lessig presentation style

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.

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

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

10 Best Sales Presentations To Inspire Your Sales Deck [+ 5 Tips]

15 Sales Presentation Techniques That Will Help You Close More Deals Today

9 Ways to End Your Sales Presentation With a Bang

7 Apps That Help Salespeople Become Even Better Speakers

7 Secrets of a Winning Capabilities Presentation

Insight Selling: The 8-Slide Framework for a Better Pitch

The Best Work-Appropriate GIFs to Use in Your Next Sales Slide Deck

How to Make a Business Presentation in 7 Easy Steps [Free Business Presentation Templates]

How to Handle Difficult Sales Calls Like a Pro

Technology Give You the Middle Finger in a Demo? 7 Reactions to Avoid

Download ten free PowerPoint templates for a better presentation.

Powerful and easy-to-use sales software that drives productivity, enables customer connection, and supports growing sales orgs

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.

Free team communication software

Try Pumble, a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use communication tool.

FREE FOREVER • UNLIMITED COMMUNICATION

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. 

💡 Pumble Pro-Tip  

If you struggle with anxiety before a presentation, we have an article to help you with that: 

• How not to be nervous for a presentation

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

Secure, real-time communication for professionals.

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.

What's on your to-do?

START COLLABORATING

with Pumble

Related posts

Harness the power of hr hilarity: 60+ funny hr memes for 2024.

Like any other job, HR has its ups and downs, with plenty of humor to be found on either end of the spectrum. These funny HR memes should prove our po…

60+ Absurdly Funny Meeting Memes to Share With Your Work Buddies

The next time you’re stuck in a meeting that has no end, feel free to peruse our compilation of funny meeting memes. …

10+ Tips for Conducting an Effective Job Interview 

Learn how to conduct an effective job interview and improve a candidate’s experience with expert tips. …

60+ Hilarious Quips to Use As Your Joke of the Day for Work

Looking for the perfect joke of the day for work? Here are 60+ hilarious jokes for work. …

Who Gets a Write-Up at Work and Why? Everything You Need to Know

Our guide to dealing with a write-up at work will help you understand the disciplinary process better….

What Is a Skip-Level Meeting & How Do You Prepare for One?

How should you prepare for your next skip-level meeting? Read this article to find out. …

Need better team communication??

Pumble is an all-in-one team collaboration app. Send messages and files, and start video conferencing with one click, and reduce emails. Free forever.

Free team chat app

Improve collaboration and cut down on emails by moving your team communication to Pumble.

Unlimited users • Unlimited chat history • Free forever

• Speech Writing
• Delivery Techniques
• PowerPoint & Visuals
• Speaker Habits
• Speaker Resources

Speech Critiques

• Book Reviews
• Browse Articles
• ALL Articles
• Learn About Us
• About Six Minutes
• Meet Our Authors
• Write for Us
• Advertise With Us

Articles tagged: lessig method

The Lessig Method (sometimes called the Lessig presentation style ) is a presentation technique named for Lawrence Lessig which involves using a large number of slides, each of which usually consists of a simple picture or a few words.

When done well, Lessig Method presentations captivate the audience magically. When done poorly, Lessig Method presentations cause information overload.

Dick Hardt\’s Identity 2.0 speech is often cited as one of the best examples of the Lessig Method .

Critique: Lessig Method Presentation Style (Dick Hardt, Identity 2.0, OSCON 2005)

I first viewed Dick Hardt ‘s Identity 2.0 presentation from OSCON 2005 over two years ago. It was unlike any presentation I had ever seen at the time. I noted that I had just been injected with information .

I recently returned to the presentation with a more critical view.

• Was the presentation really that good?
• Was it the style, the substance, or both?
• More importantly, what can we, as presenters, learn from it?

Continue Reading »

Featured Articles

• Majora Carter (TED, 2006) Energy, Passion, Speaking Rate
• Hans Rosling (TED, 2006) 6 Techniques to Present Data
• J.A. Gamache (Toastmasters, 2007) Gestures, Prop, Writing
• Steve Jobs (Stanford, 2005) Figures of speech, rule of three
• Al Gore (TED, 2006) Humor, audience interaction
• Dick Hardt (OSCON, 2005) Lessig Method of Presentation

Books We Recommend

Six Minutes Copyright © 2007-2019 All Rights Reserved.

Read our permissions policy , privacy policy , or disclosure policy .

Comments? Questions? Contact us .

6 Most Effective Presentation Styles

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

Have you ever been an audience member who was not wholly involved in a speech or a speaker who discovered their audience dozing off? Both scenarios have the potential to be disheartening and fruitless.

What can you then do to improve the effectiveness of your presentation?

