What are the pros and cons of importing speaker notes from different sources or formats?

1 Word or Google Docs

Many speakers write their notes in word processors like Word or Google Docs, as they offer flexibility, accessibility, and editing features. However, importing notes from these sources can be tricky, as they may not match the formatting, layout, or timing of your slides. For example, you may have to adjust the font size, color, or alignment of your notes to make them readable on your presenter view. You may also have to split or merge your notes to fit the slide duration or sequence. To avoid these problems, you can either use the built-in speaker notes feature of your word processor, or copy and paste your notes into your presentation software and adjust them accordingly.

2 PowerPoint or Keynote

If you use PowerPoint or Keynote to create your slides, you can easily add speaker notes to each slide using the dedicated feature. This way, you can ensure that your notes are consistent with your slides, and that they appear on your presenter view as you expect. However, there are some drawbacks to using this method. For one thing, you may have to switch between the slide view and the notes view to edit your notes, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming. For another, you may have to export your notes separately if you want to share them with others, or print them for backup. To overcome these issues, you can use a third-party tool or plugin that allows you to view and edit your notes alongside your slides, or export them as a PDF or text file.

3 Notion or Evernote

Some speakers prefer to use note-taking apps like Notion or Evernote to organize their speaker notes, as they offer features like tags, categories, templates, and sync. These apps can help you structure your notes, link them to relevant resources, and access them from any device. However, importing notes from these apps can be challenging, as they may not be compatible with your presentation software. For instance, you may lose some formatting, images, or links when you copy and paste your notes into your slides. You may also have to manually adjust the size and position of your notes to fit your presenter view. To avoid these issues, you can either use the web version of your note-taking app and switch between tabs during your presentation, or export your notes as a PDF or text file and import them into your presentation software.

4 Markdown or HTML

Some speakers like to use markup languages like Markdown or HTML to write their speaker notes, as they offer simplicity, flexibility, and control. These languages allow you to format your notes using plain text and symbols, and customize them according to your preferences. However, importing notes from these languages can be tricky, as they may not be supported by your presentation software. For example, you may have to convert your notes into a different format, such as RTF or DOCX, before importing them into your slides. You may also have to tweak the appearance and functionality of your notes to make them suitable for your presenter view. To avoid these problems, you can either use a presentation software that supports Markdown or HTML, such as Reveal.js or Deckset, or use a converter tool or plugin that transforms your notes into your desired format.

5 Voice or Video

Some speakers choose to record their speaker notes using voice or video, as they offer convenience, authenticity, and feedback. These methods allow you to practice your speech, capture your tone and expression, and review your performance. However, importing notes from these sources can be difficult, as they may not be compatible with your presentation software. For example, you may have to transcribe your notes into text, or extract the audio or video files from your recordings. You may also have to sync your notes with your slides, or adjust the volume and quality of your notes to make them audible on your presenter view. To avoid these issues, you can either use a presentation software that supports voice or video notes, such as PowerPoint or Prezi, or use a transcription tool or plugin that converts your recordings into text.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?