example of formal presentation

Informal vs Formal Presentation: What You Need To Know

Table of contents, what is a formal presentation.

There are three key elements which make a presentation formal – your audience, your supporting material and the time you’re given to prepare in advance.

A presentation is considered formal when you’ve been asked to share ideas with an individual or group and you’ve been given time to prepare. Formal presentations require a very different approach than presenting to your team during a weekly meeting or in an impromptu discussion.

Let’s take a closer look at what goes into creating a formal presentation.

How Do You Create A Formal Presentation?

Creating a formal presentation is an art which requires hours of practice to create an effective presentation.

At Presentation Geeks, we know the importance of crafting an excellent formal presentation. That’s why we’ve put together a simple structured template of main points you should include in your next presentation to take it from a generic, informal presentation to a formal presentation which will surpass your audience’s expectations.

1 – Clearly Defined Goals

Before you begin writing your presentation or the speech you’ll deliver, you want to take the time to think about the following questions, “What do I want the audience members to remember and what is the key message I’m trying to drive?”.

Knowing your expected outcome is the goal of the presentation. Always keep reminding yourself what the goal is and don’t lose sight of it. This is the foundation of your formal presentation.

2 – Know Your Audience

Every audience is different and every audience consumes, absorbs and remembers information differently.

If you’re presenting to a graduating class of university students, your delivery will be much different than your presentation to an audience of senior executives at a Fortune 500 company or an audience of single mothers with newborns.

Get familiar with your audience members and prepare your presentation accordingly.

Bonus Tip: Try and figure out where the presentation will take place. Will it be held in an auditorium? A church? A boardroom? Perhaps it will even be held virtually. The venue in which your presentation will take place will also determine the supporting material you’ll use to help engage the audience during your presentation.

3 – Create An Outline

The success of your presentation depends on how well your audience can understand it. If you’re delivering a presentation that continuously jumps back and forth from one idea to another, your audience won’t follow and you’ll lose them.

Develop an outline that will guide the flow of your presentation. Think of it like a story. You want to keep it interesting. Provide appropriate examples that resonate with your audience. By tapping into an experience your audience is familiar with, it will work to your advantage as it will help the audience get engaged and keep them interested.

4 – Use Visual Aids

Using visual aids will help support your overall presentation and increase audience engagement.

Visual aids can include slides, videos, images and other visual supporting material. Although it might take some creative finesse to put visual aids together, you don’t have to do it alone.

Consider enlisting the help of a company that offers presentation design services. Presentation Geeks offers a variety of presentation services ranging from e-learning solutions, Google Slides, sizzle reels, Prezi design and much more!

5 – Dress Appropriately

Remember, first impressions are everything and your attire is a form of communication.

If you want to be seen as the expert on the topic matter and have people take your knowledge seriously, you want to dress appropriately.

Although this might seem like an outdated way of thinking, it is rooted in our psychology. These small details make or break a presentation and you don’t want to take a chance.

Don’t know where to start? Nine millionaires shared how they dress to make an impactful first impression which you can use in your wardrobe.

What are the types of formal presentations?

There are many types of formal presentations you’ll be exposed to throughout your career.

We’ve outlined six types of formal presentations you may consider when developing your next presentation.

However, if you’re looking for more examples of formal presentations in action, TED Talks are a great resource. TED Talks are presentations ranging on a variety of topics from science and business to motivational and unique life experiences.

Review the list below and determine which style your presentation will focus on. This will help you structure your notes, write your presentation and ultimately how you will present.

1 – Informative Presentation

This is the most common type of presentation, be it in an educational setting, business or corporate setting.

The aim of an informative presentation is to give detailed information about a product, concept, or idea to a specific kind of audience.

2 – Persuasive Presentation

Persuasive presentations are used to motivate or convince someone to act or make a change in their actions or thoughts.

3 – Demonstrative Presentation

A demonstrative presentation involves demonstrating a process or the functioning of a product in a step-by-step fashion.

4 – Inspirational Presentation

An inspirational presentation’s aim is to motivate or emotionally move your audience.

Using techniques like storytelling, narrating personal anecdotes, or even humor work wonders to enhance your presentation as your audience develops an emotional connection to the message.

5 – Business Presentation

A business presentation can encompass pitching client presentations , raising business capital, articulating company goals, RFP presentations , screening candidates, status reports, investment pitching and many more.

6 – PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint presentations or PPTs are the most effective ones among all types of presentations simply because they are convenient and easy to understand.

They are available in different formats and are suitable to use in practically any type of presentation and context, be it business, educational, or for informal purposes.

The only downside to PowerPoint presentations is the time it takes to create them and the creativity needed to make them stand out. Fortunately, there are PowerPoint presentation design services you can use that will help you save time and deliver new ideas in a creative way.

See What We Can Do For You

What is an informal presentation.

It is fairly common for business meetings to include impromptu presentations. Most presentations you’ll encounter are informal presentations.

These types of presentations are usually prepared in a short amount of time and do not require the same organizational methods as a formal presentation such as using audience engagement or presentation software.

Oftentimes, they are very much like a conversation and you won’t be using any note cards. The presenter is usually speaking to a much smaller audience where each audience member will feel like they’re being spoken to.

What Presentation Style Should I Use?

Now that you know what the difference is between a formal presentation and an informal presentation, it is now time for you to decide which style to choose.

More often than not, if you have the time to be reading this article, you have the time to prepare a presentation. That means you’ll likely lean towards the formal style.

Informal presentations are more impromptu and you won’t have the time to research it ahead of time like you are now. But since you do have the time, here are some additional resources to help you master the craft of a formal presentation.

Additional Resources To Master Your Formal Presentation

Presentation 101: How to become a better presenter . We’ve put together a list of 10 actionable items you can start working on to become a better presenter. This article covers body language such as eye contact and voice projection to the topic you’ll talk about.

Secondly, if your presentation is held online, you need to have the skills to present a virtual presentation. We’ve got you covered once again. We take a deep-dive into how to ace your virtual presentation . We cover virtual presentation software you might encounter,

The last article you should review to incorporate into your presentation arsenal is how to give and receive constructive presentation feedback . The only way you’ll improve is through ongoing feedback and data collection of what your audience thought of your presentation and presentation skills.

If these aren’t enough, download and review some of the past presentation work we’ve done for Fortune 500 companies and other industries to help spark some inspiration for your next presentation.

If you review these three articles and incorporate them into your next presentation, you’ll be on your way to becoming an influential speaker who can convert any audience with a well crafted presentation.

Author:  Ryan

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• Inspiration

23 presentation examples that really work (plus templates!)

• 30 Mar 2023

To help you in your quest for presentation greatness, we’ve gathered 23 of the best business presentation examples out there. These hand-picked ideas range from business PowerPoint presentations, to recruitment presentations, and everything in between.

As a bonus, several of our examples include editable video presentation templates from  Biteable .

Biteable allows anyone to create great video presentations — no previous video-making skills required. The easy-to-use platform has hundreds of brandable templates and video scenes designed with a business audience in mind. A video made with Biteable is just what you need to add that wow factor and make an impact on your audience.

Create videos that drive action

Activate your audience with impactful, on-brand videos. Create them simply and collaboratively with Biteable.

Video presentation examples

Video presentations are our specialty at Biteable. We love them because they’re the most visually appealing and memorable way to communicate.

1. Animated characters

Our first presentation example is a business explainer video from Biteable that uses animated characters. The friendly and modern style makes this the perfect presentation for engaging your audience.