There are various styles in which you can present your content. Out of a plethora of choices, some of the most effective ones include – the Visual, Storytelling, freeform and instructor style of presentation. Each of them has their own set of methods and guidelines, however, they are known to be extremely beneficial and are used by speakers all over the world.

What is a Presentation Style? 

Let us first take a brief look at what a presentation style is before moving on to the most effective techniques that you can use.

A Presentation style is a way of giving a presentation orally. In other words, a particular presenting type is an approach you adopt or employ to deliver your content. There are numerous presenting styles or methods you can use when giving public speeches or presentations such as –

• Visual Presentation Style
• Coach Presentation Style
• Instructor Presentation Style
• Lessig Presentation Style

Out of hundreds of methods and ways, there are a few that are more effective and yield better much better results when used appropriately. They include –

1. Visual Style 

The visual presentation style uses visual components to support the verbal subject. In other words, this approach uses charts, photos, graphs, and other visual aids in addition to speaking to assist the audience in visualizing and comprehending the material.

Advantages of Using a Visual Presentation Style 

The relevance and effectiveness of visual and verbal communication are well known, making the visual style of presentation one of the finest to adopt. This is also a remarkably effective strategy as it aids the audience in more easily understanding complicated or in-depth talking points. When used in conjunction, visual and verbal communication aid in better understanding and retention.

How Can You Use a Visual Presentation Style? 

If you plan to use this style in your upcoming presentation, then these are some steps you can follow-

1] Be thorough with your content  – it is essential to know your content well to prepare visuals related to it. 

2] Pick up only the key points and add them on slides  – key pointers can be one sentence that conveys the primary information you want to share. 

3] Use graphs or charts to convey numbers or statistics  – Simply saying numbers can confuse consumers. Therefore, charts and graphs make it easier to comprehend when you speak about them.

4] Include relevant pictures or videos in each slide or alternative ones  – Using images and videos can be beneficial because they give your audience something to look at while you speak, which helps them understand and retain what you are saying.

Things To Avoid When Using a Visual Presentation Style

Now that you know how to use a visual style, it is equally imperative to be mindful of a few common mistakes so that you do not make them. 

1] Slides only complement your speech  – do not put-up paragraphs and read from them. It will only bore the audience and disengage them from it. Instead, only add critical words or phrases on which you can verbally elaborate. 

2] Don’t use a fancy unreadable font  – a visually presenting slide does help but using a fancy font will only make it not understandable. Thus, it is crucial to stick to standard readable fonts and sizes.

3] Don’t rush through  – just because you have a slide that allows people to read and understand some of the content does not mean you can speed up. Allocate sufficient time to each topic so that the audience has time to grasp and understand. 

Example of a Speech That Uses a Visual Presentation Style 

Wondering what a visual presentation style looks like? Check out this video where Steve Jobs introduces Mac Air to the world. This is an apt video showcasing what a visual presentation should be like!  

2. Storytelling Style

The storytelling style of presentation is a method where the speaker uses anecdotes and examples to connect with the audience. This technique is among the greatest and most effective because it enables the audience to relate to another lay person’s experiences, thereby allowing them to understand the practicality and reality of the topic. 

Advantages Of Using a Storytelling Style

Using a storytelling style allows you to –

1] Share real-life experiences on the topic , letting people know its practicality. For instance, if your topic is “optimism and positivity in life,” you can offer examples of how being positive has benefited you in various circumstances and examples of how things have gone when you haven’t been hopeful.

2] It allows the audience to provide their input , which helps you understand if the audience is grasping the message you want to convey. This is a subtle yet constructive way of engaging the audience and gaining feedback.

3] It also permits for an informal and naturally flowing talk . Most of the speeches are very structured and formal. Even though this has a construct, you can adapt it to the conversations and knowledge of the audience.

How To Use the Storytelling Presentation Style? 

Using the storytelling method also requires backend work. If you wish to adopt this style for your upcoming presentation, here are steps that you can follow – 

1] Develop the structure of your speech  – first, it is helpful to write down the topic and each subtopic you will cover. 

2] Include relevant stories, anecdotes, and experiences  – once you have the overall flow of your speech, then you can fill the relevant gaps with your own stories and experiences. 

3] Keep some time for an audience input  – allocate 1-2 minutes wherein you take the backend and allow the members from the audience to comment or share their experiences that are relevant to the topic. 

Things to avoid when using the storytelling method 

Every method has specific pointers to be careful of, and storytelling is no exception. Here make sure to – 

1] Not make it like a formal delivery  – Try not to overly formalize and grandiloquent it since this will take away from the storytelling element.

