types of presentations

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Blog Beginner Guides 8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 11, 2023

From persuasive pitches that influence opinions to instructional demonstrations that teach skills, the different types of presentations serve a unique purpose, tailored to specific objectives and audiences.

Presentations that are tailored to its objectives and audiences are more engaging and memorable. They capture attention, maintain interest and leave a lasting impression. 

Don’t worry if you’re no designer —  Whether you need data-driven visuals, persuasive graphics or engaging design elements, Venngage can empower you to craft presentations that stand out and effectively convey your message.

Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface, extensive presentation template library and customizable design options make it a valuable tool for creating slides that align with your specific goals and target audience. 

Click to jump ahead:

8 Different types of presentations every presenter must know

How do i choose the right type of presentation for my topic or audience, types of presentation faq, 5 steps to create a presentation with venngage .

When it comes to presentations, versatility is the name of the game. Having a variety of presentation styles up your sleeve can make a world of difference in keeping your audience engaged. Here are 8 essential presentation types that every presenter should be well-acquainted with:

1. Informative presentation

Ever sat through a presentation that left you feeling enlightened? That’s the power of an informative presentation. 

This presentation style is all about sharing knowledge and shedding light on a particular topic. Whether you’re diving into the depths of quantum physics or explaining the intricacies of the latest social media trends, informative presentations aim to increase the audience’s understanding.

When delivering an informative presentation, simplify complex topics with clear visuals and relatable examples. Organize your content logically, starting with the basics and gradually delving deeper and always remember to keep jargon to a minimum and encourage questions for clarity.

Academic presentations and research presentations are great examples of informative presentations. An effective academic presentation involves having clear structure, credible evidence, engaging delivery and supporting visuals. Provide context to emphasize the topic’s significance, practice to perfect timing, and be ready to address anticipated questions. 

2. Persuasive presentation

If you’ve ever been swayed by a passionate speaker armed with compelling arguments, you’ve experienced a persuasive presentation . 

This type of presentation is like a verbal tug-of-war, aiming to convince the audience to see things from a specific perspective. Expect to encounter solid evidence, logical reasoning and a dash of emotional appeal.

With persuasive presentations, it’s important to know your audience inside out and tailor your message to their interests and concerns. Craft a compelling narrative with a strong opening, a solid argument and a memorable closing. Additionally, use visuals strategically to enhance your points.

Examples of persuasive presentations include presentations for environmental conservations, policy change, social issues and more. Here are some engaging presentation templates you can use to get started with: 

3. Demonstration or how-to presentation

A Demonstration or How-To Presentation is a type of presentation where the speaker showcases a process, technique, or procedure step by step, providing the audience with clear instructions on how to replicate the demonstrated action. 

A demonstrative presentation is particularly useful when teaching practical skills or showing how something is done in a hands-on manner.

These presentations are commonly used in various settings, including educational workshops, training sessions, cooking classes, DIY tutorials, technology demonstrations and more. Designing creative slides for your how-to presentations can heighten engagement and foster better information retention. 

Speakers can also consider breaking down the process into manageable steps, using visual aids, props and sometimes even live demonstrations to illustrate each step. The key is to provide clear and concise instructions, engage the audience with interactive elements and address any questions that may arise during the presentation.

4. Training or instructional presentation

Training presentations are geared towards imparting practical skills, procedures or concepts — think of this as the more focused cousin of the demonstration presentation. 

Whether you’re teaching a group of new employees the ins and outs of a software or enlightening budding chefs on the art of soufflé-making, training presentations are all about turning novices into experts.

To maximize the impact of your training or instructional presentation, break down complex concepts into digestible segments. Consider using real-life examples to illustrate each point and create a connection. 

You can also create an interactive presentation by incorporating elements like quizzes or group activities to reinforce understanding.

5. Sales presentation

Sales presentations are one of the many types of business presentations and the bread and butter of businesses looking to woo potential clients or customers. With a sprinkle of charm and a dash of persuasion, these presentations showcase products, services or ideas with one end goal in mind: sealing the deal.

A successful sales presentation often has key characteristics such as a clear value proposition, strong storytelling, confidence and a compelling call to action. Hence, when presenting to your clients or stakeholders, focus on benefits rather than just features. 

Anticipate and address potential objections before they arise and use storytelling to showcase how your offering solves a specific problem for your audience. Utilizing visual aids is also a great way to make your points stand out and stay memorable.

A sales presentation can be used to promote service offerings, product launches or even consultancy proposals that outline the expertise and industry experience of a business. Here are some template examples you can use for your next sales presentation:

6. Pitch presentation

Pitch presentations are your ticket to garnering the interest and support of potential investors, partners or stakeholders. Think of your pitch deck as your chance to paint a vivid picture of your business idea or proposal and secure the resources you need to bring it to life. 

Business presentations aside, individuals can also create a portfolio presentation to showcase their skills, experience and achievements to potential clients, employers or investors. 

Craft a concise and compelling narrative. Clearly define the problem your idea solves and how it stands out in the market. Anticipate questions and practice your answers. Project confidence and passion for your idea.

7. Motivational or inspirational presentation

Feeling the need for a morale boost? That’s where motivational presentations step in. These talks are designed to uplift and inspire, often featuring personal anecdotes, heartwarming stories and a generous serving of encouragement.

Form a connection with your audience by sharing personal stories that resonate with your message. Use a storytelling style with relatable anecdotes and powerful metaphors to create an emotional connection. Keep the energy high and wrap up your inspirational presentations with a clear call to action.

Inspirational talks and leadership presentations aside, a motivational or inspirational presentation can also be a simple presentation aimed at boosting confidence, a motivational speech focused on embracing change and more.

8. Status or progress report presentation

Projects and businesses are like living organisms, constantly evolving and changing. Status or progress report presentations keep everyone in the loop by providing updates on achievements, challenges and future plans. It’s like a GPS for your team, ensuring everyone stays on track.

Be transparent about achievements, challenges and future plans. Utilize infographics, charts and diagrams to present your data visually and simplify information. By visually representing data, it becomes easier to identify trends, make predictions and strategize based on evidence.

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of presentation methods and how to use them, you’re on the right track to creating a good presentation that can boost your confidence and enhance your presentation skills . 

Selecting the most suitable presentation style is akin to choosing the right outfit for an occasion – it greatly influences how your message is perceived. Here’s a more detailed guide to help you make that crucial decision:

1. Define your objectives

Begin by clarifying your presentation’s goals. Are you aiming to educate, persuade, motivate, train or perhaps sell a concept? Your objectives will guide you to the most suitable presentation type. 

For instance, if you’re aiming to inform, an informative presentation would be a natural fit. On the other hand, a persuasive presentation suits the goal of swaying opinions.

2. Know your audience

Regardless if you’re giving an in-person or a virtual presentation — delve into the characteristics of your audience. Consider factors like their expertise level, familiarity with the topic, interests and expectations. 

If your audience consists of professionals in your field, a more technical presentation might be suitable. However, if your audience is diverse and includes newcomers, an approachable and engaging style might work better.

3. Analyze your content

Reflect on the content you intend to present. Is it data-heavy, rich in personal stories or focused on practical skills? Different presentation styles serve different content types. 

For data-driven content, an informative or instructional presentation might work best. For emotional stories, a motivational presentation could be a compelling choice.

4. Consider time constraints

Evaluate the time you have at your disposal. If your presentation needs to be concise due to time limitations, opt for a presentation style that allows you to convey your key points effectively within the available timeframe. A pitch presentation, for example, often requires delivering impactful information within a short span.

5. Leverage visuals

Visual aids are powerful tools in presentations. Consider whether your content would benefit from visual representation. If your PowerPoint presentations involve step-by-step instructions or demonstrations, a how-to presentation with clear visuals would be advantageous. Conversely, if your content is more conceptual, a motivational presentation could rely more on spoken words.

6. Align with the setting

Take the presentation environment into account. Are you presenting in a formal business setting, a casual workshop or a conference? Your setting can influence the level of formality and interactivity in your presentation. For instance, a demonstration presentation might be ideal for a hands-on workshop, while a persuasive presentation is great for conferences.

7. Gauge audience interaction

Determine the level of audience engagement you want. Interactive presentations work well for training sessions, workshops and small group settings, while informative or persuasive presentations might be more one-sided.

8. Flexibility

Stay open to adjusting your presentation style on the fly. Sometimes, unexpected factors might require a change of presentation style. Be prepared to adjust on the spot if audience engagement or reactions indicate that a different approach would be more effective.

Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the best type of presentation may vary depending on the specific situation and your unique communication goals. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the most effective presentation type to successfully engage and communicate with your audience.

To save time, use a presentation software or check out these presentation design and presentation background guides to create a presentation that stands out.    

What are some effective ways to begin and end a presentation?

Capture your audience’s attention from the start of your presentation by using a surprising statistic, a compelling story or a thought-provoking question related to your topic. 

To conclude your presentation , summarize your main points, reinforce your key message and leave a lasting impression with a powerful call to action or a memorable quote that resonates with your presentation’s theme.

How can I make my presentation more engaging and interactive?

To create an engaging and interactive presentation for your audience, incorporate visual elements such as images, graphs and videos to illustrate your points visually. Share relatable anecdotes or real-life examples to create a connection with your audience. 

You can also integrate interactive elements like live polls, open-ended questions or small group discussions to encourage participation and keep your audience actively engaged throughout your presentation.

Which types of presentations require special markings

Some presentation types require special markings such as how sales presentations require persuasive techniques like emphasizing benefits, addressing objections and using compelling visuals to showcase products or services. 

Demonstrations and how-to presentations on the other hand require clear markings for each step, ensuring the audience can follow along seamlessly. 

That aside, pitch presentations require highlighting unique selling points, market potential and the competitive edge of your idea, making it stand out to potential investors or partners.

Need some inspiration on how to make a presentation that will captivate an audience? Here are 120+ presentation ideas to help you get started. 

Creating a stunning and impactful presentation with Venngage is a breeze. Whether you’re crafting a business pitch, a training presentation or any other type of presentation, follow these five steps to create a professional presentation that stands out:

• Sign up and log in to Venngage to access the editor.
• Choose a presentation template that matches your topic or style.
• Customize content, colors, fonts, and background to personalize your presentation.
• Add images, icons, and charts to enhancevisual style and clarity.
• Save, export, and share your presentation as PDF or PNG files, or use Venngage’s Presentation Mode for online showcasing.

In the realm of presentations, understanding the different types of presentation formats is like having a versatile set of tools that empower you to craft compelling narratives for every occasion.

Remember, the key to a successful presentation lies not only in the content you deliver but also in the way you connect with your audience. Whether you’re informing, persuading or entertaining, tailoring your approach to the specific type of presentation you’re delivering can make all the difference.

Presentations are a powerful tool, and with practice and dedication (and a little help from Venngage), you’ll find yourself becoming a presentation pro in no time. Now, let’s get started and customize your next presentation!

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The 8 Types of Presentation Styles: Which Category Do You Fall Into?

Updated: December 16, 2020

Published: September 24, 2018

Types of Presentations

• Visual Style
• Freeform Style
• Instructor Style
• Coach Style
• Storytelling Style
• Connector Style
• Lessig Style
• Takahashi Style

Everyone on the internet has an opinion on how to give the “perfect” presentation.

One group champions visual aids, another thinks visual aids are a threat to society as we know it. One expert preaches the benefits of speaking loudly, while another believes the softer you speak the more your audience pays attention. And don’t even try to find coordinating opinions on whether you should start your presentation with a story, quote, statistic, or question.

But what if there wasn’t just one “right” way to give a presentation? What if there were several? Below, I’ve outlined eight types of presentation styles. They’re used by famous speakers like Steve Jobs and Al Gore -- and none of them are wrong.

Check out each one and decide which will be most effective for you.

Free Presentation & Public Speaking Kit

Everything you need to become more comfortable and effective during your next presentation, including:

• Free Guide on Best Practices
• PowerPoint Presentation Templates
• Video Examples of Great Speakers

Types of Presentation Styles

1. visual style.

What it is: If you’re a firm believer slides simply exist to complement your talking points, this style is for you. With this speaking style, you might need to work a little harder to get your audience engaged, but the dividends can be huge for strong public speakers, visionaries, and storytellers.

When to use it: This style is helpful when speaking to a large audience with broad interests. It’s also great for when you need to throw together slides quickly.

Visual style presenter: Steve Jobs

2. Freeform Style

What it is: This impromptu style of presenting doesn’t require slides. Instead, the speaker relies on strong stories to illustrate each point. This style works best for those who have a short presentation time and are extremely familiar with their talking points.

When to use it: Elevator pitches, networking events, and impromptu meetings are all scenarios in which to use a freeform style of speaking. You’ll appear less rehearsed and more conversational than if you were to pause in the middle of a happy hour to pull up your presentation on a tablet.

Freeform style presenter: Sir Ken Robinson

3. Instructor Style

What it is: This presentation style allows you to deliver complex messages using figures of speech, metaphors, and lots of content -- just like your teachers and professors of old. Your decks should be built in logical order to aid your presentation, and you should use high-impact visuals to support your ideas and keep the audience engaged.

When to use it: If you’re not a comfortable presenter or are unfamiliar with your subject matter (i.e., your product was recently updated and you’re not familiar with the finer points), try instructor-style presenting.

Instructor style presenter: Al Gore

4. Coach Style

What it is: Energetic and charismatic speakers gravitate towards this style of presenting. It allows them to connect and engage with their audience using role play and listener interaction.

When to use it: Use this presentation style when you’re speaking at a conference or presenting to an audience who needs to be put at ease. For example, this style would work well if you were speaking to a group of executives who need to be sold on the idea of what your company does rather than the details of how you do it.

Coach style presenter: Linda Edgecombe

5. Storytelling Style

What it is: In this style, the speaker relies on anecdotes and examples to connect with their audience. Stories bring your learning points to life, and the TED’s Commandments never let you down: Let your emotions out and tell your story in an honest way.

When to use it: Avoid this style if you’re in the discovery phase of the sales process. You want to keep the conversation about your prospect instead of circling every point or question back to you or a similar client. This style is great for conference speaking, networking events, and sales presentations where you have adequate time to tell your stories without taking minutes away from questions.

Storytelling style presenter: Jill Bolte Taylor

6. Connector Style

What it is: In this style, presenters connect with their audience by showing how they’re similar to their listeners. Connectors usually enjoy freeform Q&A and use gestures when they speak. They also highly encourage audience reaction and feedback to what they’re saying.

When to use it: Use this style of presenting early in the sales process as you’re learning about your prospect’s pain points, challenges, and goals. This type of speaking sets your listener at ease, elicits feedback on how you’re doing in real time, and is more of a dialogue than a one-sided presentation

Connector style presenter: Connie Dieken

7. Lessig Style

What it is: The Lessig Style was created by Lawrence Lessig , a professor of law and leadership at Harvard Law School. This presentation style requires the presenter to pass through each slide within 15 seconds. When text is used in a slide, it’s typically synchronized with the presenter’s spoken words.

When to use it: This method of presentation is great for large crowds -- and it allows the speaker to use a balance of text and image to convey their message. The rapid pace and rhythm of the slide progression keeps audiences focused, engaged, and less likely to snooze.

Lessig style presenter: Lawrence Lessig

8. Takahashi Style

What it is: This method features large, bold text on minimal slides. It was devised by Masayoshi Takahashi , who found himself creating slides without access to a presentation design tool or PowerPoint. The main word is the focal point of the slide, and phrases, used sparingly, are short and concise.

When to use it: If you find yourself in Takahashi’s shoes -- without presentation design software -- this method is for you. This style works well for short presentations that pack a memorable punch.

Takahashi style presenter: Masayoshi Takahashi

Slides from one of Takahashi’s presentations:

Whether you’re speaking on a conference stage or giving a sales presentation , you can find a method that works best for you and your audience. With the right style, you’ll capture attention, engage listeners, and effectively share your message. You can even ask an AI presentation maker tool to create presentations for you in your preferred style

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The 6 types of presentation (and why you need them)

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

We all have been exposed to different types of presentations right from school years.

Group presentations, lectures by teachers and professors, seminars, webinars or online presentations, e-learning, e-conferences, etc., are all different types of presentations that we come across in our daily lives.

But each of them work for different settings.

In this article, we will take a look at 6 such types of presentations and when and why you need them.

1. Informative Presentations

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

They are often analytical or require a rational analysis of the data presented.

Training sessions or one-day workshops are good examples where this kind of presentation is used.

Here is an example of an informative presentation on public speaking and presentations.

Now, there are different situations where you can use informative presentations.

a) Reporting

Although a report is a written explanation of an event, it can also be verbal.

A perfect place to use informative presentations is news reporting , as it requires the presenter to present information systematically.

b) Briefing

This involves explaining both positive and negative aspects of a particular topic in a few words.

It is providing information quickly and effectively about an issue to influence decisions or to come to solutions.

Hence, the decision-making bodies of an organization can make use of this kind of presentation to save time and effectively come to conclusions.

c) Research

Informative presentations are often used to present research findings to a specific audience , as it involves reporting the findings and briefing it to the audience.

Hence, almost everywhere where research takes place, be it in an educational context or occupational , can make use of this kind of presentation.

Tips for giving informative presentations

• As there would be a lot of technical information and statistics, focus on the main points or agenda first and if you have more time, you can add them at the end
• Keep your presentation simple and clear . Avoid complex sentence structures and graphics
• Tell the outline of your presentation briefly in the introduction for a better flow
• Make sure that your presentation does not stretch for too long. 10-15 minutes is what your audience can concentrate on
• Restate your keyphrase at the end and briefly summarize all the important points of your presentation

Speech topics for an informative presentation

• Cropping techniques
• Organic Farming
• Corporate Farming
• Hydroponics
• Sustainable Agriculture, etc
• Climate change
• Environmental issues
• Eco-friendly ways of management
• Eco-politics
• Eco-feminism, etc
• Gender studies
• Gender and education
• Religious studies
• History of education
• Philosophy of education, etc
• Ethnic cultures
• Indigenous cultures
• Multiculturalism
• Popular culture
• Cultural trends, etc
• Business administration
• Business ethics
• Business models
• Promotion and marketing communications
• Finance, etc

2. Persuasive presentations

Persuasion is the art of motivating or convincing someone to act or make a change in their actions or thoughts.

If you are planning to give a persuasive presentation, and are looking for how to give a persuasive speech, check out our article on A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Persuasive Speech to gain in-depth knowledge about the art of giving persuasive presentations.

Persuasive presentations are also widely used form after informative presentations.

There are various circumstances where persuasive presentations can be used.

a) Policy-making

Government bodies make use of persuasion almost every time, be it the legislative or decision-making bodies, executive bodies, or even courts.

Even election campaigns involve using persuasive presentations as an instrument of their pre-determined goals of swaying the citizens.

For that matter, any executive or management body of an organization can make use of these kinds of presentations.

b) Value judgment

This kind involves answering the question “why” and supplementing it with possible benefits.

Most Ted talks and YouTube videos try to persuade the audience and fall into the persuasive presentation category.

Even religious heads use this as a means of persuading their believers to follow their belief system.

Deciding on a procedure or telling an audience the correct procedure of doing something is another situation.

An example of a persuasive presentation

Bailey parnell: is social media hurting your mental health.

