Deck building for an accelerated age
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It’s no secret: these days, everyone is distracted. According to the DocSend Startup Index, the average time potential funders spent viewing pitch decks decreased between 2022 and 2023*. From anecdotes of “brain rot” and “popcorn brain” to self-help listicles offering solutions to dwindling attention spans, it’s clear most minds are wandering if present for long.?
How does one grab and hold an audience's focus in such a climate??
Given the ever-increasing pace of our media environment, this trend will likely continue well into the future. And when business is all about competition, the pressure to make an impression is more dire than ever.?
In this month’s issue of Duarte Digest, we’re exploring the foundational practice of deck building to achieve:?
To serve that end, we’ll highlight how presenters, movers, and shakers of all stripes can use a menu of Duarte resources to create their ideal visual aids and reach critical organizational goals.??
In this issue?
From the hands-on work of our designers, experts, and coaches to a more DIY approach in our on-demand training sessions, case studies, and blogs, we’re proud to meet speakers from their educational comfort zones.?
While it can be tempting to “go big” at every instance, learning to leverage design best practices and restraint can yield more nuanced results and help viewers linger. In her groundbreaking book Slide:ology?, our CEO Nancy Duarte highlighted how renowned venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki challenged the notion of a presentation arm’s race with his 10/20/30 rule.?
Aiming to subvert the macho mentality of “walk softly and carry a big deck,” Kawasaki relied on a minimalist presentation approach: 10 slides in 20 minutes, with nothing smaller than 30-point font. From this perspective, less is more.?
But that’s only scratching the surface of what a well-conceived deck can accomplish in today’s breakneck landscape.?
A sleek, branded template can unify internal communications and lend continuity to client and customer-facing presentations, serving as a blank canvas and workhorse for your team. Conversely, where having broad applications is less advantageous, targeted, single-use decks can add the added spectacle necessary to enrapture your audience.?
So, before taking your ideas to the drawing board, it’s essential to differentiate which type of slide deck can best aid your organization. Some examples include:?
The easiest (and fastest) way to make a standout deck with Duarte
Whether you’re looking to launch a new product in 2025 or transform your brand to seize emerging opportunities, Duarte can help you brainstorm, realize, and refine your vision for success. Curious about assistance? Schedule a time for an expert-led Accelerator Lab? training session can help kickstart your next talk, sales pitch, or product story into overdrive. Remember, your audience is already distracted: why wait to grab their attention??
In our last issue, we explored the benefits of facilitating life-changing brand events for consumers and B2B audiences and what’s at stake when presentations fall flat. Drilling deeper, it’s important to remember how influential in-person or virtual gatherings are always sustained by the creative trimmings that support the speaker and help drive their ideas home. A slide deck is the foundation upon which campaigns are launched, brands are reinforced, and connections are made between the speaker and the audience that everyone enjoys in the digital age.?
11 resources to help craft the perfect any-type-you-need deck
Creating a memorable slide deck can be tricky, but you’re not alone. Below is a list of available Duarte resources to help build or refine your next presentation.?
Free resource: The Glance Test?
Are you suffering from busy slides? The Glance Test? is a free rubric that helps assess a slide's legibility to ensure readers quickly glean essential information in three seconds or less. Think of it as your portable Duarte expert to reveal messaging pitfalls or add a little extra zhuzh to snap your visual aids into focus.??
?? On-demand webinar: Jumpstarting your presentation with Accelerator Labs?
Discover how Accelerator Labs? can help your team craft a powerful narrative in just 3-5 collaborative sessions, giving you the tools to engage clients, stakeholders, and investors.
Case study highlight: Splunk
Like people, when companies hit a growth spurt, it’s time for a new wardrobe. Technology disruptor Splunk looked to Duarte for a whole new fitting to match and further enhance its position in the market. This meant a complete rework of brand essentials that empowered the company’s expanding workforce to meet the moment in style.??
Between producing revamped, easy-to-use templates and overhauling the company’s internal and public-facing design assets, Splunk’s glow-up increased its visibility and earned it award-winning recognition from industry publications. To see how the process unfolded, dive into the full case study to discover how our agency makes slide design magic happen.?
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Upcoming events and workshop schedule
??? Cyberweek deals are coming!
Get ready for discounts and special offers all Cyberweek long! We’ll be rolling out buy one, gift one deals for individual training sessions and reduced pricing for team workshops. Stay tuned to our official channels for time-sensitive savings and grow your professional skills for 2025 and beyond.?
?? Slide Design makeovers are returning!
Do you have a bad slide deck that’s keeping you up at night? Are you feeling nervous about your presentation for an upcoming talk? You’re in luck! Our celebrated Slide Design Makeover webinar is returning on December 12, 2024.?
Keep an eye on your email (hint* subscribe!), and we’ll send you the link to register and submit your slides next week! If your slides are picked, get ready to watch Duarte experts flex their design chops for free in real-time.?
In-person workshops
Looking to grow in the year ahead? Start confidently by attending one of our upcoming in-person workshops and upskill your professional skills to excel in a rapidly changing environment.?
Live online workshops
VisualStory??
Plot and illustrate your next talk or pitch.?
Essential for sales professionals!?
12/3/2024-12/4/2024?
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Slide:ology??
Present your ideas with clarity and precision.?
Great for those seeking foundational design principles!?
12/3/2024-12/4/2024 and 1/29/2025-1/30/2025?
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Resonate??
Boost your persuasion and rhetorical skills.?
Great for marketing and sales roles!?
12/5/2024-12/6/2024 and 2/11/2025-2/12/2025?
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Captivate??
Enhance your public speaking skills and on-stage persona.?
Great for emerging leaders!?
12/12/2024-12/13/2024?
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Duarte DataStory??
Craft compelling, visual narratives with data.?
Great for STEM and finance roles!?
12/17/2024-12/18/2024?
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Illuminate??
Lead change with strategic communication.?
Great for executives, internal comms, and HR roles!?
2/20/2025-2/21/2025?
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Adaptive Listening??
Build connection, trust, and understanding.?
Recommended for emerging leaders and sales roles!?
3/12/2025-3/13/2025?
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*https://www.docsend.com/startup-fundraising/?utm_source=founderforge.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pitch-deck-data-insights-how-to-master-the-competition-slide-7#htoc-pre-seed-pitch-deck-analysis