2] Only share the positives  – Sharing real experiences is one benefit of the storytelling technique. Thus, use this approach to communicate the topic’s applicability by outlining its advantages and disadvantages.

Here is a video of Andrea Gibbs, who talks about “The Power of Storytelling” by sharing anecdotes and experiences from her personal life. 

The storytelling format is much popular among motivational speakers who use personal experiences to motivate people for the better.

3. Connector Style 

The connector style of presenting, as its name suggests, includes the speaker establishing a connection with the audience. This indicates that the speaker actively engages the audience by asking frequent follow-up questions and seeking meaningful feedback. Speakers widely use this strategy to strengthen connections with audiences by demonstrating how they all are similar.

Advantages Of Using a Connector Style of Presentation 

The connector style of presentation, much like the storyteller, has a lot of benefits. Among the many, the most important ones include – 

1] It allows you to establish a deeper connection with the audience , which helps you understand them and if they can comprehend the message you want to convey. 

2] The audience is able to participate actively . Usually, the audience only listens passively, but this format allows them to respond and express their opinions, keeping them actively engaged the entire time. 

3] You can receive immediate feedback . In most other presentation methods, this perk is not present. It’s beneficial to get insightful feedback because it enables you to comprehend your audience’s viewpoint and adapt your information for contextual understanding. Furthermore, it enlightens you as to which areas require more effort. 

Guidelines While Using the Connector Presentation Style 

1] Start with a personal story or connecting activity that grabs the audience – this method helps keep the audience engaged from the very start. 

2] Practice nonverbal gestures – keeping eye contact with the audience, smile, and use your hand gestures to convey your presence and complete attention to the audience. 

3] Cater to the audience throughout – this form of presentation means that you and the audience are entirely involved. Thus, keeping a check on them is of utmost importance. Keep checking if they are interested and if not, include relevant activities to gain their attention back. 

Things to Avoid When Using the Connector Style 

When using the connector style, do not take up most of the time telling self-stories or doing self-talking. It is vital to keep your content brief but meaningful while allowing the audience to give their inputs and viewpoints on it. 

1] Don’t read from scripts or recite the information . Keep the content naturally flowing like a back-and-forth conversation that can be moulded as per the answers and feedback of the audience.

2] Don’t use visuals to complement your talks. The connector style relies primarily on you and your stories, so don’t use graphics to convey any messages unless they are some pictures to show on a relevant topic. 

Many speakers use the connector style because it helps them connect deeply with the audience, when used correctly, it does allow the speaker to develop meaningful relations with the audience and convey relevant and helpful messages.

4. Instructor Style 

Many presenters adopt the instructor style of presenting when educating their audience on a challenging or complicated subject. To simplify a complex issue so that the audience may more readily grasp, this method entails the use of well-known phrases, figurative language, metaphors, and pictures.

Advantages of the Instructor Style of Presentation 

The instructor presentation style is more formal, like a teacher or professor delivering a lecture. But this format, for reasons of its own, is beneficial because –

1] It allows you to logically explain the subject with the help of relevant visuals, examples, and supplements. For example, if you take up the topic of “Investing in your 20’s”, you can start by explaining what an investment is, the types of investments available, pros and cons of each etc. while supporting it with relevant videos, stats, and graphics.

2] When used correctly, the method can be highly persuasive as it builds decks in a logical order and uses impactful visuals as evidence to support the ideas. Continuing the same example, if you logically go on explaining and supporting, most of the audience will have been convinced to make some sort of investments.

3] Lastly, this method allows you to educate and aware the audience appropriately . You can use your knowledge and skills on the subject matter to convey the message effectively. If you have personally had some experiences, this method allows you to share them to help the audience become aware.

Things to Avoid When Using the Instructor Style of Presentation 

When employed improperly, this formal presentation can prevent a speech from succeeding. As a result, it’s crucial to use the procedure correctly by avoiding the following:

1] Skipping the basics on the assumption that the audience will already know – it is essential to start and cover the basics and then make your way up to the complex topics.

2] Don’t only go on speaking from one topic to the other – even though there isn’t a lot of audience participation, including small segments with quizzes and discussions to know if the audience understands the content. 

3] Don’t use jargon or complex language to communicate – the topic might be challenging to comprehend. Hence, you should avoid using difficult words or jargon that people are largely unaware of. Instead, using straightforward and basic terms will be beneficial. 

The instructor style is much used by a famous speaker  Al Gore  who advocated and educated people on climate change. This is one video where you can see the effective use of instructor presentation style. 

5. Takahashi Style 

Named after its creator, Masayoshi Takahashi, Text is the main component of a Takahashi presentation. It is a technique that employs simple visuals, mainly large block fonts. A Takahashi presentation doesn’t include charts, photos, or pictures, just a few essential big font words. 

