concept of seminar presentation

What is a Seminar? The Complete Guide

If you are in the field of delivering training to at least one organization, you must understand the term seminar. A seminar is a meeting or conference designed to increase awareness of an idea or expand understanding of a topic. 

What is a Seminar and How Does It Work?

A seminar is a meeting or a conference that is usually organized for a particular topic.

In education, seminars are used to share information other than acquiring knowledge from the teacher. They are an effective way of passing on other forms of knowledge from different sources. 

A seminar may also have a few group exercises and lectures. However, most of the time is spent listening to presentations. 

What is the Purpose of a Seminar?

1. providing an opportunity to explore a topic in-depth.

A seminar is a live presentation of a set topic where all participants can ask questions and interact to gain a better understanding.

2. To sell products, services, or new projects

A seminar is an elaborate presentation or lecture, especially by an expert in some field, to teach people about the subject. 

3. Collaboration, brainstorming, and discussion among participants

Seminars are generally held in open groups, and they provide a less formal but more interactive way to learn than lectures and classrooms.

4. To serve as a training tool for businesses 

A seminar facilitates the sharing of information between managers and staff members. Business seminars can help improve staff satisfaction through increased morale and creativity, which in turn will lead to higher productivity.

5. To meet new people and develop relationships

A seminar can be a branded event hosted by a company or an educational series hosted by a university. They’re common in markets where recruiting and ongoing training are a priority. They can also be used in ongoing professional development.

Seminars help to meet new people and develop relationships within fields of interest.

How Can Seminars Be Used to Enhance the Learning Process?

1. stimulate the imagination of learners.

Seminars in business and education creatively propel learners’ thinking. Yet, when it is time for them to return to their daily activities, they have to regroup their thoughts and assets gained from the seminar. 

2. Experiment with learning styles

Seminars focus on various learning styles and can help in problem-solving and taking informed decisions. In addition to equipping the participants with new skills and tools.

3. Motivate, coach, and empower

A seminar is a session in which you share your knowledge, ideas, and experience with clients to help them. They are generally conducted in a classroom or conference room. 

However recently more organizations are using virtual classrooms that run using interactive whiteboard tools or computers. 

A seminar is ideal for motivating, coaching, and empowering participants before, during, and after the seminar is conducted.

4. Encourage lifelong learning

5. serve as a vehicle for exploration and discovery.

Seminars are often held to inform or educate. These events can serve as a vehicle for exploration and discovery.

In addition, participants might have the opportunity to discuss certain parts of the material presented during breaks or after the seminar is over. This way there is room for the discovery of new things.

What Are the Forms of Seminars Available? 

It is often referred to as a “ face-to-face seminar “. A physical seminar is a live event where people come together to hear what the speaker or teacher has to say. It‘s a formal meeting that usually involves highly focused learning.

Online seminars (Webinars)

A webinar is an educational seminar offered via web-based technologies, such as the Internet, online services, or video conferencing .

Unlike seminars, webinars are delivered online making them cost-effective and convenient for learners located around the world to participate.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Seminar?

1. acquire new skills and knowledge.

Seminars are designed to help individuals up-skill themselves in an area of expertise. This is achieved through the presentation of various topics featuring new, upcoming, and proven concepts.

Additionally, learning new skills can enable individuals to build up their vocational knowledge which they can use to succeed in their professional careers.

2. You will be able to practice your public speaking

3. gain practical experience in your field.

Attending a seminar will allow you to gain practical experience in your field. By applying the speaker’s ideas, you can also improve your work management skills, improve your abilities, and expand your knowledge base.

4. Get answers to your questions

A seminar will answer most, if not all, of your questions. Exhibitors and seminar leaders do their best to address the specific concerns of the audience. Besides, the main purpose of a seminar is to help you learn from industry experts. 

It will answer the questions you have about your work and thus, help you in your journey to the top.

5. Build relationships with people you meet at seminars

People with similar interests to yours are likely to be at seminars. This is a great networking opportunity.  

Furthermore, networking helps you build lasting relationships with others in your industry. These types of relationships will also help you improve your ventures in any area of life, including business.

What Skills Do You Need for Presenting in a Seminar?

Try it for an hour or two each day, and in a relatively short number of weeks, you will find that your improvement will be remarkable. The presenter’s world is full of danger lurking in all manner of forms that can sabotage any presentation. 

Thankfully, some strategies are easy to implement that can significantly increase the effectiveness of any presentation. Below are some tips on preparing for a seminar.

What Are the Tips to Prepare for a Seminar?

1. know your message.

You’ve done the research; now it’s time to find the audience. The first step in putting together your seminar is to know exactly what you want to say. This isn’t easy if you’re an expert in several areas. 

Ideally, write an outline for each of your speeches and practice them (out loud) to see how they sound. If your message is well-supported by its arguments, it will be easier for you to present.

2. Consider the goal of the audience 

Public seminars can be a great way to get your name out there about what you do. But it is important to be aware of what an audience expects from a seminar. One of the goals of a seminar is to provide information to meet your audience’s needs. 

3. Who will be at the seminar

 Identify who will be attending the seminar before kick-off. This will help you determine the content, activities, or handouts you need to have ready. It also reveals how to best market your seminar as a result. 

4. Anticipate possible questions

The traditional notion of a seminar is that it is a formal event. The attendants ask questions to clarify their doubts about the topic for easy understanding. As a presenter, it is very difficult to guess what an audience is thinking about the subject in advance. 

5. Provide value and remove objections

You want to hold a conference or seminar, but you are not sure what you should do to make it successful. You already have the best topic selected, now all you need is to bring it to life. 

Give the audience something of value. This might be an offer of free information that has value, or it might be something tangible, like a light lunch or free samples.

How is a seminar different from a conference or symposium?

Seminars, on the other hand, are typically set up in a more general format to educate a larger audience on particular subject areas.

Who can organize a seminar?

Or you run an organization that wants to attract more members. Either way, a seminar is a great way to get your name out there.

Final Thoughts 

A seminar is a meeting of people with similar interests, objectives, or professions to discuss issues related to their field. It provides a flexible learning atmosphere that allows participants to interact with one another and with the presenter.

Seminars also allow students to network with other students and professionals in their major or career field.

The blog, LMS Hero provides high-quality information on e-learning and education to the general public as well as experts. You are welcome to explore the blog at your leisure.

Thanks for reading.

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• Interactive Presentation

How To Write A Presentation 101 | Step-by-Step Guides with Best Examples | 2024 Reveals

Jane Ng • 05 April, 2024 • 9 min read

Is it difficult to start of presentation? You're standing before a room full of eager listeners, ready to share your knowledge and captivate their attention. But where do you begin? How do you structure your ideas and convey them effectively?

Take a deep breath, and fear not! In this article, we'll provide a road map on how to write a presentation covering everything from crafting a script to creating an engaging introduction.

So, let's dive in!

Table of Contents

What is a presentation , what should be in a powerful presentation.

• How To Write A Presentation Script
• How to Write A Presentation Introduction 

Key Takeaways

Tips for better presentation.

• How to start a presentation
• How to introduce yourself

Start in seconds.

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Presentations are all about connecting with your audience. 

Presenting is a fantastic way to share information, ideas, or arguments with your audience. Think of it as a structured approach to effectively convey your message. And you've got options such as slideshows, speeches, demos, videos, and even multimedia presentations!

The purpose of a presentation can vary depending on the situation and what the presenter wants to achieve. 

• In the business world, presentations are commonly used to pitch proposals, share reports, or make sales pitches. 
• In educational settings, presentations are a go-to for teaching or delivering engaging lectures. 
• For conferences, seminars, and public events—presentations are perfect for dishing out information, inspiring folks, or even persuading the audience.

That sounds brilliant. But, how to write a presentation?

• Clear and Engaging Introduction: Start your presentation with a bang! Hook your audience's attention right from the beginning by using a captivating story, a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote. Clearly state the purpose of your presentation and establish a connection with your listeners.
• Well-Structured Content: Organize your content logically and coherently. Divide your presentation into sections or main points and provide smooth transitions between them. Each section should flow seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive narrative. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide your audience through the presentation.
• Compelling Visuals: Incorporate visual aids, such as images, graphs, or videos, to enhance your presentation. Make sure your visuals are visually appealing, relevant, and easy to understand. Use a clean and uncluttered design with legible fonts and appropriate color schemes. 
• Engaging Delivery: Pay attention to your delivery style and body language. You should maintain eye contact with your audience, use gestures to emphasize key points, and vary your tone of voice to keep the presentation dynamic. 
• Clear and Memorable Conclusion: Leave your audience with a lasting impression by providing a strong closing statement, a call to action, or a thought-provoking question. Make sure your conclusion ties back to your introduction and reinforces the core message of your presentation.

How To Write A Presentation Script (With Examples)

To successfully convey your message to your audience, you must carefully craft and organize your presentation script. Here are steps on how to write a presentation script: 

1/ Understand Your Purpose and Audience

• Clarify the purpose of your presentation. Are you informing, persuading, or entertaining?
• Identify your target audience and their knowledge level, interests, and expectations.
• Define what presentation format you want to use

2/ Outline the Structure of Your Presentation

Strong opening.

Start with an engaging opening that grabs the audience's attention and introduces your topic. Some types of openings you can use are: 

• Start with a Thought-Provoking Question: "Have you ever...?"
• Begin with a Surprising Fact or Statistic: "Did you know that....?"
• Use a Powerful Quote: "As Maya Angelou once said,...."
• Tell a Compelling Story : "Picture this: You're standing at...."
• Start with a Bold Statement: "In the fast-paced digital age...."

Main Points

Clearly state your main points or key ideas that you will discuss throughout the presentation.

• Clearly State the Purpose and Main Points: Example: "In this presentation, we will delve into three key areas. First,... Next,... Finally,.... we'll discuss...."
• Provide Background and Context: Example: "Before we dive into the details, let's understand the basics of....."
• Present Supporting Information and Examples: Example: "To illustrate...., let's look at an example. In,....."
• Address Counterarguments or Potential Concerns: Example: "While..., we must also consider... ."
• Recap Key Points and Transition to the Next Section: Example: "To summarize, we've... Now, let's shift our focus to..."

Remember to organize your content logically and coherently, ensuring smooth transitions between sections.

You can conclude with a strong closing statement summarizing your main points and leaving a lasting impression. Example: "As we conclude our presentation, it's clear that... By...., we can...."

3/ Craft Clear and Concise Sentences

Once you've outlined your presentation, you need to edit your sentences. Use clear and straightforward language to ensure your message is easily understood.

Alternatively, you can break down complex ideas into simpler concepts and provide clear explanations or examples to aid comprehension.

4/ Use Visual Aids and Supporting Materials

Use supporting materials such as statistics, research findings, or real-life examples to back up your points and make them more compelling. 

• Example: "As you can see from this graph,... This demonstrates...."

5/ Include Engagement Techniques

Incorporate interactive elements to engage your audience, such as Q&A sessions , conducting live polls, or encouraging participation. You can also spin more funs into group, by randomly dividing people into different groups to get more diverse feedbacks!

6/ Rehearse and Revise

• Practice delivering your presentation script to familiarize yourself with the content and improve your delivery.
• Revise and edit your script as needed, removing any unnecessary information or repetitions.

7/ Seek Feedback

You can share your script or deliver a practice presentation to a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor to gather feedback on your script and make adjustments accordingly.

More on Script Presentation

How to Write A Presentation Introduction with Examples

How to write presentations that are engaging and visually appealing? Looking for introduction ideas for the presentation? As mentioned earlier, once you have completed your script, it's crucial to focus on editing and refining the most critical element—the opening of your presentation - the section that determines whether you can captivate and retain your audience's attention right from the start. 

Here is a guide on how to craft an opening that grabs your audience's attention from the very first minute: 

1/ Start with a Hook

To begin, you can choose from five different openings mentioned in the script based on your desired purpose and content. Alternatively, you can opt for the approach that resonates with you the most, and instills your confidence. Remember, the key is to choose a starting point that aligns with your objectives and allows you to deliver your message effectively.

2/ Establish Relevance and Context

Then you should establish the topic of your presentation and explain why it is important or relevant to your audience. Connect the topic to their interests, challenges, or aspirations to create a sense of relevance.

3/ State the Purpose

Clearly articulate the purpose or goal of your presentation. Let the audience know what they can expect to gain or achieve by listening to your presentation.

4/ Preview Your Main Points

Give a brief overview of the main points or sections you will cover in your presentation. It helps the audience understand the structure and flow of your presentation and creates anticipation.

5/ Establish Credibility

Share your expertise or credentials related to the topic to build trust with the audience, such as a brief personal story, relevant experience, or mentioning your professional background.

6/ Engage Emotionally

Connect emotional levels with your audience by appealing to their aspirations, fears, desires, or values. They help create a deeper connection and engagement from the very beginning.

Make sure your introduction is concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations. Aim for clarity and brevity to maintain the audience's attention.

For example, Topic: Work-life balance

"Good morning, everyone! Can you imagine waking up each day feeling energized and ready to conquer both your personal and professional pursuits? Well, that's exactly what we'll explore today – the wonderful world of work-life balance. In a fast-paced society where work seems to consume every waking hour, it's vital to find that spot where our careers and personal lives harmoniously coexist. Throughout this presentation, we'll dive into practical strategies that help us achieve that coveted balance, boost productivity, and nurture our overall well-being. 

But before we dive in, let me share a bit about my journey. As a working professional and a passionate advocate for work-life balance, I have spent years researching and implementing strategies that have transformed my own life. I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you today, with the hope of inspiring positive change and creating a more fulfilling work-life balance for everyone in this room. So, let's get started!"

🎉 Check out: How to Start a Presentation?

Whether you're a seasoned speaker or new to the stage, understanding how to write a presentation that conveys your message effectively is a valuable skill. By following the steps in this guide, you can become a captivating presenter and make your mark in every presentation you deliver.

Additionally, AhaSlides can significantly enhance your presentation's impact. With AhaSlides, you can use live polls , quizzes , and word cloud to turn your presentation into an engaging and interactive experience. Let's take a moment to explore our vast template library !

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a presentation step by step .

You can refer to our step-by-step guide on How To Write A Presentation Script: Understand Your Purpose and Audience Outline the Structure of Your Presentation Craft Clear and Concise Sentences Use Visual Aids and Supporting Material Include Engagement Techniques Rehearse and Revise Seek Feedback

How do you start a presentation? 

