Presentation software (sometimes known as a presentation programme) is a type of digital tool. It uses visual, text, audio, and video sequences to complement a spoken presentation. Slide decks are virtual compilations of these slide sequences, sometimes known as “slide decks.”
Presentation software on the web has many different features, but it must have at least three key ones:
- A text editor with personalised formatting
- Inserting, modifying, and resizing digital graphics
- A slideshow technique for successively showing these graphics
Some presentation applications, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, must be downloaded onto the hard disc of a computer before they can be used. Others, such as Google Slides and Prezi, may be accessible using a web browser.
What Is the Importance of Presentation Software?
If a prospect agrees to see a presentation, you’ve usually piqued their curiosity.
You’ve probably talked on the phone or sent a few emails. Perhaps the prospect has already visited your website a few times. They’re probably not sold on you and are actively creating an opinion about your brand.
This is why it’s critical that your first presentation be a knockout. When a prospect sees you, your brand, and your product, you want them to be thrilled about the benefits you can provide.
Good presentation software provides you with all the tools and capabilities you require to produce an effective presentation. And you can do it fast and easily.
Aside from convenience, the following are some other advantages that competent presentation software may provide to your firm:
Information consolidation
A great slide deck with good content is often one of the best single sources of sales information for your company.
Most sales decks include a comprehensive proposal, from identifying pain points to feature/benefit pairings. Testimonials, best practices, and case studies are often interspersed.
This means you have a single file to train new sales representatives with. If you require a testimonial from a satisfied client, you may find it in the slide presentation. Solid presentation software enables this one-stop shop for vital sales information.
Mobility for on-the-go reps
If your sales agents do a lot of physical site visits, having a mobile sales presentation that they can carry about in their pockets is far more convenient than hauling around a laptop. Almost all recent presentation software has strong mobile capabilities.
Having the gathered information mentioned in the last point available at all times is a big help for the sales rep who is doing visits or demos on-site.
The team’s consistency
Most presenting solutions allow you to create custom templates.When paired with a “master slide presentation,” this allows you to assure more alignment across your sales team. This ensures that your material is version-controlled and up-to-date when using a content management platform. which is significant since it is being offered to prospects.
Rapid content customization.
Assume you’re going to start a presentation call with a prospect. You receive an email from him just before the call, informing you that his supervisor would also be on the call. She turns out to be extremely interested in one particular element of your product.
You can edit slides instantly with a good presenting tool (often from your mobile device, if needed). You can also delete, append, or modify data. This lets you change your text and images right away to meet the needs of a specific prospect or market group.
Prospective customers’ firsthand feedback
There are several advantages to making sales presentations a two-way discussion rather than a monologue. Even if you are unable to meet in person, real-time verbal input from prospects is extremely helpful.
A smart sales professional will listen carefully for cues that specific slides are capturing the audience’s attention. These are potentially instances that should be highlighted or discussed more extensively.
After the prospect hangs up, effective presentation software will allow you to rapidly add slides, create content, and arrange graphics. all while the presenter’s memory of the information is still fresh. This allows you to highlight their areas of interest.
Because of this, it’s important for a sales team to have easy-to-use presentation software so they can quickly improve and change what works.
How to Make the Most of Your Presentation Software
The way you use your tool is far more significant than the instrument itself. Modern presentation software is capable of creating razor-sharp, compelling presentations that convert prospects into sales. They can, however, create abominations that no prospect should ever see.
Follow the rules below and you’ll be on the right track. Not just to prevent frequent presentation blunders, but also to make your message more memorable.
Make use of your notes section.
While a more conversational tone is certainly desired, remembering all of the crucial points of a sales presentation can be difficult. Presentation notes are very helpful here.
Every presentation software allows you to make prepared notes connected with your slide decks, whether it’s a word-for-word script or bullet points.
These notes will only be available to you when you are present. This is very beneficial when presenting presentations remotely over the internet. If you’re going to read a script word for word, use intonation and natural pauses to avoid appearing robotic.
