Creative Ways To Present Data In PowerPoint That Engage Audiences
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There’s no shortage of creative ways to engage your audience when presenting data. It’s easy to slap numbers into a bar graph, present the information and call it a day! But will that have the desired impact on those you are presenting to?
In this article we are going to explore the options you have available to you using PowerPoint templates, what creativity can bring to the mix with regard to data presentation, and our recommendations on the next steps you should take if you need a presentation that is data heavy.
Always Understand Your Target Audience
Before you start constructing your presentation, ask yourself – how well do I know the audience I am presenting to? This understanding is critical as you want to produce a presentation that they will connect with. A financial analyst will consume data differently than a sales professional. You need to present data the way the room will connect with it best.
What Options Do You Have When Presenting Data In PowerPoint?
There’s no shortage of options when creating a PowerPoint presentation that will be showcasing numbers, PowerPoint has a wealth of charts and diagrams you can insert.
You need to consider your options for the type of data that you will be presenting, so your point gets across. By knowing your audience and the type of data you want to use in your presentation, you are well on your way to selecting the right format in which to present it in. Below are a few common options PowerPoint offers:
Charts
Let’s start with a classic, charts! Charts come in many forms that are available to you. Read on as we explore the best DIY options you have to present your data in PowerPoint.
Line Charts
Line charts, everybody has seen a line chart! However, this always begs the question – are they overused? It’s hardly the sexiest way of displaying data, but it’s a clear and easy way of displaying trends. Up is positive, and down is negative. It certain instances, this is just what the doctor ordered.
Column Charts
Ah, column charts. Not to be confused with its older sibling the bar chart. Again, it’s a way of displaying data that is frequently used as it’s easy to digest and displays the data cleanly. It really doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
Pie Charts
Pie charts are great, I mean who doesn’t love a good pie…chart? Ideal for segmenting items into a visual format. It’s typically a breeze to identify opportunities using a good old-fashioned pie chart.
Bubble Charts
Bubble charts are a brilliant way for you to highlight the distribution of data. Arguably one of the more visually appealing stock formats to display information available in PowerPoint.
Indicators
Indicators, a simple and effective way of showing information through progression, targets that need to be met or showing a focus on where you want your company to be in the future.
Venn Diagrams
We love Venn diagrams for how simple but effective they are for displaying information like similarities, differences and the cross-overs between all the information. A simple, yet effective way to showcase your information and keep your audience’s focus on the detail that matter.
Area Maps
Use an area map if you want to put your information into the real world for your audience to engage with. Do you have locations you need to present? Any geography that would be beneficial for your presentation? This is where we recommend area maps as an interesting way of presenting data in PowerPoint.
Venturing Beyond PowerPoints Stock Features
The reason we wanted to lead you through the world of PowerPoint options is to highlight its versatility. Heck, we didn’t even cover them all off. With that being said, it can take a significant amount of time to gain the experience you need just to work with the options everyone has available to them.
However, when you really want to make some noise, you need to venture outside what is available to EVERYONE and craft something unique. Check out below the difference that custom graphic design can make.
Here's One We Made Earlier For Dynamic Funds
Don't Be Afraid To Mix It Up. Think Outside The Spreadsheet!
It’s quite popular at the moment in PowerPoint design to mix up how you present data. Don’t feel restricted to a single format. Instead, perhaps use two different types of data presentation on one slide. It will make the data more attractive and interesting to the audience. For example, try using a bar chart on the left and a pie chart for different data on the right. Mixing and matching different styles is engaging.
Incorporate Motion Graphics
You can’t overstate the importance of movement in today’s presentation arena. We are inundated on a daily basis with motion and movements, from social media to streaming services everywhere. Knowing this, displaying a static chart on your next presentation could leave your audience not as captivated as they shoud be. It’s a simple solution, but adding motion graphics and animation to existing data can elevate your professionalism and “wow-factor.”
Check out a quick data visualization animation we created from a 2D static line graph.
Brand Consistency Is Key
It’s easy to get overly excited about your presentation and load it up with more information, graphs and pictures than you need. This is where your talking comes in handy, as we recommend that you display your data in a way that is easy for your audience to process through your unique style while talking about your information as you present. Keep your colours, fonts and graphs consistent throughout your entire presentation.
The financial industry understands the importance of data, figures, and graphs. Although a financial audience may be very savvy, it’s still important to present data in a powerful and meaningful way.
Here’s a great example of consistency that we created for ING Financial.
Only Draw Attention To Key Data Points
Stay focused, your presentation doesn’t need to contain every number you have in your database. Your slides are there to contain key information that supports the point you are there to make. It’s understandable that in certain situations a little more will be required, but on the whole, keep it simple. A crowded slide is an ineffective one. After all, you are there to tell the story, the presentation is your supporting act.
Overlay Data On Top Of Images
It’s incredibly simple, yet incredibly effective. A little creativity can go a long when it comes to bringing your point to life on the screen. Engaging presentations that contain financial information often contain an image or a video to provide context. Placing data over the top of an image that it represents helps to humanize it. Your audience makes the logical connection with the point you are trying to make as you’ve removed barriers. Check our the presentation we created for Brandpoint that did just that!
Creative Ways To Present Data In PowerPoint - Our Key Takeaways
Customized presentations are key when you want to connect with your audience. Investing time in learning PowerPoint, or any other presentation software is only going to get you so far. Usually, the time invested isn’t worth the product you get, if you do it alone. Your audience is savvy, they can tell how seriously you take yourself by what you present them.
It’s true, not all data needs to be over complicated and sometimes a simple chart is enough. However, consistency, intent, and sublime execution is noticeable. An investment in your sales/marketing/financial presentation is an investment in you or your business and makes all the difference.
Need Help With Your Next Presentation?
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