Bonus template:  Need a business video presentation that reflects the beautiful diversity of your customers or team? Use  Biteable’s workplace scenes . You can change the skin tone and hair color for any of the animated characters.

2. Conference video

Videos are also ideal solutions for events (e.g. trade shows) where they can be looped to play constantly while you attend to more important things like talking to people and handing out free cheese samples.

For this event presentation sample below, we used bright colours, stock footage, and messaging that reflects the brand and values of the company. All these elements work together to draw the attention of passers-by.

For a huge selection of video presentation templates, take a look at our  template gallery .

Business PowerPoint presentation examples

Striking fear into the hearts of the workplace since 1987, PowerPoint is synonymous with bland, boring presentations that feel more like an endurance test than a learning opportunity. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Check out these anything-but-boring business PowerPoint presentation examples.

3. Design pointers

This PowerPoint presentation takes a tongue-in-cheek look at how the speakers and users of PowerPoint are the problem, not the software itself.

Even at a hefty 61 slides, the vintage theme, appealing colors, and engaging content keep the viewer interested. It delivers useful and actionable tips on creating a better experience for your audience.

Pixar, as you’d expect, redefines the meaning of PowerPoint in their “22 Rules for Phenomenal Storytelling”. The character silhouettes are instantly recognizable and tie firmly to the Pixar brand. The bright colour palettes are carefully chosen to highlight the content of each slide.

This presentation is a good length, delivering one message per slide, making it easy for an audience to take notes and retain the information.

Google slides examples

If you’re in business, chances are you’ll have come across  slide decks . Much like a deck of cards, each slide plays a key part in the overall ‘deck’, creating a well-rounded presentation.

If you need to inform your team, present findings, or outline a new strategy, slides are one of the most effective ways to do this.

Google Slides is one of the best ways to create a slide deck right now. It’s easy to use and has built-in design tools that integrate with Adobe, Lucidchart, and more. The best part — it’s free!

5. Teacher education

Here’s a slide deck that was created to educate teachers on how to use Google Slides effectively in a classroom. At first glance it seems stuffy and businessy, but if you look closer it’s apparent the creator knows his audience well, throwing in some teacher-friendly content that’s bound to get a smile.

The slides give walkthrough screenshots and practical advice on the different ways teachers can use the software to make their lives that little bit easier and educate their students at the same time.

6. Charity awareness raiser

This next Google slide deck is designed to raise awareness for an animal shelter. It has simple, clear messaging, and makes use of the furry friends it rescues to tug on heartstrings and encourage donations and adoptions from its audience.

Pro tip: Creating a presentation is exciting but also a little daunting. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed — especially if the success of your business or nonprofit depends on it.

Prezi presentation examples

If you haven’t come across  Prezi , it’s a great alternative to using static slides. Sitting somewhere between slides and a video presentation, it allows you to import other content and add motion to create a more engaging viewer experience.

7. Red Bull event recap

This Prezi was created to document the Red Bull stratosphere freefall stunt a few years ago. It neatly captures all the things that Prezi is capable of, including video inserts and the zoom effect, which gives an animated, almost 3D effect to what would otherwise be still images.  

Prezi has annual awards for the best examples of presentations over the year. This next example is one of the 2018 winners. It was made to highlight a new Logitech tool.

8. Logitech Spotlight launch

What stands out here are the juicy colors, bold imagery, and the way the designer has used Prezi to its full extent, including rotations, panning, fades, and a full zoom out to finish the presentation.

Sales presentation examples

If you’re stuck for ideas for your sales presentation, step right this way and check out this video template we made for you.

9. Sales enablement video presentation

In today’s fast-paced sales environment, you need a way to make your sales enablement presentations memorable and engaging for busy reps.  Sales enablement videos  are just the ticket. Use this video presentation template the next time you need to present on your metrics.

10. Zuroa sales deck

If you’re after a sales deck, you can’t go past this example from Zuora. What makes it great? It begins by introducing the worldwide shift in the way consumers are shopping. It’s a global phenomenon, and something we can all relate to.

It then weaves a compelling story about how the subscription model is changing the face of daily life for everyone. Metrics and testimonials from well-known CEOs and executives are included for some slamming social proof to boost the sales message.

Pitch presentation examples

Pitch decks are used to give an overview of business plans, and are usually presented during meetings with customers, investors, or potential partners.

11. Uber pitch deck

This is Uber’s original pitch deck, which (apart from looking a teensy bit dated) gives an excellent overview of their business model and clearly shows how they intended to disrupt a traditional industry and provide a better service to people. Right now, you’re probably very grateful that this pitch presentation was a winner.

You can make your own pitch deck with Biteable, or start with one of our  video templates  to make something a little more memorable.

12. Video pitch template

This video pitch presentation clearly speaks to the pains of everyone who needs to commute and find parking. It then provides the solution with its app that makes parking a breeze.

The video also introduces the key team members, their business strategy, and what they’re hoping to raise in funding. It’s a simple, clear pitch that positions the company as a key solution to a growing, worldwide problem. It’s compelling and convincing, as a good presentation should be.

13. Fyre Festival pitch deck

The most epic example of a recent pitch deck is this one for Fyre Festival – the greatest event that never happened. Marvel at its persuasion, gasp at the opportunity of being part of the cultural experience of the decade, cringe as everything goes from bad to worse.

Despite the very public outcome, this is a masterclass in how to create hype and get funding with your pitch deck using beautiful imagery, beautiful people, and beautiful promises of riches and fame.

Business presentation examples

Need to get the right message out to the right people? Business presentations can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

Simply press play and let your video do the talking. No fumbling your words and sweating buckets in front of those potential clients, just you being cool as a cucumber while your presentation does the talking.

Check out two of our popular templates that you can use as a starting point for your own presentations. While they’re business-minded, they’re definitely not boring.

14. Business intro template

Modern graphics, animations, and upbeat soundtracks keep your prospects engaged as they learn about your business, your team, your values, and how you can help them.

15. Business explainer template

Research presentation examples.

When you’re giving a more technical presentation such as research findings, you need to strike the perfect balance between informing your audience and making sure they stay awake.

As a rule, slides are more effective for research presentations, as they are used to support the speaker’s knowledge rather can capture every small detail on screen.

With often dry, complex, and technical subject matter, there can be a temptation for presentations to follow suit. Use images instead of walls of text, and keep things as easy to follow as possible.

16. TrackMaven research deck

TrackMaven uses their endearing mascot to lighten up this data-heavy slide deck. The graphs help to bring life to their findings, and they ensure to only have one bite-size takeaway per slide so that viewers can easily take notes.

17. Wearable tech research report

Obviously, research can get very researchy and there’s not a lot to be done about it. This slide deck below lays out a ton of in-depth information but breaks it up well with quotes, diagrams, and interesting facts to keep viewers engaged while it delivers its findings on wearable technology.

Team presentation examples

Motivating your team can be a challenge at the best of times, especially when you need to gather them together for….another presentation!

18. Team update template

We created this presentation template as an example of how to engage your team. In this case, it’s for an internal product launch. Using colorful animation and engaging pacing, this video presentation is much better than a static PowerPoint, right?

19. Officevibe collaboration explainer

This short slide deck is a presentation designed to increase awareness of the problems of a disengaged team. Bright colors and relevant images combine with facts and figures that compel viewers to click through to a download to learn more about helping their teams succeed.

Recruitment presentation examples

Recruiting the right people can be a challenge. Presentations can help display your team and your business by painting a dynamic picture of what it’s like to work with you.

Videos and animated slides let you capture the essence of your brand and workplace so the right employees can find you.