This TED talk by Bailey Parnell is a good example of a persuasive presentation.

She starts strong by asking rhetorical questions that set the mood for her further points.

We can also see how the speaker is genuinely concerned regarding the issue, engaging the audience till the end.

Tips for giving a persuasive presentation

• Start your presentation with a relevant quote or statistics about your topic to establish credibility
• Tell personal anecdotes and examples wherever necessary to develop an emotional connection with your audience
• Deliver your presentation with passion and genuine interest to motivate your audience to think
• Answer the question “why” for better understanding and clarity in your presentation
• State your viewpoint clearly and clarify doubts if your audience seems to have any

Speech topics for persuasive presentations

• Is animal testing ethical?
• Should cosmetic surgery be banned?
• Can the death penalty be the only solution to the rising crime rates?
• Should the legal age be 18?
• Should immigration laws be revised?
• Why you should never add your parents on Facebook
• Guys are more interested in gossip than girls
• It is your major duty to annoy your parents
• You are not enjoying student life if you are not procrastinating
• Endless memes can be made on my life, etc
• Is taming wild and exotic animals ethical?
• The importance of emotional support animals
• Why are bunnies the perfect pet?
• Why do animals make the best companions?
• Why there is a need for patients to have emotional support animals, etc
• How and why there is a need to do business analysis before opening your business?
• Why small businesses are successful and more profitable?
• Why do sales and customer service departments need to be paid more?
• Why does the HR department need to be polite and understanding?
• Why should you not do business with a family member?
• How charity is a means of converting black money to white?
• Why is detaining people on the suspicion of terrorism justified?
• Should euthanasia be made legal?
• Should violent crime offenders be sentenced to death?
• Should foreigners be allowed to buy a property?

3. Demonstrative presentations

This involves demonstrating a process or the functioning of a product in a step-by-step fashion.

So, a master class on communication skills or making a product model is an example of a demonstrative presentation.

Usually, the audience is an active part of such presentations and these can work in any context where you want the audience to learn a new skill.

a) Instructions

This involves giving guidelines or steps of a process or work .

Teaching how to make a car model step-by-step is a good example where you can use this kind of informative presentation to guide your audience.

Another instance can be at the workplace , to train the employees or introduce them to a new product at work.

This type also works with demonstrating recipes and cooking workshops.

An example of demonstrative presentation

The easy guide on making just about any smoothie.

In this recipe demonstration, he tells his audience how many ingredients are involved and briefs them about the outline of his presentation at the start of his speech.

He also shows all steps in real-time so that the audience have a better understanding of the process and keeps them engaged.

Tips to give a demonstrative presentation

• Introduce your product and its function to your audience before telling them how to go about with the steps
• Explain the steps with diagrams or show them in real-time along with the audience
• Give equal time to every person in the audience for clearing doubts, if any
• Keep your introduction short. Not more than 5 minutes
• Discuss options or variations that the audience can try at the end of the presentation

Speech topics for demonstrative presentations

• How to administer CPR
• How to wrap a gift professionally
• How to budget your monthly income
• How to choose a car insurance
• How to restore a piece of antique furniture

4. Inspirational presentations

As the name suggests, this type of presentation involves inspiring others!

The main aim of an inspirational presentation is to motivate or move your audience and is also known as a motivational presentation.

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

This TED talk by Luvvie Ajayi Jones is humorous but a lot more inspirational. Check it out!

Tips for giving an inspirational presentation

• Start with a question that will leave the audience thinking. Pause for some time and then begin with your presentation
• Develop a sense of connection by narrating personal incidents and experiences to grow empathy
• Have some main points that you want to emphasize on
• Make use of humor ! It instantly builds a connection with the listener
• Non-verbal elements like paralanguage, body language, speech modulations, tone, etc., makes a huge difference

Speech topics for an inspirational presentation

• Importance of diversity and inclusion
• Building mental resilience
• Need for change management
• Valuing small victories in life
• How procrastinating is your enemy

5. Business presentations

In the corporate world, presentations are the go-to solution to do anything: planning or strategizing, articulating company goals, screening candidates, status reports , and many more.

Let us take a dive into the different types of business presentations.

a) Sales presentation

Also known as sales pitches , sales presentations involve providing information about a product or a service to sell it.

It has a pre-defined strategy of initiating and closing the sales deal.

This can be done in person or nowadays, on the phone, or via e-communication .

b) Training sessions

Often employees have on-the-job training sessions that are aimed to increase the knowledge and skills of the employees.

This kind can also involve the audience to participate , like in demonstrative presentations.

c) Meetings

Meetings can be called for for different reasons and can be of different forms as well.

Conferences ( both video and in-person), board meetings, informal team meetings, daily reporting, etc., are all various contexts of meeting in a business setting.

d) E- presentations

E- presentations existed before the COVID pandemic as well but were used seldom.

But, with the ongoing pandemic, e-presentations or remote presentations have replaced all other types of presentations and will be with us for a while longer.

However, on the brighter side, it is an eco-friendly alternative to normal face-to-face kind of a set-up, and it also saves transportation and other costs !

e) Seminars

Seminars are widely used in the health sector , usually involving a panel of speakers on a topic. The audience is anywhere between 10 to 100.

It ends with a question and answers session , and the audience gets to take handouts with them.

f) One-on-one or 1:1

Interviews are usually one-on-one and involve presenting your achievements and capabilities to your prospective employer.

Apart from interviews, 1:1 meetings are also used in sales and marketing to crack a business deal.

Tips for giving business presentations

• Include key phrases and other important details on your slides and make them bold
• Avoid casual slangs and informal tone of speech
• If you are giving a sales presentation, explain your product or service in simple and clear words , and list the reasons why it is beneficial for your potential clients
• Make sure to be on time ! Delaying your audience will work against you and leave a bad impression on you and your company
• Know your material or content thoroughly to answer the questions asked by your audience

Speech topics for business presentations

• Implementing an Agile Project
• Introduction to data modeling
• Introduction to UML(Unified Modeling Language)
• Social Media strategies for a successful business
• Business writing for managers

6. Powerpoint presentations

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.

There are various types of PowerPoint presentations that you can use depending on the context.

a) PPTs for general audience

• For general audiences, avoid using jargon terms

If you feel that you need to use them, provide the audience some background information about the field or topic being covered

• Avoid using more than 8 words per line, as anything more than that becomes difficult to remember
• Use bullets or a numbered list for better retention
• Try not to read from your PPT
• Give handouts or record your presentation in case anyone wants it

b) PPTs for teaching

• In this case, the PowerPoint is content-based
• Make sure that the words on the slides are visible
• Use bigger font and avoid fancy fonts
• Add relevant pictures and graphics to keep your audience engaged
• You can also add documentaries or relevant videos to aid in understanding

c) Repurpose PPTs

• This involves reinventing an earlier ppt or combining 1 or more than 1 PowerPoints
• Giving new touches to an earlier PPT or changing the format
• You can take any slide of your PPT and upload it on social media for growing your brand or business
• You can even convert your PPT into mp4 , i.e, video format
• You can even add voice and save the mp4 format, and you have a good marketing plan!

d) PechaKucha

• This type of PowerPoint presentation comes from the Japanese word PechaKucha meaning sound of a conversation or chit-chat
• This involves changing slides every 20 seconds
• There can be a maximum of 20 slides , which means your presentation lasts for only 6 minutes and 40 seconds
• The PPT mostly has graphics and fewer words
• This type of presentation is best suited for telling a story or a personal anecdote

e) Multimedia presentations

• This is the best kind of PPT to engage your audience
• It contains texts along with pictures, videos, infographics, music, illustrations, GIFs , and many more
• Add higher resolution images and videos , or even a 360-degree snapshot if you are in the sales and marketing industry
• Adding infographics such as charts and graphs makes the process of understanding easier and saves time
• Music in a PPT helps your audience to be relaxed, at the same time making them alert and engaged

Types of slides in a presentation

PowerPoint presentation slides are broadly classified into 3 categories: Text, Visual, and Mixed slides.

1. Text slides

As the name suggests, this category of slides involve words or texts.

You can format the text as plain sentences or pointers.

You may even arrange them all in a single slide or one line per slide.

The slide seen below is an example where every point is mentioned in a single slide.

2. Visual slides

This type of slide has visual elements such as images or videos , and are better known as conceptual slides since they are a better option than text slide to explain a particular concept.

You can use them at the start of the presentation to better visualize and grasp the meaning of the presentation.

The slide right below is a good example of a visual slide.

3. Mixed slides

Mixed slides combine the texts and visuals to give a comprehensive understanding of any concept or a speech.

Graphs and charts are the best examples of mixed slides.

Mixed slides have an advantage over the other slides; they keep your audience engaged, listening and participating more actively!

Types of Oral presentations

So far we came across 6 types of presentations, and they all share one common feature. They are all one of the types of oral presentations.

Oral presentations involve the use of verbal and non-verbal elements to deliver a speech to a particular or general audience.

All the types we discussed fall into these 4 broad categories:

1. Extemporaneous presentations

This type of presentation involves making short pointers or key phrases to aid while speaking.

You do not memorize, but organize the points and structure the speech way in advance.

Hence, on the day of your presentation, by just looking at the key points , you expand on them and move to the next point.

2. Impromptu presentations

Impromptu presentations are spoken without any preparation . It can be nerve-wracking for many, and hence not many are in favor of it.

There is a valid reason for their fear, as you have to make your speech as you say it!

However, those who are experts in their fields and are called upon to share a few words can easily give this type of presentation.

3. Manuscript presentations

The other extreme of the spectrum is manuscript presentations.

Here you have a script and you speak from it, word by word.

News anchors and show announcers usually engage in this type, since there are a lot of specific details that cannot be said wrong, and also, time constraints.

Usually, a prompter is used, from which the speaker speaks to their audience.

Nowadays, there are teleprompters , that are heavily used in the entertainment and media industry.

It is a digital screen that displays the contents, and the speaker speaks from it.

4. Memorized presentations

This type does not have any notes or cues , but you memorize or rote learn the whole speech.

School and some presentations at the workplace involve using this kind of presentation.

In most cases, we recommend not to memorise your speech in most cases. We’ve made a video on the same and how it could lead to you potentially blanking out on stage. Highly recommend you view this quick vid before choosing memorisation as a presentation path:

But, if you do choose it for whatever reason, since you are free from notes, you are free to focus on other aspects, such as body language and gestures.

Types of presentation styles

There are various presenting styles, but they do not work for all types of presentations.

Let us get familiar with them, and know which style works with which type.

a) The storyteller

This style of presentation involves the speaker narrating stories and engaging the audience emotionally .

This technique works best with persuasive and inspirational types of presentation.

So, how to tell a story in a presentation?

• Understand and know your audience : Knowing your audience will help you with how you will frame your story, at the same time gauging the relevance of your narrative
• Know your message : Be clear with what you want to convey through your story or how you are connecting the story with your actual presentation
• Try narrative a real-life story : Inspiring presenters often take their own stories or the stories of people whom they know as a supplement to their presentation. When the audience listens to your real-life examples, they become genuinely interested in your story
• Add visual aids : Using visual aids such as pictures, videos, multimedia, etc., increases the memory retention and engagement of your audience
• Use the “you” attitude : Tell the story keeping your audience in mind because ultimately they are going to be the receivers and hence, the story should be relevant and should include their point of view as well

Want more storytelling tactics? Mystery, characterisation and the final takeaway are some more key elements of a good story for your next presentation. We’ve gone deeper into this topic in this video if you would like to know more:

b) The Visual style

Most of us are visual learners, making visual information easy to understand and retain.

Visual aids like graphics, images, diagrams, key pointers or phrases , etc., are very useful when giving any type of presentation.

Some tips of presenting with visual style:

• Include only important pointers in your PowerPoint presentation and highlight or bold them
• Try including visuals that complement what you are saying and use them as a supplementary tool to aid in understanding your audience
• If you are giving a business presentation and want to include visuals, instead of plain texts, include graphics and charts to make information simpler to present and understand
• Avoid overly complex visuals as it will confuse the audience more
• Avoid using more than 6 lines per slide

c) Analytic style

If you have data records or statistical information to be presented, an analytic style will be more helpful.

It works best for Informative and Business types of presentations.

Tips to deliver in analytic style:

• Give handouts so that the audience is on track with your presentation and the information will be easier to comprehend
• Focus and speak on selected data as too much data statistics can be overwhelming for the audience
• You can make use of humor and personal anecdotes to keep the presentation interesting and engaging
• If you have too much data and are worried that you will not be able to explain it in the time frame given, avoid writing content of more than 2000 words

Quick tip: In case you have a PDF to present and want to edit the data points, there are multiple software programs that you can use to allow you to easily do this. Check out this list of the Best Free Recording Software Programs to know more.

d) The Connector

The connector style of presentation involves the speaker establishing a connection with the audience by pointing out similarities between them and the listeners.

This style works well with Sales and marketing presentations.

How to give a presentation using connector style?

• Have a Q & A round with the audience at the end of your presentation for clarifying any doubts and avoiding miscommunication
• Use audience polls at the start of your presentation to know your audience and tailor your speech accordingly
• Make use of body language and gestures for delivering your presentation effectively. If you are confused or want to know more about the aspects of how to use body and gestures, check out our article on To walk or stand still: How should you present when on stage?
• Ask questions to your audience at regular intervals for a better audience engagement
• Make use of multimedia sources to keep your audience engaged and entertained

Which type of presentation is best?

Although all the presentation types have their own bonuses and are suitable for certain circumstances, some are universal and can be used with a little bit of modification almost everywhere!

These are persuasive presentations!

You can use them in various settings; from political, business to educational.

Just remember to choose the right topic for the right audience, and a style that you think is the most suitable and you are good to go!

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To conclude

We saw 6 types of presentation and understood it in detail.

We also gained some tips on how to make our presentation more engaging and also came across things to avoid as well.

We then explored the types of slides that you can use, and also the types of presenting orally.

We also gave you some tips and a few topic ideas that you can incorporate in your next speech!

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

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• Alternatives

10 Types of Presentations (With The Best Tips) You Need to Know in 2024

Leah Nguyen • 04 July, 2024 • 13 min read

Benjamin Franklin has a famous quote that 'nothing can be said to be certain except for death and taxes'. Well, there's another thing we'd like to throw in...

Death by PowerPoint...

Presentations seem to follow us along in life. From children in school to suited salary people, we're expected to use different types of presentations to make presentations that delight our audiences.

Executing a well-rounded presentation is by no means an easy task. There are many things to consider, but before we head to finer details, you must know what type of presentation you should deliver to your audience so that they get the message just right .

In this article, we will explore the most common types of presentations you’ll come across in your life, plus a few helpful tips to create them.

Let’s jump in 💪

Table of Contents

• Business Presentations
• Product Presentation
• Marketing Presentation
• Data Presentation
• 5-minute Presentation
• 10-minute Presentation
• Webinar Platforms
• The 10 20 30 Rule
• The 5/5/5 Rule
• The 7x7 Rule

Business Presentation s - Types of Presentation

In the business world, you’ll undoubtedly need presentations for anything, from product launching and strategy planning , to company trend reports and many more.

Let’s take a glance at the different types of presentations you might encounter in the business world 👇

Check out our guide on 'How to Nail A Presentation Like Apple' , or tips to host a business presentation successfully.

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In different presentation styles, a product presentation is a great opportunity to show off your newly built or renovated product features to the world.

Unlike other types of business presentations, the main purpose of this presentation is either to build hype around your product with users or to outline the idea of your product to your own team and shareholders.

Tips for delivering a product presentation

• Demonstrate it live . How does the audience know what you’re talking about when all you’ve given them is some vague speech about the product? For a product presentation to reach its full potential, it’s best to demonstrate the features visually so the audience can truly believe in them.
• Present with passion . When it comes to types of presentations in business, this is not the time to instruct or educate your audience about something. You want to introduce a new thing that no one has heard about, penetrate a new segment/market and either get people to incorporate your product into their lives or convince stakeholders that it’s worth a punt. The best way to do that? Make as much noise as possible. 
• Offer a bonus at the end . Give the audience something to walk away with for a powerful ending; this can be an incentive for ordering the new product early or a bit of fun trivia to excite the crowd.

Hosting a product presentation can be big pressure. Our all-rounded guide with real-life examples can help.

Marketing Presentation - Types of Presentation

No matter how solid your product or service is, you’ll have to come up with a proper plan to make it known and sell it to your intended audience.

This is where marketing presentations come into play. They introduce how, when and where you plan to sell your product to the board of directors or other shareholders. They will decide if those strategies are good to go.

Tips for delivering a marketing presentation

• Match your theme with the audience . There’s nothing wrong with being business-boring, but if your company is selling toys for children, your audience won’t understand the fun, bubbly spirit you’re trying to convey. Try to centre the slide designs and the attitude around the target audience.
• Show real-life data . No matter what style of presentation you choose, back up your bold statements with facts. Don’t rely on a hunch or people will doubt what you’re claiming.

You’re just one step away from creating an awesome marketing presentation. Nail the talk by checking our guide .

Methods of Data Presentation - Types of Presentation

In a world where every business relies on data analysis to make a difference, turning hard digits into meaningful and understandable insights is the role of a data presentation .

Make informed decisions, see the gap, and take the risky leap; all are possible if you have the ability to make sense of your data through various visualisation methods like bar charts, line graphs, histograms, and such.

Tips for delivering a data presentation

• Communicate the numbers clearly . You’ll have to stop assuming that everyone, including your boss, knows what you’re talking about. More often than not, they don’t, and it’s not their job to dig below the surface. Explain to them what the numbers mean and why this is important before presenting any data; the audience will surely appreciate that.
• Avoid presenting too many different things on one slide . We’ve seen people tackling four to five different types of charts on a single slide and it’s not nice. It’s overwhelming to process all of the data across all the different formats, so next time, go through one thing at a time to give the audience a chance to understand and remember it.

We’ve got these 10 methods of data presentation to make your numbers as clear as day. Examples and great tips included!

Timed Presentation - Types of Presentation

Do you know that the most impactful presentations in the world never exceed 20 minutes?

Real-life cases have proven that a lengthy one-hour talk is not as effective or memorable as a shorter one. That's why more presenters are shifting to timed presentations where they are compelled to deliver concise content within a specific time block.

The most common time presentations that you often meet in business or education settings are 5-minute presentations and 10-minute presentations . They are short, and will push you to make the most out of them.

5-minute Presentation - Types of Presentation

A 5-minute presentation is made for busy people who don’t want to waste half an hour listening to someone ramble. However, this type of presentation is one of the most difficult forms of presentation to master, because being concise but also informative is harder than you think.

Tips for delivering a 5-minute presentation

• Plan the timing . There’s not much room for procrastination when you’ve only got 5 minutes, so divide what you’re going to say into different time blocks. For example, make an introduction no longer than 1 minute, then dedicate the most time to explaining the main points.
• Remember that less is more . As you have such a short timeframe, don’t cram too much information like you’re stuffing a turkey; be selective with the content you choose...Try the 5-5-5 rule if you have trouble turning your back from a maximalist lifestyle. 
• Practice flowing . If you’re stuttering or giving out spaces of prolonged silence, you’re already losing so much precious time. Set the timer, practice speaking at a normal speed and see if there are any parts in which you should speed up, consider cutting or say in another way.

