high impact business presentation

How to Make Effective Impactful Presentations (Tips & Tools)

Learn how to make a good presentation great - step-by-step with examples. Learn the principles, guidelines & qualities needed to prepare captivating slides.

Dominika Krukowska

12 minute read

Short answer

Short answer: how to make a good presentation.

Start with a surprising statement, a bold promise, or a mystery

Provide context with a bit of background information

Structure your presentation within a story framework

Make every word count, and use as few as possible

Use visuals only to support your presentation text

Use interactive design to make your audience active participants

End by telling your audience what they can do with what they’ve learned

Boring presentations are instantly forgotten. How’s yours?

Lifeless presentations can spell doom for your message, leaving your audience disengaged and your goals unreached.

The price of a mediocre presentation is steep; missed opportunities, unimpressed prospects, and a bad rep.

In a world where everyone has grown to expect a good story, a boring presentation will be instantly forgotten. Like a drop in the ocean.

But not all is lost.

This post will teach you how presentation pros create compelling narratives and leverage the latest tech tools to command attention, drive a powerful message, and get shared like gossip.

Let’s get started!

How to prepare a presentation?

The successful presenter understands the value of small details and thorough preparation like the seasoned chef knows the importance of quality ingredients and careful technique for serving a 5 star dish

But where do you start?

Step-by-step guide for preparing a presentation:

1. Define your objective

Every presentation needs a clear goal. Are you looking to persuade, educate, or motivate? Perhaps you aim to showcase a product, or share insights about a recent project.

Defining your objective early on will guide your content creation process, helping you to focus your message and structure your presentation effectively. Think of your objective as the North Star guiding your presentation journey.

2. Analyze your audience

Next up, who are you talking to? Your audience should shape your presentation as much as your objective does. Understanding their needs, interests, and background will enable you to tailor your message to resonate with them.

Are they experts in your field, or are they novices looking for an introduction? What questions might they have? The more you know about your audience, the more compelling your presentation will be.

3. Research your topic

Once you've defined your objective and analyzed your audience, it's time to delve deep into your topic. Comprehensive research lays the groundwork for a robust, credible presentation.

Don't just scratch the surface – explore different perspectives, recent developments, and key statistics. This will not only enhance your understanding but also equip you with a wealth of information to answer any questions your audience might have.

4. Choose the right delivery format

Finally, consider the best format to deliver your message.

The right format can make all the difference in how your message is received, so choose wisely!

PowerPoint presentations are classic and easy to work with. But PowerPoint and Google slides are not so versatile in terms of their content experience. They're static, packed with information, and all look alike.

Our own presentation maker offers interactive, personalized, and multimedia content experience.

Data from our research of over 100K presentation sessions shows that audiences engage with Storydoc presentations 103% better than PowerPoint.

How to create an effective presentation?

There’s part art and part science in creating high-engagement high-impact presentations.

An effective presentation is the painstaking result of well-organized content, visuals that support and elevate your message, simplifying complex information, and personalizing wherever possible.

I wrote this post to teach you how to do all these, and a few things more.

Ready to learn? Let's dive in!

How to organize your presentation content?

Crafting a compelling presentation is like writing a page-turner.

You need to captivate your audience, maintain their interest, and guide them effortlessly through your narrative.

But how do you transform a heap of information into a well-structured presentation you can’t stop reading? There’s a structure you can follow.

3-step process for organizing a magnetic presentation:

1. Prioritize content

Your presentation should immediately capture interest and demonstrate relevance before moving on to establish understanding .

A) Build interest:

Begin with a strong hook that grabs your audience's attention. This could be an intriguing statistic, a powerful image , or an engaging question. It should stir curiosity and make your audience eager to hear more.

B) Establish relevance:

Once you have their attention it's time to establish why your presentation matters to your audience.

Address your audience's main concerns. Make sure your content directly speaks to these pain points, and address them in order of importance.

2. Build anticipation

A great presentation is like getting a new car – it builds anticipation, takes you on a thrilling ride, and ends with you wanting to share the experience with all your friends.

Start with a compelling problem your audience relates to and follow up with a promise of an amazing way they can solve it. This problem-solution dynamic creates a suspense that keeps your audience glued to your presentation.

3. Use a story framework

Finally, use a story framework to give your presentation structure and flow.

Begin with a big idea that underpins your presentation. Then delve into the problem, showcasing why it needs attention. Present your solution, painting a vision of a better future for your audience.

Weave in concrete examples of how your solution changes lives.

Tell the story of WHO you helped, WHAT the situation was before and after your solution, WHERE and WHEN it happened, WHY it worked and HOW it made them feel.

If you’re writing a business presentation you should follow this with an execution plan that outlines how the solution will be implemented.

Finally, close with clear next steps, guiding your audience on what they should do after the presentation to bring meaningful change into their lives.

Our recommended story framework:

How to design your presentation?

A good presentation is more than just making it look pretty ; it's about communicating your message effectively and creating a lasting impression.

Good presentation design grabs attention, and leads it to where it’s needed most. It takes your hand and leads you through the easiest and most pleasant path to understanding.

Good presentation design supports your message rather than steals the spotlight. Good design is narrated design.

What is narrated design (Scrollytelling)?

Scrollytelling, where "scroll" meets "storytelling", is an interactive content experience that guides readers through a narrative journey with a simple scroll. It connects text, images, videos, and animations into integrated “scenes” where content is both shown and narrated.