20. Company culture explainer

If you’re a recruitment agency, your challenge is to stand out from the hundreds of other agencies in the marketplace.

21. Kaizen culture

Showcasing your agency using a slide deck can give employers and employees a feel for doing business with you. Kaizen clearly displays its credentials and highlights its brand values and personality here (and also its appreciation of the coffee bean).

Explainer presentation examples

Got some explaining to do? Using an explainer video is the ideal way to showcase products that are technical, digital, or otherwise too difficult to explain with still images and text.

Explainer videos help you present the features and values of your product in an engaging way that speaks to your ideal audience and promotes your brand at the same time.

22. Product explainer template

23. lucidchart explainer.

Lucidchart does a stellar job of using explainer videos for their software. Their series of explainers-within-explainers entertains the viewer with cute imagery and an endearing brand voice. At the same time, the video is educating its audience on how to use the actual product. We (almost) guarantee you’ll have more love for spiders after watching this one.

Make a winning video presentation with Biteable

Creating a winning presentation doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. Modern slide decks and video software make it easy for you to give compelling presentations that sell, explain, and educate without sending your audience to snooze town.

For the best online video presentation software around, check out Biteable. The intuitive platform does all the heavy lifting for you, so making a video presentation is as easy as making a PowerPoint.

Use Biteable’s brand builder to automatically fetch your company colors and logo from your website and apply them to your entire video with the click of a button. Even add a  clickable call-to-action  button to your video.

Share your business presentation anywhere with a single, trackable URL and watch your message turn into gold.

Make stunning videos with ease.

Take the struggle out of team communication.

Try Biteable now.

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• No complicated design decisions
• No experience necessary

Presentation Examples: Inspiring Ideas for Different Types of Presentations

When preparing for a presentation, it can be immensely helpful to look at examples for inspiration. Different situations require different approaches—whether you’re pitching a new idea to investors, presenting a strategy to your team, or educating an audience at a conference. In this blog post, we’ll explore presentation examples across various categories, breaking down how each can be structured for maximum impact.

By examining these examples, you’ll gain insights on how to tailor your own presentation based on your objectives and audience.

1. Business Pitch Presentation Example: The Investor Pitch

An investor pitch aims to secure funding by convincing potential investors that your business is a solid opportunity. It needs to be concise, compelling, and data-driven.

Key Components:

• Problem Statement: Start by highlighting a clear problem in the market that your product or service solves.
• Solution and Value Proposition: Clearly explain how your offering addresses the problem and what sets it apart from competitors.
• Market Opportunity: Provide data on the market size, growth potential, and target audience.
• Business Model: Outline how your business makes money and its scalability.
• Traction and Milestones: Showcase your progress so far, such as revenue growth, customer acquisition, or partnerships.
• Funding Ask and Use of Proceeds: Specify how much funding you’re seeking and how you plan to use it.

Example Structure:

• Slide 1: Introduction with a compelling statistic or quote about the industry.
• Slide 2: Problem statement illustrated by customer pain points.
• Slide 3: Solution overview with visuals of your product or service.
• Slide 4: Market opportunity with key figures and growth trends.
• Slide 5: Business model explanation with revenue streams and pricing strategy.
• Slide 6: Traction, including growth charts, testimonials, or case studies.
• Slide 7: Funding request and breakdown of how funds will be allocated.

2. Sales Presentation Example: Closing a Deal with a Client

A sales presentation should focus on understanding your client’s needs and presenting your product or service as the ideal solution. It needs to be persuasive, highlighting the benefits and outcomes your offering provides.

• Understanding the Client’s Pain Points: Begin by discussing the challenges your client faces and what they’re hoping to achieve.
• Tailored Solution: Customize your pitch to show how your offering directly solves their specific problems.
• Benefits and ROI: Highlight the key benefits and the return on investment your client can expect.
• Case Studies and Testimonials: Provide examples of similar clients who’ve seen success with your solution.
• Next Steps and Call to Action: Clearly outline the next steps, whether it’s scheduling a demo, signing a contract, or a follow-up meeting.
• Slide 1: Client-specific introduction with their pain points and goals.
• Slide 2: Overview of your product or service, focusing on features that matter most to the client.
• Slide 3: Detailed benefit breakdown with visuals showing outcomes and results.
• Slide 4: Case study of a similar client, highlighting the problem, solution, and positive results.
• Slide 5: ROI analysis with projections tailored to the client’s business.
• Slide 6: Call to action, clearly stating the next steps or decision points.

3. Strategy Presentation Example: Presenting a New Business Strategy to Executives

A strategy presentation is about communicating a clear vision and plan for achieving specific goals. When presenting to executives, it’s crucial to be concise, data-driven, and aligned with business objectives.

• Executive Summary: Begin with a high-level overview of the strategy and its importance.
• Current Situation Analysis: Analyze the current landscape, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).
• Strategic Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the strategy.
• Action Plan: Break down the steps, initiatives, and timelines needed to achieve the objectives.
• Resource Allocation: Highlight the resources (people, budget, technology) required for implementation.
• Risk and Mitigation: Address potential risks and how they’ll be managed.
• KPIs and Metrics: Define how success will be measured and monitored.
• Slide 1: Executive summary with a bold statement about the strategy’s potential impact.
• Slide 2: SWOT analysis or current situation overview.
• Slide 3: Strategic objectives, laid out as clear, measurable goals.
• Slide 4: Action plan timeline, including major milestones and deliverables.
• Slide 5: Resource allocation, specifying budget and team responsibilities.
• Slide 6: Risk assessment and contingency plans.
• Slide 7: Key performance indicators and how progress will be tracked.

4. Educational Presentation Example: Teaching a Concept to Students

An educational presentation is about breaking down complex information into digestible parts. The goal is to inform and engage, making sure your audience walks away with a solid understanding of the subject.

• Introduction to the Topic: Provide a clear overview of what the audience will learn and why it’s important.
• Key Concepts Explained: Break the content into bite-sized sections, with each section covering a key concept.
• Visual Aids and Examples: Use diagrams, charts, and examples to clarify and reinforce key points.
• Interactive Elements: Incorporate quizzes, polls, or discussions to check for understanding and maintain engagement.
• Summary and Review: Recap the key concepts and answer any questions the audience might have.
• Slide 1: Topic introduction with a statement of objectives (e.g., “Today, we’ll explore the fundamentals of digital marketing”).
• Slide 2: Breakdown of the first key concept with visuals and a real-world example.
• Slide 3: Explanation of the second concept, including a brief interactive activity (e.g., a poll or quiz).
• Slide 4: Visual demonstration or case study related to the topic.
• Slide 5: Summary slide recapping the main points and next steps for further learning.
• Slide 6: Open the floor for questions and discussion.

5. Motivational Presentation Example: Inspiring an Audience to Take Action

A motivational presentation aims to inspire and energize the audience. Whether you’re speaking at a conference or leading a team meeting, the goal is to evoke emotion and drive people to take action.

• Personal Story or Anecdote: Start with a relatable story that sets the tone and connects with the audience.
• Core Message or Theme: Define the central message that you want the audience to take away.
• Powerful Examples or Quotes: Use impactful quotes or stories to reinforce your message and add emotional weight.
• Call to Action: Clearly communicate what you want the audience to do next, and why it matters.
• Closing with a Memorable Statement: End with a statement that lingers in the minds of your audience.
• Slide 1: Opening with a powerful quote or a story that resonates with the audience.
• Slide 2: Introduce the core message or theme (e.g., “The Power of Resilience in Overcoming Adversity”).
• Slide 3: Share a personal experience or example that illustrates your message.
• Slide 4: Reinforce the theme with a memorable quote or an inspiring example from history.
• Slide 5: Call to action, urging the audience to apply what they’ve learned or commit to change.
• Slide 6: Closing with a motivational statement or vision for the future.