Check out our comprehensive guide on how to hold a 5-minute presentation , including free topics to get you started.

10-minute Presentation - Types of Presentation

When you want to introduce a new topic, perspective, or study to your audience, a 10-minute presentation is enough to bring all the new, exciting information to the table without exhausting them.

Even though they are longer than 5-minute presentations, one can still fumble at fitting the material during the 10 minutes. However, you can get over the fear of going overtime with our tips:

Tips for delivering a 10-minute presentation

• Know your structure . Typically a 10-minute presentation format includes an introduction (1 slide) - a body (3 slides) and a conclusion (1 slide). Your presentation should contain no more than three ideas as that’s the optimal number for the audience to remember. 
• Start with a bang . In the first few seconds the audience can already decide if your presentation is worth listening to, so use any means necessary to grab their attention. It can be a provocative statement, a “what if” scenario, or a hard-hitting question that you plan to address during the talk.
• Get interactive . A 10-minute presentation exceeds the average attention span of humans, which is 7 minutes . Counter that by adding interactive activities that actively engage the audience in the talk like a fun poll, word cloud , or live Q&A session.

You can’t turn your presentation into gold without a proper topic. Check out our 50 unique topics for a 10-minute presentation .

Webinar Platforms - Types of Presentation

A webinar is an online event hosted by an individual or an organisation. The keynote speaker will give a presentation and interact with the audience entirely online.

With the shift to remote working, training and learning, webinar platforms have become a popular choice for many organisations due to their convenience. You can join virtually anytime, anywhere in just a few clicks. 

No need for costly set-up, all you need is a video conferencing platform plus the type of presentation software that ensures you get all the interaction you need.

Tips for delivering a webinar presentation

• Test out the equipment beforehand . “ Wait, I don’t know why it’s like this”; “Please wait a few minutes since we’re having minor issues” - these are phrases that turn the audience off immediately after they join. Recheck everything and have a backup plan whenever a technical issue arises.
• Define a plan to create engagement . The biggest problem with having a webinar is the audience won’t be able to engage as much as they can in a physical space. Try having an ice-breaker game as the base, with quizzes , word clouds, or open-ended questions as the icing on the cake, and wrap up with a sentiment poll or a Q&A as the cherry on top for a robust and dynamic webinar.

Check out 10 best practices for a webinar presentation that’s sure to keep people coming back for more.

The Golden Rules of Presentation - Types of Presentation

Are we implying that a successful presentation has a holy grail formula to follow? - Yes, we are!

If you are still learning the ropes of storytelling and presentation design, and have always fantasised about delivering an impeccable presentation, then these simple, easy-to-follow rules should keep you nicely on track.

The 10 20 30 rule - Types of Presentation

This may sound like a collection of gibberish numbers, but honestly, they make total sense.

The 10 20 30 rule states that your presentation should…

• Contain a maximum of 10 slides
• Be a maximum length of 20 minutes
• Have a minimum font size of 30 points

With the 10-20-30 rule, you can say goodbye to hour-long presentations that have everyone mentally checked out.

Tips for delivering a 10 20 30 rule presentation

• Follow the guide wholeheartedly . Don’t just sneakily sneak a couple more slides into the 10 presentation slides you have already; the science says that people can't process more than 10 concepts in a presentation. Go over that and the chances of you losing the crowd drastically increase.
• Mind the idea . No presentation rule in reality is going to save you if your idea is terrible. Focus on researching what piques the audience’s interest, reach out to them beforehand if necessary and let them know how you can address their big questions.

Here’s the full guide: The 10 20 30 Rule: What it is and 3 Reasons to Use it .

The 5/5/5 rule - Types of Presentation

A 5/5/5 rule is one of the types of presentation that:

• Contains no more than 5 words per line of text
• Has 5 lines of text per slide
• Has no more than 5 text-heavy slides in a row

The 5/5/5 rule is incredibly effective for people who are struggling with measuring how much text is enough. You can focus on your main points with ease and end up with more professional-looking presentations (aka make use of negative space and emphasise what really matters).

Tips for delivering a 5/5/5 rule presentation

• Use data and images to tell the story . With just a chart or line graph you can draw out so many key points and takeaways from it. Replace texts with visuals if possible since it’s a more powerful way to communicate. 
• Make use of headings, short phrases, and common abbreviations . For example, instead of writing The website’s overall click-through rate increased by 10% compared to last year , you can rephrase it to The website’s CTR ↑10% YOY (CTR: click-through rate, YOY: year-over-year, which are common abbreviations in business). You can elaborate more on the numbers in the talk, so don’t throw everything on the slide.

Here’s the full guide:​​ The 5/5/5 Rule: How and Why to Use It (With Examples) .

The 7x7 rule - Types of Presentation

The 7x7 rule is a presentation design guideline that suggests no more than 7 lines of text per slide. This can include bullet points or short phrases and no more than 7 words per line.

Why the 7x7 Rule?

• Focus:  It forces you to present the most essential information, making your slides less overwhelming for the audience.
• Clarity:  Concise text improves readability and helps your audience quickly grasp your key points.
• Memory:  People can better process and remember short bursts of information.
• Visual appeal:  Slides with less text create more space, making them cleaner and more visually engaging.

Tips for delivering a 7x7 rule presentation

• Focus on the big picture: Since you'll be limited with text, prioritise communicating the core concepts of your presentation. Use your spoken words to expand on the key points on your slides.
• Needing more tips? Here's a more detailed guide for the 7x7 rule presentation .

The Takeaway

Presentations come in all shapes and sizes, and the key to creating an outstanding experience for your audience is matching them with the right type of presentation. Once you’ve got it right, you’ve established yourself on a solid platform that can launch your successful speech🚀

The best type of presentation engages the audience and makes it memorable. Try AhaSlides today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are presentation styles important.

Presentation style is important because it helps with communication effectiveness, enhances audience engagement, shows professionalism and credibility

What is the most important in a presentation?

A presentation should deliver a message with clarity to the audience. They should know what it is about, and the actions to take after the presentation.

What are the 4 key elements of a powerful presentation?

The 4 keys of a powerful presentation are content, structure, delivery and visual aids.

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

More from AhaSlides

6 Different Types of Presentations

Presentations should be as unique as your business and the information you’re trying to present. However, there are certain types of presentations that are common across industries and teams. Before you worry about which slides to include or how to organize your information, you’ll need to determine which type of presentation is best for your audience. 

To figure this out, ask yourself: Are you entertaining or informing? Are you speaking to colleagues, investors, or potential customers? Asking these questions will help you choose the type of presentation that supports you best. Beautiful.ai is here to make this even easier with a description of different types of presentations to help you choose.

Informative Presentations

An informative presentation is educational, concise, and to the point. While other presentations may entertain or inspire, the main goal of an informative presentation is to share information.

A good example of an informative presentation is a human resources benefits presentation. Human resources needs to explain what benefits employees receive, how benefits work, which important dates employees need to remember, where employees can find more information, and so on. 

An HR benefits presentation for new hires (or any informational presentation) should be short, straightforward, and easy to understand so that new employees will remember the information they’re given. 

Instructive Presentations

A presentation that teaches something is similar to an informative presentation, but it goes beyond sharing facts. It also instructs the audience on a specific topic. People attend or view an instructive presentation with the intention to learn, and they leave with a better understanding of the topic of the presentation.

There are many examples of instructive presentations. Workshops, training sessions, or webinars teach audiences a new skill or procedure by offering specific information or instructions. Explaining new policies to a company is another type of instructive presentation. For example, an HR benefits presentation for new employees may be informative, but a presentation for existing employees about policy changes might lean more towards instructive, especially if employees have to take action or need to ask questions.     

Persuasive Presentations

Many presentations hope to sell something or persuade the audience to take certain actions. Persuasive presentations often present a problem and explain their solution using data. Examples of persuasive presentations include business pitches or sales proposals.

For example, a startup company looking for initial funding may need a startup pitch deck or a Series A presentation to convince investors to back their idea. A startup pitch deck would explain a problem in the market, how their startup will solve that problem, and how they’ll monetize their business. A Series A presentation can help a startup secure more rounds of funding to grow their company and pursue further goals.

Motivational Presentations

One of the most prominent examples of inspiring presentations? TEDTalks. Many motivational speakers use TEDTalks to inspire people to think or change their behavior. 

Motivational presentations in the business world may not be as dramatic or life-changing as a TEDTalk, but they still aim to generate interest or gain an audience’s approval. A company overview presentation is a good example of a motivational presentation. It may present the information of a company — how it was founded, who is leading it, what the company does — but more importantly, it tells the company’s story. 

A company overview presentation connects with the audience. A manager may use it to boost morale at a team meeting. Or an executive may present a company overview to convince potential customers or investors to work with them. Or, an HR rep may use it to make new hires feel welcome and excited to join the company.

Decision-making Presentations

Need to make a decision within the company? A presentation that shares a problem, solution options, and their outcomes can help speed along the process. Decision making presentations might be found in business meetings, government meetings, or all-hands meetings.

For example, let’s say a company wants to improve engagement on their social media channels. There are many ways they might achieve their goal, including hosting giveaways, dedicating more resources to creating Facebook posts or Instagram stories, and researching their audience or competitors to see how they can improve. A marketing campaign plan template for a presentation would keep details of the problem, different options, and possible outcomes organized in one place. It would inform and guide everyone involved in the meeting, helping them make informed decisions on how to move forward.

Progress Presentations

Imagine our hypothetical company decided on a marketing strategy to meet their goals. Now that they have a campaign in place, they need to report on the progress of said campaign. This sixth presentation type shares status updates, progress towards deadlines, collected data so far, any obstacles popping up, and tasks that need to be added or adjusted.

A team stand up presentation is a great example of this type of presentation. Team stand up presentations usually include an agenda, talking points, deliverable updates, discussion topics, and time for questions at the end. This presentation keeps everyone organized and focused, ensuring that everyone is still on the same page and working towards the same end goal.

Whichever Presentation Type You Choose, Create it With Beautiful.ai

Now that you know which presentation type is right for your project, it’s time to create a beautiful and effective presentation. With Beautiful.ai , you don’t need to set aside hours of time to build your presentation, nor do you need design expertise to do it. Use one of our many presentation templates that can be customized for your needs in minutes. No matter what type of presentation you create, Beautiful.ai can help you do it.

Beautiful.AI Team

Beautiful is an AI-powered presentation tool that makes it fast and easy for anyone to build clean, modern and professionally designed slides that they can be proud of.

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Presentation

8 Types of Presentation with Examples and Tips

Table of Contents

Every presentation is different, reflecting your unique business and the information you share. But, some common presentation types are used across various fields and teams. Before diving into specific slides or organization, consider the type that best suits your audience.

Here are some questions to get you started: Is your goal to inform or entertain? Who will you be speaking to: colleagues, investors, or potential customers? By thinking about these questions, you can choose the presentation format that best supports your message.

SlidesAI can help you simplify this process even further by providing descriptions of different presentation types.

Why Do We Need Different Types of Presentations?

Presentations are a great way to share ideas and information in different situations, depending on who you’re talking to. What you want to achieve with your presentation can change who it’s for and how you present it. For instance, if you’re trying to sell something, you might want a presentation that convinces people and is visually interesting. On the other hand, teaching something might require a more step-by-step approach with lots of details.

The best type of presentation depends on a few things, like what you’re trying to accomplish, the audience’s interests, and what you’re good at as a presenter. By choosing the right kind of presentation, you can get your message across clearly and achieve what you set out to do.

What are Different Types of Presentations?

1. educational presentations.

Educational presentations are a great way to introduce a new topic to people who aren’t familiar with it. They can be especially helpful when you want to explain something complex, like a process, or share important facts in a clear way. Whether you’re a teacher in a classroom or a trainer at a company, educational presentations can be a powerful tool for learning.

These presentations often use visuals like pictures or diagrams to make things easier to understand. They might also include step-by-step instructions to guide the audience through a process. Companies use them a lot to teach new employees about how things work at the company. The length of the presentation can be short or long, depending on what you’re trying to teach.

2. Instructional Presentations

Instructional presentations help people learn more about a topic and sometimes even guide them on what to do next. They’re similar to presentations used for education, but they might include some extra details or specific steps for the audience to follow.

Think of webinars or training sessions – these are examples of instructional presentations. They give people new information and help them develop new skills. For instance, if you’re in HR, you might create one to explain how employees can sign up for the new insurance plan.

Checkout Our Business Presentation Templates Download Free Business Presentation Templates Now!

3. Persuasive Presentations

Many presentations aim to convince the audience of something, like a new idea, product, or way of doing things. They often address a specific issue and use facts and figures to explain why their solution is the best. Business proposals and sales talks are common examples.

For instance, a new company seeking funding might create a presentation to convince investors to support their idea. This presentation could explain a problem they see in the market, how their company solves it, and how they plan to make money. A similar presentation could also be used to secure additional funding for growth and future plans.

4. Motivational Presentation

Motivational presentations aim to lift up the audience’s spirits and help them deal with challenges. They spark interest in a subject and share a particular perspective or message. These presentations can be useful when you want to inspire a group of people. Sometimes, they might even use a personal story to connect with the topic.

Leaders in organizations often use motivational presentations to boost employee morale and encourage them to work harder. Recruiters might also use them to showcase employee success stories and get potential hires excited about joining the company.

5. Problem-solution Presentation

Have you ever needed to present an idea to help people make a decision? Problem-solution presentations are a great way to do that. They focus on explaining a challenge or issue and then offering potential solutions for the audience to consider. While similar to persuasive presentations, the main goal here is to discuss the problem clearly and share research so decision-makers can weigh the options and choose the best path forward. These presentations can include details about the problem and a few possible solutions. They’re a handy tool for many business meetings and discussions within organizations.

6. Project Presentations

Progress presentations are a way to share how a project, campaign, or initiative is moving along. They’re similar to progress reports, but in a presentation format.

These presentations typically cover a few key points:

• Important measurements : This could include numbers or data that show how the project is doing.
• Current status : An update on where things stand at the moment.
• Potential roadblocks : Any challenges that might come up down the line.
• Tasks still to do : What needs to be completed next.

Project teams often use progress presentations to share updates on their work. This allows clients, colleagues, or other interested parties to stay informed and ask questions if needed.

7. Storytelling Presentations

Presentations that use a story format can be a great way to connect with your audience and share information in a more engaging way. This approach can be useful in many settings, from classrooms to company meetings. It can be especially helpful when you want to grab the attention of a specific group of people and make them feel involved.

Storytelling presentations might include personal stories or examples that relate directly to the main topic. For instance, if you’re in marketing, you could use a story format to present a case study to your colleagues about a competitor’s product and its success.

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8. Visual Presentations

Presentations come in many forms, but some rely mostly on pictures, charts, and other visuals instead of text. These are called visual presentations. They’re a good choice when you have limited time or your topic is easy to understand with pictures.

The goal of a visual presentation is to help people grasp the information quickly and keep them engaged. Businesses often use them to show what their products or services can do. For instance, a company selling shampoo might use before-and-after pictures to show the results.

Tips for Delivering an Effective Presentation

• Taking Notes: To help remember what to say during your presentation, jot down some brief notes. Keep them simple and focused on keywords or short directions. This will allow you to connect with your audience and avoid missing any important points.
• Knowing Your Audience: A little research about your audience before your presentation goes a long way. Understanding who they are and what they might be interested in helps you tailor your presentation to better address their needs and expectations.
• Planning for Interaction: Think about how much audience interaction you want based on the length, purpose, and type of information in your presentation. This may involve allocating more time for questions and discussion.
• Know yourself: Think about how comfortable you feel speaking in front of a group, especially if you don’t know everyone. Consider your strengths and weaknesses as a presenter and how you can play to your strengths and improve on your weaknesses.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Practicing your presentation beforehand, regardless of your experience level, can boost your confidence and help you identify areas for improvement. Go through each slide while talking to solidify the flow. Recording yourself can also be helpful.
• Be Prepared: Technical problems can happen, so having a plan can help you avoid delays. If it’s an in-person presentation, arriving early allows you to check the venue and ensure the equipment works properly.

How Does Slides AI Help with Presentations?

As you’ve explored, presentations come in various forms, each serving a distinct purpose and requiring a tailored approach. But regardless of the type, creating an impactful presentation can be time-consuming. This is where Slides AI steps in to streamline the process.

By leveraging SlidesAI’s functionalities – from generating outlines and suggesting designs to offering content recommendations – you can significantly reduce the time and effort invested in crafting your presentation. This frees you to focus on the finer details, like refining your message and practicing your delivery.

A well-organized and visually appealing presentation can really grab your audience’s attention and help them understand your message better. SlidesAI can help you achieve that, turning you from someone who just puts slides together into someone who can communicate confidently and leave a lasting impression.

Create presentation slides with AI in Seconds in Google Slides

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can i grab attention at the beginning of my presentation.

There are several ways to hook your audience from the start. Try opening with a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or even a short, interesting story related to your topic.

How long should my presentation be?

Ideally, aim for a presentation between 10-20 minutes. This timeframe allows you to cover the important points without losing your audience’s attention.

What are the 5 keys to a successful presentation?

Here are 5 keys to delivering a pitch-perfect presentation:

• Know your audience
• Master your material
• Make it a conversation
• Be adaptable
• Show empathy

Which presentation software should I use?

Several popular options are available, including Microsoft PowerPoint, and Google Slides . The best choice depends on your specific needs and comfort level. Additionally, SlidesAI.io is a helpful tool for creating visually engaging presentations. Consider your needs and choose the software that best suits you.

Save Time and Effortlessly Create Presentations with SlidesAI

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9 Types of Presentations You Should Know (With Examples)

8 Effective Ways to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

How to write a problem statement slide, how to write the perfect titles for your slides, pro tips to create an impactful employee induction presentation.

Mastering the art of crafting and delivering presentations is vital across diverse contexts and industries. In a world where effective communication often determines success or failure, understanding the various types of presentations is key. Each presentation type fulfills a distinct role, which we will understand in this article. So, let’s get going!

Why is it Important to Understand Different Types of Presentations?

Different presentations serve distinct purposes, each tailored to achieve specific goals and connect with audiences uniquely.  Imagine trying to motivate a team using the same approach you would use to deliver a technical report – it just would not work. 

Whether aiming to inform, persuade, train, or inspire, understanding and utilizing various presentation styles ensures you communicate your message properly and engage your audience on the right level. Each presentation type, from informative to persuasive, is like a tool in a toolkit designed for specific tasks to help you achieve your objectives.

Moreover, adapting to different styles keeps your communication fresh and dynamic. A one-size-fits-all approach can lead to disengagement, whereas using the right style for the proper context maintains interest and maximizes impact. 

Types of Presentations

1. informative presentation.

Informative presentations are designed to educate the audience on a specific topic. They provide clear, factual, and comprehensive information that enhances understanding. These presentations are commonly used in academic settings, corporate training sessions, and public awareness campaigns. 

For instance, a professor might deliver an informative presentation on the impacts of global warming, outlining the scientific principles, current data, and potential future scenarios. 

To make such presentations more effective, focus on organization and clarity. Commence with an introduction that sets the context and outlines the main points you will cover. Break down each section to address a specific aspect of the topic, providing detailed explanations supported by evidence and examples. Make sure to harness the power of visuals and charts to explain complicated data in simple terms.