Scrollytelling breaks complex content into digestible chunks and gives the reader control over pace. It has been scientifically shown to enhance engagement, understandability and memorability.

Scrollytelling came up as a central thing when Itai Amoza, our Founder and CEO was building the foundations for Storydoc.

He partnered with one of the world’s leading visualization scientists , prof. Steven Franconeri , to help him bring to Storydoc the means to reduce the complexity, friction, and information overload so characteristic of business presentations.

Scrollytelling is part of the solutions that came up, which led to specialized storytelling slides like our narrator slide (in the example below).

An example of Storydoc scrollytelling:

How to design presentation visuals to support your story

Presentation visuals can be unsung heroes or sloppy distractions.

Visuals can bring your message to life, make complex concepts easy to understand, and engage your audience in ways that words alone cannot. Or… they can sit there looking all pretty and distract you from what’s really going on.

4 elements of great presentation visuals:

Support your message: Your visuals should support your text, highlight your main message, and align with your objective. They should reinforce your points and help your audience understand your message.

Represent your audience: The best visuals are relatable. They should resonate with your target audience and reflect their world of associations. Use images and graphics that your audience can identify with – this can enhance their engagement and make your presentation more memorable. Equally important is using clean images - an effective way to do this is by using tools that allow you to remove your image backgrounds . By eliminating distractions and focusing on your subject, you create images that are more impactful and, therefore, can potentially increase audience engagement.

Introduce your product, outcomes, and clients: Wherever possible, use visuals to demonstrate your product, illustrate outcomes, and represent your clients. This can remove doubt and misunderstanding by letting your audience see (and make obvious) what words sometimes struggle to describe.

Follow your branding guidelines: Your presentation is an extension of your brand, so your visuals should conform to your branding guidelines. Consistent use of colors, fonts, and styles not only enhances brand recognition but also creates a cohesive, professional look.

Here’s an example of a well-designed presentation:

How to communicate complex information?

Did you ever have to read a presentation where you felt like you're lost in a maze of jargon, data, and complex concepts?

Are you giving others this same experience?

Communicating complex information is a common challenge in presentations. But there are ways you can simplify your presentation and reengage your audience.

Here’s how you can get complex information across:

1. Use interactive content

Interactive content is your best friend when it comes to simplifying complex information and getting deeply engaged with your content.

It gets the readers more involved in your presentation by letting them play an active part; like choosing the content route they wish to take and controlling the pace.

It keeps your presentation textually lean - giving readers the choice to expand more details on demand (in tabs, live graphs, sliders, accordions, and calculators).

Beyond that, live graphs can illustrate trends, animations can demonstrate processes, and videos can bring concepts to life.

Calculators, questionnaires, and chatbots provide personalized and specific answers to readers as part of your presentation, without them having to get in touch with you or your team.

Elavating your presentations from static to interactive has been tied to increasing the number of people who read your presentation in full by 41% !

Making interactive used to be hard, but now you can just use Storydoc. Go make your first interactive presentation. It’s easy as pie.

2. Show don’t tell

A picture is worth a thousand words. Because no one will read a presentation with a thousand words, do everyone a favor and use images.

Images can be super effective at communicating complex information and save you a lot of needless text.

In fact, visual representation of data and concepts can often convey what words cannot. Use diagrams, infographics, and images to illustrate your points and simplify the complex.

The goal is to create a visual narrative that complements your verbal one.

3. Narrate your content

Storytelling is another powerful tool for communicating complex concepts.

Whether it's through text to speech AI, video bubbles, or a scrollytelling narrator slide, narrating your content can help guide your audience through the complexity.

By giving your information a narrative structure, you can make it more digestible, engaging, and memorable.

According to Sales Hacker’s data, people remember up to 10% of numbers and 25% of images they see. When you center your presentation around a story, this rises to 60-70% .

4. Use examples and allegories

Examples and allegories help unravel the complexity of ideas.

They scaffold your message with concepts we already know and understand, and can easily imagine in our mind. This makes them less new and intimidating and more familiar.

Critically, the real secret lies in selecting examples that are not just familiar but also deeply relevant—those are the ones that will truly ring with your listeners.

If you tailor the allegory to your audience's world, it is guaranteed to lead to an “aha” moment.

5. Open a line of communication

Finally, invite dialogue. This could be through a chatbot or an option to book a meeting for further discussion. This not only helps clarify any confusion but also encourages engagement and deepens understanding.

For example, finishing your presentation with an interactive calendar to book a meeting instead of a generic “Thank you” slide has proven to boost conversion rate by 27% !

How to personalize your presentation?

Imagine attending a party where the host doesn't remember your name or anything about you. Not a great experience, right? The same holds true for presentations.

In a sea of generic content, personalization can be a lifeline that connects you to your audience on a deeper level. It’s also the single most important predictor of success, getting 68% more people to read your presentation in full .

But how do you add that personal touch?

1. Address reader by name

Just as you wouldn't start a conversation without a greeting, don't start your presentation without acknowledging your audience.

Using your audience's name can make your presentation feel like a personal conversation rather than a generic monologue. It's a simple yet powerful way to engage your audience from the get-go.

2. Use their company logo

Including your audience's company logo in your presentation can make them feel seen and valued. You can use logo templates to easily customize and add these logos to your slides. It shows that you've taken the time to tailor your presentation to them, enhancing its relevance and appeal.

Plus, it's a subtle way to reinforce that your message is specifically designed to address their needs and challenges.

3. Add a personal message (video or text)

A personal message can go a long way in building a connection with your audience.