Great presentations are built on a foundation of clear structure, relevant content, and a deep understanding of your audience’s needs. By examining these examples and tailoring your approach to fit your specific context, you can create presentations that are impactful, persuasive, and memorable. Whether you’re pitching, educating, or inspiring, having a well-organized presentation outline will give you the confidence and clarity needed to deliver your message effectively.

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas 10+ Outstanding PowerPoint Presentation Examples and Templates

10+ Outstanding PowerPoint Presentation Examples and Templates

Nobody said it’s easy to make a PowerPoint presentation . There are multiple design decisions to consider, like which layout is appropriate for the content you have to present, font pairing, color schemes, and whether to use animated elements or not. 

Making these choices when working under the clock is overwhelming for most people, especially if you only intend to make a report more visually appealing. For this very reason, we curated a selection of 11 good PowerPoint presentation examples categories in different niches to give you insights into what’s valued and how to take your presentations to a professional quality. All the templates used on each case will be linked for easy access.

Table of Contents

General Guidelines for Professional-Quality PowerPoint Presentations

Business pitch powerpoint presentation examples, marketing plan powerpoint presentation examples, company profile powerpoint presentation examples, quarterly/annual results presentation examples, project proposal presentation examples, training presentation examples, change management presentation examples, industry analysis presentation examples, financial planning examples, inspirational presentation examples, academic presentation examples, final words.

Before introducing our presentation slide examples, we need to discuss a list of factors that transform an average slide into a professional-quality one. 

Design Principles

For any professional-level slide deck, a consistent layout, color scheme, and font pairing are required throughout the presentation. The slides should remain uncluttered, with proper care of white balance across their composition, and stick to the 10-20-30 rule of presentations ’s concept of one concept per slide. 

Contrast between text and background color must comply with web design accessibility standards , meaning to work with a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text, with exceptions for larger text. You can find more information in our article on accessibility for presentations .

A general rule in any graphic design project is to stick with fonts with ample legibility, like Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. These are known as sans-serif fonts, and they work better than serif ones (i.e., Times New Roman) for larger text blocks.

Avoid using more than two different font families in your presentation; otherwise, the overall design will lose cohesion. Since you ought to ensure readability, the minimum size for body text should be 18pt, opting for larger variations and/or bold text for titles.

Using a combination of font pairing and font sizing helps create a hierarchy in your slides’ written content. For more insights on this topic, browse our article on fonts for presentations .

Color Scheme

Sticking to a color palette selection is one of the first design decisions to make when creating a custom slide deck . Colors have their own psychological impact on presentations, as explained in our article on color theory , so presenters must stick to 3-4 colors to avoid mixing up content in the slides. That being said, the colors have to be carefully selected according to the typical color scheme configurations, and using contrast to highlight key points on presentation slides.

Slide Layout

We can apply multiple graphic design guidelines to create professional-quality presentation slides, but in order to simplify the process, here are the key points to take into account:

• Grids and Guides: Divide your slide into sections using guides in PowerPoint or Google Slides. Then, you can build a grid that helps place elements and catch the viewer’s interest as they follow a logical flow while looking at the slide.
• Whitespace : Empty space is not your enemy. Slides shouldn’t be dense or feel hard on the eyes to read; therefore, work with a minimum of 30% whitespace.

Multimedia Elements

According to our expertise, video presentations and animation effects certainly increase the retention rate of the content you present. This is because they reduce the tiresome 2D presentation layout and add dynamism to the slides. Testing their functionality across different devices is a must to incorporate these elements into your presentation, especially if we consider that not all PowerPoint animation effects are compatible with Google Slides animations . 

Sound can be distracting in many scenarios unless you opt for an interactive presentation and require an audio track for an exercise. Action buttons in the form of quizzes or multiple-choice questions are fine examples of how we can integrate hyperlinks in interactive presentations.

The first professional PowerPoint example we will cover is when creating a problem slide business pitch. This selected business pitch PPT template has a 50/50 image-to-content balance that allows us to add images from our organization (or stick to the corporate placeholder image design) and quickly summarize the issue or need that our business aims to solve.

Remember that the selected colors for the text background area and text color are not 100% pure values—they are slight variations to reduce eye strain, making this slide a perfect choice for any kind of meeting room. Ideally, you can present up to three different problems to solve; otherwise, the text will look too small.

Another fine example of a PowerPoint presentation comes at the time of delivering an elevator pitch . As we all know, this concise presentation format requires a considerable amount of presentation aids to briefly expose each point in the speech under the allotted time frame. In this Revenue Model slide, we can find the answers to typical questions that help us shape the speech, all of them with icons and cues to remember from which areas the information comes.

If we aim to create a sponsorship pitch deck , it is important to bring proof of past sponsorship experiences to build our credibility in front of prospective sponsors. With this best PPT template tailored for sponsorship pitch presentations, we can display such data in an attractive visual format. The neat layout balances whitespace with content, with three distinctive KPI areas to talk about your history in sponsorship experiences. 

Talk about the market segmentation strategies of your marketing plan with this creative infographic template. This slide clearly illustrates that not all examples of PowerPoint presentations follow the same structure in terms of graphics-to-text balance. You can introduce data on how purchasing habits, user status, and brand loyalty influence buying decisions. Present key information about demographic & geographic segmentation and how psychographic information can provide deeper insights into consumer motivations to purchase.

Another PowerPoint example comes in the format of presenting market opportunities in marketing plans . You can list up to four points, which can be extracted from the outcomes of a SWOT analysis or from retrieved data from polls or stakeholders’ insights. The icons are entirely editable, and the crisp layout makes readability much easier.

Marketing agencies can benefit from this presentation PowerPoint example, which illustrates how easy it is to customize the content and repurpose slides for different client meetings. This and the other slides of this marketing plan slide deck allow professionals to discuss their expertise, past projects, and proposals for their target clients. In this case, the agency in question is offering insights on their work ethics through a clean slide layout with icons to flag key areas.

Our next PPT presentation example is suited for a Company Profile presentation in which we have to disclose key financial data. Thanks to the pie chart, presenters can segment revenue streams or do a balance between investments and profit. Additionally, the box placeholders allow us to deepen our knowledge of precise areas of interest.

Organizations who are looking to create a company profile can opt for a one-page arrangement to introduce the team members in charge, the overall services or products, the business model, the market, competitors, and relevant strategy information. The text boxes placed in the right area are a perfect opportunity to highlight KPIs.

In any company profile presentation, we have to introduce the organization’s Mission and Vision Statements. This presentation sample slide allows us to creatively discuss those topics. Including icons, users can summarize the primary aspects of their mission statement in one single, professionally styled slide.

Quarterly reports don’t need to be depicted as boring PDF files. We can work with clean layouts that provide information in an easy-to-follow format that focuses on the core elements of the report. This quarterly report presentation example is perfect for detailed reports as we cover all essentials in a one-page format for an employee’s performance review.

If, instead, you opt for a department-by-department approach, this slide presentation example illustrates two out of four quarters in the annual report. You can compare the product’s performance by production, allowing room to perform further optimizations based on sales behavior.

The construction industry requires a detailed presentation that covers all planned and contingency strategies for a project. Such an approach builds trust in the client, and that’s why we believe this PPT template for contractors is an essential tool for securing business deals. This presentation example template shows how to deliver a project proposal in style with accurate cost estimates.