2. Persuasive Presentation

Persuasive presentations convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take specific actions. These presentations are essential in various contexts, such as marketing, sales, and advocacy. 

The best way to increase their impact is by proactively addressing potential objections and counter-arguments. This approach demonstrates thorough understanding and preparation, which strengthens your credibility. 

Incorporate testimonials, case studies, and real-life examples to enhance persuasion by providing tangible proof of your claims. Deliver a clear and compelling call to action at the end of the presentation to encourage the audience to take the desired step, whether supporting a cause or changing a behavior. 

For example, this style can be used by non-profit leaders to advocate for a cause, such as raising funds for calamities, creating awareness, etc.

3. Demonstrative Presentation

How-to-do or demonstrative presentations focus on showing the audience how to do something through detailed, step-by-step instructions. They are particularly effective in educational settings, workshops, and training sessions where practical knowledge and hands-on experience are essential. 

For example, a project manager conducting a training session might give a demonstrative presentation on using a new project management software. The manager would guide the team through each stage of the software, from setting up a new project to tracking progress and generating reports, ensuring that participants understand and can replicate the steps independently.

Interactive elements, such as allowing the audience to follow along or ask questions in real-time, can further enhance understanding and retention. 

4. Sales Presentation

Have you ever found it challenging to convince customers to buy a product or service? Here sales presentations can help you navigate the challenge. These presentations showcase your unique value propositions, address the pains of your audience, and convey how your products can improve their situation.

For example, a sales representative for a new software solution might present its advanced features, user-friendly interface, and how it can streamline the client’s workflow, ultimately saving time and increasing productivity.

To make a sales presentation effective, you must understand the audience’s needs and tailor your content accordingly. Highlight the product’s core competencies, such as its superior performance, cost-effectiveness, or innovative features. Close your presentation and encourage the audience to take the next step, whether scheduling a follow-up meeting, requesting a demo, or making a purchase. 

5. Motivational Presentation

A motivational presentation aims to inspire and energize the audience, encouraging them to achieve their goals or make positive life changes. Such presentations often appeal to emotions, using powerful stories, personal experiences, and uplifting messages to connect with the audience on a deeper level. 

For instance, a keynote speaker at a corporate event might share their journey from overcoming significant challenges to achieving success, emphasizing resilience and perseverance as keys to personal and professional growth.

You can curate an engaging narrative that resonates deeply with the audience’s aspirations and struggles and engage them with relatable anecdotes and success stories that forge an emotional connection. Use inspirational quotes, vivid imagery, and energetic delivery to boost the motivational effect, encouraging listeners to visualize their own success and fully believe in their potential.

Offer practical advice, set achievable challenges, or provide valuable resources to support their journey. By leaving the audience with a strong sense of empowerment and clear direction, you can drive meaningful change and ignite a proactive mindset that propels them toward success.

6. Status or Progress Presentation

A status or progress presentation provides an update on the current state of a project, initiative, or objective. This type of presentation is essential for keeping stakeholders informed about progress, identifying issues, and aligning team efforts with overall goals. 

For instance, a project manager might deliver a status presentation to the executive team, highlighting key milestones achieved, current challenges, and any adjustments needed to stay on track. The presentation typically includes an overview of completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, and a review of budget and resources.

To make a status presentation impactful, focus on clarity and transparency. Organize the content to cover major areas such as progress made, key metrics, and any deviations from the original plan. Further, highlight both successes and setbacks to build trust and ensure that stakeholders have a clear understanding of where things stand.

7. Pitch Presentation

Pitch presentation is a critical tool for making a compelling case, whether an entrepreneur seeking venture capital, a startup aiming to attract customers, or a non-profit organization looking for funding.

In a highly competitive environment, a well-crafted pitch can differentiate you from others by clearly articulating what makes your offering unique and how it addresses a specific need or problem. 

By highlighting key aspects such as market demand, competitive advantages, and potential returns, a pitch presentation can capture the interest of investors, customers, or supporters, making it easier to secure the necessary support or resources. 

Pitch presentations are a critical opportunity to make a solid first impression and establish credibility. They provide a platform to showcase your expertise, vision, and commitment, which can build trust and confidence among your audience. A compelling pitch persuades stakeholders to take action and lays the foundation for future relationships and opportunities. 

8. Instructive Presentations

Instructive presentations are designed to instruct, educate, and inform an audience about a particular topic or skill. They are often used in academic settings, corporate sessions, workshops, and seminars. 

They incorporate examples, case studies, and practical applications to present key points and make the content more relatable and engaging. One key element of an instructive presentation is clarity. Presenters must ensure that their explanations are straightforward and avoid jargon unless the audience is already familiar with the topic. 

For example, a digital marketing expert can deliver an instructional presentation for small business owners who are new to online marketing.

9. Decision-Making Presentation

A decision-making presentation is designed to assist an audience in evaluating various options and making informed choices based on the information presented. 

These presentations are commonly used in business meetings, strategic planning sessions, and project evaluations. The goal is to present data, analyses, and recommendations in a way that highlights the pros and cons of different alternatives, ultimately guiding the audience toward a well-considered decision. 

Effective decision-making presentations often include visual aids such as comparison charts, decision matrices, and risk assessments. By providing a structured approach and clear criteria for evaluation, these presentations help the audience weigh their options methodically.

A Detailed Guide to Help You Choose the Right Presentation Type

Choosing the right presentation type is crucial for effectively communicating your message. The kind of presentation you select can significantly impact your audience’s engagement, understanding, and retention of the information. 

Here are some key tips to consider when deciding on the most suitable presentation type for your needs.

(i). Communication Objectives

Before selecting a presentation type, it is essential to define your goals clearly. Do you wish to inform, persuade, or motivate your audience? Understanding your key goals will guide the structure and style of your presentation. 

For instance, informative presentations are ideal for delivering factual information or educating an audience about a particular topic. These presentations should be clear, concise, and well-organized. On the other hand, if you wish to motivate your viewers, inspirational presentations are the way to go.

(ii). Audience Diversity

Knowing your audience’s demographics, background, and preferences is essential for choosing the right presentation type. Consider factors such as age, gender, education level, and cultural background to tailor your presentation style. Additionally, assess the audience’s familiarity with the topic. 

For example, for a knowledgeable audience, you can delve into more complex details, while for a general audience, it is better to keep the information accessible and straightforward. Understanding your audience’s interests and preferences can also help you choose a presentation type that will keep them engaged.

(iii). Context and Setting

The context and setting of your presentation can significantly influence your choice of presentation type. Evaluate the environment where your presentation will take place. Is it in a large auditorium, a small conference room, or online? Each setting has different requirements for presentation types and delivery methods. 

Also, consider the formality of the event. Formal settings may require a more structured and professional approach, while informal settings allow for a relaxed and conversational style. The audience size is another critical factor; larger audiences may need more structured and visually engaging presentations, while smaller groups can allow for more interaction and discussion.

(iv). Content Complexity

The complexity of your content should guide the presentation type you choose. For straightforward information, use clear and concise slides, infographics, or bullet points to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information at once. 

Consider using detailed visuals, charts, diagrams, and multimedia elements for more intricate topics. Breaking the content into manageable sections and providing summaries can help reinforce key points and ensure the audience comprehends complex information.

For example, for detailed topics like financial performance, you can opt for informative presentations, while for simple subjects such as project progress, a status presentation would be more appropriate.

(v). Personal Style

Your personal presentation style plays a significant role in the effectiveness of your delivery. Choose a presentation type that aligns with your strengths and comfort level. If you are confident in storytelling, consider a narrative-driven presentation, whereas if you are more comfortable with data, focus on data-driven presentations. 

Utilize your preferred methods for engaging the audience, whether it’s through humor, interactive elements, or compelling visuals. Leveraging your strengths can enhance your presentation’s impact and make it more engaging for your audience.

Suppose your strength lies in convincing and negotiating with people. Here, you can leverage your skills to deliver a compelling persuasive presentation and convince the audience to take a desired action.

(vi). Time Constraints

The time available for your presentation will affect how much content you can cover and the depth of detail you can provide. For brief time slots, focus on key points and ensure clarity and conciseness, using impactful visuals and avoiding overloading the audience with information. 

With more extended presentations, you can delve deeper into the topic, include interactive elements, and engage in discussions with the audience. Plan for breaks and ensure a logical flow of information to keep the audience intrigued throughout.

Tips to Ace All Types of Presentations

1. use visuals.

Use professional PowerPoint templates to create presentations and give your slides a professional look. You can add visuals such as charts, graphs, images, and even videos to make your presentation look stunning. Ensure that your visual resonates with the topic and does not distract the audience from the main theme of the presentation.

2. Structure It Correctly

The structure of your presentation is crucial as it acts as an anchor for the audience. Start by introducing your topic, followed by details such as pros and cons, metrics, data, etc., and then summarize with a strong conclusion.

3. Incorporate Stories

Stories wire human beings into listening and have a great impact on engagement as well. By using stories in your presentation, you can communicate your message in a much better manner and make it more impactful.

4. Make It Interactive

Encourage interaction through questions, discussions, or activities. Engaging with your audience keeps them interested and makes your presentation more dynamic.

5. Deliver it Right

Consider various aspects of delivery to maximize the effectiveness of your presentation.

• Body Language and Gesture

Utilize gestures and movement to emphasize points and convey enthusiasm. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages your audience.

• Maintain Eye Contact

Make eye contact to convey confidence and build rapport with your audience.

• Pay Attention to Pace and Tone

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Modify your tone to emphasize essential points and maintain audience interest. Avoid speaking too fast or monotonously.

• Be Authentic

Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity helps build credibility with your audience, making your message more relatable and memorable.

6. Wrap Your Presentation on Time

Respect your audience’s time by staying focused on your key messages. Avoid unnecessary details and keep your presentation concise and to the point. 

7. Practice

Rehearse your presentation often to refine your delivery, timing, and transitions. Practicing helps build confidence and allows you to handle unexpected issues smoothly. Anticipate potential questions and prepare concise, thoughtful responses. Handling questions confidently demonstrates your expertise and readiness. You should also be prepared for technical difficulties and have a backup plan in place. Stay calm and composed, and use any issues to demonstrate problem-solving skills.

Understanding and effectively utilizing different presentations can significantly enhance your ability to communicate and achieve your objectives. By selecting the appropriate presentation style and applying best practices, you can ensure that your communication is impactful, persuasive, and aligned with your goals. 

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Different types of presentations

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Meghan Ryan July 29, 2022

Before you start building a presentation, you need a good structure. Ask yourself the purpose of your presentation – why are you getting in front of your audience? Are you trying to convince them to care about an issue and take action? Who are you speaking to – colleagues, customers, or investors? Asking yourself these questions will help you start to determine the type of presentation and structure it accordingly. Read on to discover different types of presentations and how to structure them.

Persuasive presentations

What is a persuasive presentation.

A persuasive presentation is one that tries to convince the audience to accept a certain position and to take action. It uses facts, logic, and emotion to help the audience understand the impact of a certain situation and see it from a different perspective.

How to make a persuasive presentation

• Start your presentation off strong and make the first 30 seconds of your presentation count. This presentation type needs a good hook that draws the audience in and starts getting them invested in the topic.
• Introduce the problem that needs to be solved and compare it with your solution.
• Build a narrative around your solution. Use evidence, back up your ideas with statistics and findings, and use emotion to pull your audience through the narrative. You should be building to a strong conclusion at this point.
• End with a summary of your points and relate them back to the actions that your audience takes.

This type of presentation requires confidence. Show that you feel passionate about your topic and believe in your solution to your audience. They need to feel trust in you to follow your ideas. Rehearse your presentation, but not to the point that you have every single line memorized. You want to sound authentic, not as though you’re rattling off facts and figures.

Persuasive presentation examples

Some of the most common types of persuasive presentations are product or business pitches, but there are so many more out there. Seeing how someone persuades their audience might give you some inspiration, so here we’ve compiled a few of our favorite examples of this type of presentation.

Watch this product pitch by Thriftplan, a workspace-saving solution helping companies retain their talent and employees manage their long-term savings.

This presentation on deforestation shows the effects that deforestation has had on the planet and introduces ways to become a “tree hugger” and combat it:

Learn more about what goes into an effective persuasive speech by reading our article on the topic.

Informative presentations

What is an informative presentation.

An informative presentation is a type of presentation that is just there to provide information. Unlike a persuasive presentation, you’re not necessarily delivering it to get your audience to take action or change their minds. This type of presentation is often analytical. It may just “report the facts,” but you might also want to include some analysis of the information.

How to make an informative presentation

• This type of presentation needs to be about a specific topic, so research your topic thoroughly. Whether that means gathering data from your team or colleagues, or going to the library or interviewing experts, you’ll want to take every step you can in order to seem like an expert in front of your audience.
• Consider your crowd and write this presentation type for them. If your audience knows a lot about your topic, you can skip some of the background information, like when you deliver a report to your team. A teacher will want to go into much more detail if they’re preparing a lesson plan, though.
• Write a thesis statement and organize the presentation around that. This will help you structure all the data and information that you’re discussing, rather than just doing a data dump.
• End on a call to action. This type of presentation is of course different from a persuasive presentation, but it’s good practice to give your audience something to do with the information you just presented.

Informative presentation examples

You have likely come across this type of presentation often throughout your workday. Here’s one by Devin Banerjee describing parental leave policies in the financial sector.

Motivational presentations

What is a motivational presentation.

Motivational speaking might be one of the most enviable types of presentations for people. Motivational presentations can turn a mere story into an inspiring tale. Very similar to a persuasive presentation, a good motivational presentation will convince you to do something, rather than just waiting for it to happen. It has a clear purpose, often pulling from a personal story written for a specific audience, and inspires the audience to make a change in their lives.

How to make a motivational presentation

• Know your purpose. This is important for any type of presentation, but none more so than for this presentation type. You need to know the purpose of your presentation and build upon a singular message.
• Understand your audience and write your content for them.
• Start your presentation with a strong hook, like a question, a personal story, or a compelling statistic.
• Include a personal narrative or a story that your audience can closely relate to. This helps them understand the core message of your presentation and feel more compelled to take action at the end.
• Conclude your presentation with a call to action. Your audience is motivated to make a change, so they need an outlet to do so.

Motivational presentation examples

There are so many motivational presentations out there, and many of them live here on Prezi. Look at this presentation on climate change, which compels you to take action and combat climate change on your own.

Instructive presentations

What is an instructive presentation.

An instructive presentation provides specific directions to accomplish a task. It might be a little longer than most types of presentations because you’ll need to discuss it step by step. In the end, your audience should walk away from this type of presentation more informed and with a new skill.

How to make an instructive presentation

• Determine exactly what you want your audience to learn at the end of your presentation. This type of presentation goes beyond just sharing facts. People want to learn how to do something, so make sure you have a clear idea of what that is.
• Map out the steps. Be clear about all ideas and information that is packed into your presentation.
• Have an understanding of your audience’s level of knowledge. Are they an informed audience or fresh to the topic you’re presenting? This type of presentation will be different depending on the audience you’re with.
• Use visuals and examples throughout your presentation so people new to the topic can more easily follow along.

Instructive presentation examples

Teacher Nucleo Vega teaches how to play and understand eighth-note subdivisions in his instructional video:

For even more examples of instructional presentations, read our article on the best instructional videos on Prezi.

Training presentation

What is a training presentation .

A training presentation is like a lesson that uses pictures and talking to teach something. People use it to help others learn about a specific topic or how to follow a certain process. It’s like a teacher’s tool to share information, show examples, and make sure everyone understands. You might see these types of presentations in school, at work, or in workshops to help people get better at something or understand new subjects. 

How to make a training presentation

• Start by clarifying the main goal of your presentation. Are you teaching a new skill, explaining a process, or sharing important information? Understanding your purpose will help you structure your content effectively.
• Consider who your audience is and what they already know about the topic. Tailor your presentation to their knowledge level, interests, and needs. This will make your training more relevant and engaging.
• Structure your presentation logically with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use headings, subheadings, or an outline to create a coherent flow of information. Make sure your key points are easy to follow.
• Use visuals like images, charts, and diagrams to complement your text. Visuals help explain concepts and make your presentation more visually appealing. However, keep visuals simple and uncluttered to avoid overwhelming your audience.

Discover more insights and tips on online training and Prezi’s impact.

Training presentation examples

This Prezi on effective onboarding for PMs is a great example of a training presentation. It goes into detail about onboarding methods. This would be useful training material for product managers or their supervisors looking to provide instructional advice when taking on a new role. 

Status update presentation

What is a status update presentation .

A status update presentation typically includes information about what has been done, what is currently being worked on, and any challenges or issues that need attention. It’s a way for a team or organization to communicate openly about the state of their projects and ensure everyone is on the same page. These types of presentations are often given in meetings to keep stakeholders informed and make decisions based on the project’s progress.

How to make a status update presentation

• Clearly communicate the specific timeframe covered in your status update, whether it’s a weekly, monthly, or project milestone report. This ensures your audience understands the context and timeline of the information presented.
• Identify and focus on the most relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for your project, such as completion rates, milestone achievements, or budget status. These metrics should succinctly convey the essential aspects of your project’s progress.
• Employ charts, graphs, or visuals to illustrate progress effectively. Visual representations, like Gantt charts depicting project timelines and task dependencies, aid in conveying complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proactively address potential risks or challenges that may impact the project’s timeline or goals. Clearly communicate any issues and provide mitigation strategies to demonstrate transparency and preparedness in managing project uncertainties.
• Clearly outline the next steps for the project and assign responsibilities. Summarize key action items, including upcoming milestones, tasks, and deadlines, to make it easy for your audience to understand what requires attention or action in the upcoming period.

Example of a status update presentation

The structure of this Prezi provides a comprehensive year plan. It includes dynamic segments that offer a creative outlet for setting goals. The presentation covers setting goals, tracking progress, and getting started with your plans, which also makes a great base structure for a well-rounded status update presentation.

Pitch presentation

What’s a pitch presentation .

A pitch presentation is like a quick talk where someone explains their business idea, product, or service to persuade others to get on board. It shows why the idea is good, who it helps, and how it can succeed. People often use these types of presentations when they want support, financial investments, or to team up with others. They share key details about the problem their idea solves, who it’s for, and why it’s a great opportunity. The goal is to grab the audience’s interest and convince them it’s worth backing or investing in. You often see these types of presentations in startups or when someone is trying to get support for a new project.

How to make a pitch presentation

• Start with a strong intro to grab attention. Clearly state the problem your idea solves, keeping it brief and impactful.
• Explain the problem your idea tackles and introduce your solution. Keep it straightforward, emphasizing how your idea provides a solution.
• Present info about the market opportunity, including target audience, market size, and relevant trends. Use data to show that there’s a real need for your solution.
• Highlight your idea’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Clearly state the benefits your solution offers, focusing on what makes it stand out.
• End with a clear call to action. Summarize key points and provide a way for your audience to follow up or get involved.

Remember, keep it simple, engaging, and tailored to your audience’s interests and needs. Discover more tips on how to create a successful pitch presentation and investor pitch deck .