It could be a video message from you, expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to present to them, or a text message highlighting why the presentation matters to them.

This personal touch can make your audience feel special and more invested in your presentation.

4. Personalize your Call-to-Action

Finally, cap off your presentation with a call to action that speaks directly to your audience.

Swap out the generic 'Contact us' with something that gets to the heart of their needs, something like, 'Let's roll up our sleeves and tackle your [specific issue] at [their company].'

By tailoring your call to action, you show your audience you've truly got their back, that you're not just here to talk, but to make a real, positive impact on their world.

Here’s an example of a personalized slide:

How to measure the effectiveness of your presentation

Imagine if you could peek into your audience's mind, understand what resonated, what fell flat, and what drove them to action?

Presentation analytics is essential in order to guide you on how to fine-tune it for maximum impact.

But how do you get your hands on presentation analytics?

Any presentation you create with Storydoc comes with an out-of-the-box analytics suite , ready to track and provide insights.

We give you 100% visibility into how people engage with your presentations and send you real-time engagement alerts.

Here’s a video explaining how you can track performance with our analytics panel:

4 critical presentation engagement metrics to keep track of

1. Reading time

Storydoc gives you the precise time prospects spend reading your presentation so you can quickly figure out what's hitting the target and what's not.

Are they soaking up every word or just quickly skimming through? This can help you shape your content to hit the bullseye.

NOTE: Keep in mind that reading time alone might not show you a full picture. A better way is to use a smart engagement score that brings together different metrics like time spent and depth of reading. You can get this kind of total score in Storydoc.

2. Reading completion

Another basic metric we track is how many people read your content from start to finish.

This metric is a strong sign of the prospect’s interest and your content quality. It shows you if they're finding the information relevant, but also worth sticking with till the end.

3. Next step conversion rate

This one tracks how many people take the next step after they check out your presentation. This could be filling out a form, setting up a meeting, or downloading more files.

For business presentations, measuring this can show how well your presentation is pushing people further down the sales funnel.

At the top of your analytics dashboard, you can find a tab that shows you how many people clicked on your CTA divided by presentation, date, and location. If you scroll down to the list of readers, next to each person you can also see whether they clicked on the CTA or not.

Here's what it looks like:

4. Number of shares

This metric is particularly important for B2B sales teams . As more people are getting involved in buying decisions, this measure helps you see if and when your content is being passed around inside your prospect’s company.

On the analytics dashboard, under each presentation version, you can find detailed information on how many people read it. So, the higher the number, the more your presentation has been shared internally.

We'll notify you when your presentation has been shared, and who opened it, so you can time your follow-up perfectly to your buyer’s readiness to advance further.

Here's where you can find this information:

Best tool for making an effective presentation

In the realm of presentation tools, classics like Google Slides and PowerPoint offer simplicity and ease, while Canva and Pitch add a dash of design flair and collaboration.

If you're seeking to elevate your presentations to new heights you’ll need to do better than simple PowerPoints or flashy Canvas. Next-gen AI presentation tools like Storydoc are your game-changer.

They break free from the static concept of slides and offer the creation of interactive, immersive content experiences that sweep us along like a good story.

Grab a template - create your best presentation to date

Ever wished for a secret recipe to whip up a killer presentation? We've got something even better! Our interactive presentation templates are your shortcut to success.

Say goodbye to hours of formatting and hello to captivating, interactive presentations, all with a few clicks.

Grab a template and turn presentation woes into wows!

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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The definitive guide to creating a high impact business presentation (with examples)

How to give a business presentation

Have you ever watched a presentation and been blown away by the presence or charisma of the speaker?

The truth is that the best speakers included,use a set of specific skills which they have learned and developed over time. It’s not a fluke that they have taken you on a journey, made you feel like the only person in the room, and inspired you to take action on what they say. They are following a process and using a set of tactics that elicit this reaction. And our goal here is helping you achieve that.

Each component of their presentations is still deliberate and learned. Even the very best comedians, who appear to display the epitome of “off-the-cuff” commentary, meticulously plan and practice every aspect of their shows so that they come across as natural and witty.

Jerry Seinfeld, for instance, is renowned for being one of the most well-prepared speakers in the world.

‍ Seinfeld says , “Every comedian, like every athlete, has a little routine… I never vary it. It just feels comfortable.” ‍ From pitching a potential client to persuading your CEO to ramp up the marketing budget, each presentation has subtle differences which determine whether or not they are effective in achieving the desired outcome.

With that said, there are a few universal guidelines when it comes to delivering an effective business presentation. This guide will provide an overview of the different types and delve deeper into the elements that work together to deliver impact. 

Here are some of the most important business presentation skills you should learn and improve over time:

Practice and prepare

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “I know this stuff” and “winging it” when it’s time to present. Some may even think that an delivering an excellent business presentation is as easy as speaking. However, the best presenters prepare meticulously.

For important presentations, plan on a minimum of 10 run-throughs . By doing so, you increase your chances of the presentation going off without a hitch and your ability to ability to engage with the audience in the moment.

When presenting, it’s easy to get lost in your slides, caught reading notes or worried about what you will say next. But if you prepare appropriately, you can truly be present during the presentation–the most effective way to engage an audience and maintain their attention. 

However, we know that is easier said than done. Here’s a quick but effective guide to help you give killer presentations without notes:

Tell a great story

Studies suggest that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts. Stories connect with us on a personal level, tapping into emotion–just one reason they have been a crucial foundation of human society, passing on knowledge for generations.

