Have you ever found yourself pondering over the number of slides to include in your presentation?
Well, you’re not alone! At our presentation design agency, we’ve lost count of the number of times our clients have approached us with this question, “How many slides should I include for a 10/20/30 minute presentation?” And if you think this is just limited to our clients, think again! This topic has been buzzing all over forums, Quora, and social media platforms as well. It’s a question that never gets old.
So, we’ve decided to put an end to this discussion once and for all by penning down an article that will help you decide for yourself the magic number of slides for your next presentation.
Know our 3 opinions as a presentation design agency before you decide on the number of slides.
1. Depends on your speaking skills
Let’s be real here, we’ve all been to those presentations where the speaker’s voice puts us to sleep, right?
That’s where the magic number of slides comes into play. Now, we’re not saying there’s a one-size-fits-all answer here. It really depends on your speaking skills.
If you’re a natural orator and can captivate an audience for a long period of time, then you might be able to get away with just 10 slides for a 30-minute presentation.
But if you’re not exactly a Tony Robbins or a Barack Obama, then you might want to consider leveraging visuals to keep your audience engaged. In this case, more slides might be the way to go, with less content per slide. It’s all about finding that sweet spot that works for you and your audience.
2. Unpopular opinion: The thumb rule is a dumb idea!
Controversial opinion! But hear us out. Some people swear by the 10-slide rule, while others go for longer. It all comes down to how you present your message.
For instance, there’s one deck that’s been making waves in the sales world and that’s the Zuora deck. It’s 24 slides long! Now, you might be thinking, “Why would anyone want to sit through 24 slides?” But they do. Zuora deck is described as one of the best sales decks in the world (by many experts) & we agree.
So, the next time you’re stressing over how many slides to include for a 10/20/30 minute presentation, just remember it’s not about the number, it’s about the impact.
3. Depends on your narrative
Let’s break it down for you — if you feel that your concept is too big to fit in one slide, don’t sweat it. You can always break it down into 3–4 slides, no problem at all. But don’t go overboard and start switching slides every 15 seconds, before your audience even gets a chance to take a look.
If you feel like your 20-minute presentation can be conceptualized over 5 slides, do your thing! If you feel like your 30-minute presentation needs at least 30 slides, feel free to add 30 slides as long as you’re confident & comfortable with the flow.
Find your rhythm, coordinate it with your speech, and you’ll be golden. Remember, it’s all about finding that sweet spot and striking a balance.
All in all!
There is no hard and fast rule on how many slides you should include in your presentation. It ultimately depends on your narrative, visuals, and the attention span of your audience. However, it’s important to strike a balance between the number of slides and the content in each slide.
If you’re having trouble finding that balance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. Our team of experts would love to work with you and help you create a visually appealing and engaging presentation.
Are you looking to get your presentations designed by professionals?
Check out our Presentation Design Services.
Comments