You can start with an engaging opening that grabs the audience's attention and introduces your topic. Consider using one of the following approaches: Start with a Thought-Provoking Question: "Have you ever...?" Begin with a Surprising Fact or Statistic: "Did you know that....?" Use a Powerful Quote: "As Maya Angelou once said,...." Tell a Compelling Story : "Picture this: You're standing at...." Start with a Bold Statement: "In the fast-paced digital age...."

What are the five parts of a presentation?

When it comes to presentation writing, a typical presentation consists of the following five parts: Introduction: Capturing the audience's attention, introducing yourself, stating the purpose, and providing an overview. Main Body: Presenting main points, evidence, examples, and arguments. Visual Aids: Using visuals to enhance understanding and engage the audience. Conclusion: Summarizing main points, restating key message, and leaving a memorable takeaway or call to action. Q&A or Discussion: Optional part for addressing questions and encouraging audience participation.

A writer who wants to create practical and valuable content for the audience

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

More from AhaSlides

What is a Seminar? Everything YOU Need to Know (No Jargon!)

Ever wondered what happens behind the curtains of a seminar? Imagine a well-rehearsed theatre show. Only, instead of actors on a stage, we have intellectuals sharing knowledge and fellow enthusiasts soaking up information.

Just like a theatre show is more than actors reading lines, a seminar isn't just about talk and listen. In your quest to slay the confusion monster about seminars, this post is your silver bullet. We serve you everything you need to know, baked to perfection - without the intimidating jargon, of course.

Remember those times when you scrambled to find answers before a test? Imagine a seminar as your friendly, neighborhood guide on steroids that offers in-depth understanding, expert insights, and an opportunity to network, without stringent time limit. Intriguing, right? And that, dear reader, is just the appetizer - wait till you feast on the richness that seminars offer!

Unraveling the Seminar Definition: What Exactly is a Seminar?

• You're about to unpack the origins and evolution of seminars.
• Get a crystal clear definition of what modern-day seminars entail.
• Become familiar with the key components that flesh out an effective seminar.

The Origin and Evolution of Seminars

The name 'seminar' itself carries the weight of tradition, tracing its roots back to Aristotle's own peripatetic school where the formation of wisdom was firmly rooted in active discussion, analysis, and practical applications. This was, perhaps, the earliest variant of a seminar. Fast forward to the 19th century, university seminars began to take shape in Germany, chiefly in disciplines such as theology and philology. These collaborations focused on rigorous research, erudite dialogue, and the nuanced dissection of subject matters, elements that remain a staple in seminars today.

Expansion of the seminar model proliferated across global academia, its impact reaching a crescendo during the 20th century when seminars morphed into critical components of both undergraduate and postgraduate education. The rise of technology has further metamorphosed this platform, introducing digital seminars - colloquially known as webinars , harnessing the power of connectivity for knowledge exchange across continents.

Modern-day Seminar: A Closer Look

Fasten your seatbelts as we venture into the anatomy of a modern-day seminar; a venue for the focused, exhaustive exploration of intricate topics. You can envision a seminar as an interactive platform engaging a group of participants, often limited in number to foster deeper dialogue and mutual learning.

Typically driven by an guest speaker or a panel of experts, a seminar peddles between structured presentations and unscripted discussions, thereby marrying the deductive and inductive modes of learning.

From academia, corporate training, to civil discourse, the relevance of seminars continues to permeate multiple verticals. Not restricted by geographical boundaries, seminars extend their reach by thriving on virtual platforms, creating a global classroom, or boardroom for that matter. Historically rooted, dynamically evolving, recorded to use again & again, and intrinsically interactive - that's the modern-day seminar for you.

Key Components of a Seminar

Under the hood of every successful seminar are key components working in synchronization to birth an enlightening learning experience.

Keynote Speaker(s): They commandeer the seminar, wielding expert knowledge and deft facilitation skills to steer the course of discussion and exploration.

The Topic: A seminar's worth spins around its central idea or topic . Every discussion twists and turns around this axis, expanding its dimensions for a comprehensive understanding.

Discussion: This is the lifeblood of a seminar. Participant engagement through Q&A sessions , debates, or roundtable discussions catalyzes active involvement and sustains the pulse of the seminar.

Analysis: Deep dives into subject matters, discussing various viewpoints and interpretations while defying surface-level analyses are a seminar's forte.

What lies beyond this journey through seminar history, definitions, and components is the power of knowledge sharing and the undeniable benefits of seminars. As you bookmark this page, you're already a step ahead in understanding the multi-dimensional nuances of seminars.

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The Power of Knowledge Sharing: Benefits of Seminars

• Elevate your abilities through enhanced knowledge and skills
• Unlock networking opportunities
• Gain exposure to different perspectives

Enhancing Knowledge and Skills

Seminars foster an atmosphere of learning. Guest speakers in the field guide these sessions, offering an enriched environment where attendees can delve into specific topics and sharpen their knowledge. Not only do these educational rendez-vous bring industry-specific expertise to your fingertips, but they also provide tailored content, designed for maximum comprehension and application.

Moreover, seminars often offer hands-on experience. Through workshops, collaborative exercises, and real-world case studies, these events provide a practical approach to learning. Attendees can apply the lessons on the go, making them more effective and impactful. As a result, individuals can refine their skills, making them more proficient in their roles.

Networking Opportunities

One significant advantage of seminars is the networking potential they carry. Attendees find themselves amidst like-minded professionals, leading to connections that can be pivotal for individual and business growth. Participants may unearth collaborations, potential clients, or even future team members during coffee breaks, discussions, or after-event rendez-vous.

Building these relationships not only enhances your professional network but also opens doors for future collaboration and knowledge sharing. After all, the power of networking is undeniable in the professional world.

Exposure to New Ideas and Perspectives

Seminars are fertile grounds for ideation and innovation. By inviting a diverse range of speakers and attendees, these events create a melting pot of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences. Participants gain exposure to new perspectives that can ignite a spark of innovation or provide a fresh approach to existing challenges.

Moreover, the interactive setting of seminars encourages attendees to voice their thoughts, thus adding to the richness of the discussion. This dialogue can encourage participants to think differently, challenge their biases, and become more open-minded and innovative in their approach.

Remember, seminars are a platform for cognitive expansion. They are not just about enhancing what you already know, but also about exploring the uncharted territories of knowledge, connections, and perspectives.

Exploring the Seminar Landscape: Types of Seminars

• Learn about the distinctive nature of Academic, Business, and Personal Development seminars.
• Discover their intended purposes and how they're typically structured.

Academic Seminars

Constructive dialogues, interactive learning, and in-depth understanding- these elements define the essence of an Academic Seminar. Broadly, such seminars serve as a platform for students and scholars to delve into various academic subjects and its complexities. They stimulate intellectual discussions and foster critical thinking, thereby invigorating the academic community.

Academic seminars are meticulously organized, often encompassing presentations, interactive sessions, and panel debates. They adhere to a predetermined agenda that outlines the topics of discussion, the order of speakers, and the allotted timeframe. The seminar format can be a symposium (multiple speakers), a workshop (group activities), or a conference (large gathering with multiple sessions).

Running Academic seminars online allows for the use of Polls and other interactive features to engage students even further.

Business Seminars

In the ever-evolving business landscape, staying updated is the key to survival. This is where Business Seminars come into play as a gateway to knowledge sharing, networking, and capability-enhancement. These seminars enlighten attendees with the latest trends, insights, and strategies pertinent to their industries. They could cover a range of subjects from financial management to digital marketing, workforce development, and more.

Businesses can leverage seminars, and particularly webinars to generate leads and new business in a scalable fashion that just isn't possible with in-person seminars. The world of business is moving online and businesses have to follow along or be left behind.

A typical structure of a business seminar includes keynote speeches, panel discussions , and often, interactive workshops. Distinguished industry leaders and experts contribute valuable insights, while networking breaks allow attendees to forge meaningful connections.

Personal Development Seminars

Who doesn't yearn for personal growth and self-improvement? Personal Development Seminars cater to this universal quest, aiding individuals in honing skills, imbibing positive habits, and catalyzing inner change. These seminars guide individuals towards overall well-being and achieving their full potential.

Organizationally, personal development seminars employ experiential learning techniques, blending motivational talks, engaging activities, and group exercises in their structure. They touch upon diverse areas such as leadership, emotional intelligence, time management, and assertiveness, among others.

Approaching the sprawling world of seminars from the lens of its types, you may comprehend their versatile nature – suiting a wide spectrum of focus areas and audience types. In the next section, we'll implicitly segue into the labyrinth of creating your own seminar, but for now, familiarize yourself with these seminar types, figuring out which resonates the most with your needs.

What is a webinar?

Find out and learn how to run a successful one in this article.

Behind the Scenes: How to Organize a Successful Seminar

• Mastering the fundamentals of planning and preparation
• Harnessing effective promotion and marketing strategies
• Ensuring successful execution and follow-up

Planning and Preparation

Mastering the planning and preparation phase could very well spell the difference between an astounding seminar and a drab one. This phase involves careful theme selection, identifying your target audience, and establishing clear objectives. You can't afford to overlook these critical elements. By planning meticulously, you're setting up a firm foundation that will guide every subsequent decision and action.

Planning a seminar is much like planning a webinar , check out out guide here.

Think of your seminar as a puzzle, and planning is about finding and fitting all the right pieces. You'll be considering factors such as your budget, the potential attendees, the venue, the schedule, and the guest speakers. All these can impact the success of your seminar.

Promotion and Marketing

No matter how well-planned your seminar is, it's essential to engage in robust promotion and marketing . Attracting the right attendees matters just as much as crafting an enriching program.

Establish a strong online presence across various channels like websites, communities, and email invitations . Depending on your audience, traditional marketing methods like print ads or radio spots may also prove beneficial.

Social media promotion can also be a powerful channel for driving audience members to your seminar. More and more people are online and spending time looking for information online.

Remember, the appropriate marketing strategies depend heavily on the nature of your seminar and the audience you're targeting.

Execution and Follow-up

Equally important to your seminar’s success is its execution. This entails ensuring everything goes according to plan during the actual event day. Smooth logistics, engaging presentations, and adequate interaction opportunities are vital in this phase.

But don't stop there - the work continues even after the seminar's curtains have closed. Engage attendees with thoughtful follow-up emails . Send thank-you notes, receive input, evaluate opportunities for improvement, and maintain a connection for future seminars.

Consider sending post-seminar surveys to understand what attendees liked most so you can double down on this during your next event or online webinar.

With these crucial elements in mind, organizing a successful seminar becomes a less daunting task. You're not just adding another seminar in the landscape, but a unique, well-planned, and well-executed experience that provides genuine value to your attendees.

Seminar vs Webinar: Understanding the Differences

• Unwrap the nuances of seminars and webinars in terms of definitions and format.
• Extract the pros and cons of both platforms.
• Acquire knowledge on picking the most suitable format based on your specific needs.

Definition and Format

Seminars and webinars both act as platforms for sharing information, fostering discussion, and promoting learning. However, they diverge remarkably when it comes to definitions and formats.

In essence, a seminar is a more traditional form of learning. It's a gathering where experts on specific topics engage in round-table discussions, share research or findings, and open the floor for questions and discussion from the audience. These are typically held in person, in an educational or professional setting.

On the other hand, a webinar, short for web-based seminar, leverages online platforms to disseminate information. Through the use of technology, a speaker or panel can reach a global audience from the comfort of their own homes or offices.

Both formats have their unique attributes and structure, with one being more dynamic and the other bearing a digital smoothness.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Just as each format varies in its definition and structure, so too do the advantages and disadvantages linked to each.

Attending a seminar allows for a more organic interaction among attendees and with the experts. The palpable energy in these settings is hard to replicate, and the networking opportunities can be quite beneficial. However, the logistical hurdles of travel, accommodation, and aligning schedules are challenges for many attendees.

Webinars, conversely, offer a level of convenience that’s hard to beat. Attendees can join from anywhere in the world, removing barriers such as geographical distance, and often at a lower cost. Interaction, though, is less immediate and organic - the "human touch" can be lacking in this digital format. But modern platforms like Contrast are challenging this with webinar platforms built for interaction.

Webinars also provide detailed analytics and are much better at proving ROI than in-person events. Having information on each attendee, how long they watched, questions asked, attendance rate, etc. makes analysis a piece of cake.

Choosing between the two formats isn’t a matter of picking the better one; it’s about identifying which platform best aligns with your needs or circumstances.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Needs

Just as a craftsman picks the right tool for the job, choosing between a seminar and a webinar depends largely upon your specific requirements.

Identifying your audience is a critical first step. If your audience is spread out geographically, a webinar may prove more practical and cost-efficient. If your goals include fostering a more intimate, human connection or networking experience, a seminar may be better suited.

Consider also the type of content you are planning to share. Complex and dense information might be better conveyed in the interactive setting of a seminar, while a webinar might be more suitable for a more direct or sales-oriented presentation.

How to run a product demo webinar ? Learn here

In conclusion, understanding the definitions and structures, advantages and disadvantages of both seminars and webinars can streamline your decision-making process. Tailoring your choice to your audience and the type of content you need to deliver will ensure a more successful and impactful experience.

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Wrapping Up: The Impact of Seminars on Personal and Professional Growth

• Seminars act as catalysts for lifelong learning.
• Seminars power career advancement and personal growth.
• The future of seminars presents exciting possibilities.

The Role of Seminars in Lifelong Learning

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” With these words, Confucius perfectly encapsulates the essence of lifelong learning. But what role do seminars play in this process?

Back in the day, seminars were reserved for scholarly institutions. Today, they've transcended those boundaries, becoming a cornerstone of lifelong learning. Learners spanning the spectrum of age and occupation gather under one roof – or one online domain – to dive into a topic of mutual interest. The information gleaned from a well-crafted seminar can ignite an interest in a previously unexplored field or offer a fresh perspective on a well-versed subject.

Moreover, the engaging, interactive nature of seminars promotes active learning. Unlike passive consumption of information, active learning engenders higher levels of critical thinking and better information retention.

The Influence of Seminars on Career Advancement

Imagine you're aiming for a promotion or attempting a career pivot. Your expertise in your field is invaluable, but your lack of knowledge in a few crucial areas could be the hurdle. Enter seminars.