Pitch presentation examples

The Elevator Pitch Prezi is a good example of a pitch presentation. The presentation starts by stating the problem and then providing a solution, ending with a call to action – which is great for persuading potential investors. Discover more good sales pitch examples in this article.

Crisis communication presentation 

What’s a crisis communication presentation .

A crisis communication presentation is like a talk that happens when there’s a serious issue or emergency. It’s a way to share important information and updates with people who need to know—like employees, stakeholders, or the public. In these types of presentations, you’d cover what the crisis is, what steps are being taken to deal with it, and what the next moves are. It’s about keeping everyone informed and on the same page during challenging times. The goal is to be transparent, provide clarity on the situation, and let people know what’s being done to handle the crisis. It’s a crucial tool in managing and addressing unexpected and difficult situations.

How to create a crisis communication presentation

• Identify the nature of the crisis and tailor your message to the concerns of your specific audience.
• Your presentation should address what happened, its impact, ongoing resolution efforts, and preventive measures for the future. Keep the language simple and direct.
• Demonstrate understanding and empathy for those affected. Maintain transparency about the situation, including uncertainties, and commit to providing updates.
• Anticipate and prepare for potential questions, including difficult ones, to maintain control of the message.
• Support your message with helpful visuals like charts or timelines. Practice delivering your presentation confidently, with attention to non-verbal cues like body language.

By combining these elements, you can create a sense of trust with your audience and convince them you’re handling the situation effectively. Remember, honesty is key when it comes to these types of presentations. 

Prezi for all types of presentations

Prezi is a presentation platform that stands out for its dynamic features, making it ideal for various presentations. Its unique zooming user interface allows presenters to create visually engaging presentations, moving easily between ideas and topics.

The versatility of Prezi enables presenters to convey various moods and emotions effectively. Whether you’re delivering a corporate report, an educational lesson, or a personal story, Prezi’s array of templates and design options can be tailored to fit lots of different types of presentations. This flexibility means that your presentation aligns perfectly with your content, from serious and formal to playful and informal.

Moreover, different types of presentations require different presentation styles. Learn about presentation styles and explore what suits best for you and your presentation type by watching the following video.

Prezi Video

Prezi Video adds another layer of engagement by allowing you to present live alongside your content virtually. This feature is particularly useful in today’s hybrid work environments, as it fosters a more personal connection with your audience. With Prezi Video, you can interact with your visuals in real-time, creating a more immersive experience across all types of presentations. This blend of visual storytelling and live presentation helps to keep the audience engaged and improves the overall impact of your message.

Prezi’s AI text editing tool

Creating Prezi presentations just got even easier! With Prezi’s AI text editing tool , you can easily create all types of presentations in less time. This feature helps you shorten, expand, highlight, and summarize content to help you communicate your ideas better. It simplifies the process by offering relevant suggestions, making it easier to create cohesive presentations. 

Prezi with all its accessible features makes it easy to create content for any industry, from different types of business presentations to classroom and learning environments, Prezi’s versatility makes it a great platform for all. 

Final thoughts on different types of presentations

There are a lot of types of presentations out there, but they’re only effective if you understand the structure of each and utilize the structure to your advantage. Find more examples of presentations in our presentation gallery , or check out Prezi to start creating your own presentation today.

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Home / Design / 11 Different Types of Presentation Styles

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11 different types of presentation styles.

Presentations have several use cases. Designing an effective presentation is a skill and a task. Since different situations call for various types of presentations, it can be confusing to choose a specific presentation style.

Let’s explore eleven different types of presentations and where to use them. From informative to persuasive, motivational to instructional, we’ll cover each type in detail, providing tips and strategies to help you deliver powerful and engaging presentations that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Bonus:  AI Presentation Maker – The Effortless Way to Generate Presentations

So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to mastering the art of presentation!

Purpose of a Presentation

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• Informing:  The primary purpose of a presentation is to provide information to the audience. It can include updates on the progress of a project, sharing research findings, or presenting data and statistics.
• Persuading:  Another purpose of a presentation is to persuade the audience to take a specific action or to change their thinking about a topic. It can include presenting a proposal, making a sales pitch, or advocating for a particular cause.
• Educating:  Presentations can educate the audience on a particular topic, such as teaching a new skill, demonstrating how to use a product, or sharing insights on a subject.
• Entertaining:  In some cases, the purpose of a presentation can be to entertain the audience. It can include delivering a keynote speech at a conference or event, performing a stand-up comedy routine, or using humor and storytelling to engage and captivate the audience.

Bonus:  10 Insanely Creative Presentation Ideas You Can Steal

11 Different Presentation Styles

To ensure that the presentation resonates with your audience, it’s crucial to understand the type of presentation. Let’s take a closer look at different presentation styles:

1. Educational

An educational presentation aims to teach or inform the audience about a specific subject or topic. It is usually structured around a clear learning objective or outcomes. It facilitates understanding, retention, and engagement with the presentation material.

You can include a range of visual aids like charts, graphs, images, or videos to illustrate and reinforce key concepts. This presentation style includes interactive elements like quizzes, activities, or group discussions to enable deeper learning.

Examples of educational presentations are lectures, workshops, training sessions, webinars, and e-learning modules.

2. Instructional 

An instructional presentation provides step-by-step guidance on how to perform a particular task or activity. The goal is to help the audience understand and follow instructions or procedures that will enable them to accomplish a goal or objective.

Instructional presentations typically involve clear and concise explanations of each step in the process, with visual aids such as diagrams, illustrations, or videos to help demonstrate the steps visually. You may also use props or other tools to help illustrate key concepts.

Instructional presentations include tutorials, how-to guides, product demonstrations, and training sessions for specific skills or processes.

Bonus: 10 Ideas For Impactful Presentation Openings

3. Motivational 

A motivational presentation inspires and energizes the audience, encouraging them to take action or adopt a particular mindset. The goal is to create excitement, enthusiasm, and empowerment in the audience, motivating them to strive for personal or professional success.

It features powerful storytelling, personal anecdotes, or quotes that convey a positive message or reinforce key themes. Visual aids such as slides, videos, or props can illustrate key points or create an emotional connection with the audience.

Keynote speeches, team-building events, and personal development workshops are examples of motivational presentations.

4. Persuasive 

A persuasive presentation convinces the audience to adopt a specific viewpoint. The goal is to persuade with a particular idea, product, or service. To create a persuasive presentation, identify and understand the needs and desires of the audience and tailor the content accordingly.

The presentation will often include a clear call to action with statistical data, case studies, testimonials, or other evidence to support the argument. Storytelling or personal anecdotes create an emotional connection with the audience and reinforce the key message.

A persuasive presentation can be for sales pitches, marketing presentations, and political speeches.

Bonus: Crafting Compelling Sales Pitches: A Step-by-Step Guide with Free Presentation Maker

5. Problem-Solving 

A problem-solving presentation identifies, analyzes, and solves a specific problem. It presents a clear and logical approach to solving a problem and gaining the audience’s buy-in and support for the proposed solution.

The content involves identifying and analyzing the root causes of a problem and proposing a viable solution. The presenter can use diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate the problem and proposed solution. It can also include a plan for implementing the solution and a timeline for achieving results.

Problem-solving presentations can be related to business proposals, project plans, and research reports.

Bonus:  5 Online Presentation Tools That Will Make Your Deck Stand Out

A visual presentation emphasizes the use of visual aids to convey information. It uses graphics, images, videos, or other visual elements to enhance the audience’s understanding and retention of the presented material.

Visual presentations can be in different forms – slideshows, videos, infographics, or posters. For those seeking to engage audiences with various design templates , leveraging such resources can significantly enrich your presentation’s visual storytelling. They communicate complex information quickly and clearly, or when you want to create a memorable and engaging experience.

You may use various techniques to create a visually appealing presentation, such as color schemes, typography, and layout design. You can use it for marketing campaigns, educational materials, and scientific presentations.

7.StoryTelling Presentation

Humans connect with stories. This presentation style weaves a narrative around your message, making it relatable and memorable. It captures the audience’s attention and makes complex concepts more relatable.

It’s a powerful presentation style for product launches, case studies, brand building, and social change initiatives.

8. Data-Driven Presentation

Numbers speak volumes. This presentation style heavily relies on charts, graphs, and other data visualizations to present complex information clearly and compellingly. Market research presentations and financial reports often utilize this approach.

Bonus: 8 AI Presentation Makers That Will Help You Win Over Your Audience

9. Live Demonstration Presentation

Show, don’t tell! This presentation style showcases a product, service, or process in action, allowing the audience to experience its value firsthand. 

You can show how something works or how to perform a task step-by-step.

Product demos, software walkthroughs, and scientific experiments are examples of this type of presentation.

10. Interactive Presentation

Interactive presentations encourage audience participation and engagement through polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, or group activities. They’re ideal for workshops, brainstorming sessions, or team-building events where collaboration and interactivity are essential.

Bonus: 7 Key Elements to Include in Your Sales Strategy Presentation

11. Status or Progress Report Presentation

Status and progress reports are vital tools for keeping stakeholders informed about project advancement, challenges, and next steps. But simply reciting data points won’t win over your audience. Crafting a compelling presentation is crucial to ensuring everyone stays invested and aligned.

Software development projects and marketing campaign needs this presentation style.

Simplified: Your Only Needed Presentation Maker

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The AI presentation maker enables you to create outstanding presentations in a few steps. Start by going to the Design Dashboard and clicking “Generate with AI.” Then, choose “AI Presentation,” input your presentation topic, and click “Generate.” The AI Presentation Maker will automatically create a visually appealing and customizable presentation in seconds.

Simplified indeed simplifies making presentations and is all you need to create a powerful and engaging presentation.

Simplified  is more than a Presentation Maker. It provides comprehensive solutions for all your content needs. You can plan,  write ,  design  posts,  edit videos ,  schedule ,  manage  multiple accounts from a single platform, publish content,  track metrics , and more. Simplified also has 1000s of built-in  graphic design templates  and  video templates  that make content creation a breeze. And the best part is all this is for free!

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6 Types of Presentation You Must Know (+ Tips)

Are you tired of giving the same old boring presentation, using the same format every time? Have you ever wondered if there are different types of presentations to achieve different objectives?

If any of these questions resonate with you, this blog is the perfect resource.

In today’s world, presentations are an essential part of almost every profession. At some point in your life, whether you are a student, business professional, or teacher, you will have to deliver a presentation. But do you know there are different types of presentations, each with a specific purpose and objective?

This blog will cover the six essential types of presentation that you should be familiar with. We will explain each type, its purpose, and some tips to deliver it effectively.

Let us delve into the different types of presentation and explore them together.

Why Do We Need Different Types of Presentations?

Different types of presentations effectively communicate ideas and information in a variety of settings and for different audiences. The purpose of a presentation can vary depending on the goals of the presenter and the needs of the audience. For example, a sales pitch may require a persuasive and visually appealing presentation to convince potential customers to buy a product, while a training session may need a more instructional and detailed approach.

The choice of presentation type depends on several factors, such as the purpose of the presentation, audience’s needs and preferences, and the presenter’s strengths and weaknesses. By selecting the appropriate type of presentation, the presenter can effectively communicate their message and achieve their desired outcome.

What are Different Types of Presentations?

To effectively communicate ideas and information, it is important to understand the different types of presentations that can be used for different purposes and audiences. Below is a list of different types of presentations:

Informative Presentations

Demonstrative presentations, persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, inspirational presentations, entertaining presentations.

Let’s explore them one by one:

Informative presentations, as the name implies, provide information or knowledge to the audience about a specific topic.

This type of presentation is often used in educational settings or business environments where information needs to be communicated clearly.

Tips for Creating Effective Informative Presentations:

• Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience is the key to creating an effective informative presentation. This means knowing their level of knowledge on the topic and what information will be most relevant and useful to them.
• Choose a Clear Topic: A clear and concise topic is essential for an informative presentation. This ensures that the audience understands the presentation’s focus and helps keep the content organized and easy to follow.
• Organize Your Content: Organizing your content into a logical structure can help to make the presentation easier to follow and understand. This means starting with an introduction, providing background information, and then moving into the main content of the presentation.

Demonstrative presentations are one of the many types of presentation methods that aim to show or demonstrate how something works or how a particular process is completed. 

These presentations are highly effective in technical or scientific fields but can also be used in other industries where hands-on demonstrations are necessary.

Tips for Creating Effective Demonstrative Presentations

• Choose the Right Props: Choosing the right props or models is essential for an effective demonstrative presentation. Ensure that the props accurately represent the topic and are easy to understand and use.
• Highlight Key Points: To make a demonstrative presentation effective, it is crucial to emphasize the critical points. This can help maintain the audience’s attention and concentration on the presented topic.
• Use Visual Aids: Incorporating visual aids like videos or images can significantly improve a demonstrative presentation. They can assist in simplifying intricate procedures or processes and increase audience engagement.

The purpose of persuasive presentations is to convince the audience to take a specific action or adopt a particular point of view. This type of presentation is focused on influencing the audience’s beliefs or behavior by presenting arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals.

These types of PowerPoint presentations are often used in sales, marketing, and advocacy, but they can also be used in other industries where persuasion is necessary.

The key to creating an effective persuasive presentation is to know your audience and tailor your message to their needs and interests.

Tips for Creating Effective Persuasive Presentations

• Use Emotional Appeals: Emotional appeals such as fear, guilt, or empathy can effectively persuade the audience. Ensure that your emotional appeals are relevant and not manipulative to the topic.
• Use Statistics and Facts: Using statistics and facts can add credibility to your persuasive presentation. Ensure that your statistics and facts are accurate and relevant to the topic.
• Use Stories: Using stories can be effective in persuading the audience. Stories can help to create an emotional connection with the audience and make your message more memorable.
• Provide a Clear Call to Action: Ensure your call to action is clear, actionable, and directly related to the topic.

Instructional presentations provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform a task or complete a process.

These presentations are often used in training, education, and technical fields.

Whether you’re teaching a new software program, demonstrating a manufacturing process, or explaining a complex concept, instructional presentations can be an effective tool for breaking down information into digestible pieces.

Tips for Creating Effective Instructional Presentations

• Identify Your Objectives: Identifying your objective is important for an effective instructional presentation. This helps you to focus your presentation on the most critical information and ensure that you are meeting the needs of your audience.
• Keep It Simple: Use simple language, avoid technical jargon, and break down complex procedures into manageable steps.
• Provide Examples: Use real-world examples relevant to your audience and demonstrate how the concepts or procedures can be applied.

Inspirational presentations are those types of presentations that aim to motivate, inspire, and uplift the audience. These presentation types are often used in business, education, and personal development.

These presentations are meant to help the audience see things from a new perspective, feel empowered to take action, and believe in their ability to make positive life changes.

Tips for Creating Effective Inspirational Presentations

• Use Personal Stories: Personal stories can help connect with the audience personally and inspire them to take action. Share your own experiences and struggles, and demonstrate how you overcame challenges and achieved success.
• Use Quotes and Examples: Using quotes and examples can help to reinforce your message and inspire the audience. Use quotes from influential personalities and provide examples of successful individuals who have achieved their goals.
• Provide Actionable Steps: Provide specific steps for the audience to achieve their goals and overcome challenges.

As the name suggests, entertaining presentations are meant to engage and captivate the audience with humor, storytelling, or other entertaining elements.

The primary goal of this type of presentation is to entertain the audience, leaving a lasting impression and making the presentation memorable.

Different types of PowerPoint presentations have specific goals, and entertaining presentations are often used in settings such as events, social gatherings, etc.

Tips for Creating Effective Entertaining Presentations

• Use Humor: Humor is a powerful tool that helps to engage and entertain the audience. Use jokes, puns, and witty remarks to add a touch of humor to your presentation.
• Tell a story: Use anecdotes, personal experiences, or fictional stories to create a narrative the audience can relate to.
• Use interactive elements: Incorporating interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and games can effectively interrupt the monotony of the presentation and enhance audience engagement. Use these elements to encourage audience participation and create a more dynamic experience.
• Practice timing: Timing is everything when it comes to entertaining presentations. Make sure your presentation is well-timed, and avoid going over time, as this can disrupt the flow of the presentation and cause the audience to lose interest.
• Engage the audience: Engage the audience throughout the presentation by asking questions, encouraging participation, and creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

READ MORE: 10 Practical Ways To Improve Your Presentation Skills Today

Wrapping It Up

Understanding the different kinds of presentations is crucial for delivering an impactful and compelling message. By knowing the forms of presentation and their specific goals, you can tailor your content and delivery to achieve your desired outcome.

Whether you’re looking to inform, demonstrate, persuade, instruct, inspire, or entertain, the key is to know your audience and engage them through your content and delivery. By implementing the tips for each type of presentation, you can create a powerful and engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Take the time to rehearse and refine your presentation to ensure you deliver it confidently and clearly.

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Presentation Types and Styles Explained

Table of Contents

From high school, then all through college, and now in the workplace — presentations have been a pillar of passing down knowledge to various audiences. 

But, what are presentations? 

They are a tool used to inform and educate audiences in a fun and informative way. 

Well, that is the simple way of explaining their purpose and meaning. 

We want to dig in deeper, and that is what this article will bring to you — a deeper understanding of different types and styles of presentation, so you never get overwhelmed or confused when you need to make a presentation. 

We will discuss: 

• Different types and styles of presentations,
• The purpose of using presentations in the workplace, and 
• How to utilize and recognize types and styles of presentations.

We will also show you: 

• Famous presenters for each style, 
• How you can use each presentation style, and
• A quote for each style to work as a useful reminder if you ever get confused.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

What are the purposes of presentations?

Sometimes, when a term is widely used, to the point where we subconsciously know the meaning and its purpose, it’s hard to pinpoint the true definition from memory. 

So, let’s start with the basics — what is the definition of presentations? 

Presentation is a manner of passing down knowledge from the speaker to the audience. A presentation can be a: 

• Demonstration,
• Lecture, or 
• Speech. 

The purpose of a presentation is whatever goal you set up to achieve. Those goals can be:

• To educate, 
• To persuade, and/or 
• To entertain.

According to LinkedIn’s article 4 goals for any speech, pitch or presentation , when you combine the goals we mentioned, your presentation will become powerful, meaningful, and impactful. The goals mentioned above are general and can be applied to any situation. Different types and styles of presentation can lead to different results. With the right type and style, you can: 

• Better your work and image with clients,
• Be more effective when presenting new ideas or solutions, and
• Ensure more progressive career growth.

These are only some of the business goals you can achieve with the right presentation type and presenting style. The more types and styles you try out, the more skillful you become, which helps you achieve your goals more efficiently.

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What are the different presentation types?

Presentation types illustrate the way you structure your presentation . 

We’ve mentioned the 4 purposes of presentations — every goal or purpose corresponds to a certain type. Before you can choose a structure, you need to answer the question “ What is the purpose of this presentation? ” 

And methods and techniques, which we’ll talk about later, help you maintain that structure.

Once you know what you want to achieve with your presentation, you can choose its type. 

Here’s what you need to know about each presentation type:

Type #1: Informative presentations 

Informative presentations are analytical and, as the name states, informative. With this type of presentation, your end goal is to inform and educate . 

Your audience only has to listen and soak up all the knowledge that is given by you. 

With this type of presentation, you can report on new findings and new data or deliver a lecture. 

