How to create a presentation: tips and resources - Prezi Blog (2023)

Creating a presentation can seem like a daunting task, but if you have the right tips and resources on hand, you can create a presentation that makes you feel confident in front of a crowd. At Prezi, we've worked with countless creators and presentation experts to create some of the best presentations around. Here are our tips for creating a presentation.

How to create a Prezi presentation

Let's start with our bread and butter: how to give a presentation in Prezi. You can create an impressive presentation withgift prezi, software that helps you create interactive presentations that engage your audience and make them care about what you have to say. Use Prezi's unique zoom feature to add movement to your presentation. Prezi's non-linear format lets you jump between topics instead of flipping through slides, making your presentation feel more like a conversation than a one-page speech.

Getting started is easy. Watch this video to learn how to create a presentation with Prezi:

Discover more great resources for a great Prezi presentation:

• Over 200 professionally designedpresentation templatesfor a variety of use cases, roles, and design preferences. Find a template that fits your theme and helps structure your presentation in an engaging way, including several created specifically for online video conferencing.


• presentation examplescurated by the editors of Prezis. Prezi works with keynote speakers, influencers, and content creators to make some of the most memorable presentations around. Check out our favorites here for inspiration, or you can repurpose any presentation with a green icon by adding your own content and making it your own.

6 tips for a presentation

Learning how to create a presentation doesn't happen overnight, but even the best presenters constantly practice and improve their craft. Read how you can use these 6 tips to create a great presentation.

Structure your presentation so that it is easy to follow

If you attended a presentation and felt inspired or informed, it's probably because the presenter structured their presentation well so that you can follow along and understand the key points. There are studies that prove it. Studies show that target groups retain structured information40% more accurateas unstructured information.

Additionally, structuring your presentation allows you to organize your thoughts and plan what you are going to say, making you feel more confident as you begin your presentation.

To structure your presentation, you must first choose the purpose. Presentations generally fall into four main types: persuasive, informative, motivational, and educational. Think about what you want your audience to do after you've finished your presentation, and structure your presentation accordingly.

Then, start writing the content of your presentation. We recommend using the same narrative framework as a story (beginning, middle, and end). The storytelling framework allows you to establish conflicts that need to be resolved and show what could be. This is a particularly good setting for persuasive presentations, but it also creates a compelling narrative for any other type of presentation.
Here's how author, speaker, and CEO Nancy Duarte describes thestorytelling frame:

Here's how you think about each part of the story:

• Beginning– Describe the status quo and what the audience is used to (they may nod to see what you are saying). Once you've established that baseline, envision your vision of what could be. The rest of your presentation will bridge the gap between what is and what could be.


• No– Continue describing the differences between what is and what could be. The more the audience learns about your ideas, the more convincing they will sound.


• Fin- Describe how much better the world will be with your new ideas and make a call to action. Your ideas should not only benefit you, but also meet the needs of your audience.

Remember to speak the language of your audience. That means understanding their knowledge base and point of view and meeting them at their level. For example, in a data-driven report, don't include a lot of jargon when introducing people who are new to the field or from another department.

For more information on this topic, read our guideStorytelling in your presentations.

please investigate

The best way to go into your presentation with confidence is to know your topic inside out. Once you've taken the time to fully understand your topic, you'll find it easier to answer questions as you go and get back on track when you've forgotten what you were trying to say. It also allows you to provide additional information if you have extra time at the end of your presentation.

The best way to do your research is to read information on the internet and in the library, or consult experts to weigh it up (this would be a great way to get citations or quotes).

If you are an expert in your field, this is perfect. Review your findings and draw on your past experiences to create an information-rich story for your audience. Don't ignore it, even if you know the subject well. You want the audience to go home with a clear message, and that requires attention.

Pro tip:Contact your audience ahead of time and ask them what they would like to see in your presentation. Researching topics that interest them is how to create a presentation that gets clicks and hooks them.

design your presentation

The easiest way to see your audience's eyes cloud over is to use heavy blocks of text in your presentation. It doesn't matter if the information you're presenting is important, you don't want to overload your audience with too many visual stimuli.