Advantages of using a Takahashi Presentation Style 

There are several benefits that make it desirable to adopt this highly distinctive style. Some of them include –

1] The speaker can easily elaborate on a topic because the slides, which have a few essential key phrases, provide the audience with brief information beforehand.

2] The slides include simple and unambiguous phrases concerning the speaker’s topic, preventing any distraction or deviance from the subject.

3] It combines the two essential components of a presentation—clear, concise text and eye-catching visuals—making it ultimately beneficial for everyone’s use. 

Guidelines when using a Takahashi Presentation Style 

If you want an actual Takahashi presentation, there are some key pointers to keep in mind – 

1] Do not include text more than needed – make sure to add a few words or a maximum of 2 sentences. Anything beyond that will make it crowded and messy, and unappealing to the audience. 

2] Keep the slides simple – an authentic Takahashi presentation is black and white to avoid distraction. Therefore, it is best to avoid any colours and stick to this standard format. 

3] Keep the font as large as possible – once you have put the content on the slide, make sure to increase the font as much as it can fit best on the slide. The reason is that large fonts attract attention and can embed the core messages in the reader’s mind. 

If you found this method interesting and want to learn more about it, tap on this video where Luminita Florea tells you all about the Takahashi style of presentation. 

6. The Lessig Style

Much similar to the Takahashi Method, The  Lessig Presentation Style has been inspired by the work of Stanford law professor, Lawrence Lessig. This style employs the use of a single word, short quote, or photos that are in sync with the speaker’s speech. 

Advantages of using The Lessig Presentation Style

1] Each slide in a Lessig presentation concentrates on one concept or topic. This makes it simple for the audience to understand and absorb each idea separately. 

2] This presentation method functions like a movie, with each slide presenting succinct information for only 10 to 15 seconds. Because of its conciseness and pace, this style works well in keeping the audience hooked to the content. 

3] This method allows for much better retention and memory because of dual coding, i.e., via the visual and verbal mode of communication. More often than not, the word or quote put up is read aloud by the speaker, allowing the audience to hear and see it, thus etching a strong memory for the same. 

Guidelines to remember when using the Lessig Presentation Style

This minimalistic presentation has much to be careful of. Some of the important guidelines include – 

1] Not more than a word or quote – it is important to keep the slides less with only a key word or quote or picture in rare cases.  Adding more than that will take away the essence and quality of the Lessig Style.

2] Use contrast – since the slide contains just one word, quote or picture it is important to highlight and enlarge it so that it doesn’t skip the eye of the audience in any way. Although this kind of presentation allows you to use colour, using a standard black and white is recommended. 

The Lessig style of presentation is one of the most effective and captivating approaches, and many presenters use it in their speeches. Tap below to see an example of such a presentation and its effect! 

Regardless of the style you choose, there are several styles that you should absolutely avoid using because they could make your presentation go awry. Tap on this video where we tell you exactly what to styles you have to say a BIG NO to.

Presentations are an integral part of the professional life. Whether you are a professional speaker or a corporate employee, or a teacher, every role will at some point require you to present, persuade or educate an audience. It is thus helpful to know about some of the most effective styles so that you can make the most of them in your next presentation!

We hope that this article has helped you learn the most effective presentation styles, ways to adopt it and pitfalls to avoid!

Happy Presenting!

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

8 Ways to Rise Above the Noise to Communicate Better

How to Negotiate: The Art of Getting What You Want

10 Hand Gestures That Will Make You More Confident and Efficient

• [email protected]
• +91 98203 57888

Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always

Copyright © 2023 Frantically Speaking All rights reserved

Kindly drop your contact details so that we can arrange call back

Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria AmericanSamoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Rwanda Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe land Islands Antarctica Bolivia, Plurinational State of Brunei Darussalam Cocos (Keeling) Islands Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Cote d'Ivoire Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Guernsey Holy See (Vatican City State) Hong Kong Iran, Islamic Republic of Isle of Man Jersey Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Lao People's Democratic Republic Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Mozambique Palestinian Territory, Occupied Pitcairn Réunion Russia Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sao Tome and Principe Somalia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tanzania, United Republic of Timor-Leste Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S.

Description

• Sales Productivity
• Sales Intelligence
• Sales Prospecting
• Sales Strategy
• CRM Admininstration
• Company News
• Sales Metrics
• Supercharge Sales Activity
• Book More Meetings
• Sales Leadership
• Team Scheduling
• serious insights
• Sales Activity Data
• Sales Forecasting
• Auto-Sync Everything To Your CRM
• Financial Services
• Getting Started

Subscribe to our Blog for the Latest Insights

Join our blog community to stay informed and receive fresh content and actionable tips directly in your inbox.

