- Ruth Kogan
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Making a great presentation means you can share your big ideas, win over clients and get your point across effectively. In this article you'll learn the exact steps to build a presentation that not only looks professional but also keeps your audience engaged from the first slide to the last.
It’s all about focusing your message, designing with purpose, and delivering with confidence. So whether you need to create a presentation as part of your wider marketing strategy or for a different reason, this guide has you covered.
TL;DR: how to make a presentation
Here’s a quick summary of the steps to create a memorable presentation.
Step | Action |
1 | Know your audience and purpose |
2 | Structure your story |
3 | Craft your content |
4 | Design your slides |
5 | Rehearse your delivery |
How to make a presentation in 5 easy steps
Creating a powerful presentation doesn't have to be complicated. By following a clear process, you can turn your ideas into a clear narrative that connects with your audience.
These five steps will guide you from initial concept to final delivery.
01. Know your audience and purpose
Before you create a single slide of your presentation, get clear on your goal. What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do after your presentation? Whether it's to approve a budget, buy a product, or learn a new skill, your presentation goal is your north star.
Next, think about who you're speaking to. What are their needs, expectations, and knowledge levels? A presentation for potential investors will look very different from an internal team training. Tailoring your message to your audience makes it more relevant and impactful.
Here's the questions to ask as part of your presentation planning:
Who are my audience?
What do I want them to take away from the presentation I'm giving — one main goal and several secondary ones
How do I want them to feel during and after — am I educating, inspiring, pushing them?
How much does my audience know about the topic and my ask? How much information or detail do I need, or the opposite, how much do I need to condense this presentation?
Need inspiration? Check out our top-notch presentation ideas to effortlessly captivate your audience.
02. Structure your story
One of the best presentation tips is that every great presentation tells a story. The most effective structure is a simple one — a beginning, a middle and an end. x
Start with a strong opening that grabs attention and states your main point. Your hook could be a surprising statistic, a relatable anecdote or a thought-provoking question.
The middle of your presentation should support your main point with evidence, examples and data. Organize your ideas logically into three to five key sections.
For the end of your presentation, summarize your main takeaways and finish with a clear call to action. Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do next.
03. Craft your content
With your presentation structure in place, it's time to write the content. Remember that your slides are a visual aid, not a script.
This means keeping the text on each slide minimal, use short phrases, bullet points and powerful keywords instead of long sentences.
Focus on one main idea per slide to avoid overwhelming your audience. Your spoken words will fill in the details and add context.
Write out your talking points separately in a notes section to guide you during the presentation as this keeps your slides clean and your delivery natural.
04. Design your slides
Presentation design is about clarity, not decoration. Choose a clean, professional presentation template with high-contrast colors that are easy to read. For your graphic design use a consistent font family and color palette throughout your deck to create a cohesive look that aligns with your brand.
Get started with the Wixel color generator.
Visuals are your best friend. Use high-quality images, icons and charts to illustrate your points and break up text. Data is much easier to understand in a simple bar graph than in a dense paragraph.
Make sure every visual serves a purpose and reinforces your message.
05. Rehearse your delivery
Practice is what separates good presentations from great ones. Rehearse out loud several times to get comfortable with your content and timing. You can practice in front of a mirror, record yourself or present to a friend for feedback.
According to David Ayala, CEO and founder of SEOluciones:
"Public speaking is an essential skill in today's world. Whether you are making a presentation at work, giving a talk at a conference, or teaching a course from your website, the ability to communicate effectively in front of a group of people can make the difference between success and failure."
Explore our graphic design resources today to create visually stunning and impactful presentations.
Pay attention to your pacing and tone. Speak clearly and confidently, varying your vocal delivery to keep things interesting. Rehearsing helps you identify any awkward phrasing or parts where you might stumble, so you can smooth them out before the real thing. The goal isn't to memorize a script but to know your material so well that you can deliver it with ease.
How to make a presentation FAQ
What makes a presentation bad?
A presentation often fails when it's unfocused, disorganized or visually cluttered. Reading directly from text-heavy slides is a common mistake that disengages the audience. Other pitfalls include a lack of a clear message, poor time management and not tailoring the content to the specific audience.
How many slides should a 10 minute presentation include?
A good rule of thumb for a 10-minute presentation is about 10 slides. This one slide per minute guideline helps you keep your pace steady and ensures you don't rush through information. It forces you to focus on one key point per slide and use your spoken words to elaborate.