Storytelling, however, isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s a skill and a formula that the best presenters use to capture an audience.

This TED Talk by Nancy Duarte showcases not only an impactful presentation, but highlights the power of storytelling in conveying a message.

The 10-20-30 rule

Helping others understand a complex topic in simple language is perhaps the greatest skill of an effective presenter. If you overload a presentation with information, the people watching are more likely to leave being confused or simply disengage during the presentation. Guy Kawasaki’s 10-20-30 rule is a good structure to follow: ‍

Inexperienced presenters have a tendency to overload their slide deck with information and run out of time right before they get to the juicy part of their message. Using the 10-20-30 rule is a good way to condense a presentation and reduce the chance of running out of time.

Physical awareness, eye contact, and voice projection

Did you know that 55% of the way someone interprets your communication is attributed to body language, and 38% attributed to your tone of voice? That leaves only 7% of interpretation based on the actual words said.

Given these statistics, the way we prepare for presentations should be weighted towards understanding how what our body language and tone of voice says, rather than obsessing over simply the words we say. 

As with any new skills, these presentation skills won’t develop overnight. To truly become an excellent presenter and communicator in the workplace, you need to practice and refine your skillset habitually.

Now let’s talk about how to create the presentation deck itself.

How to make a business presentation slide deck

What is the audience looking at when you are presenting? Your slides.

There will be moments when you engage one-to-one in eye contact with people, but for the most part, they are using their visual senses and looking at your slides to better understand what you are talking about.

Given this behavior, the look and feel of your slides can either help or hinder the consumption and retention of your message. As a result, the way you design your slide deck is critical. If you’re short on time or resources, SketchDeck just might be the perfect solution to get high-quality, on brand presentation design.

Here are some best practices to follow when it comes to presentation design:

Types of business presentations

There is a fairly broad spectrum of pitches, speeches, and meetings that business professionals both encounter and carry out in their day-to-day work. As a result, it is important that before we talk about how to create one, we define what it is.

A business presentation is the delivery of a message to a group or individual with the purpose of influencing their perception of a topic so that it aligns with a desired set of outcomes. While these presentations take several forms, we can group them into three primary categories: ‍

• Sales presentation : A sales presentation or sales pitch refers to a structured message which attempts to persuade someone to buy a product or service. ‍
• Marketing presentation : Unlike a sales pitch, a marketing presentation is typically delivered to other representatives within a business. The purpose of this business meeting presentation is to educate and influence internal decision-makers or budget holders to buy into a plan for promoting a product or service. ‍
• Other business presentations : ‍ On top of marketing and sales presentations, there are any number of professional presentations that could be categorized as business presentations. These include information sessions, training initiatives, reporting on results, innovation brainstorms, problem-solving collectives, and much more.

Use brand guidelines

Your business should have a set of design guidelines in place which all collateral, including presentations, abide by. Things such as primary colors, secondary colors, layout, fonts, style, and flow should all be itemized and described in this document.

For an example, check out the SketchDeck Brandbook.

Business presentation templates are your friends

In addition to using your brand’s set of design guidelines, it’s helpful to create a series of themed templates for each type of business presentation. This way, whenever someone in your organization is conducting a presentation they have an on-brand framework to work from.

Have a design library

To ensure consistency across your brand, develop a design library for employees that is hosted in the cloud. This library will provide quick and easy access to your guidelines, templates, and a set of pre-approved images and graphics. 

PowerPoint best practices

For our next step, let’s check a few PowerPoint best practices (works for Google Slides and pretty much any other presentation software, too):

Adopt the KISS approach

Say it with us–keep it short and simple and you’ll keep your viewers happy. Limit yourself to one key idea per slide:

Not only will this allow you to inform your audience without overwhelming them, but it will also keep you from diluting the importance of each piece of information with tangents.

This doesn’t apply to only text, though–crowding every corner with graphs, animations and even logos prevent the key points from being communicated. As posited by Edward Tufte, “ PowerPointPhluff ” is a trap many presenters fall prey to, replacing serious analysis with chart junk, over-produced layouts, cheerleader logotypes, and branding, not to mention corny clip art.

As a general rule, you should aim to include no more than three pieces of information on one slide–all of which contribute to one idea.

Draw attention to key points

Use contrasting colors, font variations, and moving graphics to draw people’s attention to the most important points in your presentation.

In the example below, you can see how a simple variation in fonts can have a powerful visual impact on the way someone interprets a slide:

Additional business presentation tips

Once you’ve practiced your presentation skills and refined your design, you may ask: what else can you do to deliver a powerful presentation? Here are some additional tips, ideas and best practices:

Seek feedback

As with anything, if you want to get better at presenting, the best way to do so is to seek constructive feedback and use that feedback to improve.

For best results, go beyond asking a friend or colleague “how it went” or “how you did.” Instead, enlist a coach, mentor, or accountability partner who can provide structured and meaningful feedback.

‍ Even though you are conducting a business presentation, don’t neglect the entertainment factor.

People like to feel –whether it be laughing, crying, being held in suspense, and/or drawn to the edge of their seat. Entertainment and emotion are components that grab attention and will inevitably help you convey your message. 

Make it visual

Research suggests that a staggering 65% of people are visual learners. Not only that, but studies show that the retention of knowledge is significantly increased when visuals are used rather than text, so keep this in mind when creating your slide deck.

This presentation from Andreas von der Heydt shows off the power of visuals in presentations with only minimal text on each slide. 

Now let’s get visual and check a few great business presentation decks available online!