Professional seminars might be the missing link in your career advancement strategy. They offer a shortcut to acquiring knowledge and insights that could take months, if not years, to gain otherwise. Seminars provide a platform to learn from industry veterans, and more importantly, to network with like-minded professionals.

Within the span of a single event, you could pick up game-changing skills, insights, and contacts that could turbocharge your career progression.

The Future of Seminars

As the popular adage goes, "Change is the only constant". This rings true for seminars, too. The advent of technology has already fundamentally shifted the way seminars are conducted and attended.

Consider the rise of webinars or online seminars. By eliminating geographical barriers, webinars have opened the door to global learning opportunities. They've transformed seminars from local, periodic events, into a continuous, accessible exercise in international learning.

In the not-so-distant future, seminars could also see integration with artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies. These advancements could create personalised learning experiences and promote higher engagement.

While the precise future trajectory of seminars can't be predicted, it's safe to say that the potential for growth and development in this field is monumental.

Pulling Back the Curtain on Seminars

Stripped down to its core, a seminar is a gathering of like-minded people, exchanging knowledge, and engaging in rich, productive conversation. The key ingredients include an expert or panel of experts, a focused topic, active participation, and the end goal - learning or professional growth.

What we've spent our time discussing shows the value of seminars in either growing your knowledge, enhancing your network, or refining professional skills. It's all about collaboration, two-way communication, and creating an environment ripe for growth.

Ready to plunge into the seminar world? Begin by identifying a seminar aligned with your interests or career goals. Just remember, to get the most out of it - be engaged, take notes, and don’t shy away from asking questions.

Max is a growth marketer and content creator with a penchant for data and automation. He's Head of Growth and Marketing at Contrast.

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The need for quick learning has grown tremendously. People seek short yet substantial pieces of information delivered in a timely manner. Rather than digging through hundreds of pages of research material or sitting through a full-semester class, an easy way to gain valuable information is to join industry experts as they discuss topics of interest in a seminar.

Seminars are a cost-efficient and effective way for companies to reach their target customers and/or industry partners, and when done right, can be a great lead-generating mechanism.

Here are 5 steps to achieving a successful and smooth-running seminar:

• Determine the Who, What, When, Where and Why
• Prepare a Registration Process
• Develop an Outreach Strategy
• Prepare for the Presentation
• Develop a Follow-Up Strategy

Determine the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Your Seminar

Crafting a successful seminar takes more than just a topic. It requires dedicated planning, consideration of your audience, and a clear strategy. By defining the who, what, when, where, and why of your event, you'll lay the groundwork for a well-defined seminar that achieves its objectives.

The WHY – Clarify the Objective

Why are you holding this seminar? What is the objective? Is it to educate current clients? To generate new clients? Is it to establish your business as thought leaders? Or to reinforce your image as a subject matter expert? The answers to these questions will significantly impact the steps you take to structure and deliver a successful seminar.

The WHAT – Choose a Topic

Having a clear objective will help guide your topic selection. Are you aiming to establish your business as a thought leader? Choose an innovative and educational theme, backed by research and offering well-rounded perspectives on industry-relevant topics. On the other hand, if you're looking to educate current customers, focus on topics that address their common questions or how your field of business directly impacts them.

The WHO – Identify the Target Audience and Presenter(s)

The success of your seminar hinges on understanding who you're presenting to. Are you targeting CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, or a specific industry like small businesses, manufacturing facilities, or educators? Be as specific as possible – this will guide your outreach strategy and the tone of your presentation.

Choosing Your Presenter:

Once you've identified your topic and audience, select the ideal presenter(s). Look for someone with:

• Expertise: Deep knowledge of the seminar topic.
• Communication Skills: Comfort speaking to your specific target audience.
• Industry Credibility: A strong reputation within the relevant field.
• Broad Knowledge: The ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

By carefully considering your target audience and presenter selection, you'll lay the groundwork for a seminar that resonates with your attendees and achieves its goals.

The WHEN – Pin Down a Time Slot

With your topic and presenter confirmed, it's time to choose the ideal timeframe. Consider how much time is needed to comprehensively cover your chosen topic and achieve your objectives, while also keeping your target audience in mind. Attention spans vary depending on the audience and topic complexity, so aim for a duration that's informative yet engaging. Remember to factor in a dedicated Q&A session and a meet-and-greet opportunity to allow for interaction and networking.

The WHERE – Secure a Location

The seminar's objective and target audience heavily influence the ideal location for your seminar. Is your goal to educate current clients? Prioritize a central location convenient for them. Aiming to generate new leads? Choose a venue that attracts attendees from your target geographic area.

Prepare a Registration Process to Drive Attendees to Your Seminar

With your seminar objectives and strategy locked in, it's time to craft a seamless registration process. This crucial step will be the bridge between attracting attendees and welcoming them to your event.

Create a Registration Landing Page

To prepare for online registration, create an online registration page to send your audience to.

On the landing page, include:

• Memorable URL: Create a short, easy-to-remember URL for your registration page (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/seminar).
• Compelling Description: Hook potential attendees with a clear and concise description of the seminar's benefits. Highlight what they'll learn and how it will impact them.
• Event Details: Clearly display the date, time, and location (both physical and virtual if applicable) of the seminar.
• Presenter Information: Introduce your presenter(s) with a brief bio and highlight their credentials. This builds trust and establishes the value of their expertise.
• Registration Form: Provide a simple registration form with essential fields like Name, Company, Email, and Phone Number.

Set Up a Registration Confirmation Email

Set up a registration confirmation email to be triggered and sent right after the attendee registers for the seminar. The confirmation email should include the seminar location, time, and date of the event. Include an “add to calendar” link to make sure registrants don’t forget about your event.

Set up a registration confirmation email to be triggered and sent right after someone registers for your seminar. This will send them a prompt confirmation email to solidify their spot. This email should include:

• Essential Details: Reiterate the seminar's location (physical or virtual), date, and time.
• "Save the Date" Reminder: Embed a convenient "Add to Calendar" link to help attendees schedule the event effortlessly. This reduces the risk of them forgetting and missing out.
• Additional Information (Optional): Consider including a link to a more detailed event page or providing logistical information (parking details, dress code, etc.) if relevant.

By sending a clear and informative confirmation email, you'll enhance the user experience and ensure a smooth registration process.

Prepare a Reminder Follow-Up Process

A high turnout is crucial for a successful seminar. To achieve this, implement a reminder campaign in the days leading up to the event. Craft informative emails that remind registrants about the seminar's benefits. Highlight key takeaways, reintroduce the speakers, and answer frequently asked questions to address any concerns.

Consider supplementing your email campaign with phone calls to a targeted segment of registrants. This could be high-value clients who might need additional information or those with less interaction. These personalized touches can solidify their commitment and ensure a smooth registration-to-attendance transition.

Develop an Outreach Strategy to Drive Attendees to Your Seminar

The key to a successful seminar is attracting the right attendees. Your outreach strategy will depend on your objective. If you are targeting current clients, just reach out to them directly. You already have their information! If you are targeting new prospects, you’ll need to create a targeted strategy to get your seminar information in front of them.

The channels you choose will vary depending on your audience. Be realistic about your reach, but don't be afraid to invest in resources if needed to maximize attendance.

Spread the Word and Reach Your Target Audience

Getting the right people to your seminar is key. Here are impactful ways to promote it:

• Email Marketing: Craft an email campaign specifically for your seminar, highlighting the benefits and sending registrants to the dedicated landing page. Include a teaser and link in your regular newsletters too.
• Social Media: Share the registration link across your company's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ pages. Use catchy captions to grab attention and drive traffic.
• Targeted Direct Mail (Optional): For specific audiences, consider a targeted direct mail campaign with promotional materials. Include a clear call to action with the seminar registration URL.
• Telemarketing for Prospects (Optional): If resources allow, a telemarketing campaign can be effective for reaching prospects you only have contact information for.

Remember to include your seminar registration link in all marketing materials!

Determine and Use Specific Channels to Reach a Larger Audience

Reaching beyond your existing contact list can significantly boost your seminar's visibility and attendance. Here are some strategies for promoting your seminar:

• Press Releases: Distributing a press release about your seminar through digital channels can attract new website traffic and potential attendees who may not be familiar with your brand.
• Targeted Social Media Ads: Maximize your reach by promoting your seminar posts on social media platforms. This allows you to target specific demographics and interests, ensuring your message reaches a wider pool of qualified prospects within your target market. Encourage team members to share the posts on their personal pages as well to leverage their networks.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses or organizations that share your target audience.
• Industry Associations: Identify local associations relevant to your target audience. Partner with them to distribute your seminar information through their channels, such as website ads or email marketing.

By implementing these strategies alongside your core email and social media efforts, you can significantly expand your reach and attract a larger audience to your seminar.

Prepare for the Seminar Presentation

While attracting attendees is crucial, don't neglect the final touches on your presentation and seminar execution. Here are the next steps:

Prepare an Agenda – and Stick with It

Develop a clear and concise agenda that outlines the seminar's objectives, key points, and timeline. Sharing this agenda with registrants in advance keeps everyone focused and organized. This also allows them to plan accordingly and maximize their learning experience.

Create a Visual and Audience-Appropriate Presentation

Depending on who your target audience is, the theme of your presentation may vary. As your presentation is crafted, make sure it is clear, visible, and easy to follow. It is important to speak to the voice of your target audience’s persona throughout the presentation and relate it back to them to make them feel comfortable.

Test the Presentation with Multiple Run-Throughs

Once the presentation is set, schedule time for run-throughs with the presenter(s). Practice makes perfect, so schedule as many run-throughs as needed until the presentation runs smoothly and all technology devices are working properly.

Provide Hand-Outs and Materials

Provide a printed hard copy of your presentation along with any other marketing materials to enhance the takeaway of your seminar. Providing your audience with pieces they can leave the seminar with creates one more touch point to stay in front of them.

Consider providing a printed handout summarizing the presentation's key points, visuals, and resources. This allows attendees to easily refer back to the information even after the seminar. You can also offer attendees the option to receive the complete presentation electronically after the seminar. This provides a convenient way for them to delve deeper into the topics covered and revisit specific points later.

These complementary resources not only enhance the learning experience but also serve as a lasting reminder of your brand and the valuable information presented.

Develop a Strong Post-Seminar Follow-Up Strategy

A successful seminar doesn't end with the final presentation. Following up with attendees is crucial for nurturing relationships and maximizing the impact of your event.

Provide a Post-Seminar Survey

While paper surveys have traditionally been used, consider a digital alternative to capture attendee feedback after your seminar. Sending the survey electronically via email allows attendees to complete it at their convenience, potentially increasing your response rate. This method also allows for easier data collection and analysis.

Schedule a Follow-Up Thank You Email

Your attendees carved valuable time out of their busy schedules to learn from you. Show your appreciation by reaching out soon after the seminar. This follow-up serves two important purposes. First, it allows you to express sincere gratitude for their attendance and participation. Second, it provides another touchpoint to stay connected and lets you provide a call to action with the next steps for certain attendees.

Let’s Build a Successful Seminar Together

Seminars offer a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and connect with your target audience. By following these steps, you can ensure you have a successful seminar that delivers a lasting impact. However, planning a seminar can be a complex undertaking. World Synergy can be your partner in navigating the process. We offer a range of services that can enhance and streamline your seminar planning. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you to create an impactful seminar experience.

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How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

• Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
• How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
• How much interaction you want from the audience
• Any time constraints there are for your talk
• What setting you are in
• Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

• What is your presentation’s aim?
• Who are the audience?
• What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

• Introduce your general topic
• Explain your topic area
• State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
• State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
• Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
• Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

• The length of the talk.
• Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
• If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

• Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
• Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
• Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
• Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

• Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
• Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
• Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
• Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
• Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

• Explain why the product is valuable.
• Describe why the product is necessary.
• Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
• Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
• Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

• Briefly frame the issue.
• Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
• Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
• Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

• Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

• Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
• Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
• After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

• Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
• First, let’s begin with…
• I will first cover…
• My first point covers…
• To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

• In the same way…
• Likewise…
• Equally…
• This is similar to…
• Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

• What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
• What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
• How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
• What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

• An intro slide outlining your ideas
• A  summary slide  with core points to remember
• High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

• Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
• A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
• Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
• Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

• 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
• 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

• Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
• Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
• Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
• The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

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CHAPTER 18 Guidelines to qualitative academic seminar presentation

The primary objective of seminar presentation is to enhance presentation skills when persuading, educating, or informing an audience. Specifically, it provides a focus on the fundamental aspects of a quality academic, professional and business communications including structure, preparation and strategy for delivery, using visual aids, and handling question and answer sessions. The presenter/student practices by preparing and delivering an ideal real-life academic/business presentation. Strict adherence to the instructions outlined allows the presenter to evaluate his/her progress and alter any distracting behaviours before and during presentation. It also enables the participant to learn by doing. The aim of this paper is to introduce students to simple principles on how to plan, writs and present their findings as technical conference papers, then act as the mini-conference programme committee members in reviewing each other's submissions. Finally, in addition to the model itself, description of some variations in instantiation and an assessment of the benefits of this general approach and recommendation for adoption by faculties and educators are proffered. Introduction Rarely are the three pillars of academia-research, teaching and service-addressed together, within one intellectually cohesive context in the graduate curriculum. Such a context is important for exposing students to the interrelationships among these facets. Oftentimes, people are confused what a seminar, workshop or conference means. They are sometimes considered to mean the same thing. However, workshop is a brief intensive educational programme for a relatively small group of people that focuses on techniques and skills in a particular field. Seminar on the other hand is a meeting of a group of advanced students studying under a professor/officer with each doing original research and all exchanging results of their findings through reports and discussions. A conference is a meeting of two or more persons/bodies organized for the benefit of discussing matters of common concern, which usually involves formal interchange of views.

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Constructivist Foundations

Christoph Brunner

This article is an open peer commentary to Johan Verbeke's target article "Designing Academic Conferences as a Learning Environment: How to Stimulate Active Learning at Academic Conferences?" (http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/11/1/098.verbeke). It targets the field of artistic and design research and its attempt to invent new experimental conference formats. After critically examining the conception of "knowledge production" in these discourses, the commentary fosters the need to take into account sensuous and more-than-human elements shaping such emergent conference formats. The comment closes with a constructivist and speculative proposition for the future planning of creative practice events.

