“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs.
Creating a good presentation is like telling a story. It’s about catching your audience’s attention and keeping it till the last slide. But, creating a memorable one can be quite the challenge. Google Slides is a fantastic, free tool that allows you to create professional presentations with ease. Let’s dive into how you can make a good presentation using Google Slides.
1. Plan Before You Open Google Slides
Jumping straight into Google Slides without a plan is like baking a cake without a recipe—it can get messy. Before you start, ask yourself:
- Who’s my audience? (Students? Professionals? Clients?)
- What’s my goal? (To inform, persuade, teach, or inspire?)
- What’s my key message? (If they remember just ONE thing, what should it be?)
Once you have a clear idea, sketch out your main points on paper or a doc. This will help you stay focused and avoid cluttered slides.
2. Keep Your Slides Simple & Clean
The best Google Slides presentations follow one golden rule: less is more. Your slides should support your speech, not replace it.
- Use fewer words: Aim for 5-7 words per line and no more than 6 lines per slide.
- Avoid information overload: Stick to one key idea per slide.
- Use bullet points: They’re easier to scan than long paragraphs.
Example of a bad slide:
“Marketing is essential for business growth. Social media helps brands reach more customers. Companies that use digital marketing see an increase in revenue.”
Example of a good slide:
✅ Marketing helps businesses grow
✅ Social media expands reach
✅ Digital marketing boosts revenue
See the difference? Short, clear, and easy to read!
3. Choose the Right Fonts & Colors
Bad fonts can ruin a great presentation. Stick to professional, easy-to-read fonts like:
- Sans-serif fonts: Open Sans, Montserrat, Poppins
- No more than two fonts: One for headings, one for body text
- Avoid fancy, hard-to-read fonts: (Sorry, Comic Sans and Cursive, you’re out!)
As for colors:
- Use contrast (dark text on a light background, or vice versa)
- Stick to 2-3 colors (Use your brand colors or a color palette that fits your topic)
- Avoid neon and super bright colors (They can be distracting)
👉 Pro Tip: Use Google Slides’ “Explore” feature (bottom right corner) to get automatic design suggestions!
4. Add High-Quality Images & Visuals
People remember visuals 6X more than text! Instead of long paragraphs, try:
- High-quality images (Use Unsplash, Pexels, or Google Slides’ built-in image search)
- Icons & illustrations (They make slides look modern and clean)
- Charts & graphs (Simplify data instead of dumping numbers)
- GIFs or short videos (To add motion and engagement)
But, don’t overdo it—too many visuals can clutter your slides!
5. Use Transitions & Animations Wisely
A little animation can add life to your slides, but too much can be distracting. Use:
- Simple fade-in effects (Avoid spinning, bouncing, or crazy transitions)
- Slide transitions sparingly (Too many make it look unprofessional)
- Emphasis on key points (Like highlighting important words)
Less is more when it comes to animations!
6. Practice & Rehearse Your Delivery
Your slides are only half of the presentation—the way you speak matters just as much!
- Practice out loud (Hearing yourself helps with clarity)
- Time yourself (Make sure it fits within your allotted time)
- Maintain eye contact (Don’t just read from the slides)
- Use storytelling (People love stories more than dry facts)
👉 Pro Tip: Use Google Slides’ “Presenter View” to see notes while presenting!
7. Always End with a Strong Conclusion
Don’t just say, “That’s it” and close your laptop. Instead, wrap it up with impact:
✔ Summarize your key points (A quick recap slide)
✔ End with a strong statement or call to action
✔ Leave room for questions (Engage your audience)
Example of a powerful ending: “The future of marketing is digital. If you’re not online, you’re invisible. So, what’s your next move?”
Final Thoughts
Making a good Google Slides presentation isn’t about fancy designs or flashy effects. It’s about clear communication, engaging visuals, and confident delivery. If you follow these tips, your presentations will not only look great but also keep your audience hooked from start to finish. Now, go ahead and create slides that people will actually enjoy watching!
