How can you balance information and time in presentations?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start creating your presentation, you need to define your purpose. What is the main goal of your presentation? What do you want your audience to learn, do, or feel after listening to you? Your purpose will guide your content, structure, and delivery of your presentation. It will also help you focus on the most relevant and important information for your audience.

2 Know your audience

Another key factor to consider is your audience. Who are they? What are their needs, interests, and expectations? How much do they know about your topic? How will they benefit from your presentation? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your presentation to their level of understanding, motivation, and attention. It will also help you avoid unnecessary details, jargon, or assumptions that might confuse or alienate them.

3 Know your time limit

One of the most common mistakes that presenters make is running out of time or rushing through their slides. This can damage your credibility, compromise your message, and frustrate your audience. To avoid this, you need to know your time limit and stick to it. How long do you have to present? How much time do you need for each section, slide, or point? How much time do you want to leave for questions or feedback? Knowing your time limit will help you plan, rehearse, and adjust your presentation accordingly.

5 Simplify your slides

Your slides should not be a script, but rather visual aids to support your verbal delivery. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much text, data, or graphics. Instead, highlight the key points, facts, or images that back up your message. To make your slides more effective, use a clear and consistent design that matches your topic and tone. Ensure the font is large and readable against the background color. Utilize bullet points, lists, or headings to organize the text. Charts, graphs, diagrams, or pictures can be used to illustrate data or concepts. Animations, transitions, or sound effects should be used sparingly and only when they add value or interest.

7 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?