Since the goal is to educate, your presentation must be precise and correct. Make sure that the information you are communicating has real value. When presenting, try to engage your audience with visuals of your data to help them understand.

Type #2: Persuasive presentations

To use persuasive presentations, you must answer the question “ What do I want my audience to do after listening to me ?”

The point of this type of presentation is to persuade your audience, change their minds, or offer a new point of view, so that they take action .

Persuasive presentation comes in handy if you are presenting a new product or a service and you want your audience to feel the urge to buy said product.

When you use this presentation type you must exude confidence, since you are your audience’s only source of information for your product. 

Type #3: Motivational presentations

You’ve probably heard of motivational speakers, and if you haven’t, here’s a quick crash course. Motivational presentations have a purpose to inspire and change people’s minds . 

Most people who use this type of presentation have a story to tell. These people use their own experiences as key points in their presentations to help the audience to relate to them. 

Since the goal is to inspire and change people’s minds, you have to have a powerful topic to discuss. 

Remember to cater to your audience and adjust your presentation to them and their level.

Type #4: Instructive presentations

Instructive presentation is technical, precise, and often longer than other types we mentioned. This type is here to offer instructions to an audience. 

So, if your goal is to explain step by step how to achieve a goal or do a task— an instructive presentation should be your choice. 

When you are delivering this type of presentation you need to make sure that every instruction is clear, understandable, and easy to follow.  

How to determine which presentation type you should use?

To choose the correct type for your presentation, you must determine your goal. Once you have your goals clear, it will be easy to see which type works best with your presentation. 

Here are some helpful questions that will help you to narrow it down to one type: 

• What do I want the audience to take away from my presentation?’
• What am I trying to give the audience? Is it information, a lecture, or a look into a new product/feature?
• What obstacles are keeping me from delivering my presentation effectively?

Determining the correct type for your presentation is a trial-and-error process. You will find that some types are more your speed, while others might give you trouble. But, keep in mind that the end goal should always be to give your audience what they came for. 

No matter which type you prefer, they all exist for a reason. Give them all a chance, and remember that practice makes perfect.

Presentation methods and techniques

When you define the type of your presentation, it’s time to get into methods and techniques for delivering a presentation. 

There are a lot of ways you can deliver your presentation, and here is our take on it. 

Presentation methods

A method is how you approach your problem . 

When it comes to presentation methods, we linked them with public speaking. Methods cover:

• How you choose to deliver your presentation and 
• How you structure your speech. 

Here are the 4 main methods:

Method #1: Impromptu or unscripted 

The impromptu method applies to speeches that are: 

• Not prepared , 
• Emotionally charged, and 
• ‘Given on the spot’. 

This method of speaking is purely done by improvising, so there are no written rules on how it should be done. 

Improvising and making up your speech as you go is not a wrong way to deliver your presentation. Still, instead of basing your entire speech on your ability to ramble on, incorporate this method in segments where you see fit or feel inspired to do so. 

Method #2: Memorizing 

The memorizing method implies that the speaker needs to know their speech word for word. 

It is mostly used in oratory contests for high school and college students. This method is difficult, and you would need to spend a lot of time reading and memorizing your text.

But, this method is the easiest when it comes to performance anxiety. Since the text is perfectly constructed and your only job is to memorize and relay it to the audience, it’s less nerve-racking. 

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The memorizing method, while being challenging at its core, can be freeing once the speaker is on stage. With this method, you can practice your body language to go with the text. And since the text is scripted and perfected, the speaker can move around the stage as they see fit.

Method #3: Extemporaneous

Extemporaneous is a synonym for impromptu and unscripted — so why is a synonym to a method we’ve already covered, now a completely new method? 

Well, that is because when it comes to the extemporaneous method, we think of a speaker that allows help during their performance . 

The extemporaneous method is a combination of the first two methods we mentioned. This method allows the speaker to prepare their speech and use notes and key points as an aid to keep on course. However, they will not learn their presentation by heart, but use their own words and speak in a conversational manner.

Method #4: Scripting 

The scripting method used to require a written speech from which the orator reads to the audience. Nowadays, we can see this method used by news outlets, with a teleprompter. 

So, to make use of this method, you need to write down your speech and read it proficiently to your audience. 

When it comes to in-person presentations and public speaking, this method is not the go-to. 

You shouldn’t spend the whole presentation just reading off of papers. When we present, we need to maintain eye contact and overall connection with the audience — and holding a piece of paper in front of the audience will get in the way of that connection.

Presentation techniques 

Presentation techniques are what you use before and during the presentation to make it compelling, informative, and easier to understand . 

Here are some of the techniques that we find quite useful: 

Technique #1: Practice

As a presenter, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly — and for that to happen, you need to practice. The key to giving the best presentation is to practice relentlessly. 

Some useful tips to help you make the most of your practice are to: 

• Practice in front of a friend. — Practicing in front of a friend will not only help you with performance anxiety, but a friend might also have some useful tips on how to perform better. 
• Film yourself practicing. — When you film yourself giving your presentation aloud, it will help you to get used to cameras and the spotlight. Also, the camera will capture every mistake you make, and from there you can see what needs to be worked on.
• Practice in the auditorium. — It will do you good if you can practice giving your presentation in a meeting room or the auditorium. If you practice in the place you will be presenting, you will get used to the space, and it will be familiar to you on the day of your presentation.

Technique #2: Use visuals 

There is no need to overwhelm your audience with endless blocks of text. Think about how you can transform the data or information into a simple visual . 

The important thing to remember is that your audience might not be on the same level of knowledge as you. So, use visuals to help them follow your point. 

Technique #3: Incorporate stories 

No matter how informative and to the point your presentation is, including a story that is illustrating your point can be very helpful to your audience. 

Not only is storytelling a great way to engage and entertain your audience, but it is also a great way to show how your information is relevant to real-world events.

If you are curious to see what more you can do to prepare for your presentation, check out our article: 

• How to prepare for a presentation: Your 9-step guide to a successful presentation

Technique #4: Incorporate appropriate style 

Your presentation style is how you choose to deliver your presentation as a speaker. Style builds on the methods we have mentioned earlier, and it comes down to how you choose to speak to your audience. You can be a storyteller or a coach to your audience, and with each style comes a different influence. 

Methods and techniques are a great starting point when you are approaching your presentation structure and topic. 

But, there are different styles of presentation that you also should consider before walking up to that stage. Let’s learn more about them.

What is a presentation style?

A style is your preferred way of doing things, and when it comes to presentations, a style is how you choose to deliver your speech . Everything from your vocabulary to your tone defines your presenting style. 

If you are not sure what your personal presentation style is, you can always pick and choose from the already-established styles. Those include: 

• Storyteller, 
• Instructor, 
• Closer, 
• Connector, 
• Coach, 
• Lessig style, and
• Visual style.

Let’s get into more detail about each one of them.

Style #1: The Storyteller

The storytelling style consists of a (usually personal) story or anecdote. 

This style is used when the presentation doesn’t have any data or numbers that need to be explained. 

You can use this style to emphasize your point and to easily relay your goal to the audience. 

The storytelling style is great for the beginning of the presentation, as it is there to capture the audience’s attention. 

Formality level for the Storyteller style: Low

Since this style uses the speaker’s personal experiences and anecdotes to help the audience relate to the topic easily, the language used is conversational. There is no need for any excessive formality , and the speaker can address the audience in a friendly and familiar tone.

The Storyteller style characteristics

What characteristics should you be aware of when you want to utilize this style? 

The vocabulary that storytellers use is simple and conversational. Think about how you tell a story to your friends, colleagues, or family. Once you have that in mind, becoming a storyteller on stage won’t be a problem. 

Since the formality level is low, there is no need to overcomplicate things or to use synonyms for words that already have simpler and more known versions. 

Your story should have an introduction, where you will introduce the problem. Then, you can move into the main plot point that explains your topic. And finally, you should have a conclusion where you can circle back to the beginning and where you will untangle the web you cast and leave your audience with a final thought.

The pros of the Storyteller style 

Now let’s look at some of the pros of this style: 

• It’s easy to follow. 
• It illustrates your problem and solution in a creative way.
• It’s relatable and, therefore, more influential to the audience.

The cons of the Storyteller style 

Here are the cons of being the storyteller type: 

• A story that’s too long or not interesting enough can leave your audience bored. 
• Getting too caught up in the story can make your presentation longer than it should be.

Who is the Storyteller style best suitable for?

This style is great if you want to truly connect with your audience and have them feel as if you speak to them, rather than at them. Many people don’t like to be lectured, and if you are trying to make a point or a message stick out, try out the storytelling style.

Famous presenter with the Storyteller style

The storytelling style is preferred among TED talk speakers. 

But, when we think of storytelling, one particular speaker comes to mind — Nick Vujicic. He overcame great obstacles and has learned how to take what’s best from life. So now, when he tries to spread his message of endurance, he puts his trust into the storytelling style and lets his emotions and experiences speak to his audience. 

Quote by Nik Vujicic that embodies the Storyteller style

“ What really matters are the lives you touch along the way and how you finish your journey .” ― Nick Vujicic

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Style #2: The Instructor

The instructing style of presenting shares some traits of the storytelling style. It still uses the power of metaphors to get the message across to the audience. 

But, the difference is that the instructing style has more of a commanding voice . The instructor can carefully align the story and the data in a logical and compelling manner, leaving the audience convinced and educated.

Formality level for the Instructor style: Medium

A lot of politicians use the Instructor style when they are trying to influence a larger crowd. Since this style has a higher formality level than the storytelling one, it allows the speaker to use more serious vocabulary and address the audience as superior. 

The Instructor style characteristics:

The Instructor’s style is characterized by logic and command. As we mentioned, the speaker who is fond of the Instructor’s style needs to be able to handle the facts and connect with the audience. 

So, the main characteristics of this style would be: 

• More formal use of language, 
• Commanding voice, and  
• Persuasive nature.

The pros of the Instructor style 

Let’s take a look at some of the pros of this style: 

• It helps get a complicated message across. 
• It’s persuasive. 
• It’s fairly easy to use. 

The cons of the Instructor style 

Here are some of the cons to be aware of: 

• The speaker could be deemed distant or cold. 
• The audience can lose interest if the presentation is too focused on pure data. 

Who is the Instructor style best suitable for?

This style is great if the speaker has a complicated topic to discuss with a less knowledgeable audience. This style is used mainly for lectures and political speeches. 

Famous presenter with the Instructor style

A famous presenter with the Instructor style is none other than the former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore. He uses metaphors, data, his own personal experience, and even visuals to bring complex issues closer to a wide audience.

Quote by Al Gore that embodies the Instructor style

“ When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have neither, holler. ” — Al Gore

Style #3: The Closer style

The Closer style of presenting is a style that demands action from the audience . Presenters who opt for this style want their audience to not only learn something new but to get up from their seats with a newfound urge to make a change. 

This style is a personification of a call to action. The presentations made in this style are short, since the speaker has a goal in mind. They then use this style to convincingly reach said goal.

Formality level for the Closer style: Medium

This style is a great tool to connect with the audience. So, to make a connection between the speaker and the audience, the formality level drops. But instead of treating the audience as friends, the speaker simply talks to them. 

The Closer style characteristics

The Closer style is persuasive and somewhat commanding. People who are fond of the Closer style cut right to the chase and make their audience get to a decision. With this presentation style, there are no boring statistics or data. The key points are clear and delivered with a short and clear explanation.

The pros of the Closer style 

Here are some of the pros of the Closer style: 

• The presentation is short.
• The Closer is confident and knows how to deliver a point.
• The audience rarely gets bored with this style.

The cons of the Closer style 

Take a look at some of the cons of this style: 

• Some audiences aren’t ready to make a quick decision.
• Some audiences might feel that this style is too harsh or rash.

Who is the Closer style best suitable for? 

The Closer style is best to use when you need your audience to make a decision or to give them the urge to make things happen. 

This style is mainly used by CEOs and salesmen.

Famous presenter with the Closer style

Many presenters use this style, but the one that stands out the most is the philosopher Ruth Chang. She has delivered great presentations on how to make hard decisions. She keeps her presentations short, sweet, and straight to the point. 

Quote by Ruth Chang that embodies the Closer style

“A world full of only easy choices would enslave us to reasons.” — Ruth Chang

Style #4: The Connector style

The Connector style speaker is most comfortable engaging with the audience . Some could say that the storytelling style is very similar to the Connector in that sense. Both styles base their presentations on the connection with the audience. The difference here is that the Connector is both a presenter and a member of the audience — and they are comfortable in both roles. 

This style of presentation (as the name suggests) allows the speaker to connect to the audience, and therefore deliver the materials easier. One way that this style connects the speaker and the audience is through Q&A.

Formality level for the Connector: Low 

Since this style’s main purpose is to connect the speaker to the audience, the formality level is low. The speaker appears as one of the audience, even though they are on stage. To keep the audience engaged and get them to ask questions, the Connector treats the audience as friends and acquaintances. 

The Connector style characteristics

The user of this style needs to appear as if they are one of the members of the audience, but they just happen to be on the stage instead in a seat. One of the main characteristics that stand out for this style is the eagerness of the speaker to engage with the audience. When a speaker is a Connector, they will constantly ask questions and listen to the audience’s opinions.

The pros of the Connector style

Let’s take a look at the pros of this style: 

• The audience is engaged and encouraged to participate.
• The presentation flows at a relaxed pace.
• The audience feels connected to the subject.

The cons of the Connector style

• Audience might not be comfortable with asking questions.
• The presentation might be longer than planned. 
• Too many opinions will derail the presentation.

Who is the Connector style best suitable for?

The great thing about the Connector style is that it can be used in any presentation and any setting. Since the main goal of this style is to connect the speaker and the topic with the audience, there are no rules or limits as to where it can and where cannot be used.

Famous presenter with the Connector style

Padraig Hyland is a TED Talk speaker and a specialist in audience engagement, so it is only natural that he uses the Connector style. He has delivered countless speeches on how to be a great presenter and how to connect with any audience.

Quote by Padraig Hyland that embodies the Connector style

“ To successfully navigate the current disruption, organizations need to nourish their authentic leadership voice and create a new story that engages their people on the journey .” — Padraig Hyland

Style #5: The Coach style

What is a coach? In every sense of the word, a coach is a person who guides you, teaches you, and helps you achieve your goals. 

It is the same with the coaching style. The person who uses this style guides their audience with their own enthusiasm for the subject. The Coach style is mainly used in motivational speeches, as it allows the coaches to interact with the audience and share knowledge on a topic they feel passionate about.

Formality level for the Coach style: Medium

The Coach style serves as a guide . It gives the speaker freedom to use their knowledge and personal experience to drive the audience to feel the same passion about the subject as the speaker does. To achieve that level of familiarity with the audience, the formality level drops, and the speaker talks to the audience as a teacher and, well, as a coach would.

The Coach style characteristics

The Coach style allows the speaker to guide their audience from point A to point Z, through knowledge and passion, which makes the presentation interactive and informative. 

This style of presentation can be seen in motivational speeches, lectures, and speeches delivered by sports coaches. The main characteristic that follows this style is that it is delivered by enthusiastic speakers.

The pros of the Coach style 

Here are some of the pros of this style to look into: 

• It allows the speaker to connect to the audience through enthusiasm. 
• Presentations in this style are interactive and engaging. 
• It gives the audience step-by-step instructions on the topic.

The cons of the Coach style 

Let’s examine some of the cons: 

• The speaker’s passion can be overwhelming to the audience.
• The speaker can forget to ask for feedback . 

Who is the Coach style best suitable for?

The Coach style, since it serves as a guide, is commonly used by motivational speakers and in self-help presentations. 

They tend to choose this presentation style because it allows them to connect with the audience while still delivering a detailed step-by-step on the topic they are discussing.

Famous presenter with this style

There are a lot of motivational speakers today that are a fan of the Coach style, but the one that caught our attention is Mel Robbins. She is a lawyer and a motivational speaker that helps her audience to form healthy habits and attain discipline to achieve their goals.

Quote by Mel Robbins that embodies the Coach style

“ You have been assigned this mountain so you can show others that it can be moved .” — Mel Robbins

Style #6: The Lessig style

If you are in a time crunch, but you have a lot of material to cover, then the Lessig style is the perfect style for you. 

The Lessig style was invented by Lawrence Lessig, and it states that a speaker should spend only 15 seconds on each slide or point during a presentation . This style usually agrees very well with the visual style. 

Since not all presentations have slides, this style cannot be used with any type of presentation. However, if you have too many slides and too many points to make, then the Lessig style can help you use your time slot well.

Formality level for the Lessig style: Depends

The Lessig style is not a style of speaking per se, but a style for presentation time management . So, the formality of the language you use will be up to you and your topic. You can decrease or increase the formality level and the Lessig style would still be the same.

The Lessig style characteristics

The main characteristic of this style is that it includes slides or at least some visual aid. 

This style is also the one that is not concerned with your verbal cues and style of speaking. If you choose to try out this style you can combine it with any of the styles we previously mentioned.

The pros of the Lessig style 

Here are the pros of this style: 

• It’s easy to use. 
• It helps you keep track. 
• It saves time.

The cons of the Lessig style

Here are some of the cons of this style: 

• It is not applicable to presentations without slides. 
• Sometimes the suggested 15-second rule isn’t enough. 
• The presentation may feel rushed or unfinished.

Who is the Lessig style best suitable for?

The Lessig style bases its rules on slides and visual aids, so it’s best suitable for presentations that consist of slides. The topics for this style are endless, and it is up to the speaker to see where this style works best in their presentation.

The most logical choice is, of course, the founder of this style — Lawrence Lessig, a lawyer and a political activist. 

Quote by Lawrence Lessig that embodies the Lessig style

“ Technology means you can now do amazing things easily .” — Lawrence Lessig

Style #7: The Visual style

Presentations can be all about the slides, data, or videos, and there are also powerful presentations that are delivered with only the speaker on the stage. But, technology is not something to shy away from . There are great advantages to using technology and feeding your audience with visuals that will support your claims. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. 

Formality level for the Visual style: Depends

The formality of this style doesn’t depend on the visuals used, but on the speaker and the topic. The great thing about the visual style is that it can be used with almost any topic and type of data. So, when using this style of presentation, you can choose the level of formality you feel comfortable with.

The Visual style characteristics

The Visual presentation style’s main characteristics are the visuals, as the name suggests. The visuals can be anything from a picture, video, or creatively shown data and statistics. 

This style can be used together with any other style that we mentioned, as long as you add some pictures or other visual elements.

The pros of the Visual style 

Here are the pros of the Visual style: 

• Visuals help the audience understand the presentation better — sometimes, they can illustrate your point better than your own words. 
• Visuals can help you move your presentation forward. 

The cons of the Visual style 

Here are some of the cons of the Visual style: 

• Overusing visuals in your presentation can take focus away from you. 
• Visuals can be redundant. 

Who is the Visual style best suitable for?

If you are creative enough or confident enough to not let the glamor of visuals take over your spotlight, you can incorporate visuals into any workplace presentation. Visuals can be helpful almost everywhere, and they can aid your audience if the topic is too complicated for them to follow.

Famous presenter with the Visual style

One of the best visual presenters is Steve Jobs. He was one of the founders of Apple, and every year he used to give a great visual presentation or a rundown of Apple’s new product releases.