Here is a collection of 15 of the best business presentations, including key insights and takeaways for your next deck.

Sample business presentations

1. how google works.

Putting together a presentation like this one is no easy task. It is lighthearted but extremely professional and relevant at the same time. Each slide makes you curious to see what’s next, and they keep it fun without fluff. Bravo!

2. Zuora Sales Deck

Some say this is the best sales deck ever . For us, it’s hard to say this is the best business presentation we’ve seen, seeing as we’ve designed over 4,000 presentations for amazing clients–but it is surely one of the more powerful presentations out there. 

We like how Zuora’s deck tells a compelling story through great visuals and a perfectly structured narrative. They press the right buttons throughout to make their target audience uncomfortable enough to pay attention, yet hopeful enough to crave for their solution.

And while finding good business pictures for presentations can be challenging, Zuora takes it to the next level by using on-brand visual aids to support their message on each slide. 

PowerPoint is not boring–dull slides and corny animations are. 

With creativity and skill, you can make wonderful presentations in PowerPoint. This presentation we made for Dialpad was a big hit thanks to the engaging animations that both embodied the brand’s exceptional quality and displayed in-depth service details in a clean, dynamic way. (Again, all in PowerPoint!) 

In order to resonate with your audience, you must know your audience–something Reddit excels at.

Not only is this deck 100% on-brand, it’s also funny and interesting in a relevant way for their audience. They did a great job with their company presentation, showing how Reddit works and their strong policies against spammers and attempts to “game” the platform.

The deck also excelled at showing success cases, using both creative and down-to-earth ads to show that their platform brings a good ROI if you follow their guidelines, whether you have a brilliant marketing campaign or a set of simple, on-point ads.

5. Hiperdist ‍

This deck is living proof you don’t need to toot your own horn in a professional business presentation.

In this 9 slide deck about key reasons to move your clients to Microsoft Office 365, Hiperdist remained laser focused on the solution that was relevant to their audience. They only mentioned their own brand in the final slides, with contact information and a one-sentence description.

Perhaps the only area that they could’ve done better in is following the golden rule–one key point per slide! To ensure you are concise and not wordy in your own presentation, create a business presentation outline before designing your deck. 

6. Snapchat

This deck does a magnificent job by cutting to the chase quickly and presenting relevant data without clutter. Simple, on-brand, to the point and well-designed–a great example of how business presentation slides should look and feel.

7. Adgibbon

After providing top-notch business presentation services for years, we’ve developed a sixth sense when it comes to great presentations. We can usually tell if a deck is good or bad from the first slides.

Adgibbon was a hit from head to tail, dynamically showcasing their product, one feature per slide and keeping things light, fun, and 100% on-brand. 

8. Launchrock ‍

With a clean, on-brand look and feel, Launchrock showcases everything they need in 16 crisp slides. 

And the best thing about their clean design? If they need new business presentations, all they need to do is use this one as a template and they’re ready to go!

That’s one of the major benefits of a professional business presentation PPT template: you can easily streamline outstanding decks, keeping guesswork out of the equation.

9. Schmidt Ocean Institute

Giving a presentation about something as complex as marine science and conservation could be considered overwhelming. That didn’t stop Schmidt Ocean Institute, however, from killing it with their 2018 Visions to Reality deck.

This deck is a masterclass on how to make a business PowerPoint presentation look great by harmonizing beautiful photography, illustrations, data points, blockquotes, technical knowledge and company achievements without clutter, fluff or dullness.

10. Greylock Partners

With major companies like Dropbox and Okta on their portfolio, Greylock Partners has in-depth knowledge and experience in their field. They also know how to show their expertise in a digestible and compelling manner. 

If you’re stuck and need some tips on how to give a powerful presentation, take a deep dive into this deck. They use subtle background authoritative images to build trust with their audience…  

And not only do they ask the billion dollar question…

But they also answer it with uncanny precision and great visual aids.

Finally, they use data-driven graphs to back up their answer and simultaneously show the audience their expertise.

Pitching investors demands your A-game. And since 91% of professionals feel more confident when they have a beautifully designed presentation, design plays a major role in prepping for success.

When Air was preparing for an important presentation for a group of investors, they decided they needed a new look. Within two weeks, we had worked together to create a beautiful final presentation. The presentation was a hit, and they wowed their investors!

Remember: beautiful design is not only an aesthetic need, but also a profitable decision that can make or break huge opportunities.

12. Office Vibe

With vibrant colors and fun illustrations, each slide from Office Vibe’s deck is delightful and informative. It’s captivating enough to make you want to flip through the entire deck more than once–a good marker of a winning PowerPoint business presentation deck.

13. Degreed

Degreed’s takeaway slides are just what every audience needs–a breakdown of data-heavy slides into digestible tidbits. 

Their capacity to illustrate data is also worth mentioning, as it increases information retention.

14. Hubspot

Hubspot presentations are on-brand, fun, and engaging, and their Zero to IPO deck is no different.

And of course, full of memes.

Disclaimer: we’re not saying you should use memes, but they can help engage the audience if on-brand (assuming your audience is as fond of memes as many marketers are!)

15. Thrive Savings

Have a tight timeline for an important business presentation, but not confident your current deck is good enough to make a stand for your brand?

That’s why we exist! Thrive Savings was a young startup without firm brand guidelines, but that didn’t stop us from creating a pitch deck that personified their brand. Taking inspiration from their social media marketing, we worked together to create a fresh and dynamic deck design in under a week, from start to finish. 