How to Deliver an Unforgettable Pitch by Finding Your Presentation Style

• Share this blog post on LinkedIn

You can't expect prospects to remember every word of your pitch.

Hell, you probably shouldn't assume they're going to listen to the entire presentation. For instance, according to research, our attention span typically wanes every 10 – 15 minutes .

You can however help them remember the most important parts (and even listen more attentively).

By using visual aids and clues highlighting the key messages of your pitch .

I've already showed you how to overcome this problem when delivering product demos .

And today I'm going to show you 5 presentation design styles that will help ensure the audience remembers your pitch .

Ready? Let's get cracking then…

What is the Takahashi Method?

Sometimes the best way to make an impact is by putting your message boldly right in front of the audience.

At least that's the premise of the first presentation style on my list, the Takahashi method, named after its creator, Masayoshi Takahashi .

When constructing his presentations, Takahashi uses only text set in a large type on a solid background, isolating the main message of his current state of speech.

According to Takahashi, his goal for using one or just a handful, yet ideally no more than three words, set in a very large type is to deliver a high-impact message in a very short period of time.

Takahashi believes that featuring bullet points or block of text on presentation slides forces the audience to read them instead of listening. Including only the key message however leaves them with nothing else to do but to listen to you instead (while the large type embeds the message in their memory).

You can see Takahashi delivering a presentation here (note: the video is in Japanese but it still gives a good impression of how his method works.)

One drawback of the Takahashi's method is that in order to communicate each important section of your pitch, you'd need to create a larger number of slides than when using a traditional, bullet point style.

What is the Lessig Method?

The Lessig Method is a presentation technique that synchronizes slides with the speaker's presentation. Specifically, this method uses images, quotes, and text to stimulate the audience and emphasize key points. The dynamic approach was coined by Lawrence Lessig, a law professor at Stanford University.

Do you remember Bob Dylan's video for the Subterranean Homesick Blues ? If not, here's a reminder.

The premise of this revolutionary at a time clip was to sync slides with words sang by Dylan.

Funnily enough, this is also the premise the Lessig Method.

Lessig method is dynamic in approach, stimulating the audience to focus on the key messages behind the presentation.

Here's how Lessig slides look like in action:

And here you can watch Lawrence Lessig's TED talk to see this presentation style in action:

Note: given the way TED talk is recorded, you can't experience those slides in full.

So here's another example of Lessig slides in action. This time, you can only see the slides and hear the presenter's voice, giving you a good sense of how these slides work in the context.

The Monta Method

The next style is based on … a famous TV show host in Japan, Mino Monta.

You see, when introducing a new topic in his daily program, Monta often holds a board filled with questions and answers. Yet he typically keeps replies covered by strips of paper (or colored bars if he uses a board on screen).

Then, when he's ready to give the answer, he peels off the strip revealing the answer.

According to Shinichiro Oba, one of the first speakers to apply this technique in business presentations, hiding parts of text blocks or graphics on a screen elicits curiosity in the audience.

In turn, involving the audience in the presentation by asking questions and letting them to guess the answer before revealing the correct (and typically shocking and unexpected one) helps to build an emotional connection and keep the listeners engaged.

The Kawasaki Method

When you're trying to get someone to agree with you, you need to present a pitch that's short, easy to absorb and simple to apprehend.

And there seems to be no better style to achieve it than the Guy Kawasaki's 10.20.30 rule.

The method is simple:

Display 10 slides in 20 minutes with text on each slide set in a 30pt font.

What's more, Kawasaki's slides typically consist of one key message spelled out, nothing else.

Here's his reasoning behind the method :

"Ten is the optimal number of slides in a PowerPoint presentation because a normal human being cannot comprehend more than ten concepts in a meeting.

Twenty Minutes . […]  In a perfect world, you give your pitch in twenty minutes, and you have forty minutes left for discussion.

Thirty-point font . The majority of the presentations that I see have text in a ten point font. As much text as possible is jammed into the slide, and then the presenter reads it. However, as soon as the audience figures out that you're reading the text, it reads ahead of you because it can read faster than you can speak. The result is that you and the audience are out of sync."

Here's a great video of Guy Kawasaki explaining his method.

The Godin Method

The final method on the list, professed by the best-selling author and entrepreneur, Seth Godin focuses on using images to support your pitch.

In his booklet, " Really Bad Powerpoint (and how to avoid it) " Godin explains:

"The purpose of PowerPoint is to communicate with your audience. Unfortunately, rather than communicating, PowerPoint is used to accomplish three things, none of which leads to a good presentation.

