Why Storytelling is important in PowerPoint?

If you can convey a story, you have your audience with you.

Even a snapshot has a story, but as a presentation expert or marketer, you need to share it and make it presentable.

When tasked with creating a presentation, think of it as creating a story.

I often see people around me worried about creating a PowerPoint and how to do it.

However, if they break down the PowerPoint into parts and think of it as a story, the job is half done.

Thinking of a Story

No matter what the presentation is—financial data, yearly report, pitch deck, performance report, idea deck, or anything else—think of it as a story.

Express what was, where we are, and where we are going.

Create curiosity, build hooks, and introduce surprises.

Make it a journey instead of a disconnected series of slides. Here’s how you can create a story:

• Title Slide

• Agenda

• Problem Statement

• Quote from a Great Leader

• Examples

• Impact

• Why a Solution is Needed

• Introduction of Your Idea

• Current Stage

• Implementation Strategy

• Thoughts from Industry Experts

• Future Roadmap

• And so on...

This standard and easy approach helps build a story, but your creativity can make it more interesting.

Start with a prelude, a video, or a thought as a hook to introduce an element of surprise in your presentation.

Information Preparation and Data Breakdown

You need information to present in PowerPoint. How do you do this? Collect information for each slide.

Some parts you’ll need to write or design, and the rest you can collate and customize.

Ensure you have content for all the slides.

Designing......

If you can spend some money, use online tools like Canva or Adobe Express to design your presentations.

Remember, similar designs are used by other members, so customize them to make them more personalized. Otherwise, they may look lifeless.

The traditional approach is to use PowerPoint, which has all the necessary features. Your choice depends on your creativity, motivation, available time, and budget.

Layouts.......

Create 4 to 5 layouts for your slides in terms of content and graphics placement.

Focus on explaining the context, ensuring the graphic and text are self-explanatory. I often see presentations overloaded with text, resembling a Word document.

Text or Content.......

Less is more....

Use minimal text and stick to keywords. No need for long paragraphs.

If you can’t explain it in a few words, you’re not ready for the presentation.

Graphics.......

AI is your best companion for stock or reference graphics.

Real graphics or images are valuable in today’s world of stock or AI-generated images, making real images stand out.

Now, you have everything to package your presentation. Create an impactful start, a journey full of surprises and curiosity, and end with a parting thought. Your presentation will stand out.

I haven’t suggested anything mind-blowing but reiterated and packaged what you already know about creating presentations.

Remember - Story is Your Salesman.