Aislinn Barry

• Originally published on September 11, 2019

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Give High Impact Presentations and Talks – 6 Expert Tips

January 13, 2023

Do you want to give high impact presentations and talks?

Do you want to engage your audience and do you want to present with impact when speaking if your answer to any of these is ‘yes’, then these techniques are for you..

We’ve been coaching business leaders to become impressive public speakers for more than ten years. We can transform a nervous presenter into a high impact public speaker in just a few hours with public speaking training . We use these tools from our public speaking toolbox to transform dull performances into impressive, high impact talks and presentations:

How To Give High Impact Presentations Use short phrases in your talk Include many more personal pronouns Introduce more and longer pauses Use rhetorical tools Connect with the audience within 10 seconds Avoid metatalk in your presentation

Presenting with Impact Tip #1. Use short phrases

Spoken language works best when delivered in snackable bites, using short, simple words and phrases .

• Speak a few words at a time.
• One idea per phrase.
• Cut long sentences into chunks.
• Take out sub clauses and complex constructions.

High Impact Presentation Tip #2. Include many more personal pronouns

You will find that personal pronouns are more compelling when you use them in your presentations. When you use I, We , Us and You, it means that you are speaking directly to your audience. You’ll find this technique works well. And you’ll find your words easier to say.

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High Impact Talks Tip #3. Introduce more and longer pauses

Say this phrase out loud,{pause] with long pauses. {pause] You would be amazed how long you can pause. {pause] Pauses are so important. {pause] Learn how to use pauses when presenting.

• Pauses give your audience time to think.
• They give you time to compose your next line.
• Pauses also make you look more impressive.

High Impact Presentation Tip #4. Use rhetorical tools

Rhetorical tools are often forgotten, but critical in high impact talks. For example:

• repetition ,
• alliteration ,
• sets of three ,
• and personal stories.

These are some of the most useful and important tools you can adopt. Used well, they will transform your performance.

High Impact Talks Tip #5. Connect with your audience within 10 seconds

Never start your talk with “Hello, my name is… I am here today to talk to you about….”

Instead, give a high impact start to your presentation and grab their attention immediately. Use one of the many tried and tested ways to hook your audience and lead them straight into your subject.

High Impact Presentations Tip #6. Avoid metatalk

The biggest presentation secret to presenting with impact is not a secret at all., in a conversation you would never say: “in this sentence you will hear that i am saying…..” or “in my next paragraph i will outline my argument.” this would be “meta-talk”: talk about talking, and it sounds very odd, that’s the presentation secret. so why do we see so many presenters start their presentation with: “in this presentation i will show you….” or “i will take you through this presentation….” that sort of meta-talk is annoying because it distances you from your audience. you distance yourself at exactly the time when you need to connect., to avoid this presentation mistake , our presentation skills coaching shows you how to speak directly to your audience rather than narrate the mechanics of your presentation., presentation secret: great presenters avoid metatalk..

What does this mean in practice? Avoid referring to your presentation as a separate entity. Instead, talk to your audience as if to a person – one to one. And only refer to your visual aids as needed.

For example:

You SHOULD NOT say: “Now turn to page 3. Here are the quarterly sales figures. As shown on the presentation, sales this quarter are up 3% and the graph shows the positive trend.” You SHOULD say: “ Sales this quarter are up 3%. That is a good result. This means we have now been increasing sales for the last 6 quarters. It’s a trend we would love to see continue.”

Can you see the difference?

In the second example you don’t mention the slide or the graph. You aren’t narrating a slide, you are talking to the audience and the slide/graph visually supports your argument. It’s a subtle change, but completely changes how effectively you communicate.

If you want to learn more about this and many other techniques for better presentations, please get in touch and find out how we can support you to become a world-class presenter .

You may also be interested in Five techniques to make a boring presentation more interesting .

Start your journey to world-class communication skills now

Download our  free ebook : Powerful Presenting:  Transform your Leadership Talks . It’s full of practical tips and insight to help you make high impact presentations:

• Increased confidence
• Improved persuasion
• Greater engagement

Click here to download your free copy of the ebook now.

Have you got an upcoming talk or presentation do you want to become an even more impressive public speaker if so, talk to us..

We have developed a robust toolbox of techniques to help you deliver clear, confident talks and presentations.

We’ll help you look, sound and feel impressive so that you grab your audience’s attention.  In just a few short hours we’ll transform you to deliver clearly, confidently and with impact. You can prepare a specific speech with us, or learn skills that will benefit you all your life.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to discuss how we can help you become an impressive public speaker.

Transform your pitches and presentation with tailored coaching.

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too .

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.” Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

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Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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What leaders say about Benjamin Ball Associates

Coo, northpeak.

Whenever I need help with public speaking or presentations, Ben is always the first person I call. His advice and guidance have been invaluable, helping me refine my ideas and deliver them with confidence. Ben’s ability to break down complex concepts and offer actionable feedback is truly unmatched. He’s not just a great communicator himself, but also an incredible mentor who inspires others to excel. I can’t recommend Ben highly enough for his expertise and support!