The first thing that most people use PowerPoint for is a teleprompter ! Think of all the presentations you've been to where the presenter actually reads the slides. Did your audience really have to come all this way to a meeting to listen to you read the slides? Why not just send them over?

The second task is to provide a written, cover-your-ass record of what was presented . By handing out the slides after the meeting (or worse, before), the presenter is avoiding the job of writing a formal report, and is making sure that she can point to the implicit approval she earned at the meeting.

The third task is to make it easier for your audience to remember everything you said . Sort of like reading your slides, but better. After all, if you read your slides, and then give the audience a verbatim transcript of what you read, what could be wrong with that?"

He then concludes:

"Make slides that reinforce your words, not repeat them".

Godin's design style focuses on creating an emotional, interesting and highly visual presentation in which the bulk of storytelling is delivered by visuals not words. He focuses on presenting slides that reinforce the message of the presentation and trigger an emotional reaction from the audience.

Here are a couple of Godin's slides from the "On Tribes" presentation that best illustrate his style:

( watch the entire presentation here )

And here's Godin's TEDtalk showing his use of images in action.

Which one should I adapt for my next pitch?

Good question!

And you know what:

The best way is to pick a style that matches your presentation personality.

If you want to be a person Jim Teteak calls a Fascinator and share information that reassures your audience that you are a valuable resource, use the Lessig's method.

As an Inspirer , someone who strives to build rapports and enjoys sharing their feelings with the audience, you could choose between Seth Godin or Masayoshi Takahashi styles.

If you naturally tend to fire up your audience's energy and have the Energizer personality, design your slides in a way Seth Godin or Guy Kawasaki do.

And finally, if you're a natural Performer , then the Monta method will work best for you.

So…What do you think?

Which of these 5 styles would work for your presentation personality? 

• All Features
• Salesforce Sidebar
• Salesforce Sync
• Smart Scheduler
• Calendar Scheduling
• Buyer Signals
• Sales Cadence
• Email Templates
• Attachment Tracking
• Customer Service Reps
• Account Executive
• Sales Manager
• Book Leads From Your Website
• Book Meetings From Marketing Emails
• Sync Your Inbox With Salesforce
• Forget Data Entry In Salesforce
• Knowledge Base
• Product Betas
• Partner Success
• Guide To Sales Metrics
• Enterprise Guide To Salesforce Email Integrations
• Schedule A Demo
• Write For Us
• Trust, Privacy & Security
• Cookie Settings
• LinkedIn link
• Youtube link

© Copyright 2024 Cirrus Insight® All rights reserved Raleigh, NC a Cirruspath, Inc. company

Ready to Close More Deals?

• + The Vault , Reviews

Zen Master Lessig

• By: Aristotle

There’s much to love about Larry Lessig, the Stanford University law professor who has become the namesake for a method of presenting characterized by vast slide counts that break concepts into neat, digestible fragments of information. Watching a Lessig presentation is engaging to say the least: with decks at over 200 slides, but each slide deliciously adorned with a single, compelling word, phrase, or image, you become entranced in the rhythmic progression. The man himself so seamlessly integrates his statements with the slides that the effect is one of absolute mastery on stage. What’s not to love about that?

Perhaps my favorite characteristic of the so-called Lessig method, though, is its origins: Larry Lessig, as aforementioned, is a law professor. Apart from the simple fact that he delivers lectures and presentations as part of his job, he is not of the presentation and public speaking realm, so to speak. He’s like you: a person faced with a real career need to address and influence the thoughts of a large group of people. While most other “methods” have been developed by individuals in the presentation business, Lessig just went out, took the bull by the horns, and made a name for himself.

This, I love. I wish more presenters would be so brazen as to create their own styles and approaches. So many public speakers treat it as an obligation with a rigid structure they have to submit to: bullet points, memorization, suit, tie, blah, blah, blah. So few individuals look at the presentation opportunity as a branding opportunity and exercise the freedom to make that direct connection with the audience. Lessig had the courage to be different, to be unexpected. Do you?

Question: How can you step outside of accepted formulas to deliver a seriously groundbreaking presentation? Have you ever seen someone get out of the box like that in business?

Join our newsletter today!

© 2006-2024 Ethos3 – An Award Winning Presentation Design and Training Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Diversity and Inclusion

• An Age of Presentation: Styles, Trends, and Trendsetters

Tom Osborne , Former VP, Design

Article Category: #Design & Content

Posted on January 2, 2009

At Viget, part of our culture involves attending, participating in and sometimes speaking at events. It is not required, but is recognized as an important benefit to career growth and knowledge exchange. We don't take this idea lightly and we encourage presenting on a regular basis internally, whether presenting to the entire company or at a team level. Not only do we get to practice speaking in front of a familiar audience, but we all get to learn something new together. It's one of the practices that originally attracted me to Viget and now I'm happy to be a participant.

