Creating a presentation can sometimes require some forethought. Here are some suggestions on how to manage the process.

 

Write an Outline 

To save time, sit down first and figure out what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. From here, you can plan exactly what you need and how you are going to accomplish it. Without a plan, you may scramble to get everything done. 

Now is also a great time to decide if the presentation will be shared online, offline, in print, etc. For more information about aspect resolution click here. For more information on sharing offline click here. 

 

Get Help Now

Do you need assistance researching information, writing copy, gathering images and animations, finding stock photography, etc? If so, now is the time to figure out who will be helping you and have them commit to your timeline. Your outline allows you to determine what you need so that you can bring in additional help from the beginning.

 

Create Your Theme

SlideRocket lets you bring your presentation to life with customizable layouts and backgrounds. Not only does your theme determine what your presentation looks like, it also establishes the dimensions of your images, videos, animations, etc. This is important to know early, especially if someone else will be helping you create your media.

 

Build a Draft Presentation

Now it is time to start putting your slides together in SlideRocket. This gives you a feel for what your presentation will look like when it is done and will also highlight any trouble spots early. The draft also lets you create a list of exactly what is needed for each slide.

 

Take a Test Run

Are you trying something for the first time? Do you need the technology to cooperate? If so, you need to test your plan with at least one slide to make sure that it is going to work the way you hope. If not, testing early gives you time to figure out an alternative.

 

Test Printing

If you are going to be printing your presentations for any reason, it is important to test printing early in the process and before you create all of your media. Doing this will save you from having to re-create every media later if nothing prints properly. The main issue here will be any videos and Flash animations, and you want to make sure that the correct frame is printing.

 

Create Your Media

You know what media you need and you know what size they need to be on the page, so go ahead and get them ready. 

 

Build Your Slides

Now you have everything you need to put your presentation together.

 

Put it in Front of Someone

There is always something that you can do to improve your presentation, and you may be too close to it to have any perspective at this point. Now is the time to run it past a few trusted advisers and get feedback.

 

Test the Technology

How are you delivering this presentation? Will you be in a conference room with a laptop and a projector or will you be hosting a remote meeting online? Now is the time to do a dry run with the exact setup you will use on the big day. If something does not work or if you need to change something, you still have time.

 

Refine Your Presentation

Of course you will be tweaking your slides up to the last second, and your planning and preparation will give you the breathing room you need to focus as your deadline approaches.