Computer Human Interaction

Nico Macdonald

Conferences are still valuable for established attendees and potential new audiences, and the overall audience for events can be increased, helping alleviate competition between professional organisations.In addition professional organisations need to avoid conferences being run-of-the-mill, and taking their audience for granted. They need to widen their primary and secondary audiences by helping potential attendees and presenters find out about events,

Ivan Dunđer

Przegląd Badań Edukacyjnych

Helena Ostrowicka

Michael Hohl , Ben Sweeting

Context: The design of academic conferences, in which settings ideas are shared and created, is, we suggest, of more than passing interest in constructivism, where epistemology is considered in terms of knowing rather than knowledge. Problem: The passivity and predominantly one-way structure of the typical paper presentation format of academic conferences has a number of serious limitations from a constructivist perspective. These limits are both practical and epistemological. While alternative formats abound, there is nevertheless increasing pressure reinforcing this format due to delegates’ funding typically being linked to reading a paper. Method: In this special issue, authors reflect on conferences that they have organised and participated in that have used alternative formats, such as conversational structures or other constructivist inspired approaches, in whole or in part. We review and contextualize their contributions, understanding them in terms of their connections to constructivism and to each other. Results: While this issue is of relevance across disciplinary boundaries, contributions focus on two fields: that of cybernetics/systems, and that of design. We identify the way that conference organization is of particular importance to these fields, being in self-reflexive relationship to them: the environment of a design conference is something that we design; while a conference regarding systems or cybernetics is itself an instance of the sorts of process with which these fields are concerned. Implications: Building on this self-reflexivity and, also, the close connection of design and cybernetics/systems to constructivism, we suggest that conference organization is an area in which constructivism may itself be understood in terms of practice (and so knowing) rather than theory (and so knowledge. This in turn helps connect ideas in constructivism with pragmatic fields, such as knowledge management, and recent discussions in this journal regarding second-order science. Constructivist content: As a setting for the creation of new ideas, the design of conferences is of importance where we understand epistemology in constructivist terms as a process of knowing. Moreover, the particular fields drawn on - design and cybernetics/systems - have close connections to constructivism, as can be seen, for instance, in the work of Ranulph Glanville, on which we draw here.

Chiara Belluzzi

To date, little research has been conducted on conference presentation (CP) introductions with the aim of analysing their moves, especially as far as non academic CP's are concerned. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, no study has ever focused on the non-academic context - apart from numerous public speaking handbooks, which, however, do not apply any scientific method of analysis. Therefore this study sets out to investigate non-academic CP introductions in order to determine whether they coincide with the genre of the academic CP introduction. Such a study will hopefully prove valuable not only in the field of genre analysis, but also in the field of interpreting studies. Since it is possible to determine a move model from the structure of every genre, I will set out to do this for the non-academic CP introduction as well, thus providing the interpreter with a series of speech acts a speaker can reasonably be expected to carry out. Chapter 2 of this dissertation begins with an overview of the literature on the academic CP as a genre from many different perspectives. Then the focus shifts to the introductory section of different academic written and oral genres, in particular to those studies which lead to the definition of their moves and which, therefore, will be useful in the analysis of the structure of non-academic CP introductions. Chapter 3 focuses on the non-academic CP. First, the concept of discourse community is explored in terms of both academic and non-academic discourse, with the aim of achieving a better understanding of the differences between the two as well as of the latter alone. Then a definition of the non-academic CP introduction as a genre will be developed on the basis of Swales’ (1990) criteria and Hasan’s (Halliday and Hasan 1989) notion of ‘context’, in order to determine whether academic and non-academic CP introductions belong to the same genre or not. After the theoretical framework set in the first part of the dissertation, five case studies will be analysed in Chapter 4. Five non-academic presentations were selected and their introductions were transcribed. To these I have applied Rowley-Jolivet and Carter-Thomas’ (2005) move model of academic CP introductions in order to determine whether their model can be applied to non-academic CP introductions as well. The data retrieved is analysed to let new moves emerge, too, so that a move model for non-academic CP introductions can be identified. The usefulness of this model for further and more in-depth studies is mentioned at the end of the chapter In the last chapter a suggestion is made about the application of move models to 11 interpreting studies, in particular as far as simultaneous interpretation is concerned. To be brief, since move models describe the structure shared by the texts of a given genre, they could be used by interpreters to predict the structure of the text they are going to interpret.

European Political Science

Andrew Mycock

Olga Vetrova

Abstract. Students ’ conferences make up the environment where specific competences are combined with generic competences. Our goal is to estimate the potential of the professionally-oriented academic communication in a foreign language in the students ’ conference environment and find out the ways students’ conferences could contribute to the professional competencies formation. Investigated is the polytechnical tertiary school. Integrative in its essence, the project is aimed at fostering the efficiency of the university education, creativity development, ideas generation by specialists-to-be and innovations dissemination, – all of which is supposed to upgrade the standards of tertiary education and raise the quality of vocational training. This goes in accord with the Bologna process and European, and world-wide effort to enhance flexibility and professionalism on the labour market.

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10 Techniques for Seminar Presentation

To give a successful presentation, practice at least seven times, maintain eye contact with the audience, consider their needs, include interesting points and visual aids, modulate your voice, use cue cards, design slides intelligently, and engage the audience with interactive elements. Here are ten presentation techniques to improve your degree final-year seminar or project presentation.

#1. Practice

Preparing for a student seminar presentation involves several important steps to ensure a confident and effective delivery. Firstly, thoroughly understand the topic and organize the content into a clear, logical structure, including an introduction, main points, and conclusion. Create visual aids, such as slides, to highlight key points without overwhelming the audience with too much text. Practice the presentation multiple times, both alone and in front of friends or family, to become familiar with the material and receive constructive feedback. Pay attention to timing to ensure the presentation fits within the allotted time frame. Practice speaking clearly and at a moderate pace, using natural gestures and maintaining eye contact with an imaginary audience. Additionally, anticipate potential questions and prepare answers to build confidence in handling the Q&A session. By following these strategies, students can refine their presentation skills, reduce anxiety, and deliver a more polished and engaging seminar.

#2. Eye Contact

Have eye contact with the audience while presenting.

#3. Consider your audience, present for them

While preparing for a presentation, keep in mind the state of your audience.

#4. Include interesting points

Try including interesting points they like. For example, if your topic needs to include calculus, do not present it for the entire seminar; quickly cover it and get ahead.

#5 Example images, Videos

Provide a few examples related to your topic. Display videos (you can get many from YouTube) and include images. However, keep it short and straightforward

#6 Voice modulation

Pay attention to your voice. It should keep on modulating depending on words. Maintaining the same pitch will make it boring.

#7. Be in touch

Keep eye contact with the audience if you are reading from a paper.

# 8. Prepare cue cards

Cue cards are cards with words written on them that help actors and speakers remember what they have to say. This helps you to place your comments and confidence.

#9. Design your slides intelligently.

Don’t put many texts on your slide, and avoid putting unnecessary images that you want to discuss. Also, avoid reading from the presentation slides. Make sure your audience reads your text first.

#10. Make it interactive

Make your presentation a two-way communication, ask your audience questions, and be prepared to answer them.

Other must-read ideas for the seminar or project preparation at Collegelib.com

• Seminar sample report formats, guidelines
• 10 Seminar preparation tips, preparing the PPT/Slide
• Dissertation writing mistakes
• How to write an abstract for Seminar Presentation
• Checklist for your speech preparation
• How to overcome stage fright (12 practical ideas)
• Topics For Seminar | How to Find Topics, How to Choose one?

Collegelib.com prepared, published, and curated the top ten presentation techniques for degree students’ seminar or project presentations. Please include Reference: Collegelib.com and link back to Collegelib in your work. Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know your feedback on this thread. Also, feel free to share if you have more ideas on how to improve a presentation. Good luck with your presentation!

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200 Seminar Topics

As a dynamic seminar leader, it’s crucial to have a roster of stimulating and thought-provoking topics. These 200 seminar topics are designed to ignite lively discussions and enrich your upcoming sessions!

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• Climate Change and Sustainability Practices
• The Impact of Social Media on Society
• Cybersecurity in the Digital Age
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
• Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
• The Role of Blockchain in Financial Services
• The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles
• Space Exploration and Colonization
• The Power of Mindfulness and Meditation
• The Digital Divide: Bridging the Gap
• Renewable Energy: Prospects and Technologies
• Big Data Analytics and Its Applications
• The Importance of Vaccination: Myths vs. Facts
• The Gig Economy and the Future of Work
• Globalization and Its Effects on Cultures
• The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior
• Women Empowerment and Gender Equality
• The Evolution of Smart Cities
• The Significance of Biodiversity Conservation
• Nanotechnology: The Next Big Thing?
• The Effects of Overpopulation
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Beyond the Buzzword
• The Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Consumer Choice
• Waste Management Solutions for Urban Areas
• The Realities of Virtual Reality
• The Economics of Happiness
• The Science of Sleep and Its Importance
• Artificial Organ Transplantation: Progress and Ethics
• The Effectiveness of Online Education
• Mitigating the Risks of Nuclear Energy
• Augmented Reality in Modern Marketing
• The War on Plastic: Alternatives and Innovations
• Understanding the Human Microbiome
• Civil Liberties in the Digital Era
• Overcoming Language Barriers Through Technology
• The Advent of Quantum Computing
• The Implications of Sea-Level Rise
• Protecting Identity in the Age of Information
• Modern Piracy on the High Seas
• The Intersection of Art and Technology
• The Revival of Traditional Medicine
• The Dynamic World of Entrepreneurship
• Encouraging Innovation in Education
• Food Security: A Global Perspective
• The Age of Information Overload
• Advancements in Water Purification Technology
• Universal Basic Income: Feasibility and Function
• The Decline of Reading in the Digital Age
• The Challenge of Maintaining Privacy Online
• The Human Impact on Coral Reefs
• The Future of Drones in Civilian Life
• A World Without Borders: Prospects and Pitfalls
• Stem Cell Research: Promise and Controversy
• The Progress of Telemedicine
• Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development
• The Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
• Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
• Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News
• The Economics of Climate Change
• The Psychology of Social Networks
• Exploring the Deep Ocean: Mysteries and Discoveries
• Free Speech in the Age of the Internet
• The Emergence of E-Sports
• The Role of NGOs in Global Governance
• Automation and Job Displacement
• The Impacts of Urban Green Spaces
• The Reality of Living in a Post-Truth World
• The Impact of Tourism on Local Communities
• The Future of Biometrics in Security
• Mitigating Natural Disasters through Technology
• Quantum Cryptography and Data Security
• Dissociative Identity Disorder: Myths and Facts
• The Role of Science Fiction in Shaping the Future
• Deforestation: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
• Explaining the Gigapixel Imaging Revolution
• Urban Farming and the Local Food Movement
• The Evolution of International Trade Agreements
• The Power of Placebo in Modern Medicine
• The Consequences of Economic Sanctions
• The Renaissance of Podcasting
• Understanding Eating Disorders
• Telecommuting: Redefining Work-Life Balance
• The Rise of Dark Tourism
• Addressing the Opioid Crisis
• The Psychology of Video Games
• The Internet of Things and Smart Homes
• The Rising Popularity of Minimalism
• The Changing Landscape of Journalism
• Developing Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
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• The Benefits and Risks of GMOs
• The Impact of Driverless Cars on Society
• Confronting the Obesity Epidemic
• The Importance of Digital Literacy
• Exploring the Multiverse Theory
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• The Growth of Renewable Energy in Developing Countries
• The Threat of Superbugs and Antibiotic Resistance
• The New Age of Space Tourism
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• The Revolution in Electric Mobility
• The Healing Power of Music Therapy
• The Risks and Rewards of Crowdfunding
• The Cultural Implications of Memes
• Facial Recognition Technology: Security vs. Privacy
• The Shift Towards Cashless Economies
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• The Intersection of Genetics and Athletics
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• Vertical Farming: The Future of Agriculture?
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• Addressing Homelessness: Policy and Social Work
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• Achieving Work-Life Harmony in Modern Society
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• The Growing Popularity of Telehealth
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Seminar: Explained | Learnexus

Thomas Bril

In the realm of Learning and Development (L&D), the term ‘seminar’ holds significant importance. It is a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is requested to participate actively.

This is often accomplished through an ongoing dialogue with a seminar leader or instructor, or through a more formal presentation of research. It is essentially a place where assigned readings are discussed, questions can be raised and debates can occur.

Origins of Seminars

The word ‘seminar’ is derived from the Latin word ‘seminarium’, meaning ‘seed plot’. It was used to refer to a group of students who are ‘sown’ with knowledge by the teacher, who is seen as the ‘sower’. The concept of a seminar, as we understand it today, originated in the United States and has been widely adopted by other countries.

It was first introduced by the University of Chicago in the late 19th century and was later adopted by other American universities. The seminar teaching method was designed to overcome the limitations of large lecture classes, which often did not allow for in-depth discussion or student participation.

Evolution of Seminars

Over time, the structure and purpose of seminars have evolved. They are no longer confined to academic institutions but are widely used in corporate and professional settings. Seminars have become a popular method for disseminating knowledge, promoting discussion, and encouraging professional development in various fields.

In the corporate world, seminars are often used as a platform for training employees, introducing new concepts, or discussing industry trends. They are also used as a networking platform, where professionals can meet and exchange ideas.

Modern Day Seminars

In today’s digital age, the format of seminars has also changed significantly. While traditional, in-person seminars are still common, online seminars, also known as webinars, have gained popularity. These allow participants from different geographical locations to attend the seminar virtually, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

Regardless of the format, the core purpose of a seminar remains the same – to share knowledge, spark discussions, and facilitate learning and development .

Components of a Seminar

A seminar typically consists of several key components. These include the seminar leader or speaker, the participants, the topic of discussion, and the seminar materials. Each of these components plays a crucial role in the success of a seminar.

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The seminar leader or speaker is responsible for guiding the discussion, presenting the topic, and engaging the participants. The participants are expected to come prepared, actively engage in the discussion, and contribute their ideas and perspectives. The topic of discussion is usually predetermined and is often related to a specific field of study or area of professional interest. The seminar materials, such as readings, presentation slides, or handouts, aid in the delivery of the seminar content and facilitate learning.

