5 simple ideas to make your next presentation sizzle

There are effective ways to use PowerPoint, particularly as a visual backdrop to your story. And it’s not the only game in town anymore.

Apple’s Keynote has earned staunch support from the design community. Tools such as Prezi have re-imagined what a presentation should look like, and online software like Sliderocket and Slideshare have enabled us to collaborate and share presentations virtually. The idea of what a presentation “is” is being reinvented over and over again as technologies emerge.

So what’s a novice presentation designer to do? First, don’t lose hope. We’re still in the first leg of this race. Presentation designers have emerged to help companies take off like Usain Bolt, but you can still get a leg up on those competitors who are still in the starting blocks.

Here are five simple ways to make your PowerPoint presentations sizzle:

1. What’s your story?