clicks.

Here are four essential skills and strategies to make your PowerPoint presentation truly stand out.

Work on your speaking skills

Your slides might grab attention, but your words carry the message.

Keep your communication clear and concise: avoid jargon, simplify complex terms, and focus on delivering your ideas with confidence.

Spice things up with enthusiasm, maintain eye contact, and use gestures to make your delivery engaging.

Think of your slide show as a conversation, not a lecture.

Do not make it too long

Respect your audience’s time by organizing your presentation into a logical structure with a clear introduction, main points, and a strong conclusion.

Keep your content focused on the key takeaways, avoiding unnecessary details that could dilute your message.

To achieve this, you can follow the 5-5-5 rule: include no more than five bullet points per slide, with five words per bullet, and each slide visible for five seconds.

Alternatively, apply the 10-20-30 rule: no more than 10 slides, a 20-minute duration, and a 30-point font size.

Make it engaging

At its core, your next engaging presentation is all about interaction with your audiences.

Encourage questions, foster discussions, or incorporate simple activities to keep your listeners invested so your message sticks long after the PowerPoint slideshow ends.

Do not put all the information on the screen

Your slides are there to support you, not overshadow you. Use visual aids like charts, images, and concise bullet points to highlight key information.

Avoid overloading slides with text: focus on making them clean, visually appealing, and relevant.

For instance, instead of reading directly from the slide, use it as a visual cue to expand on your points with compelling anecdotes or explanations.

Do a few practice runs

Practice makes perfect should be your motto when it comes to your next presentations. Rehearse your presentation multiple times to refine your pacing, tone, and transitions. Start with solo practice, then present to a trusted friend or colleague who can provide constructive feedback.

Conclusion

Creating an impactful presentation involves more than just designing slides. It’s a mix of storytelling, tailored content to your audience, and delivering with confidence.

Focus on a clear structure, engaging visuals, and concise messages to captivate your audiences. While you're at it, don't forget to also tailor your presentation style to suit different scenarios, such as office meetings, academic settings, or speeches, while keeping it relevant.

Remember, practice makes perfect and this is the only way to refine your delivery and overcome your nerves.

Try MobiSlides now to create professional, engaging presentations with ease!