Role of the Seminar Leader

The seminar leader, often an expert in the field, plays a pivotal role in a seminar. They are responsible for setting the agenda, guiding the discussion, and ensuring that the seminar objectives are met. The leader must be well-prepared, knowledgeable about the topic, and capable of facilitating a productive discussion.

Good seminar leaders are not just lecturers. They are facilitators who encourage open discussion and active participation. They ask thought-provoking questions, listen carefully to participants’ responses, and provide constructive feedback . They also manage the seminar time effectively, ensuring that all key points are covered and that the seminar ends on time.

Role of the Participants

Participants in a seminar are not passive listeners. They are active contributors to the discussion. Participants are expected to come prepared, having read the seminar materials and ready to discuss them. They are encouraged to ask questions, share their perspectives, and engage in debate.

Active participation in a seminar enhances learning, as it allows participants to deepen their understanding of the topic, develop critical thinking skills, and learn from others’ perspectives. It also makes the seminar more engaging and dynamic.

Types of Seminars

Seminars can be categorized into various types based on their purpose, format, and content. Some common types of seminars include academic seminars, professional seminars, training seminars, and online seminars or webinars.

Each type of seminar has its unique characteristics and benefits. However, all seminars share the common goal of promoting learning and development through active discussion and participation.

Academic Seminars

Academic seminars are typically held in educational institutions like colleges and universities. They are often part of a course curriculum and are used to supplement traditional lectures. In an academic seminar, students are encouraged to engage in in-depth discussion of the course material, under the guidance of a professor or instructor.

Academic seminars provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the course material, develop critical thinking skills, and learn to articulate their ideas effectively. They also promote active learning , as students are not just passive recipients of information, but active participants in the learning process.

Professional Seminars

Professional seminars are often organized by companies, professional organizations, or industry bodies. They are used to disseminate industry knowledge, discuss latest trends, and promote professional development . Professional seminars often feature expert speakers who share their insights and experiences.

Attending a professional seminar can be highly beneficial for professionals. It provides them with the opportunity to learn from experts, stay updated with the latest industry trends, and network with other professionals in their field. It also contributes to their continuing professional development .

Training Seminars

Training seminars are a popular method for delivering training in companies. They are used to introduce new concepts, provide skill-based training, or facilitate team building . Training seminars are often interactive, with activities and exercises designed to reinforce the learning.

Training seminars can be highly effective in enhancing employee skills, promoting a culture of learning, and improving team performance . They also provide employees with the opportunity to learn in a group setting, where they can share their experiences and learn from each other.

Online Seminars (Webinars)

Online seminars, also known as webinars, are seminars that are conducted over the internet. They have gained popularity in recent years due to their convenience and accessibility. Webinars allow participants from different geographical locations to attend the seminar virtually, without the need to travel.

Webinars can be just as effective as in-person seminars, if not more. They can include features like live chat, polls, and Q&A sessions to make the seminar interactive and engaging. Webinars also allow for a wider reach, as they can be attended by anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their location.

Benefits of Seminars

Seminars offer numerous benefits, both for the individuals who attend them and for the organizations that host them. They promote active learning, foster critical thinking, and facilitate networking and professional development .

For individuals, attending a seminar can enhance their knowledge, develop their skills, and broaden their perspectives. It provides them with the opportunity to learn from experts, engage in intellectual discussion, and gain insights into the latest trends and developments in their field.

Benefits for Individuals

One of the key benefits of attending a seminar is the knowledge and learning that it provides. Seminars offer in-depth exploration of a topic, allowing attendees to deepen their understanding and gain new insights. They also promote active learning , as attendees are encouraged to participate in the discussion, ask questions, and share their ideas.

Another major benefit of seminars is the opportunity for networking. Seminars bring together people with similar interests, providing a platform for attendees to meet and interact with others in their field. This can lead to valuable connections, collaborations, and even job opportunities.

Benefits for Organizations

For organizations, hosting a seminar can enhance their reputation, showcase their expertise, and provide value to their members or employees. Seminars can be used as a platform to share knowledge, discuss industry trends, and promote thought leadership .

Organizations can also benefit from the training and development opportunities that seminars provide. By hosting training seminars, organizations can equip their employees with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs effectively. This can lead to improved employee performance , increased productivity, and a stronger competitive advantage.

In conclusion, seminars are a powerful tool for learning and development. They provide a platform for in-depth exploration of a topic, promote active learning, and facilitate networking and professional development . Whether you are an individual seeking to enhance your knowledge or a professional looking to stay updated with the latest trends, attending a seminar can be a highly beneficial experience.

For organizations, hosting a seminar can be a strategic move. It can enhance the organization’s reputation, provide value to its members or employees, and contribute to its overall success. Whether it’s an academic seminar, a professional seminar, a training seminar, or a webinar, the potential benefits of a seminar are immense.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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Blog Data Visualization 120+ Presentation Ideas, Topics & Example

120+ Presentation Ideas, Topics & Example

Written by: Ryan McCready May 08, 2023

Did you know that 46% of people can’t sit through a presentation without losing focus? 

That’s why I wanted to learn how to make a presentation that will captivate an audience. After looking at hundreds of different authors, topics and designs, I’ve assembled over 100 presentation ideas and tips on how to design a compelling presentation for:

• Social media
• Online courses
• Pitch decks
• Lead generation

In this blog, you’ll find 120+ presentation ideas, design tips and examples to help you create an awesome presentations slide deck for your next presentation.

To start off, here’s a video on the 10 essential presentation design tips to make sure that your presentations don’t fall under the YAWN category.

1. Use a minimalist presentation theme

CREATE THIS PRESENTATION TEMPLATE

The best designs can also be some of the simplest you see. In the Airbnb pitch deck below, they use a minimalist color scheme and font selection.

A minimalist design is sleek, organized and places the most important thing in focus: your information. There are no distracting stock images, icons, or content. Everything on this unique presentation feels like it belongs and works together perfectly. 

Learn how to customize this template:

2. Use a consistent design motif throughout your presentation

Here’s a go-to tip to for a cohesive presentation design: use a design motif. The motif could be a recurring shape (like circles, lines or arrows) or symbol (like a leaf for “growth” or a mountain for “goals”). For more ideas, check out our guide to common symbols and meanings used in design .

For example, this  presentation template uses circles as a design motif. The same circle icon is used in three different colors to add a bubbly touch to the design. The team photos are also incorporated using circle frames:

3. Use an eye-catching presentation background image

Like with any type of design work, you should want to catch the eye of your audience. In a presentation, this should be done from the beginning with a  compelling background image or a color gradient.

In this presentation template, the creators were able to do just that with a landscape photo. When a presentation like this is seen on social media, during a webinar or in person, your audience will definitely listen up.

4. Visualize your points with icons

Icons are the perfect visuals to include in presentations. They’re compact and can convey a concept to your audience at a glance. You can even combine multiple icons to create custom illustrations for your slides. 

Use the Icon Search in Venngage to find illustrated and flat icons:

5. Use a black & white color scheme for a corporate presentation design

In the presentation below there are only two colors used: black and white. Now, you might be worried that only using two colors is boring, but it all comes down to balance.

Playing off the ideas of classic minimalism, the designer made this presentation look sleek and professional. And now your content can be the main attraction of your presentation as well!

6. Repurpose your slide deck into an infographic 

Different types of presentations serve different purposes and sometimes it helps to work smarter, not harder when you are creating a unique presentation. In fact, the spacing, layout, and style used in this presentation makes it easy to repurpose the same images into an infographic.

This allows you to create two unique pieces of content from one idea!  Which is exactly what  Officevibe did .

Join Venngage’s CEO, Eugene Woo, to learn how you can design impactful infographics that will help maintain trust, increase productivity and inspire action in your team.

SIGN UP NOW

7. Break your genre mold for a fun presentation idea

When I first clicked on this creative presentation from SEMrush, I was not expecting to be transported into a comic book. I’m glad I clicked because it may be the most unique slide deck I have ever seen. Going this extreme with your presentation ideas may seem a bit risky, but to be able to break the mold in this age of cookie-cutter presentations is worth it.

To leave a lasting impression on your audience, consider transforming your slides into an interactive presentation. Here are 15  interactive presentation ideas  to enhance interactivity and engagement.

8. Make your presentation cover slide count

As I was scrolling through all of the presentations, this one made me stop in my tracks. It could be that I have a life-long love of Star Wars, or it could be that their presentation cover slide was designed to do just that: grab your attention. That’s why you should not stick with a boring, text-only title slide. Don’t be afraid to use icons and illustrations to make a statement.

9.  Alternate slide layouts to keep your presentation engaging

Keeping your audience engaged throughout an entire presentation is hard, even if you have been working on your presentation skills . No one wants to look at slides that look exactly the same for an hour. But on the other hand, you can’t create a unique masterpiece for each slide.

That’s why I’m very impressed with what the designers did in the presentation example above. They use a consistent visual theme on each slide, but alternate between vertical and horizontal orientations.

The swapping of orientations will show people that the presentation is progressing nicely. It can help you make a strong, almost physical, distinction between ideas, sections or topics.  

10. Make your audience laugh, or at least chuckle

Sometimes you need to not take your business presentations too seriously. Not sure what I mean? Go check out slide number 10 on this slide deck below.

If you did not actually laugh out loud, then I don’t know what to tell you. Small illustrated embellishments can be very powerful because they evoke an emotional response and to gain your audience’s trust.

Did you know 70% of employees think that giving a good presentation is an essential workplace skill? Check out the top qualities of awesome presentations and learn all about how to make a good presentation to help you nail that captivating delivery.

11. Supplement your presentation with printed materials

Printed takeaways (such as brochures and business cards ) give audience members a chance to take home the most important elements of your presentation in a format they can easily access without using a computer. Make sure you brand these materials in a way that’s visually consistent with your slide deck, with the same color scheme, icons, and other iconic features; otherwise, your recipients will just end up scratching their heads.

If you’re giving people multiple materials, try packaging them all into one convenient presentation folder. There are over 100 styles with a wide range of custom options, so feel free to get creative and make your folder stand out. Sometimes a unique die cut or an unusual stock is all you need to make something truly memorable. Here are some brochure templates to get you started.

12. Only use one chart or graphic per slide 

Having too much information on a slide is the easiest way to lose the focus of your audience. This is especially common when people are using graphs, charts or tables .

In this creative slide deck, the author made sure to only include one focal point per slide, and I applaud them for it. I know this may sound like a simple presentation tip, but I have seen many people lose their audience because the slides are too complex.

13. Keep your employee engagement presentations light   

Sometimes you need to get away from stuffy, professional presentation ideas to capture your audience’s attention. In this case, Officevibe used some very colorful and playful illustrations to stand out from the crowd.

I mean, who could not love the plant with a face on slide number 9? And if you want to see some more icons and illustrations like this, be sure to check out our article on how to tell a story with icons.

14.  Feature a map when talking about locations

Including a map in your creative presentations is a fantastic idea! Not only do they make an interesting focal point for your slide layout, they also make location-based information easier to understand.

This cool presentation example by our pro designers at Venngage uses maps to visualize information. This map both dominates the screen, and also displays all the locations being covered.

15. Use a font that is large and in charge 

If you are presenting to a small group or a packed stadium, make sure your audience can see your text! Use a large and in charge font that can be read from even the nosebleed seats. 

Honestly, you really never know where your unique presentation will be seen. It could be seen in a conference room or conference hall, and everything in between. Be ready to present almost anywhere with a bold and easy to read font.

16. Use pop culture references to build a fun presentation 

Using a meme or pop culture reference is another way that you can jive with your audience. It can be used to quickly get a point across without saying a word or create a moment that you can connect with the room. For example in this presentation, they used Napoleon Dynamite to give the audience feelings of nostalgia.

17. Use more than one font weight on your presentation cover slide

Just like you would never use one font on an infographic, you should never use just one font on your presentation (for more tips, read our guide on how to choose fonts ). In this presentation example from HubSpot, they use a bunch of different font weights to add emphasis to key words and ideas.

As you can see, they use a bold font on the presentation cover to bring attention to Steve Jobs name. This makes it easy for the audience to know what your presentation is going to be about from the beginning as well. 

18. Use a color theme for each idea 

Color is another extremely powerful nonverbal tool that you can use to guide your audience. By using a different color for each section of your creative presentation, Dell is able to clearly indicate when they are switching points or ideas.  Going from green to orange, and even red almost effortlessly.

This is a great way to design a list, guide, or a  how-to presentation as well. And each color can be assigned to a different step or number with ease. 

Need help picking the perfect color palette? Start here !

19. Use illustrations instead of pictures 

An easy way to keep your design consistent throughout your unique presentation is to use illustrations like in this slide deck by Domo.

They used illustrations instead of pictures to show off their subject on slide numbers 4-10 and it looks fantastic. This will ensure that the audience focuses on the content, instead of just the photo they could have used.

It also helps that illustrations are a top design trend for 2020 .

20. Use contrasting colors to compare two perspectives or sides of an argument 

Contrasting colors can be used to quickly show each side of topic or an argument. For example in this presentation, they use this trick to show the difference between their company and the competition.

They use color very effectively in this example to show their company is better, in a nonverbal way. With a lighter color and illustrated icons, the company is able to position them as the better choice. All without saying a word.  

Now if they would have used similar colors, or a single color the effect wouldn’t have been as strong or noticeable.

21. Include your own personal interests

This example is one of the most interesting and cool presentations I have seen in awhile, so I suggest checking out the entire thing. The creator inserts a bunch of his personal interests into the slide to make his presentation about education fun and relatable. And they even use a Super Mario Bros inspired presentation cover, so you know it has to be fantastic! 

22. Try to stick to groups of three 

How many major ideas should be present on your presentation aid? Never break your  presentation layout down into anything more than thirds. This means there should be at most three columns, three icons, three ideas and so on.  A great example of this idea starts on slide number 9 in this slide deck and continues throughout the rest of the presentation.

 Here is a great three columned slide template to get started with.

23. Add a timeline to help visualize ideas 

One of the best ways to visualize a complex process or historical event is to use a timeline presentation. A list of all the steps or events is just not going to cut it in a professional setting. You need to find an engaging way to visualize the information.

Take the presentation example above , where they outline the rise and fall of Athens in a visually stimulating way.

