In the spring of 2004, a college student presented his idea to an investor for a social networking app he developed in his dorm room. He presented a pitch deck, known as a media kit during those times, and came back to campus with an investment of $500,000. That started the upward trajectory of the media giant, Facebook.
Mark Zuckerberg’s presentation contained vital metrics, the company’s value proposition, and other figures that showed their potential growth. The slides were pretty straightforward—they were clean, consistent, and contained relevant information that an investor needs to decide.
Needless to say, it was a successful pitch. It will go down in history as one of the most successful visual decks of all time. Here is the original presentation deck that Facebook used in 2004.
Whether you’re a start-up looking for an angel investor to provide capital for your business, an executive with a life-changing report to share, or a motivational speaker who wants to change lives, you will need a compelling visual aid as your presentation ally.
What is a visual aid?
Visual aids have come a long way. You may have encountered it first during school when educators used cardboard charts for teaching. Currently, these are digital presentations or slide decks that contain data, images, and videos that help create powerful speeches. A pitch deck is a visual aid entrepreneurs use to provide potential investors with vital information from their business plans.
Why use a visual aid?
Imagine that you’re attending a conference, and all you see is the speaker talking without technological or visual aids. There is a big chance that your mind will trail off. It is because about 65% of the population are visual learners who best remember information when presented with the help of charts, photos, or infographics.
In the highly competitive world of start-ups, having an exceptional pitch deck can tilt odds in your favor. You may only get one chance to show an investor how valuable your business idea is. A visual aid showcases the merits of your products or services. It also highlights the crucial figures that can increase your business’ bottom line.
What makes a visual aid stand out?
Having photos and charts on a slide is not enough. It would help if your presentation could reach the minds and hearts of your audience. A compelling visual aid has the following qualities:
- Readable enough for the whole audience to see
- Has readable fonts
- Has a design that matches the slide content
- Follows a proper format
- Elicits the right emotion
- Is memorable
- Has relevant and clear photos
- Is straightforward and easy to understand
- Represents your brand’s values and personality
- Not stuffed with unnecessary words
6 Elements That Make Up an Excellent Visual Aid
One of the most common software used in making impactful visual aids is PowerPoint. Don’t worry, if you want to use an Apple computer, it’s easy to switch from PC to Mac. You can even send your presentation to a Mac user by exporting your file in a different format so they can view the slides.
To help you create a winning visual aid, here are six elements that you need to keep in mind when making your presentation:
- Font Combination
A rule of thumb in using fonts for slides is that they shouldn’t take too much attention. People shouldn’t be complaining about its poor ineligibility. When you use unappealing fonts like Comic Sans in a formal presentation, people will notice (and probably find it off-putting).
The font should also be readable enough to reach the audience at the back of the conference hall or auditorium. Guy Kawasaki, a world-renowned author and financial speaker, advises that font size should be at least 30 points. In addition, it would be best to use Sans Serif font types such as Arial, Verdana, or Segoe since they are easier on the eyes. Lastly, try to use a combination of up to three fonts for variety.
- Non-distracting background
One of the essential steps in creating your deck is choosing the background. Your audience will look at your slides for a long time, so it would be best if they were easy on the eyes. A common rule is dark backgrounds go with light text. Likewise, light backgrounds go with dark text.
Color combinations such as navy blue and white or dark purple and yellow are aesthetically pleasing choices. Do keep in mind colors that shouldn’t go together because they clash and are hard to read. Examples are red and green, red and blue, and orange and blue.
- Negative space
Negative space refers to the empty area around and between texts and photos. A slide with poor use of negative space will look crowded and overstuffed. Having the right amount of negative space allows your audience to rest their eyes in between information.
You may also apply the concept of negative space in designing the placement of your texts. Placing too many elements can distract the audience from what’s important, so make sure to place the right amount of text to deliver your message easier.
- Precise word choices
One of the major goals of your presentation is to motivate the panel or audience into taking your desired action. By using the right words, you can increase the clarity and accuracy of your message.
Avoid using words with unwanted connotations and meanings. As much as possible, keep the content short and straightforward.
- Use relevant images
The key in choosing the best images is to select those that resonate with your audience and emphasizes your presentation. Ensure that the pictures are simple enough so they won’t compete for attention while you’re talking.
You could use a photo representing a metaphor of what you are talking about. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, for example, to connote a new beginning.
- Use numbering
Numbering slides is quite a tricky matter. On one side, the numbering can distract your audience from your presentation. They might be thinking about how many slides they have already seen and if there’s more.
On the other hand, it’s recommended that you number the slides for presentations to clients or investors. It will make feedback and discussions easier. Ensure that the numbers are not as prominent as the other texts in the slides.
Other Helpful Tips in Creating a Cohesive Presentation
Plan your content before laying them out in deck form
As with any project, outlining your ideas before creating the deck is always a good way to start. List your key messages and highlight the most important information or takeaways in the visual aid.
Employ photography elements
Photography and art elements can help you in making balanced and aesthetically pleasing slides. It’s a good idea to implement the rule of thirds in your design. It means breaking your slides into imaginary horizontal and vertical grids. You can place the focal points of the line in the intersections to create hierarchy and visual interest.
Coordinate your outfit to your deck colors
Aside from preparing for your persuasive speech, you also need to think about what to wear. When you present your business to an audience or panel, matching your clothes shows cohesiveness with your brand.
Remember to dress for the audience. Show that you came prepared, but avoid wearing anything that could detract from the presentation’s message.
Hold off the transitions
Powerpoint comes with a wide array of transitions and effects. However, they don’t always contribute to a positive audience experience. On the contrary, it might suggest that the presentation is dull that it needs opening curtains or page flips to make it more interesting.
Aim for consistency
A consistent look and feel are keys to a memorable presentation. A good deck gives the impression that each slide is part of one story. It means using the same image themes, color scheme, and typography on all slides.
Use less text
It may be tempting to include all the information you deem essential in your visual presentation. However, this can be counterproductive. Your audience may just be reading your slides instead of listening to what you have to say.
If you have texts that you think are necessary for your presentation, reveal them one by one. Avoid presenting them all in one go.
Create Powerful Presentations That Stand Out
Delian Asparouhov, the principal of venture capitalist firm Founders Fund, reveals, “In order to build conviction, we rely on founders to tell us a compelling story, almost always in the form of slides. We’ve funded companies almost entirely because of the quality of their seed decks. Poor deck? We’ll likely pass on the opportunity.”
This statement emphasizes the importance of having an exceptional visual presentation. The first step is to organize your content. Then use the elements such as fonts, colors, text choice, and images cohesively and tastefully.
Now that you’re armed with strategies to create a visual presentation that stands out, you have the power to share your message with the world and deliver this via email. It’s time to create that pitch deck that will help turn your idea into reality and inspire people.