Chelsea Hayes, COO, NorthPeak Resources

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Paul Farrow on several occasions, and every time, I am reminded of his incredible ability to tailor media training to the unique needs of each stakeholder. Whether it’s someone with years of experience or a beginner taking their first steps as a spokesperson, Paul ensures that every participant feels confident and prepared to tackle their specific communication challenges. What sets Paul apart is his thoughtfulness and kindness in every interaction. He not only delivers valuable insights but also works seamlessly with the communications team to ensure the training is both impactful and aligned with broader goals. The results speak for themselves — participants consistently show clear improvement and feel empowered to take on their roles as effective speakers. Even during long Zoom sessions, Paul manages to keep the energy high and the experience enjoyable for everyone involved. His collaborative and engaging approach makes the training not only productive but genuinely enjoyable. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone looking for a media trainer who delivers results, works with empathy, and truly understands how to bring out the best in every participant.

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Ceo, plunkett uk.

"Thank you so much for an absolutely brilliant session yesterday! It was exactly what we were hoping for, and you did an incredibly job covering such a range of issues with four very different people in such short a session. It really was fantastic - thank you!"

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Manager, ubs.

"Essential if you are going to be a spokesperson for your business"

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10 Expert Tips for Delivering Powerful Business Presentations

Business presentations can make or break deals, inspire teams, and drive change.

10 Expert Tips for Delivering a Powerful Business Presentation

Business presentations can make or break deals, inspire teams, and drive change. Creating powerful business presentations requires key presentation skills you need lie in understanding your audience, structuring your content effectively, and engaging your listeners from start to finish. At Impact Factory , we’ve seen firsthand how these elements can transform an ordinary talk into an unforgettable experience.

To craft a powerful business presentation that resonates, start by knowing who you’re talking to. This isn’t just about names and job titles – it’s about understanding their needs, challenges, and what they hope to gain from your talk. Next, build a clear, logical structure that guides your audience through your ideas. Finally, use engaging storytelling techniques to bring your points to life and make them stick.

But that’s just the beginning. Let’s dive deeper into these expert tips that’ll help you deliver business presentations that truly pack a punch.

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Key Takeaways

• Know your audience and tailor your content to their needs and interests.
• Structure your presentation clearly with a strong opening, logical flow, and memorable conclusion.
• Use engaging visuals and storytelling techniques to make your message stick.
• Practice regularly, seek feedback, and continuously refine your presentation skills.

Essential Tips for a Powerful Business Presentation

Know your audience, structure your presentation well, use storytelling, keep visuals simple and clear, practice and stay calm, incorporate technology effectively, be inclusive and considerate, engage your audience throughout, handle q&a sessions with confidence, seek feedback and improve.

Before you even open PowerPoint , take a moment to prepare for your presentation and think about who you’re talking to. Are they tech wizards or marketing mavens? Knowing your audience is like having a secret weapon. It lets you tailor your message to what they care about most.

For example, if you’re presenting to a group of busy executives, they’ll probably want you to cut to the chase. But if you’re talking to a team of creative designers, they might appreciate a more visual, story-driven approach.

Here’s a quick way to get to know your audience:

• Find out their job roles
• Learn about their main challenges
• Understand what they hope to gain from your presentation

If you are looking for In-House PowerPoint Presentation Training for a group or teams, please see our

When you’re structuring your presentation , think of it like a good story – it needs a strong beginning, a meaty middle, and a satisfying end.

Start with a bang. Grab their attention right from the get-go with a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a short, relevant story. This is your chance to make them sit up and think, “Hey, this might actually be interesting!”

For the main part of your talk, stick to a clear structure. Don’t jump around from point to point like a kangaroo on a trampoline. Instead, guide your audience through your ideas step by step. Use clear transitions between your main points, like “Now that we’ve covered X, let’s move on to Y.”

To conclude the presentation , end with a punch. Summarise your main points, but don’t just repeat them word for word. Instead, tie everything together and show how it all relates to your main message. Then, give your audience a clear next step or call to action. What do you want them to do with the information you’ve just shared?

Remember how captivated you were the last time someone told you a good story? That’s the power of storytelling , and it works just as well in powerful business presentations.

Stories make your points stick. They add colour to your facts and figures, making them more memorable and relatable. For instance, instead of just saying “Our product increased efficiency by 25%,” you could tell a quick story about how it helped a specific customer save time and reduce stress.

Personal anecdotes are great too. They help you connect with your audience on a human level. Just keep them short and relevant – your presentation shouldn’t turn into storytime at the library!

If you are looking for In-House Storytelling Training for a group or teams, please see our

When it comes to creating impactful slides , less is often more. Think of your visuals as support for your words, not a replacement for them. You don’t want your audience reading War and Peace on your slides while you’re talking!

Here’s how to make your visual elements work for you:

• Use images that support your point. A well-chosen picture can be worth a thousand words.
• If you’re using charts or graphs, keep them simple. Your audience shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in data science to understand them.
• Stick to one main idea per slide. This helps your audience focus on what’s important.
• Use big, easy-to-read fonts. If people in the back are squinting, your font’s too small.

Remember, your slides are there to enhance your presentation, not to be your presentation.

Top easy-to-use PowerPoint Tips to start you off on the right foot.

Ever heard the saying “practice makes perfect”? Well, when it comes to presentations, it’s spot on. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel when it’s showtime.

Here’s a quick practice routine:

• Run through your presentation out loud. Yes, even if you feel silly talking to yourself.
• Time yourself. This helps you make sure you’re not trying to cram too much in.
• Practice in front of a mirror, or better yet, record yourself. You might spot habits you didn’t even know you had.

Feeling nervous? That’s totally normal. Even seasoned pros get butterflies. To calm your nerves , try this: take a few deep breaths before you start. It’s simple, but it works wonders to calm those nerves.