Recently, I've become aware of some emerging trends regarding presentation styles and have recognized some individuals who seem to be at the forefront of these trends.  Stylistically, these trends often involve rapid, compact presentations spoken over carefully chosen words and imagery to punctuate the points being made. These 'cut the crap' style presentations can be surprisingly informational and quite entertaining if delivered well. It's something that personally gets me motivated to attend events and makes me hopeful for the future of visual storytelling.

As humankind has evolved from telling stories on cave walls to seeing world leaders use PowerPoint (for better or worse) we've also evolved how narrative takes place. Here are some emerging trends I've been able to identify:

New Ideas & Trends

Pecha kucha night.

Started by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa) in Tokyo in 2003, Pecha Kucha started as a way for designers to network and share work with one another. The format consists of a slideshow of 20 slides set to cycle at 20 seconds each resulting in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The 20x20 trend has moved beyond the design community and now can be found in the business world and academia. Pecha Kucha Nights have popped up in cities spanning the globe.

Simlar to Pecha Kucha, the Ignite series was cooked up to support 20 slides automated at 15 seconds each for a 5 minute total presentation. Whereas Pecha Kucha grew out of sharing work, Ignite finds its theme in the sharing of ideas. Essentially, you have 5 minutes to make your point, "Go!". The first Ignite event took place in Seattle, WA in 2006. From time to time the events will include contests. For instance, at an Ignite NYC event, participants decorated cupcakes .

An even more abbreviated variation of lightning presentations is the 20x2 event. Here a group of 20 speakers is given 1 question prior to the event to answer in their own unique way within 2 minutes at the event. This has been a recurring event at recent SXSW Interactive conferences. Presentations have come in the form of talks, videos or live performances.

TED Conference

TED stands for 'Technology, Entertainment, Design' but is really much more. Since its foundation by Richard Saul Wurman and Harry Marks in 1984 and becoming an annual event in 1990, the TED Conference has been chock full of world renowned speakers such as Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking, and Bono. Aside from the high profile speakers, what makes this conference compelling is that the presenters are challenged to keep their presentations to 18 minutes in length. That can't be easy for some that have spoken for hours at a time in their careers. Additionally, you can find many of these presentations available online .

<head> Conference

Another emerging concept is that of the virtual conference. Picture this: a conference that features dozens of your favorite web developers and creatives, takes place over the course of a few days, and can be watched from the comfort of your living room. That's exactly what the <head> Conference set out to do by being one of the first global, virtual conferences. Attendees are able to fire up the presentations from their computers and watch via Flash video and interact via live chat rooms. Even better, the sessions are archived and available after the fact for any latecomers that want to check them out.

The Trendsetters

There are some that are so good at what they do and so widely imitated that they become "the trendsetters".

Guy Kawasaki

Kawasaki recommends no more than 10 slides in your presentation because that's all that people can generally absorb. He also suggests you keep your slide presentation to under less than 20 minutes and to use a 30 point font size at minimum so that your slides are highly readable. Or as he more humorously says, "find out who the oldest person in the room is and divide his or her age by two" to get your optimal font size. Using a large font size also helps to reduce the amount of information you can pack onto a slide. This has been referred to as the "10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint" .

Masayoshi Takahashi

Known for his minimalist approach to slide presenations, Takahashi makes slides with as few words possible in as large a font as possible. His slides are recognizable in that they are usually black text on a white background with the occasional use of red for emphasis. He didn't set out to make a style but he certainly became a trendsetter. His style is the result of trying to keep the audience from reading his slides and instead pay attention to his words, which appear like Japanese newspaper headlines. As a result, not only do people listen and understand what he has to say but his presentations become memorable without overt stylization. For fun, someone cooked up a Takahashi Method Generator .

Lawrence Lessig

Lessig, a Stanford Law School professor and founding board member of Creative Commons, has been known in recent times as a game changer when it comes to presentation style. Referred to as the "Lessig Method", this style features a rapid firing of words, phrases and imagery synchronized to the verbalization of his presentation. Nearly everything is center aligned and is only slightly more visual in comparison to Takahashi in that more thought and care are put into the selection of typeface, color and imagery. Additionally, Lessig relies quite heavily on animation to punctuate his storytelling. Most importantly, his convincing argument is what makes Lawrence Lessig so effective and incontrovertible. It is now common for other presenters, such as Dick Hardt of Sxip, to imitate and credit Lessig for his unique style of presentation.