24. Label your graphs & charts 

If the people at Pollen VC had not added those annotations to the graphs on slide number 5, I would have definitely not known what to make of that graph.

But when you combine the visuals on a graph with descriptive text, the graph is able to paint a picture for your audience. So make your graphs easy to understand by annotating them (this is a chart design best practice ).

Create a free graph right here, right now!

25. White font over pictures just works 

There is a reason that you see so many quotes or sayings in a white font that are then overlaid on an image. That it is because it just works in so many situations and the text is very easy to read on any image.

If you do not believe me, look at the slide deck example above where they use a white font with a few different fonts and about 100 images. Plus the presentation template is chocked full of other tips on how to create a winning slideshow.

26. Color code your points across the whole presentation 

Here is another example of a presentation that uses color to keep their points organized. In this case, they use 10 different pastel colors to match the 10 different tips for employee engagement .

Check out our guide for how to pick the best colors for your visuals .

27.  Use a simple flow chart to break down a process

If you’re a fan of the movie Step Brothers , you may have heard of Prestige Worldwide before. In this fun presentation example they are back to sell you on their business model and growth plans.

This time, the presentation will be effective because it actually talks about what the business does.

Instead of making a music video, they use a helpful flowchart template to explain their business model. I would recommend following their lead and creating a dynamic flow chart to visually break down any process.  Try making your own flowchart  with Venngage.

28. Make your slide deck mobile friendly 

As more people move to mobile as their main device each year, making your presentations mobile-friendly is becoming increasingly important. This means that the text is large and there aren’t too many small details, so everything can scale down. Just like in this presentation example from the creators at Globoforce.

29. Don’t be afraid to include too many examples 

If you are presenting a complex idea to a group, especially a large audience, I would recommend having a ton of good examples. Now, I would try not to overdo it, but having too many it is better than having too few.

In this creative presentation, the people at With Company spend about 20 slides just giving great examples of prototyping. It doesn’t feel too repetitive because they all are useful and informative examples.

30.  Use consistent visual styles for an elegant presentation design

I have already written extensively about using icons in all of your design projects . I haven’t talked as much about matching icons to your presentation template.

But that’s just as important, especially if you want to create a professional presentation for your audience.

As you can see in the example above, the designer used minimalist icons that fit the slide designs. All of the other graphics, charts and visual elements fit together nicely as well.

Plus the icons don’t distract from the content, which could ruin a stellar presentation.

31. Use a consistent presentation layout 

In this example from Bannersnack, they use a consistent layout on each of their slides to help with the flow by using the same margins and text layout.

It’s a solid presentation example because they help the user know where to look immediately. It may seem like they are playing it safe, but anything that can speed up the time it takes for a user to read the content of the slides, the better.

32. Use loud colors as much as possible 

This is one of my favorite presentations because of the highlighter yellow they chose to use as their main color. It is actually very similar to one that I saw presented live a few years ago and I have used this same approach in a few presentations ideas of my own.

33. Pull your design motif from your content 

If you are talking about an interesting topic, why not use the topic as the main design motif in your creative slide deck? For example, in this presentation about sketchbooks, the creator uses a sketchy, handwritten motif. It is something simple that helps the audience connect with the topic. Plus, it allows you to include a ton of great examples.

34. Utilize a call & answer cadence

In this SlideShare about how to create a presentation, Peter Zvirinsky uses a two-step process to present a point. First, he presents the header presentation tip in a speech bubble. Then he shows a supporting point in a responding speech bubble. This gives the presentation a conversational flow.

35. Repurpose ebook content into a creative presentation

This slide deck was adapted perfectly from a Seth Godin ebook into the presentation example you see above. In the slide deck, they take a piece of content that would usually take a while to read and cut it down to a few minutes. Just remember to include only the most important ideas, and try to present them in a fresh way.

36. Add a timed outline to your presentation

We have already covered how important it is to have a table of contents in your slides but this takes it a bit further. On the second slide of the presentation below, the creator added how long each of the slides should take.

This is great because it helps your audience know the pace the presentation will take and will help keep them engaged. It also will help them identify the most important and in-depth parts of the presentation from the beginning.

37. Use a “next steps” slide to direct your audience

One of the worst things you can do as a presenter is to leave your audience without any idea of what to do next. A presentation should never just end because you ran out of slides.

Instead, use a conclusion or “next steps” slide like in the example above to finish your presentation. Sum up some of your main points, tell your audience where they can get more information, and push them to take action.

38. Go a bit crazy with the design 

Sometimes you need to throw convention to the wind to create something unforgettable. This presentation from Velocity Partners does just that, and I think it is one of my favorite ones from this entire roundup.

They use unconventional typography, quirky icons, and unusual presentation layout to make each slide surprising.

39. Make your slide deck easy to share 

If you are looking to get a lot of eyes on your presentation I would make sure people will want to share it on social media. How do you do that? By presenting new and interesting value. This means your content needs to answer a common question and your design needs to be clutter-free. For example, look at this very social media-friendly. The slides are simple and answer questions directly.

40.  Use shapes to integrate your photos into the slides

Want to include a bunch of images in your presentation? I say do it!

Now most of the time you would add a raw image directly to your slide. However, if you want to present images in a professional way I would recommend using an image frame .

Like in the example above, you can use these frame to create a collage of images almost instantly. Or provide a similar visual theme to all of your slides.  

Overall, I believe it’s a great way to add a new visual component to your presentation.

41. Hijack someone’s influence in your marketing slides

If you are stuck in the brainstorming phase of your presentation, focusing on a brand or influencer is a great place to start. It could be a case study, a collection of ideas or just some quotes from the influencer. But what makes it effective is that the audience knows the influencer and trusts them. And you are able to hijack their awareness or influence.

42. Put y our logo on every slide 

Whether you have a brand as powerful as Moz, or you are just getting started, you should always have your logo on each slide. You really never know where a presentation is going to end up–or what parts of it will! In this presentation template, Moz does a good job of including their branding and such to get others interested in Moz Local. Don’t have a logo yet? Our logo design tips will help you create a logo that’s iconic and will stand the test of time.

43. Lead your audience to it 

In this example, the creator uses something very similar to the call and answer approach I mentioned above, but with a little twist. Instead of just throwing all the info up at once, they use three slides to build to a particular point and include a subtle call to action in the third slide.

44. Make visuals the focal point of your presentation slides

If you haven’t noticed, illustrated icons are having a revival in 2020 and beyond. This is likely because minimalist icons dominated the design world for the past decade. And now people want something new.

Brands also like using illustrated icons because they are seen as genuine and fun.

And because they are so eye-catching you can use them as focal points in your presentation slides. Just like they did in the creative presentation example above.

Picking the perfect icon is tough, learn how you can use infographic icons like a pro.

45. Use a quirky presentation theme 

In this slide deck, the authors show you how to become an Animation Ninja…and they use ninja graphics and icons extensively. This caught my eye immediately because of the amount of work that I knew was behind this. It takes a lot of time and effort to line all of the content and graphic up to create a cohesive theme, but the payoff can be massively worth it.

46. Use a consistent background image 

I am a big fan of the way that Aleyda Solís uses only a single presentation background image throughout her presentation.

By using this tactic the audience is able to focus on what is happening in the foreground. Plus it gives the whole presentation a different feel than all the other ones I have looked at.

47. Summarize your points at the end

It’s a good idea to summarize your points before you end your presentation , especially if you’ve covered a lot of information. In this presentation example, Deanta summarizes exactly what they do on slide numbers 16-18. They also provide their contact information in case their audience has any more questions. I think that every presentation should use this same approach, especially the ones you are presenting outside of your company.

48. Use a minimalist presentation template

This slide deck from QuickBooks uses a minimalist theme to help the audience focus on what is important, the content.

There were only five colors used in the entire presentation and the graphics were simple line drawings. This made it easy to read and very pleasing to the eyes.

49. Split your slides length-wise 

Here is a simple template you can use to separate your headers, or main points, from your body text in a presentation.

Instead of using a solid presentation background, split the slide in half like Sequoia did in their slide deck. They used their brand color for the title portion and a neutral white for the supporting content.

Use this company report template to create a very similar slide right now!

50.  Embrace a bold color scheme throughout your presentation

My favorite part of the creative presentation example above is the use of complementary colors in each slide. As you can see, not one of the slides use the same color scheme but they all feel related connected.

This approach can be used to make your presentation visually unique, without abandoning a cohesive theme or idea.

51. Put text in the top left corner 

English speakers will instinctively try to read text from a top to bottom, left to right orientation. I would recommend using a left alignment for your text and adding additional things from top to bottom, just like Aaron Irizarry did in this presentation layout.

52. Break up your tables 

A plain table with a white background with black or gray lines are difficult to read on a computer screen, so why would you create one for viewing on a large presentation screen? You shouldn’t!

Instead, follow Intuit’s lead and break up the rows with a bit of color. This applies to data visualization in general , but think it is even more important when it comes to presentations.

53.  Present connected information in a visually similar way

In this startup pitch presentation example, they have a ton of information to get through. But they present their most important slides, the problem and solution, in a visually similar way.

By using a similar layout on each slide, the audience will be able to quickly make a connection. If you want to present two connected pieces of information, use this tactic.

From the font to the layout, it’s all basically the same. The main message they’re trying to impart is a lot more impactful to the reader.

If they would have used two wildly different presentation layouts, the message may have been lost.

54. Roundup expert tips into one presentation 

If you are looking for useful insights into the topic of your presentation, talk to some influencers in your niche. These are called “expert roundups” in the content marketing world and they are incredibly shareable.

Plus, they are pretty easy to create and have a great shelf life. In the example above, we talked to a gaggle of marketing experts about what makes a SlideShare great.

55. Use bold & brash colors throughout 

B old colors usually make your presentation template a lot easier to read and remember. Like at this slide deck made by our talented designers, which doesn’t shy away from bright, bold colors.

Want to pick a perfect color palette for your presentation? Read this blog on the do’s and don’ts of infographic color selection .

56. Make your graphs easy to read & interpret 

It should not require a Master’s degree in statistics to understand the graphs that someone uses in a presentation. Instead, the axis should be easy to read, the colors should enforce the point, and the data should be clearly plotted.

For example, in this presentation on slide numbers 14 and 25, the graphs nail all of those tips perfectly.

57. Condense your presentation into a memorable line 

If you can, try condensing your information into a simple one-liner to help the message stick with your audience. In slide number 36 of this presentation, Mika Aldaba does just that and shows that “Facts + Feelings = Data Storytelling.”

He does this again a few times throughout the presentation with other memorable one-liners.

58.  Bring attention to important figures with colorful icons

If you’re including a figure or number on your slides, I’m guessing you want the audience to actually see it.

That’s why I would recommend using an icon or graphic to highlight that figure. Maybe use a color or icon that isn’t used anywhere else in the presentation to make sure it really jumps off the screen.

In the presentation example above, all that’s used is a simple circle to make each figure a focal point. It’s really that easy, but many people leave it out of their presentations.

59. Anchor Your Text With Icons 

Having your text or content floating out in the white space of your presentation is not a good look.

Instead, you should use anchor icons to give the text something to hold onto and draw the audience’s eye. If you need some examples of good anchor icons, check out slide numbers 4, 7 and 9 in this presentation example.

60. Add semi-opaque lettering as a presentation background 

A neat way to keep your slide deck organized is to number your slides or points using semi-opaque lettering in the background.

Then, place your slide content on top of the opaque lettering. This helps your audience know that you are on the same point or idea, plus it just looks really good when done right.

61. Use simple or minimalist borders

An easy way to class up your slides is to put a border around your text. Take this presentation from Venngage that uses a couple of different types of borders to make their slides look professional.

Plus it helps keep all of your content contained on the slide!

62. Feature one idea per slide

Nothing is worse than a confusing, cluttered slide. Instead of trying to pack a bunch of ideas into one slide, focus on one core idea on each slide. If you need to flesh the idea out, just make another slide. 

Having trouble condensing your slides? Our presentation design guide can help you summarize your presentations and convey a singular idea with a clear focus.

63. Keep your style consistent with your brand 

You might be tempted to switch up the style of your creative presentations each time, but think again. If your brand is known for fun and lighthearted content, like Officevibe, let that be your style throughout all of the presentations you publish under that brand. This will make your slide decks recognizable and will enforce your brand’s message .

64. Use accent fonts to emphasize important numbers

Some people hate pie charts with a passion, but I think they are perfect for presentations. Especially if you want to bring attention to a figure or percentage point .

In this simple example, the pie charts are used to visualize each figure in an interesting way. Plus the pie charts fit the circular and fun theme of the rest of the presentation very well.

65. Use patterned and textured presentation backgrounds

Source  

Adding some subtle textures, icons or shapes to the presentation background can help make your slides more interesting. This is especially effective when you are only showing one point per slide, because it makes the slide design less sparse.

You can even switch up the colors on your shapes or textures to match the theme of the slide like DesignMantic did in this presentation.

66. Illustrate complex or confusing concepts with icons 

Ideally, you don’t want every slide in your deck to just be text. Instead, switch things up every few slides by using just pictures.

This slide deck by Gluwa uses icons to create little diagrams to illustrate their presentation ideas. Their slides still communicate concepts to the audience, but in a new way.

67. Overlay stock photos with color 

One problem many people encounter when creating a presentation or slide decks are finding photos with a consistent style. An easy way to edit photos to make them consistent is to add a transparent color overlay. In this example, Change Sciences uses a blue overlay on all of their photos. Plus, the color you choose can also help convey a particular mood.

68. Use black and white blocks 

An easy way to make your text pop, particularly on a photo background, is to use white font on a black blog background (and vise-versa). Check out this slide deck by Abhishek Shah, which uses this trick in an effective way.  

Now if you want to become a better leader this year, check out some of our favorite leadership infographics .

69. Use photos with similar filters 

Using a bunch of photos with wildly different filters can be jarring in a business presentation. To maintain a consistent flow, use photos with a similar filter and color saturation.

Take a look at this example from HubSpot across slide numbers 1-6 and you can see what I mean.

70. Visualize your points with diagrams 

Sometimes the best way to get your point across is to throw some diagrams into the presentation mix. But be sure to make is something that the audience can pick up on in three to five seconds tops.

For example, Jan Rezab uses a diagram to illustrate what takes up time in our lives on slide numbers 4, 5, 7 and 9!