A generic PPT project proposal template allows us to repurpose the slide for many projects—ideal for agencies, consultants, and academics. With this visual project proposal timeline, you can discuss the different stages of a project, plan for resources (both material and workforce), seek funding, or prepare for contingencies.

Once the project proposal’s core aspects are approved, teams must align efforts for project deliverables, acceptance criteria, and delivery format. This PPT presentation example illustrates a slide in a multi-team meeting to fine-tune aspects of the project deliverables, with an accurate representation of the due date and expected products.

Team training requires a framework in which the objectives of the workshop, coaching, or mentoring programs are laid out for management. HR teams can benefit from this presentation example by summarizing the objectives about missed business opportunities or expansion plans for the organization.

Before even delivering a training program, HR teams discuss the content to cover with the head of each department, mainly to spot any missing area of knowledge required for optimal operations. Presenters can repurpose this slide for that kind of training proposal presentation or the training presentation itself.

Intended for the early planning stages of a training program, this diagram is a well-rounded presentation example of how to discuss all points in one single slide, from the training budget to how to process employee feedback. We can expand each of these six topics in companionship slides.

Companies undergoing change management processes can opt to apply the DMAIC or the ADKAR frameworks to orient the workforce. This presentation slide allows management to compare both methodologies and pick the one best suited for their organization.

Since data sharing is delicate in charge management situations, implementing an information flow diagram is a good practice to orient your team, get the new owners or management the required information, and exchange information between departments.

For change management directed at process optimization, this example slide allows management to stress the importance between the current situation and the expected improved state. This PPT template can also introduce the different milestones per stage and involve the management parties per area.

Startups often present their industry analysis to procure investment from venture capitalists. This industry analysis presentation example showcases a typical FinTech segmentation. Presenters can describe the different types of crowdfunding, credit, and factoring services and provide examples of companies or platforms in each subcategory. They can discuss areas like asset management, payments, and other relevant aspects in detail, with successful stories from referents that helped shape their business model.

STEEPLE stands for Social, Technological, Economic, Ethical, Political, Legal, and Environmental factors. This framework allows us to perform a multidimensional industry analysis in which stakeholders can evaluate the appropriate approaches for venturing into a new business niche, renewing their overall strategy, or pursuing new goals based on recent industry changes, even those we don’t initially acknowledge.

The Gap Analysis concept compares a company’s current status to a desired future state. By doing so, organizations can identify deficits or areas that require improvement in alignment with the future state. Presenters can work with this metaphorical gap analysis template and express the need for a plan that bridges such a gap.

The next example of a PowerPoint presentation is oriented to the financial area, in which a consultant can refer to an organization’s asset management. By Scope, we imply the extent and boundaries of the asset management activities within an organization. It outlines what will be included in the asset management plan and what will not. On the other hand, Inventory points to a comprehensive and detailed list of all the assets owned by an organization. It includes essential information about each asset to facilitate effective management.

In financial presentations, the information must be clearly arranged so decisions can be made easily. In this case, we observe how a financial dashboard template can represent an organization’s relevant KPIs.

Think about TEDx presentations or Pecha-Kucha . They all have one factor in common: quality graphics to talk about inspirational stories. Graphics can feel overwhelming for some presenters, which ends in picking low-quality pictures or stock images unsuitable for the context of your slide deck. For this reason, we highly recommend you implement vector illustrations into your motivational presentation slides. Easy to customize, they are a valuable asset to mix & match PPT templates and create your custom deck.

Aligning efforts toward a common goal requires a powerful visual communication language. Images are easier to retain than words, so imagine adding a storytelling factor and turning a goal into a mountain to conquer. Presenters can work with this mountain PPT template and signal the different milestones to reach prior to fulfilling a significant goal for the company/organization.

Another take in inspirational presentations is when we need to share our success stories with investors or in networking environments to inspire others. With this roadmap PPT template, presenters can go stage by stage and present the key stages that made them reach their success, or even project for expected goals to achieve.

Academic presentations don’t have to look dull or excessively formal. We can incorporate a sleek layout into our slides and use icons to highlight key points. In this case, we observe a project overview for a research project, and the icons represent the main aspects to cover in this research.

A thesis presentation requires properly introducing the methodology to demonstrate the hypothesis. Rather than adding complex figures, we can work with a minimalistic slide design and briefly describe the research methods. This slide deck is suitable for thesis presentations as well as academic projects, research papers , and more.

As we can see, counting with a professionally designed slide deck makes a difference in how your presentation is perceived by the audience. By working with SlideModel PowerPoint templates, we can reuse and repurpose our slide templates as often as required or mix elements from different slides seen in these PowerPoint presentation examples to create uniquely styled slide decks.

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Formal Presentation templates for PowerPoint and Google Slides

Free formal powerpoint templates and google slides themes..

Download a free template and get ready for your presentation in minutes.

Formal B&W free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme Ever feel like you just need a clean slate to get your ideas down?  This simple black and white presentation template is perfect for those times.  With its classic look, it won’t distract from your content,  allowing you to focus on structuring your thoughts […]

Simple and Formal Black & White free presentation template.

Looking to create a modern and engaging marketing presentation? Check out this free flat design marketing template for PowerPoint and Google Slides! This template utilizes a flat and clean aesthetic with geometric shapes and an orange and purple color scheme. It’s perfect for grabbing your audience’s attention and presenting your […]

Flat design Marketing Analysis template, free for PPT and Google Slides.

Launching a new business is exciting! But crafting the perfect introduction to potential customers can take time. This pre-designed template can help you quickly showcase your new venture.  This template is easy to customize with your information, logos and images, allowing you to create a professional brochure in no time. […]

Business Brochure / School Newsletter free template for Google Slides and PPT.

Make a lasting impression on your audience with this free and professional PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. This template has a clean and modern design and features a peach color accent that you can modify easily to match your brand colors or preferences. Whether you’re preparing for a captivating […]

Formal peach free ppt template and Google Slides theme.

Nail your next business pitch without the design fuss! Grab attention with this sleek, minimalist theme for PowerPoint and Google Slides. Let your content shine with clean layouts and minimal distractions. With this free template you can focus on the message: Highlight key points, data, and visuals without overwhelming your audience. A […]

Pitch with Confidence: Free minimalist theme for a powerful business presentation.

Simple and Professional free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme This simple and professional template is the definition of minimalism. If what you are looking for is simplicity and just a touch of color, this is the perfect presentation template whether if you are a PowerPoint user or a Google […]

Simple & Professional free powerpoint and google slides template.

Old paper and maps free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme for history lessons and presentations. Ready to navigate history? Grab your compass and let’s start this journey! This history template features old paper, maps, a globe and a compass and it’s perfect to talk about the world trough history […]

Old Maps History Lesson free theme.

World Oceans Day Free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme Celebrate World Oceans Day with this free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme! This template features a beautiful blue color scheme and ocean-themed images, making it the perfect way to create presentations about the importance of our oceans. The template […]

World Oceans Day free PowerPoint template.

Free Google Slides and PowerPoint template for fashion or interior design. This template is ideal for fashion-related or interior design presentations, it features pictures of golden crop fields as background that you can replace with your own. The template has a simple and formal design, with clean layouts, minimal colors, […]

Golden Fields, a free template for fashion or interior design.

Free template for Google Slides and PowerPoint. Cody is a free template designed for presentations about coding. You can use it for “Code Week”, a “Women who code” conference, or other topics if you like its layouts. As usual, I’ve used theme colors, so if you want its accents to […]

Anyone can code! Free presentation template.

