Powerpoint Designers–Are You a Digital Storyteller?

If your idea of a dazzling presentation involves using a stock template with rotating stars or flashing titles, you probably aren’t a Powerpoint designer.  Want to up your game? A simple change in approach could give you the results you want. Become a digital storyteller with effective planning, the right graphics and enhancements. Keep this primer handy and get started today telling your company’s story!

Create a storyboard. Sharpen the focus of your presentation by starting with a storyboard. Professional graphic artists and Powerpoint designers use these to guide them through the story. Use a dry erase board or posterboard as a storyboard–just divide the space into blocks. In each block write what you want to include. This is an easy way to plan and prepare for an impressive presentation. Design the “story” from the beginning to the end, moving blocks around when needed to follow narration and present important points. It’s a great tool!

Do include photos, lots of photos. Tell the story with the text and the photos. The slide below is one example of big beautiful photos and large typography saying it all. The best Powerpoints tell the same story in two different ways. The slide text is important but graphics and photos make a big impact. Express yourself with a stream of related photos that flow from beginning to end. Give yourself ample time to find graphics that best meet your needs. When appropriate and possible, include photos of people in your audience like leaders working at an annual community outreach or feature star salespeople. Of course, adding employee photos only works when it is appropriate to the Powerpoint you are working on.

Add the extras. What’s a blockbuster movie without a soundtrack? Would Jaws, the movie, been as riveting without John Williams’ soundtrack? Okay, so maybe you’re not Spielberg but you can stir emotions with music and audio tracks. Snippets from an inspiring speech, like Steve Job’s 2005 Commencement Speech called, “How to Live Before You Die,” or a few lines from master marketer Seth Godin–“Godin Challenges You to Fail” really build momentum. Plug in an upbeat song or movie soundtrack–these are extras you can plug in for a standout presentation. However, use sound sparingly for greater effect. Place one or two audio placeholders on your storyboard and deploy them to reinforce a point. By adding sound to your Powerpoint, you add another layer of engagement to your presentation.

Even if you don’t hold the official title of Powerpoint designer, you can put together a presentation just like a pro. Just follow these points!

digital storyteller

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×
Show