I help you deliver better presentations and more effective education so you build a solid connection with your audience.
Hey Reader,
Did you know that an average person's attention span for a slide is a scant 5 seconds?
That's less time than it takes to sip my tea.
In today's digital landscape, the ability to design compelling slides is a skill every one of us should have.
Over the past five years, I've mentored over 600 presenters.
Their most common concern?:
"How do I create a slide deck that leaves a lasting impression?"
Here's a secret: YOU are the star of the show, not your slides.
Your slides are the supporting cast, enhancing your narrative without overshadowing it.
Let's do it. But first, this newsletter is kept free for you by our sponsors:
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Good slide design is more than throwing together bullet points and clipart.
It's a craft, a blend of strategy and storytelling that engages, informs, and persuades.
You're not just presenting; you're directing a performance where the boardroom is your stage, and the slides, your props.
You might be thinking, "Tessa, I grapple with pie charts, why should I aspire to be a slide design prodigy?"
Here's why:
Personal growth: Your ideas have value, and stellar slide design helps you express those ideas with style and clarity. Plus, the satisfaction and confidence boost you get from delivering a captivating presentation? Priceless.
Professional advancement: in most professions, presentation skills are essential for career success. Whether you're presenting to your team, pitching to clients, or keynoting a conference, slide design skills give you a competitive edge.
Crisis management: When things go south, effective communication is key. A well-designed presentation can help you navigate team conflicts, client misunderstandings, or public relations crises.
Embarking on the journey to slide design mastery may seem like a daunting task. But remember, even the longest journey begins with a single step.
Here's your step-by-step roadmap:
The path to slide design mastery isn't without its obstacles: information overload; design blocks; the dread of "death by bullet points".
But every hurdle is an opportunity for growth.
With patience, practice, and a little bit of perseverance (and tea, lots of tea), you'll soon be creating slides that captivate, inspire, and persuade.
Mastering slide design is about more than learning a particular software. It's about transforming your ideas into captivating visual narratives. Your presentation is your story, and your slides are your stage.
Start your journey today: dust off your slide deck software, choose a simple topic, and limit your presentation to just 5 slides.
It's time to unleash your inner designer.
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or share your progress.
See you next week.
P.S. When you are ready, here are two things I can do for you.
1: Help you learn to use Canva. Canva completely changed my design life. If you aren't using it yet, now's the time to start. I've put together a short video course to show you exactly how to get started.
2: I coach professionals to deliver presentations that actually get the outcome you want and don't leave you feeling embarassed or disappointed. If you'd like coaching for your presentation then let's catch up on a call.
by Tessa Davis
I help you deliver better presentations and more effective education so you build a solid connection with your audience.
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