Light gradient backgrounds. Free template for Google Slides and PowerPoint. If you are looking for an minimalist and elegant theme, Quinn is the perfect template. It has a light gradient background, straight lines and a serif font. It comes with a certificate of completion slide that you can send to […]

Quinn, minimalist and elegant slides.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Free business template for PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations. I’ve made Reed for those who need a simple and professional multipurpose template. Whether you need it for a business meeting or to pitch an idea, the simplicity of Reed will help you get […]

Reed, business presentation template.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Free multipurpose template for PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations. Lane is a formal template with beautiful tiles made with shapes and lines. Since it’s a multipurpose template, you can use it for different topics. If you need this template to match the colors […]

Lane, free theme with blue tiles.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Free personal planner with more than 100 digital stickers! Fully customizable! A new yearly planner that comes with the following sections: Yearly Overview, Notes, Stickers, Month View (calendar), Month Overview and week view. All links are set so you can navigate from one […]

Undated Personal Digital Planner with stickers. Jan to Dec and Aug to Jul versions.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Template with a shadow overlay. Agnes is a beautiful inspirational slides theme. The shadow overlay gives it a unique touch and it can be easily adapted to different topics by simply changing the images of the plants, for pictures that represent your presentation […]

Agnes, elegant botanical theme.

A Comprehensive Guide to Formal vs. Informal Presentations

• By Judhajit Sen
• May 31, 2024

Understanding the nuances between formal and informal types of presentations can make or break your message. Formal types of presentations are usually like a polished suit: structured, serious, and meticulously prepared. By contrast, an informal mode of presentation is more like a cozy chat with friends: relaxed, spontaneous, and designed to engage the audience.

Formal type presentations are usually prepared with a structured approach, from knowing your audience to framing a clear outline. You’re expected to dress the part, exuding professionalism from head to toe. Visual aids are your allies, reinforcing your message with clarity and precision. Whether it’s a business communication plan, addressing your team during a weekly meeting or an academic lecture, formal mode of presentations thrive on meticulous planning and execution.

On the other hand, informal type presentations require a very different approach than presenting formally. Think of them as impromptu conversations usually prepared in a short amount of time and do not require the same organizational methods as a formal presentation. Dress codes loosen up, and visuals take a back seat to genuine interaction. These presentations thrive on engaging your audience, sparking discussions, and fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Whether you’re donning the hat of a formal presenter or connecting with friends in informal presentations, mastering formal vs informal style presentations is an art that equips you to enhance your presentation with every word spoken and convey your message.

In this article, we will explore formal and informal mode of presentation skills in detail.

Key Takeaways

• Formal vs. Informal: Recognize the differences between formal and informal presentation styles; formal ones are like polished suits—structured and serious, while informal mode of presentations are cozy chats—relaxed and spontaneous.
• Formal Presentation Essentials: To make a formal style presentation you need audience understanding, thorough preparation, structured outlines, engaging visuals, and appropriate attire. These elements ensure professionalism and clarity in your delivery.
• Informal Presentation Dynamics: Informal mode of presentations thrive on spontaneity, minimal preparation, interactive communication , and casual attire. Encourage audience interaction, use optional visuals, and keep the atmosphere relaxed, like chatting with friends.
• Adapting for Impact: Whether formal or informal, tailor your effective presentation techniques to resonate with your audience and achieve communication objectives. Mastering both styles enhances audience engagement strategies and message clarity, leaving a lasting impression with every word spoken.

Formal Presentation

A presentation is considered formal when it has a clear structure, formal language, and a serious tone. Examples of formal style presentations are usually common in academic, business, or scientific settings, where you need to provide information or communicate your message with credibility in a speech . Here are the critical aspects of a formal mode of business presentation:

Audience: Understanding who you are giving a formal presentation to is crucial. A formal type presentation is often given to individuals or groups who expect a prepared and polished delivery.

Preparation: You are given time to prepare in advance when creating a formal presentation. This preparation includes researching your topic, organizing your content, and rehearsing your delivery.

Structure: Follow a standard format: an introduction, main points, and a conclusion. This helps keep your good presentation clear and focused.

Supporting Materials: Use visual aids like slides, charts, or graphs to reinforce your message. These tools help illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged.

Language: Use formal expressions and avoid slang, jargon, humor, or personal anecdotes. Phrases like “in conclusion,” “according to,” or “as you can see” are appropriate.

Formal mode of presentations are different from casual team meetings or impromptu discussions. Different types of formal presentations often occur in formal settings where a high level of professionalism is expected, such as conferences, common for business meetings, or academic lectures. Adhering to these guidelines can help in crafting an excellent formal presentation.

The following steps can help you in creating a successful formal presentation.

Define Your Goals Clearly

A formal presentation requires you to be clear about what you want your audience to learn. Start by jotting down the primary points you intend to cover. This list will help you outline your presentation.

Before writing your persuasive speech or presentation, ask yourself, “What do I want the audience to remember?” and “What is the salient message I’m trying to drive?” These questions help you define your goals.

Knowing your expected outcome is crucial when you make your formal presentation. Keep reminding yourself of the goal throughout the process. This goal will be the foundation of your formal type presentation.

Know Your Target Audience

When creating a formal mode of presentation, understanding your audience is crucial. Here are the key steps to help you prepare effectively:

Identify Your Audience – Determine the size of your audience. Are you presenting to a large group of 100 people or a smaller, more intimate group? – Know who your audience is. Are they managers and executives, clients, or a mix? Are they familiar with the topic, or are they new to it? – Tailor your presentation to meet their needs. This may involve including handouts or creating infographics that summarize your key points.

Understand Their Preferences – Every audience consumes and remembers information differently. Your persuasive presentation to a graduating class of university students will differ significantly from one aimed at leaders at a Fortune 500 company or single mothers with newborns. – Adapt your delivery style to suit your audience. This means using language and examples they can relate to and understand.

Know the Venue – Find out where the presentation will take place. The setting can influence how you present and the supporting material you use. – Whether in an auditorium, a church, a boardroom, or a virtual presentation, the venue affects how you engage with your audience.

Knowing your audience and preparing accordingly will make your presentation more effective and engaging. Tailor your content, delivery, and materials to suit your audience and venue for the best results.

Develop an Outline

To frame an effective presentation outline , follow these steps:

Prepare Thoroughly: Before stepping onto the stage, ensure you’ve put in hours of practice and effort to get ready. Your audience expects nothing less than a well-prepared and rehearsed presentation.

Structure Matters: Your audience wants a clear path to follow. Craft an outline that lays out the sequence of your presentation. This way, you won’t stumble around, and your audience won’t get lost.

Flow Smoothly: Imagine your presentation as the art of storytelling with a beginning, middle, and end. Your outline should guide this flow, smoothly transitioning from one point to the next. Avoid jumping around, as it confuses your audience.

Keep it Engaging: Nobody likes a dull presentation. Sprinkle in examples that your audience can relate to. Draw from experiences they know to keep them interested and engaged. Think of it as adding flavor to your presentation, making it more enjoyable for everyone involved.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a formal presentation that captivates your audience from start to finish.

Incorporate Visuals

When gearing up for a formal presentation, remember the visuals. You’re expected to have some sort of slideshow or PowerPoint to guide your audience through your talk.

Adding visuals isn’t just about making things look nice; it’s about strengthening your presentation design and getting your audience more involved. Multimedia presentation elements like slides, videos and images can help support your points.