When structuring graphics, use grids
Pixelated images and misaligned visuals in PowerPoint presentations can make you appear unprofessional. This is not the message you want your audience to hear.
Most sales representatives are unlikely to be trained, graphic designers. It’s much more important that we use grids to align our photographs in an aesthetically attractive manner.
For proper picture layout, all current presentation tools include some form of a grid. It only takes a few minutes to cross-reference your graphics against the grid. However, it may save you from embarrassment and help you establish credibility with your prospect.
Tell us a tale
Humans are captivated and united by real-life stories. According to research, stories activate more portions of the brain than the parts that store and recall information. In reality, science proves that our brains do not differentiate between hearing a story and experiencing it.
That means if you recite a laundry list of features and benefits, the prospect will tune out. They will be more interested if you relate a true story about how your product helped a genuine individual.
This also indicates that if you mention a real-life pain point of someone in a comparable situation, your prospect is likely to feel that suffering. As a result, they’ll have a stronger desire for whatever you’re selling.
The Hero’s Journey is a common narrative structure that has been used since humans first used cave paintings to communicate. Using this template to include a narrative into your presentations is one of the most effective ways. So, instead of making your product the hero, make them the hero.
Maintain simplicity
Keep the amount of information you provide the prospect to a few key points. Don’t bury the materials people need to see behind a pile of trivialities. Don’t get hung up on feature explanations. Keep it succinct and to the point. If you’re wondering if you should cut apart, the answer is yes.
Avoid animations (unless they are personalised).
In general, when presentation animations are nice, they are extremely good. But when they’re terrible, they’re very terrible. I’ve seen some stunning PowerPoint animations for large-scale conference presentations. They were designed by a qualified graphic designer after weeks of preparation and years of practice.
If you lack the time or expertise to create amazing animations, keep them simple and simplistic. Alternatively, avoid them entirely. Modern presentation tool animation settings are guaranteed to make your presentation look cheap.
A little fade-in can be effective. Aside from that, it’s definitely best to avoid any distracting spins, swipes, or bounces.
Practice on your target machine
This advice is about technology rather than technique. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sat in on a presentation when the presenter progresses to a broken or unformatted slide. “Whoa,” they exclaim. “That’s really strange. That was successful on my machine. “
Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience. It’s not something you want your prospects to encounter when building an opinion about your brand.
So, if you’re creating a presentation on your home PC to transfer to your work laptop, make sure you test it on your work laptop first. It may appear obvious, but troubleshooting takes only a few minutes and might save you a sale and a difficult scenario.
Begin with a template
A bespoke template is an excellent way to maintain visual uniformity and alignment. One that incorporates your company’s branding There will be an upfront cost if you do not have an in-house designer. However, it is definitely worth it because it may be the first impression a prospect has of your brand. In addition, how many eyes will be on your slides over time?
This will save you from being distracted by mismatched fonts and colours. This will, however, assist you in ensuring that every prospect has a consistent experience, independent of the presenter. There is nothing left to chance.
Almost every current presentation software includes a “New from Template” or similar option. These also save time at the start of each slide show. With branded templates, you’ll never have to question if your team has the correct material.
In terms of time savings, Accent Connect maintains all of your presentation decks nicely organised and up-to-date. Your salespeople can get to them at any time, from anywhere, and on any device.
FAQs
What is presentation software and what are some examples?
Presentation software (sometimes known as “presentation graphics”) is a type of application programme that is used to construct sequences of text and images that convey a story or assist in the support of a speech or public presentation of information.
What is the name of the computer presentation software?
Visme, Haiku Deck, Prezi, Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva, and Google Slides are some of the top presentation software options.
What are the three applications of presentation software?
A presentation software package is a type of computer programme that is used to display information, typically in the form of a slide show. It primarily consists of three key functions: an editor for inputting and formatting text; a way for inserting and modifying graphic pictures; and a slide-show system for displaying the material.
What is the purpose of using a presenting tool?
Presentation tools are programmes and software that allow individuals or organisations to present information in the form of a slideshow. These resources frequently enable an editor to input and format content based on their own requirements. Methods for adding and altering photos are often included in presentation tools.