Quote by Steve Jobs that embodies the Visual style

“ For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through .” — Steve Jobs

How to determine which presentation style to use?

If you are wondering which style to use, first you need to ask yourself what kind of audience will be attending your presentation . Once you have an idea of who you will be talking to, you can start to think about your presentation style. 

Also, you need to know what is the purpose of your presentation and what you wish to achieve. 

Beyond that, try out different styles until you find the one you are comfortable with.

Collaborate easily with Pumble — Even when creating presentations

If you’re working on a presentation with your colleagues — no matter what type of a presentation it might be — you’ll probably find yourself in need of an efficient communication tool. 

Luckily, Pumble, a team communication app , makes your collaboration more simple and efficient, while keeping communication lines open at all times. 

Here are all the ways Pumble can help you create various types of presentations:

• Thanks to the voice call feature, you can stay connected to your colleagues while you work together on the presentation. 
• If there is a problem you have to address , you can always give them a quick video call and share your screen with them so you can brainstorm or problem-solve together. 
• If you need a second (or third, fourth, etc.) opinion , you can always ask for it on some of the Pumble channels . 
• If you have to provide further explanations or continue the discussion without cramming the channel space, you can continue your conversation in threads or reach out to particular colleagues via direct messages .   

Finally, one of the best things about Pumble is that you can never lose important information or shared files because it has unlimited history . 

Jana Pavlovic is a communication author and researcher. She enjoys educating herself and others on various team collaboration and technology topics. She found that working from home in a hybrid-type company is her perfect combination for work-life balance, and she’s eager to share her new-found knowledge with you.

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7 Different Types of Presentation

The passionate art of presentation – where you stand in front of an audience, take a deep breath, and talk about something you’ve prepared on. It can be on anything and everything under the sun – the global economic crisis, the history of the Renaissance, a story of how you overcame hardships in life, you name it. These are all presentations, yet each of them is a different kind. So, exactly how many kinds of presentations are there?

If you’re someone who truly wishes to master the art of presentation, it is quite important that you learn in-depth about each and every one of these 7 styles. In this article, we’ll cover all of these in detail so that you’ll know exactly which techniques to apply and go about for each one. Are you ready to be a master of presentations? Let’s begin.

In-depth Look Into The 7 Different Types of Presentation

Without making you wait, let’s jump right into the 7 different types of presentation that we mentioned previously and see how each one is unique in its own way.

1) Educational Presentations

Use Cases: To present new or existing ideas, share ground-breaking research, and discuss innovative concepts.

Tone: Informative, engaging, inspiring.

Often, you’ll see these kinds of presentations being used in academic settings such as conferences, lectures, and seminars. We’re sure you must have sat through quite a few of these presentations during your time at school or university. The idea of these presentations is to share knowledge, provide information, and also inspire the audience to learn something new. 

Examples of educational presentations:

2) Instructional Presentations

These presentations are designed in such a way that they help your audience learn how to perform specific tasks or achieve a particular goal. You’ll often see these being used in workshops, training sessions, and even tutorials. The instructor will give detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to do something, and the audience is expected to follow along. 

Key things to keep in mind while delivering instructional presentations:

3) Motivational Presentations

Tone: Informative, uplifting, emotional.  

A lot of corporate events and personal development seminars use this particular type of presentation to get their message across. If used properly, it’s quite effective in getting a call to action across to your audience. 

Examples of motivational presentations: 

4) Problem-Solution Presentations

You can find these kinds of presentations usually used in business meetings, science conferences, and sometimes also in political debates (such as the election face-off between the presidential candidates), where they identify problems and argue for solutions.

5) Progress Presentations

Tone: Informative, precise, forward-looking.

Most business managers and project teams use these progress presentations to keep everyone updated on what’s been happening. It helps a lot in managing expectations and making sure everyone’s on the same page.

6) Story-telling Presentations

Use Cases: To share personal experiences, narrate historical events, or even tell a story that conveys a particular message.

There’s really no particular place where these presentations are seen more. From classrooms to corporate seminars, and even in casual social gatherings, you’ll see story-telling presentations connecting with people.

Examples of story-telling presentations:

7) Visual Presentations

When it comes to scientific research, market analysis, or even something like architectural design, you need to use visual presentations to break it down and make it easy to understand for your audience. Even for fields like graphic design and photography, these presentations ensure that your work speaks for itself.

Key things to keep in mind while delivering visual presentations:

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions (faqs), q.1. what is the most common type of presentation.

A. Educational or Informative presentations are usually the most common types of presentations that you’ll find. This is because from primary school onwards, you’re exposed to these presentations almost every single day from your teachers!

Q.2. Which is the hardest type of presentation?

A. The hardest presentation is subjective because it depends on your skills as a presenter and also on the topic that you’re speaking about. Generally speaking, motivational presentations are considered pretty hard because you have to connect deeply with your audience, which requires a lot of experience to do well.

Q.3. How to give a good presentation?

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5 Unique Types Of Presentation - Which Suits Your Purpose Best

Table of contents.

In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication has become an indispensable skill. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or on a global stage, the way we present our ideas can make all the difference. While traditional presentations certainly have their place, it’s essential to explore new and innovative approaches to captivate your audience and convey your message with impact.

In this blog of the art of presentation, we will journey beyond the conventional, shedding light on five types of presentations that show the way we share information, tell stories, and engage our audience. Each of these presentation types harnesses the power of creativity, technology, and human connection to leave a lasting impression and drive meaningful change.

Why Are Different Presentation Styles Needed?

Different types of presentation styles are needed because they serve diverse purposes, engage various audiences, and are suited to specific situations. Here are several reasons why various styles are necessary:

Audience Diversity

Audiences vary in terms of their interests, knowledge levels, and preferences. Some may respond better to data-driven informative presentations, while others may be more receptive to inspirational or entertaining presentations. Using different styles allows you to cater to the needs and preferences of different audience groups.

Communication Objectives

Different presentations serve different communication goals. Informative presentations aim to educate, persuasive presentations aim to convince, and motivational presentations aim to engage and inspire. Using the appropriate style aligns your presentation with your specific objectives.

Content Complexity

The complexity of the content being presented may dictate the presentation style. Complex technical information might require a demonstrative or how-to style, while a simple and emotionally charged message may be best conveyed through an inspirational or storytelling approach.

Engagement and Retention

Varied presentation types help keep audiences engaged and improve information retention. Mixing up presentation formats prevents monotony and boredom, making it more likely that your audience will stay focused and remember the key talking points.

Context and Setting

The context and setting of a presentation matter. A formal business presentation may require a more structured and data-driven approach, while a casual team meeting might benefit from interactive discussions. Adapting your style to the context enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

Audience Feedback

Presenters often adjust their styles based on audience feedback. If you notice that your audience is disengaged or confused, you may choose to switch to a different style or incorporate more interactive elements to address their concerns and create genuine interest.

Cultural and Regional Differences

Different styles can also be influenced by cultural and regional norms. What works in one culture may not be as effective in another. Being aware of these differences and adapting your style accordingly is essential for effective cross-cultural communication.

Technology and Innovation

As technology evolves, new styles and tools emerge. Virtual reality presentations, for example, have become increasingly popular for their immersive qualities. Staying up-to-date with technological advancements can open up new possibilities for engaging your audience.

Personal Style and Strengths

Every presenter has their own strengths and preferences. Some may excel at delivering data-driven presentations, while others may be more comfortable with inspirational or interactive styles. Adapting your style to your strengths can enhance your confidence and impact.

What Are The Different Types Of Presentations?

Educational/informative presentations.

The educational or informative presentation types are meant to provide the audience with new information about a topic. They aim to educate and enhance the audience’s understanding of the subject matter. These presentations often use visual aids such as charts, graphs and data to support the information being shared.

Instructional Presentations

An instructive presentation, often referred to as a how-to presentation, is a type of presentation that is designed to teach the audience a specific skill, provide step-by-step guidance on completing a task, or impact knowledge on a particular topic. The primary purpose of this presentation method is to facilitate learning and help the audience acquire new information or abilities. These are often used in training with new employees to give them a better understanding of a job they are expected to do.

Motivational Presentations

A motivational presentation aim to entertain, motivate or inspire the audience. They may include storytelling, humour, and emotional appeals to engage and uplift the audience. This inspirational presentation style is often seen in speeches with motivational speakers, at TED Talks or keynote addresses.

Persuasive Presentations

A persuasive presentation is designed to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take specific actions, or make decisions in line with the presenter’s goals. They often involve the use of compelling arguments, emotional appeals, and persuasive techniques to sway the audience’s opinions.

Progress Presentations

The progress presentation method is a type of presentation that provides an update on the status, development or advancement of a project, task or any ongoing work. These presentations are usually delivered at regular intervals throughout the duration of a project to inform stakeholders, team members or decision makers about the current state of affairs.

What Are The Benefits To Using Different Types Of Presentations?

Using different types of presentations has several benefits, depending on the context, audience and goals of your presentation. Here are some advantages of incorporating diverse presentation styles:

Audience Engagement and Response

Varying presentation styles cater to different audience preferences. By adapting your style to the preferences of your audience, you can capture their attention more effectively, and keep the audience thinking throughout your presentation. Varied presentations types allow you to convey information from multiple angles, making it easier for the audience to grasp complex concepts. Some people may respond better to visual aids, while others prefer interactive discussions or storytelling.

Improved Quality And More Memorable

Different presentation styles can stimulate different parts of the brain, which can enhance memory retention. Engaging visuals, emotional storytelling, and interactive activities can all contribute to better recall of your message.

Having a repertoire of presentation types makes you a more versatile and adaptable communicator. You can choose the style that best fits the message, situation, and audience, increasing the chances of successful communication.

You Can Adapt To Connect With The Nature Of The Topic

Different situations require different approaches. Whether you’re giving a formal business presentation, a training workshop, or a casual team meeting, choosing the appropriate style helps you align with the context and achieve your goals effectively.

Are There Only 5 Types Of Presentation?

No, we’ve simply selected the most common types we see. The five most common types of presentations— educational/informative, instructional, motivational, persuasive, and progress—are popular because they serve fundamental communication needs and are versatile in various contexts.

These five presentation styles are the most popular because they address fundamental communication objectives and cater to diverse audience needs. Their versatility allows presenters to adapt to various situations, whether it’s delivering critical information, influencing decisions, inspiring change, teaching skills, or fostering collaboration. Additionally, these styles can be combined or customized to suit specific goals and audiences, further contributing to their widespread use and popularity.

Wrapping Things Up On Types Of Presentations

Learning and using different presentations can be a valuable skill for personal growth and professional development. It challenges you to become a more versatile and effective communicator. By choosing the right style for your message and audience, you can maximize the impact of your presentations and impactful presentations are more likely to achieve their intended goals.

In summary, the benefits of using different types of presentations lie in their ability to make your communication more effective, engaging, and adaptable. Being able to switch between styles allows you to connect with various audiences, convey your message more convincingly, and achieve better outcomes in your personal and professional endeavours.

As we conclude our journey through these versatile approaches, it becomes abundantly clear that the power of presentation lies not just in what we say, but how we say it.

Each presentation style, in its uniqueness, encapsulates a facet of the human experience—a story to tell, a lesson to learn, a cause to champion, a skill to acquire, or a problem to solve. While the styles themselves are distinct, they are not mutually exclusive; they interweave and overlap, offering a rich tapestry of communicative tools for us to master.

So, as you embark on your next presentation, remember the versatile repertoire at your disposal. Tailor your approach to your objectives, your audience, and the unique message you wish to convey. Embrace the power of creativity, technology, and human connection. For in the realm of presentations, it is not merely the words spoken or the slides displayed that matter most; it is the lasting impact etched into the hearts and minds of those who bear witness.

What Ever Type Of Presentation You Need, Create It With The Geeks!

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If you’re looking for a design agency to take your presentations off your hands, work with the geeks at Presentation Geeks and be sure that the slide deck will exceed your expectations!

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8 Types of Presentations and Examples of When You Can Use Them

Presentations help you communicate ideas in a simple way that sticks with your target audience. here’s what you need to know to have success with all types of presentations..

For your presentation to be effective, you need to choose the right format and recognize the nuances of each one. Here’s a look at eight types of presentations you can use to share your knowledge.

8 Types of Presentations

1. Providing Information

The primary purpose of any type of presentation is to provide information to an audience. The difference between this method and others is that there are many elements you have to consider in order to be effective. That includes slide design , talking points, and usually, a time limit.

2. Teaching

When you’re educating, use several examples to illustrate your points. If your audience doesn’t understand something you’re talking about, give them specific examples so they can see for themselves what you mean.

Repetition is key when you teach a new concept. It’s important to include a variety examples throughout your slide deck to reinforce your information. This helps combat your audience getting bored or tired from hearing the same thing over and over again.

3. Reporting

You can use presentations when reporting by showing research findings and conclusions. The most important thing to remember is that you need to design your slides to highlight your most critical data. That way, your audience will walk away understanding its high points.

It’s important to know your audience before you jump into your presentation and start selling. Research must be the first step of the process, so you can design a presentation that speaks to your people.

Also, be sure to not overwhelm yourself or others by packing too much information into one slide.

5. Problem-Solving

While it’s a less common use case, you can also use presentations to sort out problems. This is especially useful when you’re working with a team. It acts as a simple way to get everyone on the same page before making a decision.

6. Decision Making

Once you come to an agreement that something is an issue and discover some ways to solve it, there are still choices you need to make. You can use presentations to explore and explain different options before you finalize your next step forward.

7. Entertaining

Creating a presentation with entertainment in mind is a nice way to break up any potential monotony and deliver important information, at the same time.

The entertainment factor doesn’t necessarily have to be goofy or fun, but it should be compelling for the audience and capture their attention. Visuals are particularly important here.

8. Motivational

Stories are good tools for bringing any message home. Use personal anecdotes and examples that illustrate points. This will help people remember your message when they need it most, and it also makes it easier for the audience to connect with you.

3 Presentation Use Cases

Want to take your information and put it in presentation format for your audience? Before you start, use these examples to gain inspiration.

1. Business Presentation Examples

Business presentations don’t have to be boring. Take these tips to wow your colleagues and your audience. 

Conferences

There are many different companies and ideas competing for attention at conferences. Use storytelling and bold design choices to stand out.

Raising Awareness

Getting a new initiative going in an organization is no easy feat. Use a presentation to fill in stakeholders on what you want to do and get their approval.

Sales Decks

Selling has a direct impact on revenue goals, so it’s critical for your presentation to support that. Include questions, pain points, and supporting data to let your potential customers know you “get” them.

2. Presentation Ideas for Kids and Students

Education requires a lot of listening and absorbing information. Help kids and students show what they know with these presentation formats.

All About Them

For younger or new students, this is an easy presentation idea. They can create slides that explain details about themselves to learn the art of public speaking. It also helps their peers get to know them better.

Charts and Graphics

Facts and data play a key role in understanding a concept. However, keeping track of them all can be intimidating. Take them through the process of communicating complex ideas visually, with this presentation idea for students.

Storytelling

Stories are an important part of early learning but, eventually, we all learn there’s a place for stories outside of a book. Students and kids can create presentations that focus on this skill.

3. Virtual Presentation Ideas

Virtual presentations are more prevalent than ever, but engaging an audience when you aren’t in the same room isn’t easy.

If you’re sharing ideas with a group, make it interactive by giving a workshop-style presentation. Be sure to leave room to ask and answer questions, as well as save space for group discussions.

Ask Me Anything

The question and answer format is a popular presentation type, but you can add even more interest with slides. Use images, fonts , and colors that are on brand and increase engagement. 

Information and Gamification

Gamification results in 14% higher scores on skill-based assessments. To amplify people’s understanding of the concepts you present, use gamification throughout your slide deck.

How to Put Together Presentation Ideas without PowerPoint

If you’re looking for creative presentation ideas without PowerPoint , Shutterstock Create’s slideshow presentation maker is easy to use. Our designer-crafted templates are super-simple to customize and make your own in just a few clicks. 

We have thousands of graphics in a multitude of styles, shapes, and sizes you can use to create designs that others will notice. We also offer gorgeous stock photos to help you communicate exactly what you need to with each visual. Everyone has something to teach, now it’s your turn. Use these ideas to create all types of presentations and communicate effectively.

Need some more presentation inspo? We’ve got you covered:

• How to Make a Professional Video Presentation
• 10 Fun “Presentation Night” Ideas
• Google Slides vs. PowerPoint: Which Is Best to Make a Slideshow?

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6 Different Types of Presentations

Everyone from those who present in front of large audiences on a stage to managers who need to pitch their ideas to co-workers can improve their delivery and impact of their message.

6 Types of Presentations:

1) Providing Information. This format encompasses anything from a team meeting that gives updates on a project or upcoming event to a demonstration that shows product functions.

2) Teaching a Skill. Your company just installed a new system or implemented a new process that requires people to learn how to use the new tool and apply the process.

3) Reporting Progress. As you integrate the new system into your daily routine, your boss wants to know how it’s working. You might schedule a divisional meeting or group off-site to share the progress.

4) Selling a Product or Service. A briefing like this might include a recap of the product or service, next steps and action items, or a discussion of needs and improvements before the product is ready to sell.

For these examples and more, attend our Presentation Skills Workshop

5) Making a Decision. It’s time for the annual holiday party and ideas are being tossed around the office. When giving your input on the location, make sure to share the must-haves and nice-to-haves for the event. When it’s time for the final decision, you can see how your idea stacks up to the other options.

6) Solving a Problem. This could be in a panel setting or other meeting where the problem is identified, the facts of the problem are presented and a list of causes is generated. From here, you lay out the ideal outcome, present solutions and discuss your recommendation.

With any presentation, know your objectives. If your purpose is to inform or update, you will most likely use one of the first three types of presentations. On the other hand, if you’re on a mission to persuade someone, use one of the last three presentation types. Not every presentation has to mold itself into a traditional presentation; it can be an interview, status report, program, pitch, speech or demonstration, for example.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in November 2014 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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8 Popular Presentation Types You Should Be Using [+7 Presentation Styles]

Table of Contents

Presentations play a vital role in communication, serving as essential tools for conveying information and messages to audiences, whether it’s for individuals, businesses, or professionals. They are used to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, and introduce new ideas or products.

Presentations encompass demonstrations, introductions, lectures, or speeches that serve diverse purposes in various spheres, such as education from high school to college and in professional settings, to impart knowledge to different audiences. Given the distinct contexts and objectives, understanding the range of presentation types becomes crucial, enabling one to choose the most fitting approach for a specific setting, audience, and ultimate objective, effectively communicating to achieve the desired results.

This article will explore eight widely used presentation types, which you can effectively employ based on your specific objectives, and seven presentation styles to enhance your overall delivery.

Why Should You Learn About Different Presentation Types

Learning about different presentation types is essential for several reasons:

1. Tailor Your Message

Knowing various presentation styles helps you customize your content for different audiences, ensuring your message resonates with their interests and preferences.

2. Achieve Specific Goals

Each type of presentation serves distinct purposes, such as informative or persuasive presentations, allowing you to target specific objectives precisely.

3. Enhance Communication Skills

Familiarity with diverse presentation types improves your overall communication abilities, including organizing information, delivering it clearly, and engaging your audience effectively.