Feeling stuck on the creative side? You don’t have to go it alone. Consider reaching out to presentation services providers for a helping hand. Expert presentation consultants can assist with everything from crafting Google Slides to creating captivating sizzle reels.

Dress to Impress

When it comes to making a formal presentation, your attire speaks volumes. Here’s a breakdown of critical steps to ensure you’re dressed to impress:

Dress the Part As the name suggests, formal presentations call for formal attire. For men, this often means opting for a suit or tie. Women should consider wearing a smart dress or business suit. Remember, how you dress sets the tone for the presentation, so aim for a polished and professional look.

Stand Out with Confidence Standing during your presentation commands attention and exudes confidence. This small gesture can significantly affect how your audience perceives you.

Make a Strong First Impression Your attire is more than just clothes—it’s one of your important communication skills . Remember, first impressions matter, and your outfit plays a crucial role. Dressing appropriately signals your audience that you take your role seriously and know your topic.

Convey Expertise Dressing the part is essential if you aim to be seen as an expert. If you present yourself professionally, people are more likely to take your knowledge seriously. While it may seem old-fashioned, the impact of your attire on audience perception is deeply ingrained in human psychology.

By following these steps and paying attention to your attire, you can ensure that you make a lasting impression and captivate your audience during your formal presentation.

Informal Presentation

Informal presentations are often like a conversation with your pals. You don’t need to stick to a strict plan or use fancy words. Instead, you can be flexible, friendly, and casual. It’s perfect for personal, social, or creative stuff where you want to connect, entertain, or inspire your audience.

You can be spontaneous and chatty when you’re doing a less formal type presentation. Ask questions, share jokes, or tell stories – it’s all fair game. And don’t forget to throw in some informal language like “so” s or “by the way” s to keep things flowing smoothly.

Visual presentation aids like pictures or videos are used in informal presentations to spice things up and excite folks. You don’t need to stress over complex organization or fancy software. It’s more about the vibe and less about sticking to a script.

For business meetings to include impromptu presentations is pretty standard. They’re quick and casual, more like a chat than a formal speech. Each audience member feels like they’re being spoken to directly, which keeps everyone engaged.

Whether it’s in-person or over a video call, informal mode of presentations are versatile. They have the same basic structure as formal ones but with a laid-back feel. It’s all about connecting when presenting to your team and sparking lively discussions.

The following steps can help you create an engaging, informal style presentation.

Be Prepared

When your boss asks for a quick informal mode of presentation, you might not have much time. But it’s still important to take a moment to jot down your main ideas and rehearse your presentation. You don’t have to make a detailed outline, but having a good grasp of your main points is critical.

Understand the Goal

In formal presentations, the main deal is sharing info with folks, maybe some questions at the end. Informal presentations are about sharing information, hearing what folks think, and getting a chat going. It’s like having a talk where participants are asked to share ideas with an individual or group.

Visual Presentation Aids are Optional

If you’ve got a moment to whip up a quick slideshow, go for it, but remember, informal style presentations don’t need a ton of fancy visuals. Scribbling on a whiteboard works fine for these kinds of talks, too.

Use a Handout

Informal mode of presentations often don’t have fancy slideshows like the formal ones do. Instead, you can go for simple handouts in presentations . It’s a quick and effective way to share info without fussing over a slideshow.

Engage Your Audience

Informal type presentations are all about getting your audience involved. Instead of just talking, you want to encourage interaction. Talk with your audience like the way you would talk to your friends. Don’t hesitate to spark discussions during your presentation and let your audience share their thoughts and feedback.

Dress Casual

You don’t need to suit up in informal presentations like you would for formal ones. Keep it professional, but guys can skip the tie, and gals can wear a relaxed dress. Plus, it’s cool to sit or stand while presenting casually.

Mastering Different Styles: Informal vs Formal Presentations

Understanding the subtleties between informal or formal presentations is crucial to make an impactful difference. Formal presentations demand meticulous planning, structured delivery, and professional attire, such as a polished suit. On the other hand, informal presentations offer flexibility, warmth, and a relaxed atmosphere, resembling a cozy chat with friends.

For formal Google Slide or PowerPoint presentations, thorough preparation, clear goals, tailored audience understanding, structured outlines, engaging visuals, and appropriate attire are essential. Conversely, informal presentations thrive on spontaneity, minimal preparation, interactive presentation ideas , optional visuals, and casual clothing.

Adapting to the appropriate formal or informal presentation styles enhance audience engagement and message clarity, whether delivering a formal pitch or facilitating an impromptu discussion. By mastering examples of formal and informal presentation styles, communicators can connect with their audience impactfully. So, whether you’re suited for formality or embracing the ease of informality, tailor your presentation styles to effectively achieve your communication objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What distinguishes a formal style presentation from an informal one? Formal type presentations are structured, serious, and meticulously prepared like polished suits. They demand professionalism in language, attire, and delivery, catering to specific audiences like business executives or academics. In contrast, informal style presentations resemble relaxed chats with friends, embracing spontaneity, flexibility, and casual attire. They focus on engagement, warmth, and fostering discussions, perfect for social or creative settings.

2. How should I prepare for a formal type presentation? Preparation for a formal presentation involves thorough research, organization of content, and rehearsal. Define clear goals, understand your audience, and customize your content and delivery accordingly. Structured outlines, engaging visuals, and professional attire are essential to captivate your audience and convey credibility.

3. Do informal type presentations require visual aids like formal ones? While visual aids can enhance informal style presentations, they are optional. Unlike formal mode of presentations that rely on slides or charts, informal type presentations can utilize simple visuals like whiteboard scribbles or handouts. The focus is more on interactive engagement and sparking discussions than complex visuals.

4. How should I dress for an informal style presentation? Unlike formal type presentations that demand professional attire, informal presentations allow for a more relaxed dress code. While maintaining professionalism, you can skip the tie for guys or opt for a relaxed dress for gals. The emphasis is on comfort and creating a casual atmosphere conducive to open conversation and interaction.

Discover the Power of Versatility with Prezentium!

Are you ready to captivate your audience with every word you speak? Whether you’re donning the polished suit of a formal presenter or embracing the relaxed charm of informality, Prezentium has you covered!

With our AI-powered presentation design services, crafting stellar presentations has never been easier. Need an overnight masterpiece to wow your clients? We’ll deliver it straight to your inbox by the next business day. Or perhaps you’re seeking expert guidance to transform your ideas into exquisite presentations? Our team of specialists is here to help every step of the way.

But wait, there’s more! Dive into our Zenith Learning workshops and training programs, where structured problem-solving meets visual storytelling, creating interactive experiences that work.

So why wait? Unlock the full potential of your presentations with Prezentium today! Let’s make every presentation spectacular together.

Why wait? Avail a complimentary 1-on-1 session with our presentation expert. See how other enterprise leaders are creating impactful presentations with us.

A Guide to Formal Communication vs. Informal Communication

12 best practices for effective employee benefits communication, feedback in communication: giving feedback on communication.

27 Presentation Examples That Engage, Motivate & Stick

Browse effective professional business presentation samples & templates. Get great simple presentation examples with perfect design & content beyond PowerPoint.

7 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What makes a good presentation.

A good presentation deck excels with a clear, engaging narrative, weaving information into a compelling story. It combines concise, relevant content with visually appealing design to ensure simplicity and impact.

Personalizing the story to resonate with the audience's interests also enhances engagement and understanding.

Let’s face it - most slides are not interesting - are yours?