As the Mac of marketing presentations, Seth Godin adds a little "bam" to the Lessig Method through a heavy use of imagery and visuals to make his point. On top of that, Godin mixes in a whole lot of passion in his delivery to inspire his audiences. Heck, Seth Godin could pitch you oceanfront property in Arizona and you'd be interested. Like Lessig and Takahashi but unlike Kawasaki, he has no limit to the number of slides used to tell a story or make a point.

The Educator

Garr reynolds.

Author of the book Presentation Zen , Garr Reynolds is not known as much for his presentation style as he is the book and companion web site covering presentation tips of all sorts. That being said, Reynolds himself is quite a speaker and follows a mixture of styles similar to Lessig and Godin that is largely photographic and typographic.

We loved Al Gore when we picked him to be President of the United States (popular vote) and many love him even more since he delivered his epic An Inconvenient Truth to the silver screen. Good ol' Uncle Al was awarded for sharing his Duarte Design presentation through cinema and video with an Academy Award and Nobel Peace Prize. You can't get much bigger than that with a slide presentation.

Steve Jobs is known for many things, including co-founding Apple and Pixar. Yet he is perhaps most well-known for resurrecting Apple into the most mind blowing computer company alive today. He's become so popular that his Apple Keynote speeches are talked about for weeks in advance, and you're lucky to get sufficient bandwidth to watch the streaming video the day of the presentation. Is there anyone who doesn't sit around waiting for his famous "oh, there's one more thing…" line? Like Al Gore, Jobs solicits help from the amazing slideologists at Duarte Design, but the sizzle is divided among the products and his delivery.

The Organizer

Merlin mann.

Known primarily for his work with 43 Folders a time management and productivity web site for the digital age, Merlin Mann is also a frequent podcast host and event presenter. His delivery is similar to Seth Godin's in that he'll spend some time setting up the message verbally, and then punctuate it with a clever visual image. What makes his talks particularly interesting are the references to pop culture and humorous use of imagery. It could be that I'm just a big fan of his "Time and Attention" presentation that I include him in this list. Mann is an entertaining presenter none-the-less.

In 2006, Ze Frank started video podcasting through a daily video blog known as "The Show With Zefrank" . His podcasts were known for their humorously critical view of everyday life, especially as it pertains to web culture. A large following soon emerged and Frank students and imitators began adding to the popularity of the video blogosphere. Frank has also been seen twice as a TED presenter and appears from time to time at other events including SXSW and RailsConf. Chances are that if you read our Inspire blog, you're already familiar with Ze Frank. If not, do yourself a favor and kill a few hours.

The Naked, er… The Slideless

Gary vaynerchuck.

Like Ze Frank, Gary Vaynerchuk got noticed by hosting a daily webcast about wine called Wine Library TV . More than anything, he was able to connect with a new generation of wine connosiuers and is responsible for creating a whole new breed of wine snobs. Gary "Vee" is also known for his passionate presentations at recent conferences like the the Web 2.0 Expo . His slideless rants have inspired young entreprenuers everywhere.

Jason Fried

Like Gary Vee, Jason Fried is also known to present sans slides. He's responsible for co-founding 37signals in 1999, the company that created the popular web application series Basecamp , Backpack , Campfire , etc., a series that many web devs and creatives have adopted pervasively in recent years. While Fried may not be as animated a presenter as Vaynerchuck, he's equally inspiring with his tales of how to be successful in today's business world.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the trends and trendsetters in the presentation space that have recently caught my attention. Events like Pecha Kucha , Ignite and 20x2 have inspired me to think of new ways to organize multiple speaker events without interfering with work days to participate. I usually hit the threshold for taking in useful information by lunchtime at an all day event, making compact events far more appealing.

This has also caused me to think more about my own style and how it is best to follow a style that matches your own unique personality. While I admire how these folks deliver their presentations, I don't think I could pull it off quite like they do. Am I better delivering a max 10 slides presentation like Guy Kawasaki? Or a journey of images and text like Seth Godin?

You probably have your own set of influences and motivation. Tell us about them.

• http://slideology.com/
• http://www.presentationzen.com/
• http://www.ted.com/
• http://www.pecha-kucha.org/
• http://www.ignitenyc.org/
• http://www.20x2.org/
• http://www.youtube.com/
• http://www.wikipedia.com/

Related Articles

Apple's Future Vision

Annalisa Kleinschmidt

Our Variable Wishlist to Figma

Haroon Matties

Building Motion for the Web: Recipes for Design Success

Nathan Long

The Viget Newsletter

Nobody likes popups, so we waited until now to recommend our newsletter, featuring thoughts, opinions, and tools for building a better digital world. Read the current issue.

Subscribe Here (opens in new window)

• Share this page
• Post this page

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.

Related articles

Ready to create more designs for lesser costs? ‍