If you’re presenting online (like on Zoom ), remember that it’s a different ball game from in-person talks. Here are some tips:

• Test your tech beforehand. Nothing kills a presentation faster than 10 minutes of “Can you hear me now?”
• Look at the camera, not your screen. It helps your audience feel like you’re talking to them.
• Use interactive features like polls or chat to keep your audience engaged. It’s easy for people to zone out when they’re watching a screen, so give them reasons to stay alert.

Whether you’re presenting in person or online, remember that technology should make your business presentation more powerful, not be the star of the show. If your fancy animation crashes, be ready to carry on without missing a beat.

It’s crucial to make sure everyone in your audience feels included and respected. This isn’t just about being nice – it’s about making sure your message reaches everyone effectively.

Here’s how to make your presentation more inclusive :

• Use language that everyone can understand. Avoid jargon or inside jokes that might leave some people feeling left out.
• Choose visuals that represent different types of people. If you’re using images of people, make sure they reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Consider different learning styles. Some people learn best by listening, others by seeing, and some by doing. Try to include elements that cater to each of these styles.

Remember, an inclusive presentation is a more effective presentation. When everyone feels included, they’re more likely to engage with your message.

Keeping your audience engaged is like keeping a campfire going – you need to tend to it constantly. Here are some ways to keep the flames of interest burning:

• To speak well when presenting , vary your tone and pace. Speaking in a monotone is the fastest way to put your audience to sleep. Mix it up!
• Ask questions. This could be rhetorical questions to make people think, or actual questions to get them involved.
• Use activities or mini-exercises. Even something as simple as “turn to your neighbour and discuss for 30 seconds” can wake people up and get them engaged.

The key is to make your audience active participants, not just passive listeners. When people are involved, they’re more likely to remember what you’ve said.

The Q&A session can be the most nerve-wracking part of a presentation for many people. But with the right approach, it can also be the most valuable part for both you and your audience.

Here’s how to ace your Q&A :

• Prepare for likely questions in advance. Think about what people might ask and have some answers ready.
• When someone asks a question, repeat it before answering. This ensures everyone heard the question and gives you a moment to think.
• If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say so. Offer to find out and get back to them later.

Remember, the Q&A isn’t an exam – it’s a chance for dialogue. Treat it as an opportunity to clarify your points and learn from your audience.

The best presenters never stop learning. Every presentation is a chance to get better. After your talk, take some time to reflect and gather feedback.

Ask yourself:

• What went well?
• What could I improve next time?
• Did I achieve my goal for this presentation?

Don’t just rely on your own assessment, though. Seek feedback from others. This could be from colleagues, mentors, or even audience members. Be open to constructive criticism – it’s the fastest way to improve.

Consider recording your presentations when possible. Watching yourself can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s an excellent way to spot areas for improvement that you might miss in the moment.

If you are looking for In-House Presentation Skills Training for a group or teams, please see our

How Impact Factory Can Help

Mastering the art of powerful business presentations takes time and practice. But you don’t have to go it alone. At Impact Factory, we’re passionate about helping professionals like you become more confident, effective communicators.

Our range of training options includes:

• Presentation Skills Training
• Storytelling for Business
• Public Speaking Training
• Pitching for Business Training

Each of these courses is designed to address specific aspects of delivering impactful presentations. We offer personalised support and coaching to meet your individual needs and professional goals.

Ready to take your presentation skills to the next level? Get in touch with us today. Let’s work together to make your next business presentation truly unforgettable.

What should be in a business presentation?

A powerful business presentation typically includes:

• An attention-grabbing introduction
• Clear, well-structured main points
• Supporting evidence or data
• Relevant examples or case studies
• A compelling conclusion
• A clear call to action

The exact content will depend on your specific topic and audience, but these elements form a solid foundation for most business presentations.

What is the 5/5/5 rule for better presentation?

The 5/5/5 rule is a handy guideline for creating effective slides. It suggests:

• No more than 5 words per line of text
• No more than 5 lines of text per slide
• No more than 5 text-heavy slides in a row

This rule helps keep your slides clean and easy to read, preventing information overload for your audience.

What is the 10/20/30 rule?

The 10/20/30 rule, popularised by venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki , suggests that a PowerPoint presentation should:

• Contain no more than 10 slides
• Last no more than 20 minutes
• Use fonts no smaller than 30 point size

This rule encourages presenters to focus on their key messages and avoid overwhelming their audience with too much information.

What are the three general types of business presentations?

The three general types of business presentations are:

• Informative presentations: These aim to educate the audience about a specific topic, product, or process. They focus on sharing knowledge and insights.
• Persuasive presentations: These are designed to convince the audience to take a specific action or adopt a particular viewpoint. Sales pitches and investor presentations often fall into this category.
• Instructional presentations: These presentations teach the audience how to do something. They often include step-by-step guides or demonstrations. Training sessions and how-to presentations are examples of this type.

Each type of presentation has its own goals and strategies, but the tips we’ve discussed can be applied to all of them to make your presentations more effective and engaging.

Related Articles:

Are you ready to take your presentation skills to the next level? We have the right resources to help you out:

• What Tools and Software to Use to Create the Best Work Presentations – When it comes to presentations, you don’t need to rely only on PowerPoint. Here are more tools and software options you can use.
• Storytelling In Presentations For Business Success – Why exactly is storytelling important for business presentations?
• What Makes a Bad Presentation: Top 9 Mistakes to Avoid – Learning from mistakes is often one of the best ways to improve your skills. We share 9 common mistakes you should avoid in your presentation.

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