71. Get experts to share tips

If you want to provide even more value to your audience than you can offer yourself, why not call in some expert reinforcement? See what experts in your field have to say on the topic of your presentation and include their tips and insights. Plus you can hijack their influence and expand your audience fairly quickly. 

72. Mimic a popular presentation style 

Uber’s pitch deck helped them raise millions of dollars in venture capital eventually leading to the glorious moment when they IPOed this year.

Aside from our sleek design upgrade (hey, we love good design!), this pitch deck template is the exact same one that Uber used to go from Idea to IPO.

And who knows? Maybe you might start the next Uber. But to raise money, you will need to create flawless business pitch decks to impress investors and raise those dollars.

73. Plan your presentation idea ahead of time

I know that minimalist designs are all the rage this year, but there is a big difference between a well-thought-out minimalist design and a lazy design without the finish touches. The same goes for a cluttered design with too many things going on at once.

That’s why it’s worth it to take the time to really plan out your presentation ideas and design concepts. Take this slide deck about storytelling by HighSpark. A quick glance will tell you that they put a lot of thought into designing their slides.

74.  Use tables to compare your brand to the competition in sales presentations/pitch decks

There are a lot of ways to visually compare similar things in this day and age. You could use a comparison infographic , or even a venn diagram!

However, when it comes to presentations I think that the simple table is best. Especially if you are comparing more than two things, like in this presentation example.

With a table, you can clearly lay out all the pros and cons of each idea, brand or topic without it being overwhelming to the audience. Plus, virtually everyone knows how to follow a table, so your information will be easy to consume.  

See more examples of the best pitch decks .

75. Blend icons & content effortlessly

Usually, icons are used as eye-catching objects detectors or anchors for text in a slideshow. But they can be used for so much more than that!

Like in this marketing presentation from Constant Contact they are very large but do not distract from the content.

76. Make your audience want more 

This tactic has been used by everyone since the idea of marketing was invented (or close to that). In this presentation example called “100 Growth Hacks, 100 Days” the creator only shows the audience the first 10 days of it and then uses a call to action at the end of the presentation to encourage them to seek out the rest.

The only risk with these kinds of presentation ideas is if your initial content is not great, you can’t expect your audience to seek out more information.

77. Use memes (for real, though) 

Usually, memes do not have a place in a serious business setting, so maybe don’t use them for formal presentations. But if you’re covering a lighter topic, or if you’re going for a fun presentation that will connect with your audience, don’t be afraid to throw a meme or two into the mix.

The audience immediately knows what you are trying to say when you use a popular meme in your presentation. For example, on slide number 7, the creator uses a meme to show that it will be hard to create great content

78.  Include a slide that introduces your team in pitch decks

In this presentation example, the creators decided to include their team on a slide. I think it’s a great gesture.

Showing your team can help the audience put a face to your brand and make the whole company feel more genuine. So if there is a team that has helped you get where you are today, give them some recognition!

79. Feature a complementary color palette

Even though I am not a formally trained designer, I still understand that proper color usage is the base of any good design. Although not all of the tenets of color theory work great for presentations, complementary colors are always a great pick.

Take a look at the color usage in this business presentation from Gary Vaynerchuk below . The purple and Snapchat yellow, which are complementary colors, look fantastic and the content jumps off the screen.

80. Use a heavy or bold font 

The very back of the room should be able to read your content if you are giving a group presentation. To ensure that your entire audience can read the slides I would not only use a large font, but also use a heavy font.  If you are confused by what I mean by a heavy font take a look at this unique presentation example by Slides That Rock.

81. Do the math for your audience

If you are going to use a graph in your presentation to compare data you should do the match for your audience. Do not make them do the calculations in their head because you will quickly lose their attention. For example, on slide number 5 the people at Sickweather lay out exactly what figures they want the audience to take from the slide.  

82. Use unique colors for different sections

The example below has 145 slides but it does not feel overwhelming or confusing.

That’s because each section has a different corresponding color, which makes it easier to flip through the slide deck and find a particular part.

83.  Give your presentation a catchy title that anyone can remember

What I really love about the presentation example above is that it features a catchy tagline on the second slide–“The 3S Framework.” It’s simple but it works!

This motto helps outline the structure of the presentation, and each slide referring back to it. Plus, the tagline will give the audience something to latch onto and remember from the presentation.

84. White backgrounds are not always bad 

A lot of people think that plain white background is a boring presentation faux pas. So the first thing they do is add color or image, which is not a bad thing at all.

But I also think that when used correctly, like in this example, plain white backgrounds can lead to beautiful presentations.

85. Split the header text from the body text

This idea is very similar to the one-two punch tactic that I talked about above, but it spreads the content over two slides as opposed to a single slide.

Use this design choice when you have fairly easy to follow presentations, like the one below from Steve Young. I know that this is effective because it allows the audience to focus on the main point before he drives it home with the supporting details.

86. Feature circle image frames 

I am a big fan of the design choices that Frank Delmelle uses in this slide deck about content strategy. He uses circles as his main design motif and frames his images in circles as well.

87. Talk directly to your audience 

This slideshow tops out at 70 slides but it’s a breeze to flip through. That’s because the creator, Ian Lurie, decided to present it in the form of a conversation instead of a classic slide deck.

While each slide only has one or two sentences, it flows just like a friendly chat. He also includes the necessary pauses, breaks and other conversational tics that helps make it even more convincing.

88. Illustrated icons are key this year 

Icons add a fun and functional element to your designs. In this presentation by Iryna Nezhynska, they use illustrated icons to make a potentially intimidating topic seem manageable.

89. Highlight key numbers and percentages 

Surprising percentages have the ability to excite and shock an audience. To make the percentages on your slides even more impactful, present them in a different color or font than the rest of the text.

In the presentation example above, Contently uses that exact tactic to bring more attention to key numbers.

90. Use a gradient as your presentation background 

Just like bold color schemes, gradients are a current social media graphic design trend . They may feel retro to some, but I believe they will be around well into the future.  

Gradients are perfect for presentation backgrounds because they are so versatile and eye-catching. I mean, you can literally create a gradient with any colors you can think of! And they look a lot more interesting than a simple flat background.

So embrace the future and use a gradient in your next presentation!

91. Track the steps in a process 

In this example, the creators from O.C. Tanner add a very interesting feature to their slides, starting on slide number 6. If you take a look at this business presentation template, you will see that they number the steps in a process and track which step they’re on at the bottom of the slides.

92. Use mind blowing font pairings 

The creator of this slide deck uses at least 10 different types of fonts. And it looks fantastic because they know that one font choice is boring. But this does not mean that you should use a bunch of random fonts–pick font pairs that play well together and keep your font choices for different types of information consistent throughout the presentation.

93. Make your ideas as obvious as possible 

Your audience shouldn’t be guessing at what you mean. That is why I think that this presentation example from In a Rocket is so powerful because they make the information easy to digest.

Learning to code can be challenging, but they break the information down with simple diagrams and clear examples. Heck, I have not touched CSS in a few years and I could still follow what they were instructing.

94. Use images that will actually scale 

A large mistake that you can make in your slide deck is using low-quality images. They may look great on your computer, but as soon as the slides are put up on a screen, the low quality will show. In this example by ThoughtWorks, all of their presentation background images look great and will scale well to a bigger screen. And that is even after the image compression that LinkedIn most likely does!

95. Take risks with your presentation layout

I honestly was blown away the first time I saw this presentation because it capitalized on such a risky design idea. The creators from Weekdone literally turned their presentation into an 8-Bit video game. A nd if you are looking for something that will stick with your audience, I would take a few creative cues from them!

96. Seriously, you better use memes 

In this day and age memes are mainstream, so why wouldn’t you use them in a creative presentation? These do not have to be the coolest meme that all the hip kids are sharing, they can be some of the classics. Like the one that Dana DiTomaso uses on slide 16 to emphasize that it’s a trap!

97. Follow a clear design rhythm

I really like how this presentation introduced each new point in three or four steps, using the same design. It gave the presentation a rhythm that flowed almost like a song!

I would recommend using this approach if you have to introduce multiple points per slide.

98. Use LOTS of icons

If you have made it this far in the list you have already probably seen how effective icons are in presentations. They are the perfect way to support your ideas and make your presentation more pleasing to the eyes.

For example, take a look at all the icons SlideShop uses in this presentation. Almost every slide has at least one icon and a few have more than ten!

99. Give each slide its own spark

I know this goes against earlier points I had about creating a cohesive theme in your presentation layout, but everyone knows that rules are made to be broken (if you can do it better)!

In this slide deck, the team at Officevibe literally created different designs for all 27 of their slides. And to top it off, each of the designs fit the quotes they used extremely well.

100. Use LARGE header cards 

An easy way to stick to that “one piece of content on each slide rule” is to use header cards. They are basically the header that you would normally use in a blog post or article, but it gets is own slide before the content. Here is an example of that idea in the real world in this presentation from Brian Downard.

101. Ask your audience questions 

I think one of the most common elements I saw in all the slide decks was that they asked the audience questions. You can use questions to engage with your audience and get them thinking a bit harder about the topic. The Site By Norex team did an exceptional job of this when they explored what the topic of what makes up a brand.

Need some more info about creating a memorable brand? Check out some of the best branding stats for 2020 and beyond!

102. Introduce yourself and your brand 

I would say that a majority of presentations that I looked at in this list just jumped right into the content without an introduction to the author or brand in the actual slide deck.

This introduction is very important because it establishes your credentials from the beginning, especially if someone is just reading the slide deck. In this example from Losant, they do just that by spending the first few slides telling the audience who they are.

103. Mix up your mediums 

Finally, this slide deck effectively marries two very distinct content forms together: digital images and hand-drawn illustrations. In this example, Freshdesk uses the timeless classic of a comic strip, Calvin & Hobbes, in something so modern to inform the audience in a fun way.

104. Show off your credentials 

Just like with any piece of content, people are more likely to believe what you are saying if they know what your company does. That is why I really like when people insert their qualifications right into the presentation slides. Just like Andreas von der Heydt, from Amazon, did at the beginning of this presentation about thinking big.  

105. Highlight key data points 

If you are presenting a chart or graph on a dry topic, I would recommend using a single color to highlight the most important data point. For example, the investment firm a16z uses orange to highlight the data points they want their audience to focus on in each of their charts.

Check out some examples of how to highlight your key information in bar charts .

106. Show your audience where to find more information 

A lot of people end their presentations by literally just running out of slides, and that is the wrong way to do it. Instead, CBInsights consistently pushes their readers towards another piece of content at the end. This is also where you can insert a call to action!

107. Tell your origin story

  Source

This idea is kinda similar to showing off your company qualifications at the beginning of your presentation. But with this approach, you are trying to make an emotional connection with your audience instead of just showing off accolades.

And Rand from Moz does this extremely well in the presentation example above.

108. Use one focused visual 

This presentation uses a central visual of a structure, with each slide moving down the levels of the structure. This is incredibly powerful because the entire presentation is about sinking your company, and the visual they designed mirrors that idea perfectly. Using one focus visual also makes your slide deck design cohesive.

109. Don’t take presentation design too seriously

Sometimes we get caught up trying to make the perfect presentation and it ends up making us crazy!

But in this presentation example, Jesse Desjardins uses a mix of wit and hilarious retro images to create a memorable and light-hearted presentation.

110. Use size to your advantage 

I am a big fan of using bubble charts and other charts that use size to compare two pieces of data. That is why I like this pitch deck from the ShearShare team that utilizes a size-based chart on slide number 9. The chart is used to illustrate the massive growth potential in their industry.

111. Split section headers from the main content with different background colors 

In this presentation, Seth Familian uses alternating colors in a very interesting way. For each of the title slides, he uses a black color background, but for the content slides he uses a white background.

This helped the readers follow along and comprehend what was on the page even faster. And when you are presenting to hundreds of different types of people, this can make or break your presentation.  

112.  Have a conversation with your audience 

Take a conversational tone in your presentation is a great way to encourage your audience to participate.

In this slide deck example, we presented a simple storyline and use questions to engage with the audience throughout. And it helped create a flow throughout the  presentation template  that is easy to follow.

113.  Include your branding throughout your presentation ideas

Another thing that people seem to forget when they are working on a presentation is to include their business’s branding. You honestly never know where your work is going to be shared, so it is important to make sure people know it’s yours. HubSpot does an outstanding job of this on all their presentations, as you can see in the bottom left corner of each slide.

Plus you have spent a ton of time creating your  brand guidelines , might as well use them.

114.  Include multiple slides to build to your main point

Try using multiple slides to build to your main point. This helps you walk through the components of one overarching point while also building suspense. In this slide deck, the creator uses 6 slides to build up to one main point, adding a new illustration to the diagram on each slide.

115.  Split the difference 

Use either the left or right side of the slide to hold your text and the opposite to display an image. If you are using a photo or graphic as the main background in your slides, this is a great way to keep things organized. 

116. There are millions of fonts out there…use them

Hey, I love simple fonts just as much as the next guy, but sometimes you need to step up your font game to stand out. For example, WebVisions uses a very gritty, probably custom font in their unique presentation that fits the topic extremely well. Take a look!

117.  Build your presentation content around icons 

Try using icons as the focal points of your presentation layout. This example from Omer Hameed  uses icons to draw the audience’s eyes  right to the middle of the presentation, where the main points and headers are located.  

118.  Mix up font style to emphasize important points

If you would like to draw some extra attention to a certain word or idea,  switch up the font  to one that is bolder. For example, in this oldie but goodie presentation from HubSpot they use a heavy sans-serif font to highlight ideas, as opposed to the serif font for the other text.

119.  Add personal touches to your presentation

If you want to create a truly unique presentation, add personal touches. In the slide numbers 6-13 from this presentation, the creator adds something to their design that no one else could ever have: they use original drawings they did themselves.

120.  Harness the power of your own brand colors

Sometimes people forget that they already have a battle-tested color palette that they can use in their  brand colors . I try to incorporate one of our brand colors in most of my designs and it makes so much easier to choose colors.

In this simple presentation example, Spitfire Creative used a palette that had both of their brand colors throughout the slideshow.

121.  Used dark-colored blocks to highlight words

I have seen this trick used in a lot of presentations and it works well. Highlight certain words or phrases by laying them overtop a colored rectangle. Take slide number 7 in this presentation example as a great guide. Use it to bring attention to a saying or idea you really want your audience to remember.