Presentation design is one of the most important parts of a presentation that keeps your audience engaged and interested in your topic.

• Keep the amount of text on each slide to the bare essentials. If you're worried about forgetting something important, use moderator notes for only you to see. More on that later in the article.


• White space is your friend. Do not reduce the content.


• It is best to stick to one thought per slide.


• Use images and lots of them. Images grab people's attention and have more emotional meaning than text alone. Make sure yourspresentation imagesSupport your message and don't look out of place.


• Do not use more than three sources. find theThe best fonts for presentationsin our guide here.


• Emphasize important information visually by bolding it, enlarging it, or using a different color.


• Keep the background the same or similar throughout your presentation. Accuratepresentation templatesMake this easy since they already have a consistent style.


• Add movement to attract attention.

Remember to consider the medium of your presentation. When presenting online, use a video presentation tool likepredict videothat optimizes your presentation to the virtual format and allows you to share the screen with your content.

Grab your audience's attention from the start

First impressions count, and in an age when there are so many distractions at your fingertips, it couldn't be more important to quickly grab your audience's attention, make them interested in what you have to say, and make it addictive to the audience. rest of the conversation. presentation.

At the beginning of your presentation, your audience forms an impression of you. Telling a bad joke or a long, rambling story is an easy way to lose their interest and watch them lose focus, and you may not be able to get it back.

Making a presentation interesting starts with an attention-grabbing hook. Here are some ideas you can try:

• Share a shocking statistic


• ask a rhetorical question


• start with a problem


• Show an eye-catching image


• Tell a story

Watch this video for a great example of starting your presentation with a story.elena valentin, Spokesperson and CEO of Skill Scout. she kicks themvideo presentationwith a captivating story. You should watch until the end, not only because it hooked you, but because it shares tips on how to capture and keep your audience's attention during your presentation.

End the emotional value for the audience.

There's no question that starting your presentation with a hook is important to pique your audience's interest, but by ending it with a strong ending, you can ensure that your message stays with them long after it's spoken.

Think about the original goal of your presentation: what do you want your audience to do after hearing your contribution? In this case, you want your audience to have a clear understanding of what to do and how you want them to feel.

Try these ideas to end your presentation on a strong and memorable note.

• tell a compelling story


• Provide a call to action with clear next steps


• Repeat your opening message


• ask a question


• End with exactly three points: therule of threeis a pattern that makes it easy for people to follow and remember

Use moderator notes

A person can only take in so much information at a time, so adding too much text to your presentation can be overwhelming for your audience (and is just plain bad design). Be sure to include the most important information as text in your presentation. For everything else, use notes that only you can see.

Presenter notes help you keep track of key information and reference points throughout your presentation. Having these available allows you to give your audience a well-rounded experience, allowing them to absorb the essential information in your content and listen to it for more context. Presenter Notes also serve as a cheat sheet in case your audience asks questions or is looking for more information.

You should practice your presentation before the big day. Be sure to practice with your presenter's notes to learn how to reference them without reading them verbatim. You don't want your eyes to focus too much on your notes instead of your audience.

You can access presenter notes in our presentation softwaregift preziand our video presentation softwarepredict video. Keep reading our guideUse moderator notesLearn more. Note: Presenter Notes are available to users with Prezi Plus plans, so pleaseContact Usfor more information on this feature.

How to create a video presentation

Even when employees return to the office and work in person, there will be plenty of virtual meetings on your calendar. Hybrid office workers and back office workers need to connect with people who work remotely. That means it's good for you to brush up on your online presentation skills.

Many of the tips we've covered in this article will help you present in an online video environment, but there are some nuances you'll need to get used to. Consider the following:

• Your background and home office setup


• How your voice sounds on a computer or home microphone


• How to record and share your presentation


• The mood and attention span of your audience in a remote setting

Get everything you need to thrive in a virtual environment with our guidehow to create a video presentation.

There are many ways to make a presentation interesting to your audience and make them feel inspired and informed.Contact Usto learn more about the presentation and collaboration solutions that Prezi can offer your business.