We've all been there—trapped in a never-ending session of mind-numbing slides, with no hope in sight. It's called "Death by PowerPoint," and it's the silent killer of enthusiasm and engagement. But fear not! You're a short way from escaping this bleak fate.

We've curated perfect presentation examples, crafted to captivate and inspire., They will transform your slides from yawn-inducing to jaw-dropping. And they’re all instantly usable as templates.

Prepare to wow your audience, command the room, and leave them begging for more!

What makes a bad presentation?

We've all sat through them, the cringe-worthy presentations that make us want to reach for our phones or run for the hills. But what exactly pushes a presentation from mediocre to downright unbearable? Let's break it down:

Lack of clarity: When the presenter's message is buried in a heap of confusing jargon or irrelevant details, it's hard to stay focused.

Poor visuals: Low-quality or irrelevant images can be distracting and fail to support the main points.

Overloaded slides: Too much text or clutter on a slide is overwhelming and makes it difficult to grasp the key ideas.

Monotonous delivery: A presenter who drones on without variation in tone or pace can quickly put their audience to sleep.

No connection: Failing to engage with the audience or tailor the presentation to their needs creates a disconnect that stifles interest.

What makes an exceptional presentation?

A clear structure set within a story or narrative: Humans think in stories. We relate to stories and we remember stories, it’s in our genes. A message without a story is like a cart full of goods with no wheels.

Priority and hierarchy of information: Attention is limited, you won’t have your audience forever, 32% of readers bounce in the first 15 seconds and most don’t make it past the 3rd slide. Make your first words count. They will determine whether your audience sticks around to hear the rest.

Interactive content: Like 99% of us, you’ve learned that presentation = PowerPoint. But that’s the past, my friend. PowerPoint is inherently static, and while static slides can be really beautiful, they are all too often really boring. Interactive slides get the readers involved in the presentation which makes it much more enjoyable.

Wanna see the actual difference between static and interactive slides? Here’s an example. Which one would you lean into?

Get started with business presentation templates

We have quite a few presentation examples to show you further down the page (all of them creative and inspiring), but if you’re itching to start creating your first interactive presentation I don’t blame you.

You can grab a presentation template that you like right here, right now and get started on your best presentation yet, or you can check out our perfect presentation examples and get back to your template later…

Business presentations by type and use

The arena of business presentations is deep and wide. You can easily get lost in it. But let us be your guide in the business document jungle.

Below is a quick bird’s eye view of the main presentation types, what each type is used for, where it’s situated in the marketing and sales funnel, and how you should measure it.

Let's dive right in.

Perfect presentation examples to inspire you

Feeling ready to unleash your presentation skills? Hold on to your socks, because we've got a lineup of battle-tasted business presentation samples that'll knock ’em right off!

From cutting-edge design to irresistible storytelling, these effective business presentations exemplify best practices and are primed to drive results.

See exceptional presentations by type:

Report presentations

Effective report presentations distil complex data into clear insights, essential for informed decision-making in business or research. The key lies in making data approachable and actionable for your audience.

Meta interactive corporate report

SNC DeserTech long-form report

Business report

Pitch deck presentations

Pitch deck presentations are your storytelling canvas to captivate investors, blending inspiring ideas with solid data. It's essential to create a narrative that showcases potential and practicality in equal measure.

Cannasoft investment pitch deck

Y Combinator pitch deck

Investor pitch deck

One-pager presentations are a masterclass in brevity, offering a snapshot of your product or idea. This concise format is designed to spark interest and invite deeper engagement.

Yotpo SaaS product one-pager

Octopai outbound sales one-pager

Startup one-pager

Sales deck presentations

Serving as a persuasive tool to convert prospects into customers, sales deck presentations emphasize product benefits and solutions. The goal is to connect with your audience's needs and present a compelling solution.

ScaleHub sales deck

Deliveright logistics sales deck

AI sales deck

Product marketing presentations

Product marketing presentations are a strategic showcase, introducing a new product or feature to the market with a focus on its unique value proposition. It's not just about listing features; it's about weaving a narrative that connects these features to real customer needs and desires.

Mayku physical product deck

Matics digital product brochure

Modern product launch

Business proposal presentations

At the heart of closing deals, business proposal presentations combine persuasive argumentation with clear data. Articulating the unique value proposition and the mutual benefits of the proposal is key.

WiseStamp personalized proposal deck

RFKeeper retail proposal deck

General business proposal

White papers

White paper presentations are an authoritative deep dive into a specific problem and its solution. Providing well-researched, informative content educates and influences your audience, showcasing your expertise.

Drive automotive research white paper

Executive white paper

Business white paper

Case studies

Case study presentations use real-world success stories as a storytelling tool. Building trust by showcasing how your product or service effectively solved a client's problem is their primary function.

Boom25 interactive case study deck

Light mode case study

Business case study

Business plan presentations

Business plan presentations lay out your strategic roadmap, crucial for securing funding or internal buy-in. Clearly articulating your vision, strategy, and the practical steps for success is vital for a successful deck.

Start-up business plan

Business plan one-pager

Light mode business plan

Best presentation content examples

The secret sauce for a business presentation that leaves a lasting impression lies in delivering your content within a story framework.

3 presentation content examples that captivate and inspire the audience:

1. Inspirational story:

An emotional, relatable story can move hearts and change minds. Share a personal anecdote, a customer success story, or an account of overcoming adversity to create a deep connection with your audience.

Remember, vulnerability and authenticity can be your greatest assets.

2. Mystery - Gap theory:

Keep your audience on the edge of their seats by building suspense through the gap theory. Start by presenting a problem, a puzzle, or a question that leaves them craving the answer. Gradually reveal the solution, creating anticipation and excitement as you guide them through the resolution.

3. The Hero's Journey:

Transform your presentation into an epic adventure by incorporating the classic hero's journey narrative.

Introduce a "hero" (your audience), and introduce yourself or your company as a “guide” that will take them on a transformative journey filled with challenges, lessons, and triumphs.

This powerful storytelling structure helps your audience relate to your message and stay engaged from start to finish.

Here’s a great video on how to structure an effective sales story:

Best presentation document formats

Selecting the right format for your business presentation plays a huge part in getting or losing engagement. Let's explore popular presentation document formats, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

PowerPoint : Microsoft's PowerPoint is a tried-and-true classic, offering a wide array of design options and features for crafting visually appealing static presentations.

Google Slides : For seamless collaboration and real-time editing, Google Slides is the go-to choice. This cloud-based platform allows you to create static presentations that are accessible from anywhere.

Keynote : Apple's Keynote offers a sleek, user-friendly interface and stunning design templates, making it a popular choice for crafting polished static presentations on Mac devices .

PDF: PDF is ideal for sharing static presentations that preserve their original layout, design, and fonts across different devices and operating systems.

Prezi : Break free from traditional slide-based presentations with Prezi's dynamic, zoomable canvas. Prezi allows you to create interactive decks, but it follows a non-chronological presentation format, so it may take some time to get the hang of it.

Storydoc : Elevate your presentations with Storydoc's interactive, web-based format. Transform your static content into immersive, visually rich experiences that captivate and inspire your audience.

Best tool to create a perfect presentation

There are countless presentation software options. From legacy tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides to more modern design tools such as Pitch or Canva.

If you want to create pretty presentations any of these tools would do just fine. But if you want to create unforgettable, interactive experiences , you may want to consider using the Storydoc interactive presentation maker instead.

Storydoc specializes in storytelling. You get special storytelling slides built to help you weave your content into a compelling narrative.

You can do better than “pretty” - you can make a presentation that engages, motivates and sticks.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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