122.  Show the audience your mug 

This presentation example comes from the same presentation as a previous one, but it was too good not to share. Throughout the slides, you will see Rand from Moz pop up to add a human element to the design. Using an image of your team or yourself can put the audience at ease and make it easier to connect with the presenter.

123.  Include a helpful table of contents 

I only saw this presentation idea used a few times throughout my research, but I believe it should be used a lot more. A table of contents will help the audience know what to expect and keep their focus throughout. Especially if you are creating a presentation that is a bit longer than normal.

124.  Do not post just screenshots, do more

Screenshots of a program or app are very common in any blog post, but I think you can do a little better when it comes to presentations.

So instead of just posting a boring screenshot, add a little more to the slide by using illustrations and product shots. If you are not sure what I am talking about, just check out how great the screenshots look at slide numbers 7 and 8 in this presentation.

125. Highlight keywords using BOLD color 

Here’s another slide deck that uses different colors and blocks to highlight keywords. If you are going to use text-heavy slides, then make sure the key points are easy to pick out. Take this slide deck: starting in slide number 4, they highlight exactly what they want you to take away from the text on each slide!

Enough presentation ideas for you?

You made it! I applaud you for making it through all those presentations. Hopefully, now you have a few nifty presentation ideas ready for when you need them.

The next step is to create a presentation that will captivate a meeting room, an amphitheater, and even the world (hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream big).

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How to Lead (and Participate in) a Seminar

For seminar leaders:.

A seminar is a discussion of a topic or a text with the rest of the class, or with a seminar group within the class. It is more than just an open-ended discussion, though. Usually there is some specific text, or a topic, that forms the basis of the discussion, and the intention is to understand the text or grasp the issues at stake in the topic.

This discussion should have the following parts:

• An introduction to the topic or reading (Who wrote the piece? Where does he/she work? Why is the issue relevant?)
• If there is a single reading , an overview of the argument of the reading, and the author’s main conclusions or positions.
• If there are multiple assigned readings , then you will need to try to connect them in addition to giving an overview of the argument and conclusions. If there is art or music also assigned, that too will need to be incorporated, either with the other readings or into the overall topic.
• If the seminar concerns a topic or concept (that is, there is no specific assigned reading), you will need to identify the central issues at stake in the topic, and the various positions people might take on the topic. Identifying groups, people, or writings that hold a particular position would also be important.
• Some sort of context of the topic or reading will be needed , that is, some way of making the topic relevant to the others in the class
• The point of a seminar is not just to describe or summarize the readings or concepts. You will need to give your view on the reading, argument, concepts, or positions. This is not just a matter of telling the group “how you feel” about these things, but rather, what kind of reasonable response you can give.
• You need to pose questions or examples that will spark discussion in the class/group. The best seminar groups are ones that have a good discussion about significant ideas, and it is the leader’s job to make that happen.
• If the seminar is a subgroup of a larger class, and the intention is that the subgroup will present a report to the class, you will have to be prepared to talk about what happened in your discussion .
• In many cases (e.g., the Senior Research Seminar), a handout will be needed. You should have something to give the others in the group, and you will also need to upload the material to the wiki (if there is a wiki in the course)

When you are preparing for your seminar, it helps to break it down into shorter time periods. So, for instance, if you have 55 minutes for the discussion, and there are 3 readings, you could spend a little time (maybe 5 minutes) at the beginning talking about any issues that connect the readings, and then go into the readings themselves. Give yourself about 10-15 minutes to discuss each reading, and make sure to include the author background and any other relevant information during that time. It’s often a good idea to not just start at the beginning of the reading and plow through it, but instead, start with an overview of the main point, and then go into the argument itself in more detail. That way, people will have an orientation to the parts. You can ask questions as you go, or you can save them until the end, but it is important to give people a chance to talk about the material at some point.

For Seminar Members:

The responsibility of the members of the seminar are:

• DO THE READING IN ADVANCE – this is absolutely essential for a seminar to work. You cannot rely on the presenter to explain things – there will be no discussion then, just a dry monologue. That’s not a seminar.
• Listen actively – think about whether you think the presenter is getting the reading right. Is he/she missing some central issue? Has he/she not quite understood the argument? Are there implications of the argument that the presenter is not bringing to the surface?
• Bring relevant outside material to the attention of the group , when appropriate.
• Fill out the response form, and hand it in at the end . Make some constructive comments. These can include issues about the content, or about the presentation style (too quiet? too fast? disorganized?)

The point of doing seminars like this is to explore some issue. That issue may need to be defined by the presenter, and material from outside of the readings may need to be brought into the discussion. The best seminar presentations will clarify the readings for the day, and also show how those readings are relevant to some central issue or question.

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10 Tips for creating an effective training presentation

Creating a training presentation is not a simple task. Unlike your usual PowerPoints, a training deck should convey work-related information in a way that keeps your team engaged and creates a positive learning experience. Quite a challenge, if you ask me - especially in online environments.

That’s why today I’ve got a little help from the 24Slides presentation designers . They work on thousands of eLearning slides for companies every month, so they pretty much know what it takes to create an impressive training deck.

By the end of this post, you’ll have learned:

• What exactly a training presentation is
• The benefits of corporate training
• 10 training presentation tips you can execute right now

Let’s begin!

What's a Training Presentation?

A training presentation is a corporate learning material that helps build the right skills employees require to perform their jobs. For optimal results, ideal training presentations showcase the specialized knowledge in well-structured, easy-to-read slides, and encourage active participation during the whole learning experience.

To give you an idea, common training presentation topics include company policies, safety and health at work, cybersecurity, industrial processes , and more.

Why Should Businesses Provide Employee Training?

Employee training is a business investment, and as such, it’s normal for higher-ups to question whether some corporate learning and development activities are needed. However, as Henry Ford said, “ The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay! ”

And if that’s not enough reason, here are some long-term benefits you can list to show the value of employee training in your organization:

• Training sessions leverage new employees’ productivity faster
• Employee training reduces the chances of errors and accidents on the job.
• Well-trained employees need less supervision, which translates into more time for managers to dedicate to their own tasks.
• Learning and development activities help increase employee retention and job satisfaction.
• Constant employee training makes it easier to identify the team’s weaknesses and creates improvement opportunities for the whole organization.

Now that we understand why staff training is important, let’s see how to create a good training presentation.

Top Tips for Creating an Effective Training Presentation

What we commonly call “effective presentation” is the right balance of two elements: the content you provide and how you deliver it. The first part is on your expertise and every piece of information you can share. But the second part is where the real magic happens .

How do you convey your knowledge? How can you make the online learning experience one to remember? Well, a lot relies on the way you present that information. In this section, we’re going to cover both sides through 10 training presentation tips:

#1 Showcase the knowledge of your company’s experts

Internal expertise is a top learning resource many companies fail to see. Just think about how much your sales head or finances specialist can say about the best practices and workflows from their respective areas. Or the industry trends and developments they experience in their day-to-day activities. You don’t need to look outside the office when you already have expert sources that can provide you with valuable know-how for your training slides.

And don’t curb to technical topics. If the training is on leadership or negotiation skills, why don’t you invite a project manager or sales rep to talk about their experiences? This is a fantastic way to recognize employees as experts and promote team engagement at the same time.

#2 Use your visuals wisely

Visual content is ideal to catch your audience’s attention in a matter of seconds. Plus, studies confirm that visuals help process information faster and facilitate learning . However, this doesn’t mean we should plaster graphics and illustrations all over our slides. Instead, use your visuals strategically only for what’s relevant.

It’s like highlighting a textbook. A mark signals the main idea from the hundreds of words in every chapter. But what’s the point if you’re going to highlight the entire page? It would lose its whole purpose!

As Benny Prasetyo, Design manager from 24Slides , says:

So keep that in mind. Your images, icons, and other graphics are not merely decorative devices. They tell people where to look and have the power to amplify your key messages.

#3 Appeal to different learning styles

According to the VARK model , there are four main learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. And people tend to prefer one or two modalities over others. The good thing is that you can appeal to the four of them within your training PowerPoint presentation. Here’s how:

• For visual learners, maps, flow charts, and process diagrams are the way to go. They respond better to all these devices that explain something graphically instead of words.

• Auditory learners make the most out of synchronous training because they learn by hearing and discussing ideas. However, you can also adapt your PowerPoint materials to them. Think about adding audio files or linking to podcasts that further expand the main topic. Another great way to appeal to aural or auditory learners is using a conversational style in your slides, so they can read your PPT as if you were talking directly to them.
• People who process information through reading and writing will appreciate text-based explanations and assignments. Lists, quotations, and case studies are ideal for this type of learner.

• For the kinesthetic modality, you can showcase personal experiences or feature practical exercises that allow students to apply what they’ve learned. We’ll talk more about this kind of content in the following sections. But bear in mind that kinesthetic learners are “tactile” and prefer to assimilate new information by exploring it in the real world.

To sum this point up, add elements in your presentation that respond to the four learning styles, and you’ll get an immersive and more dynamic training session.

#4 Keep it real

Want to make your corporate training relevant to your team?

Include scenarios from real situations - extra points if these examples come from their actual work. Here’s the thing: People are more perceptive to things that make an impact on their lives. So, if you connect your session to what they go through in their daily tasks, you’re adding emotion and making your training 10x more relatable.

Ideally, your presentation gives solutions to an issue the business has identified. In this case, you need to explore a little: What has changed or happened in the company that employees require training? How’s the day-to-day of the areas involved? What’s the ideal scenario the company expects?

Now, use your findings to integrate realistic situations as examples or exercises that show trainees the value of your session. The key to an engaged and motivated audience is to keep things real.

#5 Make use of storytelling

Effective training is more than informative sessions. The real objective is to spur change. You want to take employees from point A to point B in their development, and one of the most powerful tools to inspire action is storytelling.

In a few words, storytelling is the art of using a story to communicate something. It might not sound like a big deal, but stories speak to the emotional side of humans, and that’s how you can start building a connection that makes every session memorable.

Some ways the 24Slides designers help incorporate storytelling into training presentations is through comics, animated slides, and PowerPoint illustrations.

If you’re keen to challenge the status quo in your team, check out these 7 storytelling techniques to create a compelling training deck.

#6 Take every chance to engage with your audience

Getting active participants during online training is like finding the saint grail nowadays. With muted mics and off-cameras, sometimes you don't even know if someone is listening on the other side. But hang in there.

In this section, I will show you some interactive elements you can use to boost your audience engagement.

Usually, the host would end the presentation with an “Any Questions?” slide, but what about you asking the questions? Inquiry your audience’s minds and create open questions for anyone to share their opinions. This is a good old trick with the potential to spark great-in-class discussions. You can even transform it into a gamified experience with slides like the one you see above.

Online audience engagement tools such as Slido , Mentimeter , or Kahoot make it super easy to create interactive quizzes and polls. The cool thing about them is that they give you a presentation code, which allows your audience to send their answers and see the team's results in real-time.

But if you prefer a more traditional approach, there are PowerPoint slides that can do the trick too. Take this multiple-choice quiz template as an example. It comes with a wide array of designs to hold your participants’ attention while assessing their knowledge. You just need to insert questions and alternatives regarding your topic, and voilá!

Self-assessment activities are a great way to engage with your audience - even when you’re not there to guide them! Here’s a creative quiz template in PowerPoint you can use to add fill-in-the-blank exercises, short-answer questions, and multiple-choice tests to your training deck.

#7 Brand your corporate training deck

Considering that training presentations talk to one of the company’s most important stakeholders (the employees), it should be a no-brainer to keep them on-brand.

But it’s more than giving a professional look to your slides. Adding the company’s brand to training materials shows your team that you care. You’re making the same effort to deliver a polished product to them as the company does to the customers. And that speaks volumes!

Plus, keeping visual consistency across all materials helps your team become familiar with the brand and reinforce that they’re part of the company's activities.

We’ve got a whole article on why branding is essential in presentations , but at this point, it’s clear that spending some time on the aspect of your slides provides more benefits to the business than not. So, remember to inject the brand’s identity into your training decks.

#8 Close with summary slides

How often have you seen participants more worried about taking notes from your slides than actually following your speech? This is a common situation in learning scenarios, and it’s not because your participants don’t care about what you’re saying. Quite the contrary, they want to take it all in.

And you can make their learning experience easier by simply adding summary slides . These final slides contain the key points from your lesson and help viewers retain the essentials.

This way, you ship away your participants’ worry of missing something important, and you get another chance to reinforce your main messages. Everybody wins!

#9 Make your presentation accessible

“Accessibility” is a term that has gained popularity in the last few years, and it refers to the practice of ensuring people with disabilities can access the same information fully and independently as people without disabilities. This is extremely important in eLearning because you want everyone in the organization to benefit from your lessons.

For instance, employees with hearing difficulties might have a hard time watching an instructional video with no captions. Likewise, participants with visibility issues might need an easy-to-read font size in the slides or color contrast in your presentation visuals.

If you want to start now, PowerPoint has an accessibility checker that gives you a detailed report on what you can do to improve your slides. To activate it, follow this route: File tab > Information > Check for issues (next to Inspect Document) > Check Accessibility

You might be surprised by all the details we take for granted, but they make a huge difference to people with different abilities.

#10 Don’t Underestimate The Power of Your Presentation Design

All these good practices confirm that a good design can enhance any corporate learning experience. It helps your employees better comprehend information. It signals the importance of each item in your slides and how they should be read. A good design provides structure and visual flow. And the list can go on, but I prefer you see for yourself.

Damilka Rojas, Design manager at 24Slides , gives us expert input on the right design approach for effective training presentations:

Plus, many training slides are stand-alone materials with the task of conveying information without a live instructor. That’s when you can rely on a good design to deliver a coherent interpretation of your lessons.

Upgrade your training presentations today!

Now, it’s time to put these training presentation tips into practice. Whether you apply one or all of them together, I’m sure you’ll see a marked difference in your new slides. But if you have several presentations to upgrade or designing in PowerPoint is not exactly the most productive way to spend your time, let the 24Slides team handle it for you !

Our expert designers can create stunning slides to draw your audience’s attention while keeping the professional look your training decks deserve. They provide presentation design support to some of the biggest companies worldwide , so rest assured your slides will be in good hands. Ready to take your presentations to the next level?

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