4. Boost Creativity and Innovation

Understanding different styles encourages you to experiment with unique approaches, using storytelling, interactive elements, or multimedia to create memorable experiences for your audience.

5. Gain a Broader Perspective

Exposure to various presentation techniques offers insights into effective communication strategies, inspiring continuous improvement and refinement of your skills.

6. Personal and Professional Growth

Learning about different presentation types is an investment in your development as a communicator, making you a more valuable asset in any setting that requires impactful communication.

7. Confident and Memorable Presentations

By leveraging the right presentation type, you can deliver confident, compelling, and memorable presentations that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

8 Popular Presentation Types You Should Know in 2023

Learning and understanding different presentation types is crucial for effective communication and engagement with diverse audiences. Here are eight popular presentation types you should know:

1. Informative Presentations

Informative presentations are a common type of communication designed to provide valuable information, facts, and insights to the audience. The primary goal is to educate and enhance the audience’s knowledge on a specific topic or subject matter. These presentations are widely used in various settings, including academic environments, corporate training sessions, conferences, and public events.

An effective informative presentation should be well-organized and structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The presenter should thoroughly research the topic, gather relevant data, and present it in a compelling and easy-to-understand manner. Visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and images, can enhance the audience’s understanding and retention of the information.

The success of an informative presentation depends on the presenter’s ability to engage the audience, maintain their interest, and deliver the content clearly and concisely. It is essential to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information and instead focus on delivering key points that are relevant and impactful.

Informative presentations are crucial in disseminating knowledge, raising awareness, and fostering learning among diverse audiences. They are valuable tools for sharing expertise, addressing complex issues, and building credibility and authority in various fields.

2. Persuasive Presentations

Persuasion is an art through which an individual influences the opinions, thoughts, and actions of others. Persuasive presentations are designed to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take specific action, or support a particular idea, product, or cause. The primary goal is to influence the audience’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors through compelling arguments and emotional appeal. These presentations are commonly used in sales pitches, marketing campaigns, political speeches, and advocacy efforts.

An effective persuasive presentation should have a strong and persuasive message supported by evidence, examples, and compelling stories. The presenter must understand the audience’s needs, values, and concerns and tailor the presentation to address them effectively. Visual aids and rhetorical devices can be employed to enhance the persuasive impact of the message.

Engaging the audience and building trust is critical in persuasive presentations. Presenters should establish credibility, demonstrate expertise, and use compelling language to build rapport with the audience. It is essential to acknowledge opposing viewpoints and address potential objections to strengthen the compelling argument.

Persuasive presentations can influence opinions, drive action, and bring about meaningful change. They require effective communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect with the audience on a personal level.

3. Demonstration Presentations

Demonstration presentations are a type of presentation whose main objective is to show the audience how something works or how to perform a specific task. The presenter typically showcases a product, a process, or a skill through live action, step-by-step instructions, or interactive exercises. These presentations are common in training sessions, product launches, and educational settings.

The success of a demonstration presentation relies on clear and concise communication. The presenter must break down complex processes into easily understandable steps and use visual aids, such as videos, slides, or physical props, to enhance the demonstration. Hands-on experiences or audience participation can also be incorporated to make the presentation more engaging and memorable.

The key to a compelling demonstration presentation is to make it practical and relatable to the audience’s needs and interests. Presenters should anticipate questions, provide troubleshooting tips, and ensure that the audience leaves with a clear understanding of the demonstrated concept or skill. A well-executed demonstration presentation can leave a lasting impression on the audience and foster a deeper connection between the presenter and the attendees.

4. Storytelling Presentations

Storytelling presentations are a powerful and engaging way of delivering information or ideas using narratives and storytelling techniques. Instead of relying solely on data and facts, storytelling presentations use compelling stories to connect with the audience on an emotional level and convey the message effectively.

In storytelling presentations, the presenter crafts a narrative that follows a structured plot, including a beginning, middle, and end. The story often revolves around relatable characters, real-life experiences, or hypothetical scenarios. The goal is to captivate the audience’s attention, evoke emotions, and make the content memorable.

Storytelling presentations are widely used in various contexts, including business pitches, marketing campaigns, educational presentations, motivational presentations, and public speaking events. They are particularly effective for conveying complex ideas, influencing decisions, and building strong connections with the audience.

To create an impactful storytelling presentation, presenters must identify the central message they want to convey and build a story that supports and reinforces that message. A well-crafted storytelling presentation can leave a lasting impression, inspire action, and make the information more relatable and relevant to the audience.

5. Interactive Presentations

Interactive presentations are a dynamic and engaging way of involving the audience in the presentation process. Unlike traditional one-way presentations, interactive presentations encourage active participation and feedback from the audience, making the experience more memorable and effective.

Presenters use various tools and techniques to interact with the audience in interactive presentations. This can include polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, live demonstrations, interactive slides, and audience participation activities. Presenters can gauge their understanding, address specific questions or concerns, and tailor the content to suit the audience’s needs by involving the audience.

The benefits of interactive presentations are numerous. They promote better retention of information, increase audience engagement and attention, and foster a sense of collaboration between the presenter and the audience. Interactive presentations are particularly effective in educational settings, training workshops, team-building sessions, and events where audience interaction is crucial for the presentation’s success.

Presenters should carefully plan and design interactive elements to create a compelling interactive presentation to align with the presentation’s objectives and the audience’s preferences. This may include choosing appropriate technology tools, preparing interactive content, and maintaining a dynamic and approachable presentation style to encourage audience participation.

6. Multimedia Presentations

Multimedia presentations incorporate various forms of media elements, such as text, images, audio, video, animations, and interactive features. These presentations leverage technology to deliver information compellingly and engagingly, appealing to both visual and auditory senses.

The presenter combines different media elements in a multimedia presentation to create a seamless and coherent narrative. For example, slides with text and images may be interspersed with video clips, audio narration, or animations to illustrate key points or add emphasis. This multi-sensory approach enhances the audience’s understanding and retention of the content, making the presentation more memorable and impactful.

Multimedia presentations are commonly used in business settings for sales pitches, product launches, and marketing campaigns. They are also prevalent in educational environments for teaching complex concepts, conducting training sessions, and delivering online courses. Moreover, multimedia presentations are used in various events, conferences, and public speaking engagements to captivate the audience and convey information effectively.

To create a successful multimedia presentation, presenters must carefully select and integrate media elements that align with the presentation’s objectives. Additionally, attention should be given to the presentation’s design, flow, and timing to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing experience for the audience.

7. Pitch Presentations

Pitch presentations are concise and compelling presentations designed to persuade potential investors, clients, or stakeholders to take action, such as investing in a project, partnering with a company, or supporting a new idea. These presentations are commonly used in the business world – startup environments and entrepreneurial ventures to secure funding, form partnerships, or gain support for a business concept.

Pitch presentations typically follow a structured format, focusing on the problem the presenter aims to solve, the proposed solution or product, the market opportunity, and the potential return on investment. They are often delivered orally, supported by visual aids like slides or multimedia elements to enhance the message’s impact.

A successful pitch presentation requires clear and concise communication, showcasing the value proposition, unique selling points, and differentiation from competitors. Presenters must be confident, engaging, and well-prepared to effectively convey their ideas and capture the interest and trust of their audience. The goal is to leave a lasting impression and compel the listeners to take the desired action, making pitch presentations crucial in various business and entrepreneurial endeavors.

8. Conference or Keynote Presentations

Conference or keynote presentations are high-profile presentations delivered at major events, conferences, or industry gatherings. They are typically delivered by thought leaders, industry experts, CEOs, or influential figures who are invited to share their insights, knowledge, and expertise with a large audience. These presentations highlight the event and are often scheduled as the main attraction or the closing session.

Keynote presentations are designed to inspire, motivate, and inform the audience about the latest trends, innovations, or developments in a particular field. They are also a form of motivational presentations that aim to leave a lasting impact on attendees, leaving them with valuable takeaways and new perspectives. These presentations are usually longer than regular presentations and are carefully curated to captivate the audience and maintain their attention throughout.

Effective conference or keynote presentations require strong storytelling, engaging visuals, and powerful delivery. Presenters must connect with the audience personally, using their charisma and stage presence to leave a memorable impression. These presentations can significantly influence the opinions and decisions of the attendees, making them an essential element of successful conferences and events.

By mastering these eight presentation types, you can adapt your communication approach to suit different contexts, engage your audience effectively, and achieve your presentation goals in 2023 and beyond.

What is a Presentation Style & 7 Presentation Styles

Presentation style refers to the unique and individual way in which a presenter delivers a presentation or speech. It encompasses various elements, including the tone of voice, body language, use of visual aids, speaking speed, and overall demeanor during the presentation. The presentation style can greatly impact how the audience perceives and engages with the presented content.

Presenters may have different styles, from formal and authoritative to casual and conversational. Some presenters may prefer a more interactive and engaging approach, while others may focus on delivering information in a straightforward and informative manner.

The choice of presentation style should align with the presentation’s objective and the audience’s preferences. A well-developed presentation style can enhance the effectiveness of the message and create a positive and memorable experience for the audience.

7 Presentation Styles

Presenters can adopt various presentation styles to engage their audience and effectively convey their message. Here are seven common presentation styles:

1. Storyteller Style

The Storyteller’s presentation style revolves around crafting a compelling narrative that captivates the audience. The presenter uses storytelling techniques, such as vivid descriptions, personal anecdotes, and emotional appeals, to create a memorable experience.

By weaving a story around the main message or content, the Storyteller engages the audience emotionally, making the information more relatable and easier to remember. This style is often used in motivational speeches, marketing pitches, and presentations where the goal is to evoke emotions and leave a lasting impact on the audience.

Aside from the above examples, a motivational presentation also leverages uses the storyteller style to motivate their audience and get them to achieve their desired outcome.

2. Instructor Style

A structured and informative approach characterizes the Instructor’s presentation style. Presenters using this style act as educators, providing clear explanations, demonstrations, and examples to convey information effectively. The focus is on straightforwardly sharing knowledge and expertise, making complex concepts understandable for the audience.

The Instructor style is commonly used in academic lectures, training sessions, and workshops, where the goal is to facilitate learning and provide valuable insights to the audience.

3. Closer Style

The Closer presentation style emphasizes the persuasive aspect of a presentation. Presenters using this style focus on influencing the audience’s beliefs or actions. They often use powerful arguments, logical reasoning, and evidence to convince the audience to take a specific course of action or adopt a particular viewpoint.

The Closer style is commonly used in sales pitches, business presentations, fundraising events, and political speeches, where the goal is to win over the audience and achieve a specific outcome.

4. Connector Style

The Connector presentation style emphasizes building connections with the audience. Presenters using this style strive to establish rapport, create a sense of community, and foster engagement. They often use personal anecdotes, humor, and audience interaction to make the audience feel involved and connected to the content.

The Connector style is commonly used in team meetings, workshops, and networking events, where the goal is to build relationships and create a positive atmosphere.

5. Coach Style

The Coach presentation style focuses on guiding and empowering the audience. Presenters using this style act as mentors, providing support, encouragement, and actionable advice. They aim to inspire the audience and help them achieve their goals.

The Coach style is commonly used in personal development workshops, leadership training, and motivational speeches, where the goal is to motivate and uplift the audience.

6. Lessig Style

The Lessig style, named after law professor Lawrence Lessig, is a presentation style that heavily relies on visual aids, particularly slides. The presenter uses limited text on slides and incorporates compelling images, graphics, and videos to complement their speech.

The Lessig style is highly effective for conveying complex ideas visually and engagingly. This style is commonly used in technology-related presentations, TED Talks, and scientific discussions.

7. Visual Style

The Visual style strongly emphasizes using visual aids to convey information. Presenters using this style use slides, charts, infographics, and other visual elements to support their message. The goal is to enhance understanding and retention by presenting visually appealing, easy-to-follow information.

The Visual style is commonly used in educational presentations, product demonstrations, and data-driven discussions, where the visual representation of information is crucial for audience comprehension.

Each presentation style has its strengths and can be effective based on the presenter’s objectives, the audience’s preferences, and the context of the presentation. A skilled presenter can adapt their style to suit the content and create a memorable and impactful presentation.

Presentation Techniques To Inspire You

Presentation techniques refer to the various methods and strategies presenters use to deliver their message and engage the audience effectively. Some common presentation techniques include:

1. Storytelling

Storytelling technique involves presenting information or messages in the form of a narrative. It captivates the audience emotionally, making the content more relatable and memorable. By weaving stories into presentations, presenters can create a deeper connection with the intended audience and effectively convey complex concepts engaging and impactfully.

2. Visual Aids

Visual aids involve using images, charts, graphs, videos, and other visual elements to support and enhance the presentation’s message. These visuals help clarify complex information, make the content more engaging, and improve audience understanding. Effective use of visual aids can make a presentation more memorable and compelling, especially in an instructional presentation.

3. Eye Contact

The eye contact technique involves maintaining consistent eye contact with the audience throughout the presentation. This non-verbal communication helps build trust and engagement with the listeners, making them feel connected and valued. By looking at individuals and groups, the presenter can gauge reactions and adjust the delivery to keep the audience attentive and involved.

4. Body Language

Body language technique involves using non-verbal cues such as gestures, posture, and facial expressions to enhance communication during a presentation. Positive body language, like open gestures and confident posture, can convey enthusiasm and credibility, while negative cues, like fidgeting or avoiding eye contact, can undermine the message. Mastering body language can improve audience engagement and overall presentation impact.

5. Interactivity

The interactivity technique involves engaging the audience through activities, questions, or discussions during a presentation. Most presenters for an educational presentation use this technique to create a more dynamic and memorable experience for the audience by encouraging participation and feedback. It fosters better understanding, retention, and involvement, making the presentation more impactful and effective.

6. Pace and Tone

The pace and tone technique involves varying the speed and pitch of speech during a presentation. By adjusting the pace, presenters can create emphasis, maintain interest, and add excitement or seriousness to their message. An effective pace and tone keep the audience engaged, enhance clarity, and convey emotions appropriately, making the presentation more compelling.

Humor technique involves using jokes, anecdotes, or lighthearted elements to entertain the audience during a presentation. When used appropriately, humor can break the ice, create a relaxed atmosphere, and make the content more memorable. It helps engage the audience, build rapport, and keep their attention, making the presentation enjoyable and impactful.

8. Call to Action

The Call to Action (CTA) technique prompts the audience to take a specific action after the presentation, such as signing up for a newsletter, visiting a website, or purchasing. It motivates the audience to act on the information presented, turning passive listeners into active participants and achieving the desired outcome or goal of the presentation. Even though this is widely used across various types of presentations, this technique is a must-have for a business presentation.

By combining these presentation techniques and tailoring them to the audience and content, presenters can deliver engaging and impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression on their specific audience.

The 3 Golden Rules of Presentations

Here are the three most prominent golden rules of presentations that you should also consider when creating your presentations:

1. The 10-20-30 Rule

The 10-20-30 rule of presentation is a guideline proposed by Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist and former Apple employee. This rule aims to help presenters create more effective and engaging presentations. Here’s what it entails:

• 10 Slides: According to the rule, a presentation should not exceed ten slides. Keeping the number of slides limited ensures that you focus on the most critical points and avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information.
• 20 Minutes: The presentation should ideally be delivered within 20 minutes. This time frame helps maintain the audience’s attention and prevents the presentation from becoming too lengthy and tedious.
• 30-Point Font Size: The text on your slides should be in at least a 30-point font size. Using a larger font size makes the content more readable, especially for audiences seated further away from the screen or for individuals with visual impairments.

The 10-20-30 rule emphasizes simplicity, conciseness, and visual clarity in presentations. By adhering to this guideline, presenters can deliver more impactful messages, engage their audience effectively, and leave a lasting impression.

2. The 5/5/5 Rule

The 5/5/5 rule is a presentation technique designed to help presenters structure their content concisely and engagingly. It suggests dividing the presentation into three distinct parts:

• 5 Slides: Limit the presentation to just five slides. Each slide should focus on a specific key point, and visuals should be used to support the content. This helps keep the presentation focused and avoids overwhelming the audience with excessive information.
• 5 Minutes: Deliver the presentation within a five-minute time frame. This time constraint encourages presenters to be clear and to the point, delivering the most critical information without going into unnecessary detail.
• 5 Sentences per Slide: Each slide should contain a maximum of five sentences. This forces presenters to use concise language and avoid cluttering the slides with too much text, ensuring that the audience can easily grasp the main ideas.

The 5/5/5 rule is an effective way to structure presentations, making them more engaging and impactful. By adhering to this rule, presenters can effectively communicate their message, keep the audience’s attention, and deliver a memorable presentation.

3. The 7×7 Rule

The 7×7 rule is a presentation guideline that suggests limiting each slide to a maximum of seven lines of text with no more than seven words per line. This approach is intended to keep presentations concise, visually appealing, and easy for the audience to follow. By following the 7×7 rule, presenters avoid overwhelming their audience with dense text and create more visually engaging slides.

The principle behind the 7×7 rule is to encourage presenters to focus on key points, use bullet points or concise phrases instead of long sentences, and rely on visuals and graphics to support the content. This approach helps maintain the audience’s attention and makes it easier for them to retain the information presented. Ultimately, the 7×7 rule helps presenters deliver clearer and more effective presentations.

How Can All Time Design Help You Design Visually Appealing Presentations?

As a creative design agency with a team of professional designers, we can help you create visually appealing presentations that stand out and captivate your audience. Here’s how All Time Design can assist you in crafting exceptional presentations:

• Custom Designs: Our team of skilled designers can create custom presentation designs tailored to your specific needs, branding, and audience.
• Creative Concepts: With our expertise in design and creativity, All Time Design can develop innovative concepts and layouts that make your presentations visually stunning.
• Visual Storytelling: We excel in visual storytelling, helping you convey your message effectively through compelling graphics, imagery, and infographics.
• Consistent Branding: All Time Design ensures that your presentations align with your brand identity, maintaining consistency across all your marketing materials.
• Engaging Animations: Our designers can add subtle yet impactful animations to enhance your presentation’s overall appeal and engagement.
• Data Visualization: If your presentation involves data, our designers can skillfully transform complex data into visually appealing, easy-to-understand charts and graphs.
• Professional Polish: With a keen eye for detail, All Time Design ensures that every presentation element is polished, from font choices to color schemes.
• Timely Delivery: We understand the importance of deadlines and deliver high-quality presentations on time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your project.
• Client Collaboration: All Time Design values client input and collaborates closely with you to incorporate your ideas and feedback into the design process.
• Post-Presentation Support : Even after completing the project, All Time Design provides ongoing support, making adjustments and revisions as needed.

With All Time Design’s expertise and commitment to creativity, you can be confident in delivering visually appealing and impactful presentations that leave a lasting impression on your audience. Click here to get started.

Get in touch  with us today to get your own design!

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- What are the four main types of presentations?

Summarizing the key points, the four main types of presentations are informative, instructional, persuasive, and entertaining. To elaborate, presentations can be categorized into four primary types. Informative presentations aim to provide the audience with data and facts about a specific topic. Instructional presentations are designed to teach the audience how to perform a particular task or process. Persuasive presentations seek to convince the audience to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. Lastly, entertaining presentations are intended to amuse and engage the audience, often through storytelling or humor.

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